CovertCoupe
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Arizona
My question involves criminal law for the state of: Arizona
Hello everyone, just to start I am a 21 year old college student that attends Arizona State University. In my apartment located off campus, I was charged with "possession of paraphernalia". (Section 13-3415 A of Maricopa County Sheriff's Office). My roommate was smoking a blunt in his room, and the officer's had knocked on the door. I walked to the door and the 2 police officers and 2 security guards were hiding from the peephole. They entered immediately after I opened the door, claiming that they had smelled weed. They came in and found 4 water pipes (2 were mine and 2 were my roommates). We both ended up with paraphernalia charges. I was not high, nor had any marijuana on me. Furthermore, previously I had maintained a completely clean record.
Unfortunately, in Maricopa County, it is considered a class 6 felony. From my previous research, the typical protocol is 6 months of diversion (TASC) to have it reduced to a class 1 misdemeanor. TASC generally requires classes and weekly drug tests.
I got my medical marijuana license in November of 2010 in California. Could this have any affect on my case? Should I seek an attorney? Or should I go with a Public Defender? A defense attorney seems like an expensive solution to a relatively inexpensive problem.
I am looking for any way possible to get a reduction in my penalty. Staying off marijuana for 6 months is not a problem, I am just worried about the possibility of being in the wrong place at the wrong time and ending up with a felony on my record.
I am a good student from a good family. Any informative input is highly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read this. The whole situation has me shook.
My question involves criminal law for the state of: Arizona
Hello everyone, just to start I am a 21 year old college student that attends Arizona State University. In my apartment located off campus, I was charged with "possession of paraphernalia". (Section 13-3415 A of Maricopa County Sheriff's Office). My roommate was smoking a blunt in his room, and the officer's had knocked on the door. I walked to the door and the 2 police officers and 2 security guards were hiding from the peephole. They entered immediately after I opened the door, claiming that they had smelled weed. They came in and found 4 water pipes (2 were mine and 2 were my roommates). We both ended up with paraphernalia charges. I was not high, nor had any marijuana on me. Furthermore, previously I had maintained a completely clean record.
Unfortunately, in Maricopa County, it is considered a class 6 felony. From my previous research, the typical protocol is 6 months of diversion (TASC) to have it reduced to a class 1 misdemeanor. TASC generally requires classes and weekly drug tests.
I got my medical marijuana license in November of 2010 in California. Could this have any affect on my case? Should I seek an attorney? Or should I go with a Public Defender? A defense attorney seems like an expensive solution to a relatively inexpensive problem.
I am looking for any way possible to get a reduction in my penalty. Staying off marijuana for 6 months is not a problem, I am just worried about the possibility of being in the wrong place at the wrong time and ending up with a felony on my record.
I am a good student from a good family. Any informative input is highly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read this. The whole situation has me shook.