Hello.
I was arrested in NJ in Oct. for simple possession of marijuana. I got a lawyer, went to court and was awarded a conditional discharge with 1 year probation. I have my first probation meeting on Monday and I assume I will be drug tested. I am nervous I will not pass the test or somehow will have an adulterated test (i have been using detoxifying products). What are the penalties of a failed drug test? This will be my first test and I have no record what so ever. I am up to date on fines and employed. Please help with any experiences you have had with drug testing on probation with detoxifying products or with any relevant information about penalties for failed drug tests I am very anxious and to be honest somewhat terrified. Thank you all so much!

Stephieee

I dont know about NJ, but I went through the probation system in MD. Usually, if they want to subject you to urinalysis they ask you to pay for it along with your monthly money to the p.o. dept. And FYI, that is just saying they CAN test you. Not that they have to. And they usually wont, unless they have a reason.

Dress nice to go see your p.o. Appearance can mean a lot. When you show up in a nice dress (im a girl) and are polite, you contrast a lot with the people in the waiting room, who are usually neither well dressed nor well mannered. Make conversation. Tell her to have a nice day, and see her next week. It makes her think you are the least of her worries, and that you are probably a good person who did the wrong thing.

Also, go as late as possible! My time to go was on Tuesday between 10am and 6pm. I worked far away and came at 5:45 every time. By the time I got there, she was just trying to get the hell out of the office and I pretty much just signed the sheet and left.

My p.o. was the head p.o. in that County for 25 years, and was THE WORST on to get. I never got drug tested. Not once. They have a lot of pull. They don’t have to violate you unless you have gotten arrested. If you show them you are a decent human being, they wont give you too much trouble.

My boyfriend followed these same rules and even tested dirty, and was not reported (but he got lucky- don’t test dirty!) But, like I said, this was in MD. Couldn’t hurt though.

Stephieee

Oh yeah- failing a drug test is a violation of probation. Sometimes, they take you to court after the 1st violation, other times it is 2 or 3 violaitons. Either way, when you go to court you and the p.o. will go before the judge. The first time the judge will usually make your probation more strict (lengthen time or more visits per week). The maximum penalty for violating is that you will be hit with the original posession charge. That will go on your record, where if you had completed your probaltion, it wouldve been expunged, and essentially dissapeared.

esharon

Thank you so much! That certainly helps the anxiety. the judge did say during my court day "you know youll be peeing in a cup for the next year" but who knows right. i will definitely be dressed nicely because i will be on my way to work, and also because of that i will have to go around 10am or so. i really wish i could go at the end of the day. i am really good about being sweet and polite and i really am a good person who did the wrong thing.... i really hope i don't test dirty with these products.... i'll keep you posted! thanks again!

excon

Hello e:

Stephieee gave you some pretty good stuff. About the detoxifying agent - I wouldn't count on them. If you get violated they can extend your probation. If you violate again, they can extend it again.

Look. It's pot. It's easy to quit. It's only for a year. Do it.

excon

djivibe

Stephieee, please drop me a private msg - I have a question about your experience with the MD probation system.

Thanks.