Caught with marijuana? Legal Punishment

Want an example of what not to do? Check out this recent WMBF article that details the arrest of two men: here. What started out as a routine traffic stop turned into an arrest when 50 pounds of marijuana were found in the vehicle. These men are likely facing charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

More common, is the criminal misdemeanor of simple possession of marijuana. Simple possession generally means you are in the unlawful possession of no more than 28 grams of marijuana. As opposed to the crime of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, simple possession is presumed to be for your own personal use. For a first time offense, the penalties may include 30 days in jail, a fine, and/or suspension of one’s driver’s license. A second offense carries up to one year in prison. These penalties are provided for in statute but what you may not know is that simple possession charges can carry other penalties as well such as loss of state and federal benefits and student loans. For more information previously reported on simple possession, check out this earlier blog entry: here.

You yourself might be facing criminal charges due to your possession of marijuana or perhaps just because of your presence at the scene when the marijuana was found. Either way, you need an experienced criminal law attorney to help you fight these charges. There are several ways to fight these charges and Daniel Selwa can help you choose the best avenue to take in defending your case.