First Time Possession Of Marijuana Misdemeanor In California

[parakeet69]

I was pulled over by an officer last night with my cousin and her bf on private property... we had open alcohol containers in the vehicle under the passenger seat...and I had less than an oz of marijuana in a a pill bottle in my purse...I'm 25 and my cousin is 19 and her bf is 20 and not charged...with anything...they dumped out the booze and took the weed and let us go... now I need to know the legal rammifications of my actions... I have a court date set for the 21st of february and I need to know if i plead guilty?? I would say yes no brainer becuase they found it obviously becuase we admitted it to them...and then what do I get a fine??? or have to do probation or go to na? or what? and If i do all the above how do i get it expunged from my record so It doesnt show up everytime I get pulled over? or so my job doesnt find out... I don't want to have my car searched every single time I get pulled over...or for it to show on any type of criminal background investigation. if i apply for a job..any advice would be greatly appreciated...

[LawResearcherMissy]

Hi Parakeet!

Under California's Health and Safety Code 11357 B, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana (simple possession) is punishable by a maximum penalty of a $100 fine plus court costs.

If you admit to the possession, you may petition for an "informal diversion", in which the charges are dropped and no criminal record is created in exchange for attending drug counseling or performing community service:

Possession offenders can avoid conviction by making a preguilty plea under Penal Code 1000, in which case their charges are dismissed upon successful completion of a diversion program. Possession offenses are expunged from the record after two years under Health and Safety Code Sections 11361.5 and 11361.7.

http://www.chrisconrad.com/expert.wi...calmjlaws.html

Good luck! Hope this helps!