[JPOULOS]

Hi There, I Have A Few Questions About A Situation I've Recently Found Myself In. In December, 2006, I Was Flying From My Home In Monterey,ca To Visit My Parents In Toledo, Oh. When I Was Checking My Carry On Bags It Was Discovered That I Had A Switchblade Knife In My Backpack (it Was In My Pencil Case And I Had Forgotten It Was There). It Was Confiscated And I Was Allowed To Board The Plane. Weeks Later, After I Had Arrived Back In California, I Received A Letter That I Had To Appear In Superior Court For 1) Possession Of An Illegal Weapon, And 2) Possession Of One In An Airport. I'm Scheduled To Appear In Court On Feb. 2.

My Question Is, How Worried Should I Be? Here's Some Info About Myself:
-i'm 28, College Educated, And Work As A Project Manager
-i'm Currently Applying To Grad Schools
-i Have A Criminal Past (when I Was 18 I Was Busted For Breaking Into A Car, A Felony, But It Was Later Exponged)

Should I Hire A Lawyer To Go To Court With Me? What Will The Judge Likely Do? What Adice Would You Give Me? Please Help!

Thanks~

[thedogghater]

Yes u need a good atty those are very serious charges don't risk it.Dont even take a chance like that.wish u the best

[ScottGem]

Yes you need an atty. However, at worst, I suspect you will get fines. At best the atty will ge the charges knocked down to misdemeanors that won't affect your record. Even though these are serious charges, being gainfully employed and without problems in the past 10 years it shouldn't mean jail time.

[JPOULOS]

Thanks Man, I'm Going to Look Up A Lawyer Today. Wish Me Luck!

[ScottGem]

Good Luck!

By the way did you mean to check off the not helpful on your first comment?