So the other day the cops rolled up on a group of me and 10 friends at a lake. They opened up our cooler and found not only our beer (which they poured out) but also my bowl. I claimed it, and they thanked me for my honesty, said they wouldnt make it hard for me, and gave me a paraphenalia citation. This is in Tennessee, and i live in NC. So all i really know is when my court date is. I dont know how serious it is, what i need to do to prepare or if i need a lawyer. This is my first ever charge, and all im really concerned about is keeping it off my record, and spending the least amount of money as possible (broke as fuck). Any advice?? should i use my prayer for judgement, just bite the bullet or what?? Thanks.
get a lawyer. sounds like you could probably get it completely dropped, with the lawyer of course. but then again i don't know the laws in your state.
The use or possession of paraphernalia is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine up to $2,500. http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?wtm_view=&Group_ID=4565 strange as possession of any amount of marijuana is just a misdemeanor there..
I would contact the public defender's office where you got busted and explain your situation. They should be able to tell you what your options are. Sounds like a minor offense with probably just a fine. x
They can't look in your cooler unless they see signs of drinking or believe that you have been drinking as the cooler isn't theirs lol. Unless of course you told them that they could look at your collection of beer and your bowl in the cooler.
Yeah well i mean they saw us drinking (which is illegal at the lake) so thats why they opened up the cooler. And the bowl was packed up so i dont think they would have bought a tobacco use only story... atleast they didnt stick me with a possession charge as well. It wasnt much of a choice, nobody else really knew about the pipe so they werent worried, and i was carrying something back to the car when they opened it up. Its just really shitty luck. One year in jail for paraphenalia is like having an entire grow room setup. For just a bowl i'm not extremely worried, i just dont have enough money to pay for a lawyer.
you probally wont see any jail time, minimal if any, and youll just get stuck with a fine and possible community service, and you will get a lawyer from the state
Actually im not sure how it is in the states but a paraphenalia charge in canada is way lax and even if they bring you to court for it you'll get a slap on the wrist prolly just community service for like 10 hours
