simple possession of pot for a minor in sc

[alwayserin2009]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? South Carolina.
My daughter got a simple possession for pot in sc. SHe is 17. Court is in 2 weeks. The fine is $575.00. If we pay this fine what will happen then? WIll tis charge be dropped when she becomes 18? Please advise. Thank you

[IsabellaSoriano]

Originally Posted by alwayserin2009

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? South Carolina.
My daughter got a simple possession for pot in sc. SHe is 17. Court is in 2 weeks. The fine is $575.00. If we pay this fine what will happen then? WIll tis charge be dropped when she becomes 18? Please advise. Thank you

nope. she has a record.

what i think you are asking is if the charge vanishes into thin air the day she turns 18. and no, it doesn't work that way.

what needs to be filed is an expungement, or a sealing of juvenile records.

this is not done automatically, despite all the rumors. there is no file clerk watching all the 18 birthdays arrive so they can toss the file out.

[alwayserin2009]

Thank you for the info. Is this paperwork that we need to fill out before court or when? I want to be prepared before I take her to court and she goes before the judge. ANy more advise? Again, thank you.

[IsabellaSoriano]

Originally Posted by alwayserin2009

Thank you for the info. Is this paperwork that we need to fill out before court or when? I want to be prepared before I take her to court and she goes before the judge. ANy more advise? Again, thank you.

after she turns 18. keep in mind, it's not garunteed. it's at the judge's discretion.

[alwayserin2009]

Thank you. One final ?. when she applies for jobs and school will this show up. We live in NC. Oh, can we ask the judge to drop the charge and is this a possibility?

[IsabellaSoriano]

Originally Posted by alwayserin2009

Thank you. One final ?. when she applies for jobs and school will this show up. We live in NC. Oh, can we ask the judge to drop the charge and is this a possibility?

it might, depending on if the record is sealed or not.

you can ask the DA to drop the charge. they may not.

[dave33]

If you can afford an attorney, than I think one is called for here. As you may know laws are different from state to state. Some other laws and criminal procedure are very different. I don't think that you would want to have so many doors slammed shut from the beginning of her adult life. Some areas such as these sometimes fall within the grey area. I think a reasonably competent attorney can put both your minds at ease. It may be a simple procedure to resolve this or it maybe one of those situations where you have to jump through a bunch of hoops. Whatever the situation is, an attorney will reduce the friction when undertaking the task of accomplishing your goal.goodluck.