A few friends and I left for a camping trip at approx 2:30AM from toronto; we were pulled over by OPP at 5:30am because my friend who was driving was speeding. (140km/hrs in a 90km/hrs zone). To top it off he had a suspended license. After checking his license status the officer came back and arrested him for driving with a suspended license. When coming back and explaining it to us he said he 'smelled marijuana in the car'. I had been sleeping in the back seat and awoke to the officer scanning the car with a flashlight. After asking us repeatedly about where the weed was he informed us we were all being charged with possession and he was then going to search the car. He pulled each one of us out and on the way to the cop car explained he had called for backup and would begin thoroughly searching the car and that now was the time to say something. I told him that I had my bag in the car and it did have about 25g in it for our week long camping trip. We ended up having the car impounded for 7 days and were all charged with weed. Upon releasing me the cop said "I know it took a lot to own up to your portion but I respect you for it and will let the crown know that."
I'm now wondering a few things...
Does the circumstances leading to the arrest reflect poorly on me (speeding / suspended license)
I want to be a teacher, can I get out of this without a criminal record?
Do I really need a lawyer, I can't afford one realistically, although I don't qualify for legal aid.
The case is about 4 hrs north of where I live, can I have it moved to where I live?
What do you think the final outcome will be?

Hi paulmac. I don't think the fact that your friend had a suspended license and was speeding would have any reflection on you. Why would it? I would hire a lawyer if I were you and no you can't have the hearing moved to a location closer to where you live. The fact that you did confess to having weed, and as the police said, he would let the crown know you were co-operating may go in your favour. No telling what the outcome will be; every judge is different.

Tick

I want to be a teacher. Do I really need a lawyer, I can't afford one realistically,Hello p:

Do you really want to be a teacher? Then you can't afford NOT to have a lawyer, realistically..

excon

Check out POLCOA, greenpassion.org, and KingOfThePaupers (that one on Youtube) for working on your own defence. But I agree that you should hire a lawyer. I doubt that they will move the case.

What you friend did , speeding and the such is only in your trial the reason that allowed the officer to stop the car.

Next this is where I think the officer may have stepped outside bounds, by arresting everyone without any evidence.
Just the smell, and I think a good attorney could do something there.