F1 visa- Possession of Marijuana and Paraphernalia? What happens now?

[jay97]

I'm an international student studying in Pennsylvania on F1 visa. Couple friends of mine and I got charged with possession of marijuana ( 1.7gms among all three of us) and paraphernalia.
What happens next?
Will this have an effect on our immigration & Visa status?

 

[PaulMass]

I'm an international student studying in Pennsylvania on F1 visa. Couple friends of mine and I got charged with possession of marijuana ( 1.7gms among all three of us) and paraphernalia.
What happens next?
Will this have an effect on our immigration & Visa status?

A conviction will make you inadmissible.

I suggest you hire an attorney.

 

[FlyingRon]

The small amount of marijuana isn't as big of an issue in PA as the paraphernalia charge. The former is a summary offense and possibly even a conditional release. The latter is a full up criminal misdemeanor charge. You need an attorney.

 

[jay97]

A conviction will make you inadmissible.

I suggest you hire an attorney.

*P.S: This is our first violation and we have no previous record.
Do we have an option to be on the ARD? Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition

 

[HighwayMan]

*P.S: This is our first violation and we have no previous record.
Do we have an option to be on the ARD? Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition

Your prior record may not mean too much.

As you were advised, speak to your attorney. If you don't have one then get one.

 

[FlyingRon]

ARD is possible, but it's still going to have immigration issues. You need an attorney. ARD is entirely at the prosecutor's discretion by and large.