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I ****ed up (marijuana)
Started by butwhatdididid
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A lie or really stupid move.
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stupid move and some of it was mine. Didn't think it was necessary to involve him in it too. Anyways, it was his party and he's always loud with the music and I tried doing something noble because he is going through some hard times. 🙁
I'm not sure why you would ever admit to anything illegal in front of police.
Find an excellent attorney.
Find an excellent attorney.
Get a lawyer before you do anything. Then I'd inform the administration at your school as these are the folks who are probably best suited to tell you how this will affect your future in regards to obtaining residency, etc. As painful as that may be, there is a chance they will find out sooner or later (i.e. background check before starting 3rd year rotations) so nip this in the bud.
Good luck and keep your head up. I hope everything works out for you.
Good luck and keep your head up. I hope everything works out for you.
Are you white? I'm serious. In my experience, IL cops are MUCH more lenient with white drug offenders than non white ones. Funny story, three of my friends got arrested for possession once. All three had a gram or so on them. One was black, the other two white. Guess which one got charged?
Lawyer up though. I know IL has certain options for first time offenders. I'm not sure about expungement but NORML has an excellent state by state guide on marijuana laws and there's no reason you have to walk out of court owing anything more than a small fine and/or a few hours in class or at community service. Last I checked, anything over 2.5 grams qualifies one for jail time. Funny how possessing a little plant for personal use can end with jail time.
I'd look into getting the charges thrown out though. Your lawyer will know more about those specifics. Don't spare on the lawyer. Getting the best of the best right now and erasing any record of this could cost you a lot less than getting a conviction and having it come up during residency app season.
edit: One other thing I should add. I'm not sure if things are still this way but my uncle had something similar happen in Chicago when he was a young adult. He hired a lawyer who was an acquaintance with the judge and somehow, money got transferred from my uncle, to the lawyer, to the judge. Uncle shows up for court, the judge opens his desk to look for the charges, and they've disappeared. No record of anything. I don't advocate bribing anyone but you might as well use corruption to your advantage if it's there. Lawyer selection should partially revolve around the lawyer's relationship with the judge.
Lawyer up though. I know IL has certain options for first time offenders. I'm not sure about expungement but NORML has an excellent state by state guide on marijuana laws and there's no reason you have to walk out of court owing anything more than a small fine and/or a few hours in class or at community service. Last I checked, anything over 2.5 grams qualifies one for jail time. Funny how possessing a little plant for personal use can end with jail time.
I'd look into getting the charges thrown out though. Your lawyer will know more about those specifics. Don't spare on the lawyer. Getting the best of the best right now and erasing any record of this could cost you a lot less than getting a conviction and having it come up during residency app season.
edit: One other thing I should add. I'm not sure if things are still this way but my uncle had something similar happen in Chicago when he was a young adult. He hired a lawyer who was an acquaintance with the judge and somehow, money got transferred from my uncle, to the lawyer, to the judge. Uncle shows up for court, the judge opens his desk to look for the charges, and they've disappeared. No record of anything. I don't advocate bribing anyone but you might as well use corruption to your advantage if it's there. Lawyer selection should partially revolve around the lawyer's relationship with the judge.
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So it was your MJ as well. Dude lawyer up and prepared to explain this charge over and over again during your medical licensing application if you cannot get this expunged. You done f*cked up but good.
You have TWO goals here:
1. Get a lawyer and do EVERYTHING you can to make sure that "marijuana" ends up NOWHERE in your permanent record.
2. Quit smoking weed. It's time to be a grown up. You gave up that luxury when you decided to be a doctor. It's not fair, but it's the only way to go until things change, and it will be awhile.
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I am Asian.
Actually, any amount constitutes jail time.
Interesting.
Thanks so much for your support
I will do both.
http://norml.org/pdf_files/state_penalties/NORML_IL_State_Penalties.pdf
For any first conviction for possession of less than 30 grams, cultivation of any amount or manufacture or delivery of less than fifty plants, the court can defer judgment, place the offender on probation for 24 months and upon successful completion of the probation the court can discharge the proceedings.
? discharge proceedings = expunged records
For any first conviction for possession of less than 30 grams, cultivation of any amount or manufacture or delivery of less than fifty plants, the court can defer judgment, place the offender on probation for 24 months and upon successful completion of the probation the court can discharge the proceedings.
? discharge proceedings = expunged records
A good reminder to never, never talk to the police. For a good primer on why this is true even when you haven't done anything wrong, see here. No offense against cops, of course.
But about your situation: obviously, get a lawyer. And stop confessing to crimes to anyone other than your lawyer or your priest. Interwebs are not anonymous.
Good luck though. I hope things work out.
All of these responses were extremely helpful and supportive.
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Very true. Here is another video explaining US laws when it comes to Police: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyokKFIecIo&feature=related
Refuse searches verbally and you have to provide your name and address if requested but beyond that do not talk to police. If everyone followed this I'd say about 80% of crimes would be scrapped.
Keep in mind that the police can lie to you and may make up threats: "If you don't cooperate I'm going to throw your ass in jail!" is a favorite.
But yes, get a good lawyer. The money is not important now. Do everything in your power so you are not convicted of this.
In case you are skimming this thread....the video posted by EJECT is practically required viewing. Came here to post that link....pleasantly surprised to find someone beat me to it.
Cliff Notes: No matter how smart think you are and EVEN IF YOU DID NOT DO ANYTHING WRONG, never, EVER answer police questions.
Cliff Notes: No matter how smart think you are and EVEN IF YOU DID NOT DO ANYTHING WRONG, never, EVER answer police questions.
yeah I'm a real evangelist about that video...and really, it's the last third or so of it that makes the most important point*, so I hope people get all the way though it.
*essentially that even if you haven't committed any crime, you tell only the truth, and your statements are perfectly remembered/interpreted by the police, they might still end up being used to convict you of a crime.
*Cough* Because police officers are scum bags always out to get you and perform no useful functions in society and should always be obstructed in their goals at all opportunities.
ha..that may be the view of some, but not me. I worked very closely with law enforcement in my career before med school, and I've got immense respect for what they do. I think if/when folks watch the video, they'll see the professor has the same attitude.
Broader point: our opinions (and the noble intentions of cops, or otherwise) are entirely irrelevant to the way that criminal law works. you have rights, and you'd be wise to exercise them when/if the time comes.
I fully agree, and I am always willing to exercise my rights. I've seen both of the linked video sets above and think they do a valuable service in educating people regarding their own rights and I advocate that people should always take advantage of that if they are in a situation where they need to.
But to simplify that to "never, ever talk to the police" is doing a disservice to the police and to your own responsibilities as a respectable citizen. For example, if I am ever a witness to a crime, you can be pretty sure that I'll do my duty and report the appropriate details.
