I attended a party at an apartment complex about two weeks ago. The day after the party someone who lives in the apartments discovered a small black 35mm film canister on the ground under some hedges. It contained a small amount of meth split up in 2-3 small baggies. When I say small amount I am talking less than a gram total weight for everything in the canister. It was turned over to the management of the apartments where she contacted the local narcotics investigations unit of the police department. It is very possible if not likely that my fingerprints would be found on the baggies and the canister. However, the items would also have prints from at least a few other people who also attended the party. Some people (not legal experts) have told me that I could face a variety of felony charges ranging from possession of a controlled substance all the way to child endangerment. Needless to say I am very nervous and scared and part of the reason is because I have a prior conviction on my record for possession of narcotics. My question is should I be worried about this? Is this enough evidence to charge me with a crime and if so what crime(s). Fingerprints would prove that my fingers had touched the drugs, but not that they were mine, and they must realize anyone of a number of people could have placed the canister where it was found. Unfortunately there were some people at this party that I don’t exactly trust and could possibly try to pin this on me. In fact if questioned by police they may even say the canister was mine. What do you think are the possible consequences that could result from this? If they can’t file charges is this enough for them to get a search warrant for my house? The police have not contacted me about this situation yet and all the information I have is gossip and speculation from various people. One of the rumors is they are waiting on a fingerprint check to come back. How long would that take? Please help me by first telling me the truth and then hopefully putting my mind at ease. Finally, all of this took place in the State of Texas. Thank you in advance to those of you that offer me feedback on this matter.

Please help me by first telling me the truth and then hopefully putting my mind at ease. Finally, all of this took place in the State of Texas. Thank you in advance to those of you that offer me feedback on this matter.

Hello Horns:

Ok, I'll tell you the truth, but I can't put you At EASE. Drugs? The state of Texas?? Bwa ha ha ha.

Now that's out of the way. No dude, seriously, there's a very long shot that you'll be arrested and there's no way that you'll be convicted.

The only thing that can screw you, is YOU yourself (and it sounds like you're tryin). DON'T TALK TO ANYBODY. That's NOBODY - NOT FRIENDS, NOT RUMORMONGERS, and NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, talk to the police.

Let me make a correction. Your fingerprints on the bag does NOT connect you to the drugs... It connects you to the bag. That ain't good, but that won't get a conviction.

And finally, unless your local narcs aren't very busy, I can't see them spending a whole lot of state money, time and effort for LESS than a gram of dope. Plus, this is NOT a gram of dope found in someone's pocket. What? You think the cops are crack investigators?? You been watching too much CSI.

Of course, you ARE in Texas...

excon

I don't have the disdain for the police that excon has. So I think you DO have cause for concern. If your prints were only on the canister, I wouldn't worry, but if they are on the baggies as well, then worry.

So the question is what you should do. My answer is consult your attorney. Do nothing more than that. The scenario that I see is that hopefully your atty knows someone who can give him advance notice of a warrant being issued for your arrest. IF and ONLY if a warrant is issued do you need to do anything more. At that point it would proably be best to turn yourself in.

The police do not have to do a great deal of investigation here. They dust the canister and baggies, run the prints through the system and come up with you and your previous drug conviction. That is just SOP.

Oh there is one other thing I would do. Check myself into a rehab program to get clean and NEVER, EVER put yourself in a position where you will be near drugs let alone handle them.

I'm with excon in calling this a close call by way of what typically gets prosecuted, Texas not withstanding.

I'm with Scott only in that you need to use this as The Cosmic Wake Up Call suggesting you turn left immediately concerning your lifestyle. And we all know what happens when we don't heed those! :rolleyes:

Im going to have to go with excon on this one.

Its true... you should turn yourself in.. You should take responsibility for your part in this... BUT that's never what I would have done so I can't advise you to do thee same.

I live in California and don't have any experience with Texas BUT...

Don't turn yourself in... NEVER plead guilty... take it to trial (which will never happen over that little bit of speed). There is simply not enough evidence and the crime itself is just not worth it. And if the"friends" you hang out with would finger you ni court, I would suggest finding some new friends.

(I know this has nothing to do with your questionbut... ) I do, however, agree with ScottGem in that you need to get off the sh*t! Come and rejoin the ranks of human beings. I spent many years down that hole and there's nothing down there. However you got to do it, rehab or whatever, find something worth living for and get off the sh*t!

I have no experience in this type of stuff - but my first thought when I read it was...
1. Don't talk to anyone about it! (not your mama, your best friend, or even your dog!)
2. Deny the hell out of it if you are ever questioned
3. If they do go all 'CSI' on you - you can say that 'yes - you were at the party - & someone handed you the canister & when you opened it & saw what was in the bag - you were like'NO WAY - I CAN'T EVEN BE AROUND THAT STUFF'


My guess is you will never hear anything about it. I would use this as a wake up call - if you aren't already clean - GET CLEAN. I would concentrate on work, school, your family (whatever it is you care about) & stay away from parties & places & people who are into this type of thing. Next time you might not be so lucky!

I really think you don't have anything to worry about.

Okay, so the majority thinks I probably won't ever be charged. That makes me feel MUCH better. Now is there enough evidence for them to get search warrants for my home and/or car? Do you think I should be prepared for the knock on my door - if they even bother knocking? Thanks a million once again. Cheers.

Search warrant... no, definitely not (at least not in california). This isn't a big drug bust and they need A LOT more evidence (if they can even call what they have evidence) for a search warrant. Cops use search warrents but they don't want to get one if they are going to be wrong about it!

However, I wouldn't be surprised if you do get a knock on the door. This may not be because of any fingerprints they found but if someone names you from the party. If they decide to investigate this, they will likely try to get a story from everyone they know was at the party and look for the one that doesn't fit. Should that happen, keep your cool, TAKE CHARLIES ADVICE (nice cover by the way charlie!), Don't FINGER ANYONE, and go about your business.

Hello again, Horns:

Yeah. I forgot you asked that. Nope. Even IF they think the bag was yours, there is NOTHING to indicate that there are drugs in your home. In order to get a warrant, the cops will have to swear in front of a judge, that they absolutely believe they'll find crank, not just IN your house, but in a PARTICULAR place in your house, and they know that because your fingerprints were on a bag they found no where near your house.

Nahh, even in Texas a judge won't buy that crap. Nope. No search.

excon

I agree with Excon, but that doesn't mean they won't try to get in your house and look around.

If you, your parents or your friend invite them in and they see something suspicious, they may then go to a judge and get a warrant!

Ok-I'm confused... If the drugs were not yours and you had nothing to do with them-why would your fingerprints be anywhere near the container at all? If you have no idea of where it came from, how do you even know about it at all?

Ok-I'm confused...If the drugs were not yours and you had nothing to do with them-why would your fingerprints be anywhere near the container at all? If you have no idea of where it came from, how do you even know about it at all?
I know Depressed, to a certain degree it reminds me of when someone called into my office (I work in the recovery field) one Friday asking how long a certain drug stays in your system because they had to take a drug test Monday :eek: The volunteer didn't know and so put them on hold and asked the room. Someone shouted out, "tell them six months -- that ought to be long enough for them to come to their senses". We all laughed. Then the caller was referred to some place more likely to know.

Its hard not to add that if this experience generates concern about a search warrant or even a visit from the police, then maybe its time to clean house? LOL

I know Depressed, to a certain degree it reminds me of when someone called into my office (I work in the recovery field) one friday asking how long a certain drug stays in your system because they had to take a drug test Monday :eek: The volunteer didn't know and so put them on hold and asked the room. Someone shouted out, "tell them six months -- that ought to be long enough for them to come to their senses". We all laughed. Then the caller was referred to some place more likely to know.

Its hard not to add is that if this experience generates concern about a search warrant or even a visit from the police, then maybe its time to clean house?

Yeah-it doesn't make sense to me. There should be no worries about the container from this guy-if he is innocent as he is saying-then why are the handprints on the container at all?I don't buy any of it.

An ex boyfriend of mine years ago was in a car accident while he was on his way to deliver a pound of marijuana. He had it in a brown paper bag in the trunk of his vehicle.
When he got out, he grabbed it and threw it away in the trash can. Someone said they saw him put something in the trashcan, and so they dug it out and handed it over the police. He was violated for that as he had his fingerprints on it...

First, I don't think he is implying that he is innocent... he just doesn't want to get caught.

Second, a "conviction" is different than a "violation." A violation of probation or parole is one thing... and your friend probably just rolled over (didnt try to fight it).

There was a good point about if they do stop by and they are invited in... if that happens, they will get very nosey so watch out for that. And as Val said, you may want to think of cleaning house, just to be safe.

I did not read everyone's answers, but I will tell you the most likely

First most likely no one will ever run prints on a film container with a little crack in it. First if several people touched it prints will be smeared.

Next since several other people had it, someone found it,gave it to someone else, there is no chain of custody, you could if arrested merely claim that anayone could have used your film container and so on.

It would be enough evidence to get a search warrant for your home, so you need to be sure it is clean.

So a outside chance they ( in Texas for sure) may arrest, get a warrant but with an attorney I don't see any way you could be convicted on that.

First, I'm not saying you will be arrested, but I don't think its as unlikely as other people seem to think. The idea is that you should wait until an arrest warrant is issued before turning yourself in. And turning yourself in is not admitting anything. I would not deny anything that can proven I would just stand mum and let my attorney handle everything. But it wilkl go better if you turn yourself in rather than force them to serve the warrant.

I side with Chuck, your fingerprints on the baggies should be enough to get a search warrant.

First, I dont think he is implying that he is innocent... he just doesnt want to get caught.

Second, a "conviction" is different than a "violation." A violation of probation or parole is one thing... and your friend probably just rolled over (didnt try to fight it).

There was a good point about if they do stop by and they are invited in... if that happens, they will get very nosey so watch out for that. And as Val said, you may want to think of cleaning house, just to be safe.

OK-maybe I choose the wrong words. What I meant by the fact that he was "violated" was actually the fact that he was "charged". He did not violate probation-was not on probation at that time. Regardless, back to poster here-it did sound to me as if he was implying that he was innocent-He didn't say it, but implied it.

" Unfortunately there were some people at this party that I don’t exactly trust and could possibly try to pin this on me."-I'm using this quote from his post as an example to my theory.

But, just my opinion... ;)

I've had people on this board threaten to reveal my ethics to my professional memberships. I can assure you, it would be ill advised for anyone on this board to amit to any wrong doing!

As such, I am very careful with my language. I would expect the same from anyone else seeking advice. Best to ask questions and not reveal why. It's not that I will get into trouble; it's more that I don't always write what you expect.

In my mind, we're all guilty of something and that includes you coppers!

First Off, I don't think there is enough evidence to do much of anything. The prints would be smeared so on and so forth.

My question is: Why are you so afraid for people to look in your house and car? Are you hiding drugs in there?

Sounds to me you need to get your $hit together.

My question is: Why are you so afraid for people to look in your house and car?


I don't know what my family or friends are up to all the time and I'm not going to be the one to tighten the noose.

After all, if a cop wanted to look around in your house or car, you'd have to be crazy to let them. It would make me curious and suspicious because they don't knock at a door to hand out nice guy awards!

Yeah, whether I am hiding something or not, this is a power that is all too often abused by police. I won't allow it. Innocent people go to jail, too.

Anonymity is a privilege each of us is entitled to and is not necessarily an indication of guilt. And there is the 5th Amendment too. Or is it the 4th? LOL While I have seen it not be a privilege to abuse on this site, its also the backbone to every 12-step program out there. Its up to each of us to decide how much to reveal publicly, internet or otherwise. My sensibilities would require the police to have due cause for many actions. But I still think, having lived both ways, that there is merit to how law abiding folks talk and sleep easier.

Gentlemen, please let me clarify. I admitted my fingerprints were on the both the baggies and the container. I also stated I attended a party where a few other people also had their fingers on the same items. Furthermore, I admitted a past record for Possession of a Controlled Substance. All of this should scream the reality about whether I use drugs at least occasionally. How much I use or how often is not important to the question I posed to this forum. The reason for my concern is the drugs were not mine nor did I throw the drugs onto the ground where they could later be found by another citizen. Once again thanks a million to all of you for your legal advice as well as concern for my well being. :-)

I wish you sincerely good luck HornsManiac. I hope we have been helpful, if not obtuse LOL.

(and that's coming from a Lady... not a Gentleman ;) Hi Val)

(and thats coming from a Lady... not a Gentleman ;) Hi Val)

Thank you for pointing that out to me. :-)

I wasn't aware so I do apologize. Ms. Val, thank you very much for your kind words.

THE FORUM MEMBERS - You guys have been great. I may stick around here and maybe even offer my two cents once in a while. ;-) I only hope that someday I will have advice or an opinion that helps someone else like you people have helped me. I can honestly say I received FAR MORE helpful advice than I ever expected to receive. I guess I expected to be judged and criticized for admitting my associations with narcotics and the people that use them. I am not proud of this so I wouldn't blame you if you did. There was a time in my life when I loathed drugs and all things and people associated with them. At that time, though, I consumed alcohol on a weekend basis and sometimes it was in excess. I failed to realize what I was doing was just as bad and maybe worse than responsibly using "harder" drugs. It took me a while to reach that conclusion and I reached it based on my own experiences with people who do both. Society appears to accept the man in a suit and tie who drinks ten martinis during a Happy Hour party but strongly objects to the man who snorts a line of coke or speed to squeeze more work hours out of his day. Clearly, I go against the grain on this one because I don't share that belief. :-)

Cheers, HornsManiac

Hook 'em!

I will add on the fingerprints on the baggies, 99 percent of police departments are not CSI, they don't have the time or the equipment to even try and get fingerprints off baggies.

And of course from a legal standpoint, it does not matter if you use or if you sell or if you found it, Actually the person who found it and was going to turn it in could have been in the most trouble if he had been caught with it, ( no police or judge in the world woujld believe, "I found it laying on the ground"

The honest truth police officers are over worked to worry about small drug cases. My best guess, the container was received as found property, and destroyed shortly after being put into the station house.

Just like fingerprints on the outside of a car, it only shows the person was on the outside of a car, they don't prove they were in the car.
Your fingerprints on the baggie or contianer merely showed you once owned or touched the container, it does not directly connect you with the drugs.

Oh yes, if you wish to be doomed to hell for drug use, ask a question about using drugs. I will be happy to to, I am at my limit of people I can doom to hell for today but I will try and put you on tommorows list.

How did your fingerprints get on the drugs in the first place? Frankly, for a small quantity of drugs, I'm not sure that the police will go to all the trouble of checking for fingerprints like they're investigating a murder or something. How much information do you have about these drugs, regarding whose they were, etc? That could be your ace in the whole if the police do pick you up for questioning. If you can give them information that will lead them to bigger and better things, in return they may not charge or prosecute you.

excon agrees: You're not suggesting he snitches, are you? That'll get him hurt.

Excon - I assure you there is ZERO chance of my lips saying a single word that incriminates anyone. As you know that is not the way things are done in the world I live in. Thanks for pointing that out for me. :)

s_cianci - What you suggested is certainly an option that I am aware of. Sadly these days far too many people are willing to utilize that outlet. For me, though, that is simply not an option. If you have been where excon and I have been you would fully understand why that is the absolute last thing I would think about doing. No, actually, I would not even give it any thought at all. Regardless, thanks for your feedback. :)

Just a question?? Does the fact that there is a prior fingerprint at all attached to anything at all be it drugs in this case, do they add up at any police department?? Do they create any kind of "track" or "trace" to anything? Or is that all just trashed at the police department?? What about any "national" database even many years later?? What about some states with the 3 strike laws that I hear about?? Most of the post to dates seem to indicate there should be no worry for this person but does this not create a "record" in some database somewhere that many years later could haunt this person?? From a statiscal point of view if this "fingerprint" keeps appearing and the way the world is going with more and more joined databases is there a possible problem.? The world is becoming more globally interconnected then ever before and we as a society will never go backward (unless the Taliban take over LOL) anyway I would be worried unless I was sworn to be clean or whatever for the rest of my life?? And that is not just drug related but just the linking of fingerprints to anything!! Just a question? Ace

Well, the internet is only really 10 years old so nothing prior to ten years would even have a chance to be recorded.

Things are moving fast and perhaps in the near future your concern will be founded, especially with home security and terrorism (able to track items for bomb making, ect).

However, as I recently discovered (to my happiness), as of yet in Canada they can't even record a driver's licence infaction inter-provincially.

Well, the internet is only really 10 years old so nothing prior to ten years would even have a chance to be recorded.Just an FYI - databases on computers and private network existed long before the internet as you know it appeared.