My 17 1/2 year old daughter was riding around with another girl smoking pot when stopped by a WI county deputy. The other girl was driving and owned the car, pot and pipe. The deputy smelled pot, and when asked about the drugs my daughter took ownership of the pot and pipe to protect her 18 year old friend(an adult who has been in legal trouble before.) My daughter has never been in trouble, claims to have only tried pot once or twice in the last few months and is incredibly upset about the whole event. She is going to court in a few days and can plead guilty, no contest or fight it. She has already admitted to owning the pot to protect her "friend". She is a A/B student with plans for college. What can I do about this mess? What is the best legal move for her and her future?
DAD

Her performance in this regard is not even commendable dad, I know you don't want to hear that. What was she thinking ! I hope to god she learns a valuable lesson from this... keep one's mouth shut if nothing better to say. I am not being flippant because I know you and she must be at wits end.

Hire a good lawyer and make sure her g/f owns up in court to somewhat lessen her involvement.

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Originally Posted by fixindahouse

My 17 1/2 year old daughter was riding around with another girl smoking pot when stopped by a WI county deputy. The other girl was driving and owned the car, pot and pipe. The deputy smelled pot, and when asked about the drugs my daughter took ownership of the pot and pipe to protect her 18 year old friend(an adult who has been in legal trouble before.) My daughter has never been in trouble, claims to have only tried pot once or twice in the last few months and is incredibly upset about the whole event. She is going to court in a few days and can plead guilty, no contest or fight it. She has already admitted to owning the pot to protect her "friend". She is a A/B student with plans for college. What can I do about this mess? What is the best legal move for her and her future?
DAD

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Hire a good attorney and fight this charge. She should not have said anything about ownership of these items. She may mess up her future if she is convicted of the drug charges. Pay strict attention to what the attorney advises to do. Hopefully this will be a very expensive lesson for your daughter to pick better friends in the future.

With this on her record it can effect future college choices, effect scholarships and more. It can also effect possible jobs in the future.

Also lets say she decides to run for a public office, guess what will show up and becomes public.

Next sorry I would also be doubtful that she only did it a few times, this is also the story for mom and dad as my best guess. So for her you may want to put closer control or watches for future uses.

At this point, you will want to see if there is anyway to get her statement about it being hers thrown out, Fight it, get the best lawyer you can. Will she be willling to testify that it was the other persons ?

Although they are probably trying her as an adult, she is still under 18 which is a positive in this matter. I would not try to fight it, rather have a lawyer work out a diversion program (if offered in your county/city) which will eliminate the drug charges after successful completion of the program. If she is looking at felony charges, your attorney will get it reduced to misdemeanor, she will get fined and probation as well as classes. After so many years, depending on your state, that misdemeanor charge is removed from her record. On applications, college or work, they will be able to see arrests and original charges with no conviction (it being removed). However, throughout her sentencing will be the time she starts college and may affect scholarships etc. She is, by in no means, required to state she has been convicted of this crime until she is sentenced and plea agreement signed. If she is going to college, she must apply fast but do not lie on application. If it asks if she's been convicted of a misdemeanor/felony, put no. Sort of a quick loophole. Consult lawyer.

The "I've used once or twice before" is the same thing I hear when there's an accident involving alcohol - "I had one or two." I would sit your daughter down and have a no-nonsense talk with her about the truth of the situation as well as her choice in friends.

After that it's time for an Attorney - there are no guarantees here. If she's charged with a substantial amount or intent to sell OR the Judge decides to teach her and anyone else in the Courtroom a lesson there could be some serious problems.

This arrest will be visible to law enforcement forever.

You need the advice of an Attorney who specializes. There are no "what will happen" guarantees in this situation.

I so see that Wisconsin has a diversion program for theft. I have not found that info when drugs are invovled.