What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Utah
I have been charged with possession of marijuana. Story time. I was out smoking with a friend and came back to my dorm room on a university campus, hid my stash in my room and then my roommate let in a cop that said somebody had smelt the marijuana. I initially denied anything to do with it, but he could tell that I was stoned and I think the smell being from my room was somewhat obvious. He searched my room, which I think he had the legal authority to do because it is a dorm room owned by the state. He didn't find my stash and threatened to bring a k-9 unit, so in order to keep my stash from being discovered I came up with a story. I said that I had "taken a few hits" in my bedroom and then went out with a friend to smoke. I really didn't smoke in my room, but I had prepared my weed earlier that day in that room which is probably why it smelt. I then agreed to a urine sample which was of course positive for THC. He then proceeded to write me a citation for Possession of Marijuana (58-37-8). Is that enough to warrant a conviction? Just the positive urine sample and my story? Could I argue to the judge that I didn't have actual possession of it, and that I received secondhand smoke from my friend and that I lied to the police officer? Or some other story? How serious of an offence is lying to a police officer and will that get me into deeper trouble? Should I just fess up to it and accept the conviction? This might help: le.utah.gov/xcode/Title58/Chapter37/58-37-S8.html
Thank you for your help.
I have been charged with possession of marijuana. Story time. I was out smoking with a friend and came back to my dorm room on a university campus, hid my stash in my room and then my roommate let in a cop that said somebody had smelt the marijuana. I initially denied anything to do with it, but he could tell that I was stoned and I think the smell being from my room was somewhat obvious. He searched my room, which I think he had the legal authority to do because it is a dorm room owned by the state. He didn't find my stash and threatened to bring a k-9 unit, so in order to keep my stash from being discovered I came up with a story. I said that I had "taken a few hits" in my bedroom and then went out with a friend to smoke. I really didn't smoke in my room, but I had prepared my weed earlier that day in that room which is probably why it smelt. I then agreed to a urine sample which was of course positive for THC. He then proceeded to write me a citation for Possession of Marijuana (58-37-8). Is that enough to warrant a conviction? Just the positive urine sample and my story? Could I argue to the judge that I didn't have actual possession of it, and that I received secondhand smoke from my friend and that I lied to the police officer? Or some other story? How serious of an offence is lying to a police officer and will that get me into deeper trouble? Should I just fess up to it and accept the conviction? This might help: le.utah.gov/xcode/Title58/Chapter37/58-37-S8.html
Thank you for your help.
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