Florida: I was arrested over the weekend on 3 charges. Possession of cannabis under 20 grams, paraphernalia, and trespassing. It was less than a gram. It's my first offence and I'm 20. What are my odds of being acquitted or getting that program where you get tested for six months and get your record expunged? Also should I get a private lawyer(that I can barely afford since I'm a college student) or can a public defender yield the same results? Getting my record wiped is important to me because I don't want it effect my internship and job applications negativity.
The marijuana charge is a misdemeanor with the potential on conviction for one year in jail and up to $1000 in fines.
The paraphernalia charge is a misdemeanor with the potential on conviction for one year in jail and up to $1000 in fines.
The trespassing charge can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on facts, but assuming it is a misdemeanor, there is the potential on conviction for one year in jail and up to $1000 in fines.
Even one misdemeanor conviction can adversely affect your educational opportunities (including scholarships and internships) and can adversely affect your job opportunities (as well as loan and insurance availability and rates, travel out of the country, driving privileges). Even without a conviction, being arrested and charged with crimes can potentially affect your current internship or a current job in an adverse way.
FlyingRon mentioned the diversion program available in Florida for first offenders. Here is a link to Florida's program information:
http://www.sa18.state.fl.us/page/misdemeanor-diversion.html
You would be well-advised to seek help from an attorney in your area to help you handle the charges filed against you. This is one of those areas where you can escape the worst of the penalties by being accepted into the diversion program, but there is no guarantee of acceptance. You want the best odds possible and having an attorney can give you these best odds. I suggest you borrow money from family or friends (if possible) so that you will have an attorney working for you to get you into the program or, depending on the attorney's personal review of all facts, get the charges reduced or dismissed.
Good luck.