I was arrested for a misdemeanor marijuana possession what are my options to not have this on my criminal record?

Question

This is my first time being arrested. I am currently in graduate school and I want to be able to get a job when I graduate. I am afraid I will not be able to with a misdemeanor drug charge.

George Downing · Answer

Very good chance that this can be expunged .

Mark Broughton · Answer

You are probably eligible for a drug diversion program. The benefit of this is that once you successfully complete the program the case against you is dismissed. It does not count as a conviction. The arrest and charges may still show on your record, and in some instances, you may have to disclose it, but it is better than a conviction to any offense.

Philip Hache · Answer

There are many potential options, one of which is drug diversion which if completed successfully will remove the conviction from your record.

Edward Flint · Answer

Many times a competent, experienced defense attorney can obtain a plea bargain involving the dismissal of charges after a period of arrest-free time.

Jeff Yeh · Answer

Hire a lawyer if you want to have this relatively minor charge dismissed. An experienced lawyer who knows the Judges and prosecutors has a much better chance than you at negotiating.

Michael J. Breczinski · Answer

special program for first time drug offenders called 7411. If you do what the judge says then the matter does not appear on your record.

Andrea Rogers · Answer

Hire an attorney to represent you. Most likely, since it's your first  time being arrested for drug-related offense, the attorney can get your  charge reduced to "Littering." You will have to pay a fine and court  costs, but you won't have to go to court.

Patrick Earl · Answer

You are facing a life changing event because of a decision to use a drug. Hopefully you have learned something that I believe you should have already learned seeing you are in or starting graduate school. What state are you in? How much Mj are we talking about? Is it a misdemeanor charge or felony? How old are you? If this is an Eastern WA state charging contact me.

Eric Lumberg · Answer

There are options available that may reduce your risk. You should consult with an attorney to discuss your options further.

James Edward Smith · Answer

Ask for the diversion program

Stuart Nachbar · Answer

IN NJ:  Go for a Pre-trial Intervention or downgrade to Municipal Court.

Milton Toro Marquez · Answer

There are several things that will come into play. If this is your first charge/case, you may be able to do a pre-trial intervention. In that case you will have to complete a list of "tasks" given to you by the court. If completed, the charges will in essence be dropped. Unfortunately, if a job applications asks if you have ever been arrested (as opposed to convicted) your answer would have to be yes. This is for informational purposes only based on the information you provided. This should not be construed as all inclusive and should not be taken as the formation of an attorney client relationship.

Eric Trabin · Answer

This will be on your record. Even if the case is dismissed your record will show you got the case but that it was dismissed. If you have no other criminal history then if the case gets dismissed then you can have it expunged. If you have no other history but are sentenced with a withhold of adjudication then you can get it sealed and then after 10 years get it expunged. If you are adjudicated guilty then it cannot be removed from your record.  

Focus on hiring a lawyer to fight this charge. The lawyer's priority will be to get you the best possible outcome, which of course is to get the case dismissed. After the case is resolved you can think about having it sealed or expunged.

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I was arrested for a misdemeanor marijuana possession what are my options to not have this on my criminal record?

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