import2ner

Hi, fellow pot smokers. I got busted. Me and my friends were smoking a joint at a park(dumb I know) someone called the cops on us and they got there. We were all sitting in my car. The joint was far gone. We were just chilling there. We had no weed at all, but me and my friend did have a pipe each. We got a paraphernalia charge and are supposed to go to court.

Now, I have no criminal record at all neither does my friend. We are in Illinois btw, so we are wondering what kind of punishment would we be getting and what would be the best approach to this (plead guilty, no contest or innocent) ??? Also, I plan to dress up nicely and be very respectful. I want to be honest, but I don't know if that is the best idea. I have stopped smoking since I can tell the judge that I am clean, will that help? PLease help..thanks God Bless.

WNB

You can expect the standard "lose your driver's liscense or take probation" deal. Probably a year of either. I'd suggest losing the DL and learning to drive the speed limit (and not toke up in parks), but that's just me...

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Ganjics

Drugged driving: This state has a zero tolerance per se drugged driving law enacted. In their strictest form, these laws forbid drivers from operating a motor vehicle if they have any detectable level of an illicit drug or drug metabolite (i.e., compounds produced from chemical changes of a drug in the body, but not necessarily psychoactive themselves) present in their bodily fluids. For more information, see NORML's Drugged Driving (DUID) report.

If you didn't drive anywheres you're cool.

troublemaker_42

wrong again Ganjics.....simply not driving anywhere doesn't mean jack ****. If you are IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, you can be charged for drunk/drugged driving. No movement of the vehicle is required. If you are in the driver's seat, and have the keys iIN YOUR POSSESSION (thereby able at some point to operate the vehicle), not even necessarily in the ignition, you can be charged, at least in every state I've read the laws on. If you were the passenger, this won't apply, and since you or your friend weren't charged with any offenses related to that, its highly unlikely you'll be charged for it later. Ignore ganjics post completely, as WNB was much more on point in this matter

cepheus

i agree with troublemaker. it doesn't really matter what the cops could have charged you with. it's their discretion and it sounds like they left it at possession of paraphanelia. (but in the off chance they do throw in another charge later plead not guilty, that will drag out the process and they'll probably give you a plea bargain of a smaller charge.)

on court day the punishment is up to the judge within the constraints of whatever court you are at. for my paraphanelia charge in arizona i got a $300 fine and had to take an 8 hour weekend class about alcohol and drugs. my friend's mom got the same charge in the next county over and had to do a bunch of community service. probation is also possible. start saving up some money for a possible fine. its cheaper if you can pay it all at once.

bannanaboy6907

ya i live in minnesota n got busted while driving under the influence,with out a drivers permit n had sum on me n all i got was 1 yr probation, 40 hrs community service n a 2 page paper on y it was bad so thats about it here

bannanaboy6907

okeydokeypokey

thats really ****ty you can get in trouble for not doing anything. I would say like me, but i did have a roach and a pipe i forgot about. But it sucks that you can lose your license just for having weed in your system. Cuz i actually wasnt smoking when i got pulled over. There was a lot of cops out that night trying to bust ppl. I regret not cleaning out my car and even telling the cop i smoked any weed at all. money money money and more money. so far since feb 1st, 2 grand, just on my damn lawyer. thank you mommy for helping me.

Darque Pervert

I got nailed with a paraphenalia charge when I lived in Lake County, Ohio about ten years ago.
I was pulled over for speeding, given a field sobriety test (failed, but the breathalyzer proved well under the legal limit). When I was reaching into my glove box, my metal pipe fell out and the cop saw it.
When I went to court, the prosecutor offered me a deal: Drop the speeding charge in exchange for a no contest plea for the paraphenalia charge (a misdemeanor). I'd get community service and a fine. I took the deal.
Looking back on it, I'm certain I could have fought it and beat the paraphenalia charge (not the speeding, though) had I been able to afford a lawyer. If you can afford a lawyer, I'd recommend retaining one. There is always the option of a public defender, as well, although the representation you receive from pro bono public defense is typically not of the quality of paid legal representation, it's still something.

Good luck.

okeydokeypokey

get a lawyer and get a 74-11 That completely wipes the charge out. Well, im from Michigan. I just got these crooked ass charges: poss. of parapanalia, poss. of marijuana and operating with presence of drugs. Ever heard of driving with marijuana in your system??? ME EITHER!!! we all know it stays in there a while. The cop told me he didnt care if i was smoking while i was driving or not because the weed was still in my system. Well, in the police report he said i told him i smoked 4 joints. Which i would never tell a cop. I did tell him i smoked a joint the day before. I hate Lying ass cops. so now ill probably lose my license. hopefully at least get it restricted. So yeah, the poss. charge isnt nothing.

alexnalaska

MOst cops do not show up to court on these things.............When you go to court the 1sttime lookkk for him.........If you don't see the cop??? You are free if you know what to do.

The judge will try to get you to admit to whatever anyways and get you in a program and get your money. If the cop does not show.......their is no one to tell the cops side.....meaning you can LIE 2 the judges and tell him the cop was F576ing nuts, and was just out to get you tahat night. Maybe he was having marital problems or something?
The judge, IF YOU STICK TO YOUR STORY AND MAINTAIN YOUR INOCENSE,,,, H A S to let you go. I have witnessed this MANY times. Most of the peopel that they give these little tickets just wants it over. Well, it will still be over this way, but you will be free of all the BS.

Yes, I have walked on posseion charges and traffic tix, and all kinds of stuff, that I got caught red handed at. If the cop don't show............You are FREEEEEEEEE.

Ok what if the cop is there? 99% chance he will not be , but if he is you just say innocent and get a court lawer. COST the state as much as you can and try to keep going back to court until the day you don't see the cop in the court. If nothing else you are keeping that pot hating cop off the street while he is in court...