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Representing myself-help!

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todd

Junior Member
What is the name of your state? Maryland


Ok, so here's what happened. Two friends of mine and me were parked at a stoplight. A cop car was parked next to us. The passenger in the back seat threw a cigarette butt at the cop car (I know, smart) and we were pulled over when the light turned green. We were first asked by the police officer if we smoked pot. We all said no, because we hadn't been. We were all smoking cigarettes. A k-9 search was then conducted to which the dog recognized the scent of marijuana. The car was searched and .01 grams of marijuana were found, as well as EZ wider cigarette papers. Myself and the driver of the car were both arrested because we were within proximity to the marijuana, which was found in the sunglass holder, but NOT the passenger in the back seat, who threw the cigarette at the cop car.
Was there probable cause to search the car? Why wasn’t the backseat passenger arrested?
This is kind of screwed up because I DON'T smoke pot. I have probably about 4 or 5 times in my life and I don't like it.
I tried to get a public defender but couldn't because I was told I made 50 dollars to much a month. I can't afford a lawyer. If anybody could help me out with anything I should know I would really appreciate it. :)
 


AlanShore

Member
Was there probable cause to search the car?
Yes.

Why wasn’t the backseat passenger arrested?
Who Knows.....The cops probaly believed he had nothing to do with the weed.


This is kind of screwed up because I DON'T smoke pot. I have probably about 4 or 5 times in my life.
Contradiction?

You should hire a lawyer (work an extra job for a few weeks) and try to find friends who aren't such idiots.

Theres a saying it goes: A man who represents himself, has a fool for a client and a fool for a lawyer.
 
Last edited:

todd

Junior Member
The K-9 smelling drugs is probable cause.
Well ok then. I was under the impression that the K-9 was a part of the search, but I guess it was a "scan."
And getting a public defender isn't an option anymore, I've already past the date to apply.
me=screwed.
 

seniorjudge

Senior Member
Standard answer

Here are some hints on appearing in court:

Dress professionally in clean clothes.

Do not wear message shirts.

Don't chew gum, smoke, or eat. (Smokers...pot or tobacco...literally stink. Remember that before you head for court.)

Bathe and wash your hair.

Do not bring small children or your friends.

Go to court beforehand some day before you actually have to go to watch how things go.

Speak politely and deferentially. If you argue or dispute something, do it professionally and without emotion.

Ask the court clerk who you talk to about a diversion (meaning you want to plead to a different, lesser charge), if applicable in your situation. Ask about traffic school and that the ticket not go on your record, if applicable. Ask also about getting a hardship driving permit, if applicable. Ask about drug court, if applicable.

From marbol:

“Judge...

You forgot the one thing that I've seen that seems to frizz up most judges these days:

If you have a cell phone, make DAMN SURE that it doesn't make ANY noise in the courtroom. This means when you are talking to the judge AND when you are simply sitting in the court room.

If you have a ‘vibrate’ position on your cell phone, MAKE sure the judge DOESN'T EVEN HEAR IT VIBRATE!

Turn it off or put it in silent mode where it flashes a LED if it rings. AND DON'T even DREAM about answering it if it rings.”

(Better yet, don’t carry your cell phone into the courtroom.)”


Here are seven stories that criminal court judges hear the most (and I suggest you do not use them or variations of them):

1. I’ve been saved! (This is not religion specific; folks from all kinds of religious backgrounds use this one.)

2. My girlfriend/mother/sister/daughter/wife/ex-wife/niece/grandma/grand-daughter is pregnant/sick/dying/dead/crippled/crazy and needs my help.

3. I’ve got a job/military posting in [name a place five hundred miles away].

4. This is the first time I ever did this. (This conflicts with number 5 below, but that hasn’t stopped some defendants from using both.)

5. You’ve got the wrong guy. (A variation of this one is the phantom defendant story: “It wasn’t me driving, it was a hitchhiker I picked up. He wrecked the car, drug me behind the wheel then took off.” Or, another variation: “I was forced into it by a bad guy!”)

6. I was influenced by a bad crowd.

7. I/my kid/my whatever has surgery scheduled.


https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?p=854687#post854687

Public defender’s advice

http://newyork.craigslist.org/about/best/sfo/70300494.html


Other people may give you other advice; stand by.
 

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