What to do if I have a court date for possession of a controlled substance, marijuana?
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What to do if I have a court date for possession of a controlled substance, marijuana?
This is my first time getting in any trouble with the police.I plan on going into court and pleading guilty. They knew I had the drugs on me because they were watching the person I bought it from. When I was ticketed I was given a phone number to someone “who could help you get the charges dropped”. It was the cellphone number of an officer who is watching the dealer. I gave them any and all information I know. And despite helping I was told that there was nothing they could really do. At 23 with my first offense, what is the likely hood of prison time vs probation?
Asked on March 26, 2013 under Criminal Law, Arkansas
Answers:
B.H.F., Member, Texas State Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Considering that this is your first offense and you are fairly young, you do have a good chance of getting probation instead of prison time. No attorney can guarantee a result, but usually prison time is reserved for people who have demonstrated an inability to survive on probation or those defendants who have committed particularly violent crimes. However, before you enter a plea of guilty, consult with a criminal defense attorney to review all of the details of your case. If the officer promised to get your charges dropped in exchange for your statement, then you would have a good chance of getting that statement thrown out-- and thus potentially getting a better deal (or dismissal) because of the police misconduct. If you cannot afford an attorney, ask the court to appoint you one so that you will have someone that can help you with the technical aspects of a plea.
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