victimless_criminal

Hello everyone. I'm new here, signed up with hopes of obtaining some advice. Here's my situation:

I'm 17. I was arrested for possession in New Jersey. I have court tomorrow, and I am curious if anyone knows any specifics regarding court for minors in NJ and what I should expect. My parents are not supportive at all, and therefore I will have a public defender (I assume?).

Any help appreciated.

BartSimpson

Whoa! Let's foul the pity party right here. I bet if you told your story, there would be a half of dozen mistakes you know you made. Focus on better prevention of this kind of issue.

You will get a conditional discharge - you keep it clean for a year - and this goes away.

As for your parents, who can blame them? You could of been smarter and avoided this but if they bail you out all the time . . . you know that kind of kid, right? You are man enough to handle smoking weed, you better be man enough to handle the consequences. I bet you can walk in there tomorrow and man-up just fine to make this all go away,

Couple of classes, a bit of community service and perhaps passing a couple of drug tests and it will all go away.

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victimless_criminal

Hey! I never said I expected them to be. No pity asked for either, I was just stating the facts.

But alas, you were right. Six months probation and a $500 fine.

BartSimpson

Nice job, manning up. You get a MJ Star!

Good on you for taking it but please remember that you cannot get caught over the next 12 months without getting burned.

victimless_criminal

Yeah. I am definitely going to keep it cool.

Another question, now...

I am applying for a job at Rite Aid (a pharmacy/drug store if you aren't familiar) in order to pay off my fine. At the end of the application there is the typical question "Have you ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor which has not since been placed under seal or expunged?" I'm skeptical about whether or not I need to put down my possession charge. Any ideas? I'm not sure if the charge is on my record at this point or not, but I know it is definitely going to be dismissed after my probation period.

BartSimpson

You are smart to ask - I say effe it and do no answer the question truthfully. Could they check? Sure. Are they going to? No.

Being a clerk in a corner store should not have any relationship to the issue. Now had you been convicted of theft or embezzlement my answer would be different, but give yourself the break this time.

Rite-Aid, CVS or Longs are not sensitive employment positions involving more than "did you find everything you needed" and this situation should not have that impact.

Good luck, and if the Rite-Aid thing doesn't work out there are lot's of other opportunities - I employ about 70 young men in Rock and Roll (roadies) and I am most impressed when they move past their problems and try to succeed, by hook or crook.

ashlee lynn x0

Well, if you got a packet of information and the charges in the mail, and you were offered a public defender, there would be a form in there to fill out and mail in. That's how it worked for me, in PA, but I'm not sure how big of a difference there is.

As for the consequences, here is the NORML law page for New Jersey. That should be of some help
New Jersey - NORML

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