jozkez

Hi. I'm 16. I have to go to court tomorrow and testify against some friends that were in a drug bust. They've already admitted to everything, so I don't need a speech about ratting them out, because I'm not. I'm required to go tomorrow and be questioned.

I want to know what the possibilities are if I admit to smoking marijuana with these kids. I wasn't there the night they busted the house, so they never caught me actually doing anything. But a bunch of kids listed my name as someone who is usually there, so it would be hard to lie and say I never did. But is there anything they can legally do if I just admit to previously smoking it?

Also, if anyone knows what they can do if I admit to underage drinking, that'd be helpful too.

Viper420

Well don't rat yourself out. That would be completely stupid. Deny deny deny. Or say you don't remember or you don't recall.

MonarchX

Must have been a hell of a drug bust for them to make someone who wasn't there come and testify...

phuzz01

Lying when one is testifying in court is perjury, which is a felony. That is far worse than admitting to possessing marijuana or alcohol.

MonarchX

But can they really get him for possessing or smoking MJ in the past? If he was not present during the bust, then what they charge him with?

RookieSmoker

If he's not one of the defendants then he's not on trial meaning he won't be convicted of any crime for saying something, although the state could decide to press charges or look into the matter if it would be worthwhile. The important thing about this is that his 5th amendment right (like someone else as well as myself just stated) is the right to not incriminate himself. If they ask him a question like "Have you ever smoked with any of the defendants?" or "Have you bought marijuana from any of the defendants?" he can plead the fifth which will mean he does not have to give an answer because that answer could offer the state evidence against him, and he does not have to incriminate himself.

Don't lie, like Phuzz said it's far worse, but don't say you did anything illegal either, if you're not on trial then you should not have to worry, but always take the safe road.

RookieSmoker

Fifth Amendment.

Spaztikolon

I would ask a lawyer. If you dont have one, ask your buddies lawyer.

Darque Pervert

You don't have to. The fifth amendment of the US Constitution says that you have the right to not say anything incriminating on the stand.

As others have suggeted, talk to a lawyer before you get questioned. You have that right, as well.

Good luck.

__________________

Life is always a spiral. It's the choices of the individual as to whether that spiral is aimed up or down.

jozkez

Thanks everyone.. it went alright. They didn't ask me about smoking it because it was already on everyone's testimony that I had smoked with them. But they aren't going to try to do anything about it.. I'm just considered a victim. But thanks anyhow.

By the way, I'm a girl. not a he. =)