Teacher

Got pulled over the other night. Had drank 2 light beers during a banquet over the course of 4 hours.

Cops hauled me in for a breathalyzer. Of course I didn't blow over, but they found about a gram of grass in my purse. They charged me with impaired driving by drug and with posession.

Talked to a Lawyer. Looks like it's going to cost about $6000. to get me out of this thing.

My career is on the line, so is my driver's license, not to mention the fact that I live in a small community and my reputation will be shot if this gets out.

I would really appreciate any advice or support from anybody out there. Thanks for listening.

I am NOT a criminal!!

WNB

Did they give any reasons for searching your purse?

Other than that some rather obvious advice...get a lawyer!

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War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength

Teacher

They didn't give any reason for checking my purse. I have contacted a lawyer who will be getting disclosure in about 3 weeks. First court date is Sept. 29.

What bugs me is that they are wasting time and $$ on such a stupid little thing instead of going after real criminals.
Sheesh!

SkinnyP

Who cares about your reputation? The only important opinion is your own. If someone says something nasty to you then just spit in their face.

But the rest sucks!

Oh Lordy

No, actually you SHOULD care about your reputation, especially if you're in a small community and your career will be affected. Going by his screenname, if he is a teacher, then being labeled a drug user and criminal by others may have a major impact on his life. Heck, if I encountered someone who held the opinion that "the only important opinion is your own", not only would they be extremely difficult to get along with, they would probably be quite conceited and inconsiderate. And spitting in other's faces for saying something nasty? If their opinion didn't matter to you, why spit? Why not just walk away or through some peaceful, non-offensive resolution? Spitting in other's faces for saying something nasty will not get your very far in life.

Sorry, I've been rambling about SkinnyP's post. Teacher, I feel for you =( Hopefully since you live in a small community, if word gets out, they will realize it is only marijuana and understand. They can charge you for possession for 1 gram of mj? Thats insane. Sorry guess I dont really have any real advice, never been in your position. Keep us updated, best of luck

Liberty4All

Did they ask you for permission to search your purse or did they just do it without even asking? I'm not too familiar with Canadian law, but I don't think the cops have a right to search your purse just because you had a couple of beers in your system. If they searched your purse without your permission, you should be able to beat this thing. Keep us posted to your progress... I hope you get off on the charge.

sarahmax79

The Police in Alberta are behind the times on the current state of the pot laws, but that is what allows them to do what most other provinces are not, at the moment.
Unfortunately, you are in a positon for them to scare the bejesus out of you. Take the time to do your own research, check recent decisions, make sure your lawyer is on your side and won't trade you off in some plea bargain arangement.
Print off some of the very good material from Canadian sites, and make sure they are current.Ii have always taken Emily Murphy's ranings to court, in case the Judge needed to be reminded of the racist nature of all drug laws
Go to court several times, and familiarize yourself with the working of Canadian courts. Some Judges are human and some are stuck in the thirties.
Be familiar with the sentencing disparities, remember that the cops still have a very outdated view on pot, and they want those convictions in their files; it makes them look good by the numbers, rather than the severity of the case, and remember, first time small time users are most vulnerable to tryingto co-operate with them.
You are entitled to be quiet, tell them nothing, and proclaim your innocence as the laws have changed and are changing further. It isn't your place to do their job for them, so letr them do their jobs. Make sure your lawyer is current with regard to the law, and the recent cased.
If you are armed with knowledge, you may wal out withan absolute discharge. A good lawyer will emphasize that punishing you for your choice of recreational substances is contrary to your rights and freedoms.
And most important, keep us posted about this.
Also, go to Med-pot.com, and read their valuable advice and take copies of anything that strikes you as pertinent.
And for your own sake, always be calm and polite, even as they try to ruin your life and your future. They aren't impredssed by despair even though they try to create it.
Do keep us posted...Sarah.

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sarahmax79

Teacher

Apparently, in Alberta, you can loose your license for a conviction of impaired driving by drug. Section 253 (a) for 1 year.

I have been charged with this, as well as posession. (They seized about a gram of grass.)

In cases involving impairment by alcohol, the breathalyzer can determine blood alcohol levels, but what about grass?

The police did not a blood or urnie sample. They simply assumed I was driving under the influence when they found that little bud.

I didn't have any papers, pipes, roach clips, scissors or any other paraphanalia with me at the time. I think this might help, because how is a person supposed to get high with no way consume it. (Other than eating it of course.)

Because a person is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, I can't see how they can make this charge stick.

If I loose my license, my career is over. I am a teacher (female) in my 40's. I have never had any criminal charges in my life.

I am so worried and sick over this, I don't know how I will manage to concentrate on my job. (School starts today)

Any information, precedents, or support would be greatly appreciated.

I am not a criminal.

firsttimer

I don't know the laws in Alberta. But where I live. If you are under 21. And found with pot while in your car. You can still loose your license for a year. But as an adult that is absurd. You deny that you where high. There is No way they can prove it. Being through Urine or blood. Because it stays in your system for so long. There is no way to prove you are high unless you admit it. I have proven this many times. Ok. Well a cop arrest you for it anyways. You need to get a good lawyer. It may cost you money but your integrity and Driving necessities would probably out way the cost. And on top of that. If you smoke for any medical reasons. I would try to get some type of doctors note even if its not Medically valued where you live. If you can. But you must just say you just had purchased some and where taking it home. A gram isn't nothing. And the courts have better things to do with there time. So you would think. If you fight it. You will either get it reduced or thrown out all together. Well it works in California that way. Good luck.... Sorry to hear about this...

Edit. We need cool teachers like you...

Teacher

What is really ironic is that I had badly smashed my finger in the car door the night before. One of the guys at the golf tournament that I was coming home from gave me the bud to kill the pain. I hadn't even smoked any of it...(not that I didn't intend to when I got home)