Drug Crimes, Substance Abuse Could my mistake end my career?

[beibaowen]

I am so ashamed of myself that I can hardly find the words to ask my questions. Let me start off by saying I take full responsibility for my bad choice. I am not interested in laying blame on anyone except myself. I just need to know what I should do. Last night I was issued a federal citation for possession of marijuana. I was at the park with my husband and his sister (as well as her boyfriend). I was drinking, and beginning to feel a little tipsy. They started smoking marijuana. I said I didn't think it was a good idea to do it there, but I was told not worry about it, and like an IDIOT I caved instead of standing up for myself. Everything seemed fine until my sister-in-law started cursing very loudly. A Federal Wildlife officer heard her. When he came over to give us a noise warning, he smelled the marijuana. He asked each of us in turn if we had any pot on us. I did not and I answered as such. My sister-in-law and her boyfriend said no, as they did not possession it either. My husband answered truthfully that he was in possession and allowed the officer to search him. They officer asked if he could search us in turn. We were searched and nothing else was found. The officer then told us that he was going to ask us if we had "smoked pot tonight" and if we didn't answer truthfully, he would take us to jail. He told us that if we smoked it, we possessed it. I told the truth that I had smoked it. He said he was only issuing each of us a ticket for possession of marijuana which is a $425 fine. He was very respectful, and I do NOT view him negatively as he was just doing his job. There is a complication however. I am a teacher. I asked the officer if it was a felony or misdemeanor. He told me it was only a "petty crime", and if I just pay my fine on time, it will be ok. When I got home, I found out that if I don't submit to disciplinary action before they are notified, I will be terminated immediately. I am going to see my principal tomorrow to explain my self and submit to disciplinary actions.

As far as my current legal, here are my questions:

Since this is my first offense, can I possibly get the charge dropped if I agree to drug testing, classes-whatever it takes?
Will i need to have a lawyer with me?
Should I take someone from my job with me as a character witness?
Will I be able to keep my job?

I also feel I should add that I am profoundly ashamed of myself. I made a mistake, a bad one. I will not smoke it again, and I will submit to random drug testing for whatever amount of time it takes to prove this. I let people who care and depend on me down. I will lose the respect of my principal, and I know I deserve it. I just need to know, what I can do to move forward.

 

[disagreeable]

You need to consult an attorney ASAP. Ask them to attempt to get you into a diversion program or use another method which will not effect your job.

 

[Michael Wechsler]

You need to consult an attorney ASAP. Ask them to attempt to get you into a diversion program or use another method which will not effect your job.

I could not agree more with this. When it comes to your job, it's not worth the risk of trying to handle yourself. There is also the likelihood of you never approaching anything near a guilty plea.

You should try to keep your wits about this. My guess is that it shouldn't be a big deal (no guarantees) and it's possible that the state really won't care to try to push this case and may even give you better options than a guilty plea for possession. The officer didn't actually find any evidence of possession by you. And most people, even prosecutors, will typically not care to unnecessarily ruin anyone's life over something like this. So keep your head up, remain positive and remember that you haven't been convicted of anything just yet. Speak to a lawyer, get your options and take it from there. Best of luck.

 

[mightymoose]

What is the federal statute written on the citation?
I suspect if it gets that far you could beat a possession charge. There is no evidence.

 

[army judge]

Well, OP, this petty offense will be dealt with by a federal magistrate.
You should do as suggested, consult an attorney.
Whatever you do, don't just pay the fine.
You may eventually want to teach in other states, and if convicted of this,it might not happen.
Schools have a zero tolerance about drug abuse.
You also need to consider remaining around anyone who treats drug abuse so cavalierly.
Besides legal counsel,you might wish to seek marital counseling.
Your husband and his family have issues, issues you don't need in your life.
See a lawyer, get this pled to a diversionandit won't even show on your record.
It canall be expunged and sealed.
Paying $500 to dispose if the fine won't dispose if anything but your teaching credential,eventually.
It isn't only about today's job, this is about your pension and the rest of your life.
This might eventually make the newspaper, it's public record.
If it does, get ready for a firestorm.
Seek legal help immediately.

 

[priteshppt]

I think, you need to have a lawyer in this case and if you don't deal with it seriously it could lead you to be jobless in the coming future. Drug abuse is a serious thing in school and they won't allow you to continue unless you made attempts to get out of it. Try to present a clean picture of yourself take school staff member and neighbors to give a nice picture about your character and behavior.