- Jurisdiction
- North Carolina
So this situation occured a few days ago and it involves several poor choices I made due to panicking and not thinking it through. An acquaintance and myself planned on smoking a blunt (a cigar that is cleared out with marijuana put in its place) so we went to a gas station near my university (but off campus) to pick up cigar wraps. I had about 3 grams of marijuana with me in a smellproof bag, and I was riding in the acquaintances car. I went inside the gas station and purchased 2 cigar wraps, and walked back out to his car. I got in and he waited there for a minute (not sure why) but in the meantime I pulled the cigar which only had tobacco in it out to look at it and smell it. A few moments later, a guy in plain clothes with a badge was knocking on the window on my side and prompted me to roll it down. I attempted to do so, but it wasn't working. He continued knocking, and finally opened my door himself. He said that he saw me with the cigar in my hand, and said that it looked like a blunt and asked if we had weed with us. My acquaintance was ready to throw me under the bus from very early on, even though he had planned on smoking with me. He said we had nothing on us and that the officer could search the car. I started freaking out because the kid obviously knew I had weed on me and was ready to screw me over, plus the weed charges are harsh in the state of NC. The officer asked me my name, and I made one up off the top of my head. He then told me to get out of the car and asked to pat me down, which I said was fine. He found the bag I had with the weed in it, and at this point his partner in a different car rolled up and watched us while he searched the car. I waited there for a second, and when they were distracted I took off and ran probably a half mile away, they yelled at me but did not pursue. At this point the acquaintance said that the officers told him to call me or they would put out a warrant for my arrest. After this, the officer asked him for my number, which he gave to him. At this point the officer called me twice, I didnt answer either. I'm assuming that they then went to the school directory with my phone number, because the next call I got was from my mom who said the officer called her and that I needed to go back right away. I then called the officer, who said to come back towards the gas station. I walked back and met them in a parking lot near there. I tried to be very polite and respectful, and just explained that I panicked and made a mistake. While he threw a lip of tobacco in (very professional) he wrote me 2 citations (both misdemeanors), plus I got a student conduct violation from my university. Other crucial details include that they were not actual police officers, but a part of the ABC unit that is tasked with patrolling ABC liquor stores in the area. Also both of their cars were completely unmarked. My family is planning on hiring an attorney and fighting the case in court, and I am wondering if I have a realistic chance of getting it thrown out. Ive researched it pretty much nonstop, and the things I think could work in my favor are
A) Emptied out cigar wraps/loose tobacco is not probable cause by itself, and what I had was a full cigar filled only with tobacco
B) The State of North Carolina has an ordinance at work to reduce the power and jurisdiction of these ABC officers
C) When the officer was on the phone with my mom she asked how he got her number, and he replied "we have our ways" so he was beating around the bush. I have a feeling that it is frowned upon/illegal for them to go to the school records to get my information
D) I did not think officers were allowed to just open a car door without permission
E) They used scare tactics with both me and the other kid to try and get information out of us
This is my first ever criminal charge, so I will likely have an option of a class to at least get the drug charges off. I'm devastated that a dumb decision 2 weeks into my freshman year of college could cost me my future and career. I appreciate any input or help anyone can provide. Thanks.
A) Emptied out cigar wraps/loose tobacco is not probable cause by itself, and what I had was a full cigar filled only with tobacco
B) The State of North Carolina has an ordinance at work to reduce the power and jurisdiction of these ABC officers
C) When the officer was on the phone with my mom she asked how he got her number, and he replied "we have our ways" so he was beating around the bush. I have a feeling that it is frowned upon/illegal for them to go to the school records to get my information
D) I did not think officers were allowed to just open a car door without permission
E) They used scare tactics with both me and the other kid to try and get information out of us
This is my first ever criminal charge, so I will likely have an option of a class to at least get the drug charges off. I'm devastated that a dumb decision 2 weeks into my freshman year of college could cost me my future and career. I appreciate any input or help anyone can provide. Thanks.
