Marijuana.com

0range

So i got screwed.

i live in NJ and i'm 20. its christmas eve, my bud and i smoked a blunt in my car and then stupidly decided to go to 711, on the way back i made a turn on a yellow and the cop saw and pulled me over (later he said because i made a crooked turn or something). the car reeked, so he asked if theres anything in the car i said no. he began searching, and found the blunt. i then admitted to it and said thats everything. he searched more and didn't find anything. i took the blame and he arrested me, let my friend go and had him follow to the station where he'd wait for me.

i got charged with improper turn, possion of marijuana under 50 grams (its a disorderly persons offense in NJ), and being under the influence controlled dangerous substance.

i kno wi should've just told him straight out that i had the roach, but i was sooo stoned, and a little scared.
any advice? i don't want to tell my parents, and would rather not get a lawyer, i'm thinking of pleading guilty, because the cop told me i probably won't lose my license and to "work with him" that he will try to lower it the best he can.

i've never been in trouble before and am just wondering what will happen. i need my license!

 

Ketamine

You should have learned your rights man. Some incense and knowledge of your 4th amendment 5th, and 6th.

If you had simply burnt some incence in the car after (or while) you burnt the blunt you could have most likely saved yourself a trip to jail and a costly sum of money.

Police have NO right to take you to jail for pulling you over. As a matter of fact, your inoccent if you keep your cool, your car does not WREAK of Marijuana and there isn't a pipe/bong/roach sitting in plain sight.

I know your going to think I'm full of shit, but I'm truly not. You can say to the officer "I do not consent to this search, sir.". And that will pretty much be it. Always remember that you have the upper hand, hes going to get you with his word games but you must remain cool and in control.

You have the right to not accuse yourself of any crime you did not commit. If he asks you if your smoking pot you've say "NO SIR. Marijuanas bad, mmkay?"

The cop is most likely going to say something along the lines of, "Now you look like a good kid, but sometimes good kids slip y'know? Now I'm gonna do everything in my power to help you here, but y'gadda help yourself. When your in court, plead guilty."

His job is to convict you. Hes not your friend, hes a dirty god damn pig. Don't believe a word he says.

It can all be explained http://http://video.google.com/video...usted%21&hl=en
in that 54 minute video.

I highly suggest you watch that if you don't want to get into any more legal issues regarding any substance.

Merry free shit day.

phuzz01

Pretty much every single thing that Ketamine said was wrong. So...

Richi

He said his car did wreak of marijuana, which gave the cop the reason to search his car, and driving while high or being in possession of a controlled substance put him in jail.

Nope, that's the job of the judge. His job is to find people doing wrong, and to send them to be convicted.

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Ketamine

I know, and I was simply stating that if he had burned a little incense he could have gotten rid of that issue. The cop has no idea you have a bag of weed in your car, and even if he does he has no means to act on his instint without something in plain view.

Gotta understand.. I'm just a BIT tired from the last minute binge shopping, and lack of sleep for 3 days. Thats what I ment to say.

 

BartSimpson

Ketamine - you are handing out really bad legal advice. I am familiar with the video and it is not accurate, nor does it take into account the real life scenario that most people face. Just because it is on the internet does not make it truth.

Cops are doing their job day in and day out - most with years and years of experience doing the exact same thing. They know the rules inside out and backwards, and are not going to jeapordize a measly MJ case on violating the constitutional rights of the defendant. Be nice, and they are likely to be nice back - be a hard ass, well guess what your going to get back.

Incense is not going to mask the distinctive odor of MJ, nor does Fabreeze, nor Ozium, nor fabric softener sheets. The officer here was merely asking permission as a courtesy, he already had cause with the odor. The problem with your jailhouse advice is that someone might actually take it - the a simple ticket turns into a huge legal matter with an impounded car and revoking the driver's license for DUI. That would not make a Merry Christmas.

What we have here is the teenage trifecta - albeit he is 20. Young males, in a car, with marijuana are always going to be caught. The way to avoid it is to eliminate one of those three factors. We have hundreds of stories here on this site that are exactly the same as this one. About half of them get off the first offense with some Community Service.

ATTENTION YOUNG MEN: Do not smoke MJ with your buddy in your car - you will get busted. And do not get your legal advice from someone who does not know the law beyond watching a short video on the internet.

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0range

i understand it was a stupid mistake, so lets not talk about what i should've done.

tell me what i should do now. is it truly necessary to get a lawyer? will it make a difference? they have the roach as evidence, i admitted to being high and smoking (i wasn't gonna lie, i figured being honest would help), and the cop said to just work with him he will do his best. the freakin cop had marijuana leaves and pictures all over his desk, when i asked he said "i dont always wear a uniform, i like to have fun" haa

JackBauer

I'm not sure about where your from but where I am from, it isn't the police that make the deals with the accused. Yes they can put in a good word with the prosecutor but in most cases if anyone is going to broker a deal it will come from the prosecutor and not the officer. You should get a lawyer because although this looks like a righteous stop (despite what ketamine said ) there may be a chance to get something tossed. If not, a lawyer can negotiate a better deal for you than you can. It sounds like this is your first offense and if you can't beat the charges you next best hope would be to enter some program where you do what the court asks you to do and then your record is kept clean.

The only thing of substance ketamine said was that you should know your rights. Knowledge never hurt anyone. Every thing else he said was wrong.

mnharandi

get a lawyer, lawyers do wonders because they know the jodges and the prosecutor's... if its like illinois youll pay a fine of less than a grand, the only problem is if you get a driving under the influence, then youre fucked, but get a lawyer for sure!!!

BartSimpson

Is the "Being Under the Influence" a driving charge - as in DUI? If you have a possible DUI, you need a lawyer.

And much of what preceded this wasn't aimed directly toward you, rather at those young men who might be looking over our shoulder. So many young men do not understand that sparking up a blunt in a car can be a complete life-changing experience - and easily prevented with simple precautions. Some young men think they will wiggle out of it on some Constitutional grounds like illegal search or not being read their rights.

Have you reviewed the hundreds of stories here? Perhaps a search (try teenage trifecta for starters) might give you some comfort. Most young men with similar stories work it out in the end.

And it is time to man up and tell your folks - they would rather hear it from you now. Sure your Dad is going to kick your ass, but you need your ass kicked for your choices. You will not successfully keep this from your parents and hiding it is silly. Own it like you have here and you demonstrate a level of maturity that will encourage your folks.

And their support can sway the Judge to grant Community Service.