Don’t Plead Guilty to Possession of Marijuana or Drug Paraphernalia
If you plead guilty to marijuana or drug paraphernalia possession, the judge could sentence you to 1 year in jail and a fine of $2,000. The conviction will stay on your criminal record forever and can prevent you from getting a job, renting an apartment, obtaining a bank loan, or receiving federal student aid for college.
An experienced attorney can get your marijuana or paraphernalia tickets dismissed or reduced to a lesser offense, such as “Littering.” In many cases, your attorney can get your charges reduced after you pay a fine and court costs, with no court appearance required. In other cases, the marijuana or paraphernalia charges will be dismissed after you attend a brief drug education class, do a few hours of community service, or complete probation. The outcome of your case depends on the following:
- Your age
- Your criminal history
- Which court your case is being prosecuted in
- Your behavior toward the police officer who issued the ticket
- The skill and experience of your attorney