cought with less than 1 ounce (first offense) in lake tahoe nevada

[brigante]

Hello all
I'm an italian student right now in Santa Cruz CA for an exchange program. Two week ago I was in Stateline, Lake Tahoe Nevada and I was cought by cops with a few grams of weed.
I got just a citation for July 27th and bail amount is 632$!On the citation is write possession of Marijuana less than an ounce first offense. I'm afraid of what's is going to be in front of the court also because I'm not Us citizen.
What Will I expect from the judge? Is it better to hire a lawyer? the sheriff at that time said me that it is not necessary to go at the court with a lawyer?

thanks a lot to help me and sorry for my bad English

enjoy
Luigi

brigante Reviewed by brigante on 07-10-2009. cought with less than 1 ounce (first offense) in lake tahoe nevada Hello all I'm an italian student right now in Santa Cruz CA for an exchange program. Two week ago I was in Stateline, Lake Tahoe Nevada and I was cought by cops with a few grams of weed. I got just a citation for July 27th and bail amount is 632$!On the citation is write possession of Marijuana less than an ounce first offense. I'm afraid of what's is going to be in front of the court also because I'm not Us citizen. What Will I expect from the judge? Is it better to hire a lawyer? the Rating: 5

[jonnytone]

In the words or Chuch D "Can't trust 'em". Absolutely, 100% hire a lawyer. Don't trust what the person arresting you says. Cops don't have criminals interests in mind. At the least consult a lawyer and they will give you a range of expectations and help you navigate your best options. Doubt you'll be deported for a little pot, but why take the risk without representation.

[geoluv]

your student visa could be revoked if you are convicted of a crime. fight that fucker tooth and nail. don't be afraid to play the sob story and tell them how much you want to stay in America and how you cant be convicted of a crime.

[gypski]

Hello all
I'm an italian student right now in Santa Cruz CA for an exchange program. Two week ago I was in Stateline, Lake Tahoe Nevada and I was cought by cops with a few grams of weed.
I got just a citation for July 27th and bail amount is 632$!On the citation is write possession of Marijuana less than an ounce first offense. I'm afraid of what's is going to be in front of the court also because I'm not Us citizen.
What Will I expect from the judge? Is it better to hire a lawyer? the sheriff at that time said me that it is not necessary to go at the court with a lawyer?

thanks a lot to help me and sorry for my bad English

enjoy
Luigi

Even as a foreign exchange student, you should be treated the same as a US citizen on this and ask for a deferred judgement or an ARD or what ever they call them in Nevada. Get that and you can keep it from the school. Man up, and plead for mercy with the deferred judgement. I know green card holders who have done it. :thumbsup:

[VapedG13]

sounds to me like its a $632 ticket/fine..... pay it and be on your way:hippy:

[VapedG13]

Marijuana Laws in Nevada Lawyers

For adults, marijuana possession is decriminalized (meaning it is a civil citation, like a traffic ticket), so the law is considerably more lenient. Possession of any amount of marijuana is treated as a misdemeanor, and carries a $600 or $1,000 fine for the first and second offenses, respectively, but no prison sentence (though if the amount is significant, the court may prescribe drug treatment). The third offense can carry up to a year in jail, and a $2,000 fine.

All subsequent offenses are treated as felonies, and like the juvenile offenses, carry a $5,000 fine and 1 - 4 year prison sentence.

Its your first offense ....Its a civil citation....pay your fine and your done.....no worries

You may even be able to send the money in the mail without appearing in court:thumbsup: read the entire citation