i got pulled over in january for speeding (40 in a 25) and at the same time got a ticket for driving on a suspended liscence ( i forgot to pay speeding ticket from over the summer)....so now i have a court date (today) and my co-worker told me i should have gotten a lawyer...i didnt think i would need one bc it didnt seem so serious but she seems to think i could go to jail!!!!! the other thing is this....when the officer pulled me over he searched my car and found marijuana. however i was never "officially" charged with anything, they didnt arrest me, i never got anything in the mail saying i would be charged so i thought maybe they just let it slide...but now my co-worker said she thinks that will be the reason i go to jail today! im freaking out!!!
2007-04-09 00:44:20 · 10 answers · asked by plenymo 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Jail will be a good lesson for you. I'll bet in the future you obey laws a little bit better, no?
2007-04-09 01:09:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
My friend's husband has had many a ticket and court dates for driving on a suspended license and has never gone to jail yet. He's even violated his probation and is still walking. Mind you I live in Ohio and each state/city gov is different. It could also depend on the judge you get and how serious of an offense they think this is. As for the whole "Mary Jane" thing you might end up serving a little time for this. Probably no more than 90d-6m. Or they might sentence you to probation with a jail sentence suspended if you violate your probation. See if you can get a public defender if you can't afford your own lawyer. They'll be able to help you stay out of jail most likely. I wouldn't worry TO much. There are a lot more serious case to people on jail for than yours I'm sure. Good Luck!
2007-04-09 01:04:57 · answer #2 · answered by dvnlady 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As I understand you, the hearing tomorrow is for speeding and the suspended license. You have not been informed of the drug violation being part of the hearing.
The hearing itself will be limited to those two matters. They cannot ambush you by deciding a violation you had not been previously charged with at that time. Also, it is probably outside the jurisdiction of the court where you will appear.
However....
It is quite possible that if the officer seized drugs at the traffic stop that they have since been tested, and you will be arrested for possession at that hearing, and it is quite possible that they will send you to a holding cell until another judge can rule on whether to release you on bail or on your signature.
If this happens, you will benefit from the presence of an attorney, who can point out that you foresaw the possibility of such an arrest and showed up anyway, which indicates that you will show up for later court dates on that matter, justifying you being immediately released without bail.
If you do NOT have an attorney, the process will take much longer as they have to document their not violating your rights in the absence of an attorney. Odd, isn't it? That's how it is.
Get a lawyer.
2007-04-09 00:55:23 · answer #3 · answered by open4one 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You stand a good chance of going to jail or at the very least paying a very large fine and still having your license suspended. You can ask for a continuance while you search for an attorney. It may or may not be granted. Best of luck.
By the way, if they don't mention the weed, you shouldn't either. However, if they found it, I doubt that they will just "let it slide". Unless of course the officer wanted to get his own little buzz going later that night.
2007-04-09 00:52:18 · answer #4 · answered by troythom 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The judge will ask you today if you want to continue this case so that you can get a lawyer. Say yes. If he/ she doesn't ask say you want one. State laws vary. I don't know if you will go tojail for a suspended license. Here in Tn you have to pay a fine, In NY if they were going to arrest you they would have done it at the time they pulled you over. Ask 4 more time Good Luck!
2007-04-09 00:54:20 · answer #5 · answered by newyorktilson 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would recommend being very, very respectful in court today. Sometimes if you show respect and don't try to dodge what you did, they will show leniance. However, I do not know if you will be going to jail, it is possible, but you could slide by.
Quit breaking the law!!
2007-04-09 01:42:56 · answer #6 · answered by kiratess 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your co-worker is right. You seem to take the law very lightly or that it does not apply to you. Judges frown on this disregard of the law.
2007-04-09 00:49:45 · answer #7 · answered by Heidi 4 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get a lawyer or if its too late, ask for a postponement so that you can get a lawyer.
2007-04-09 00:53:11 · answer #8 · answered by Ranjeeh D 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
umm...the judge is NOT going to buy your excuse that you "forgot to pay the speeding ticket"...don't even try it.
Best thing to say..."Yes your Honor"...."No your Honor".
2007-04-09 00:53:06 · answer #9 · answered by GeneL 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
go directly to jail do not pass go do not collect $200
2007-04-09 00:51:31 · answer #10 · answered by plhudson01 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋