Possession of Cocaine

by englishpen

Whether this is their first year or their last, all students need to be aware of the serious consequences they could face if a night of seemingly innocent fun ends in an arrest. Criminal charges for using a fake ID, underage drinking or marijuana possession can follow students around long after they have received their degrees.

Convictions for certain types of crimes, like marijuana possession, may result in the creation of a criminal record. Other charges, like underage drinking, may come up on a vehicle background check. A criminal record can make it difficult for students to secure employment in a highly competitive job market and may limit their options for entering graduate programs, like law school and medical school. Moreover, drug related convictions (including simple possession) can prevent students from receiving various types of student aid and student loans.

Minors under 21 years old who are caught with a fake identification card, use a fake ID to buy or attempt to buy alcohol or verbally communicate to someone that they are 21 or older to buy alcohol may be charged with one of these crimes:

(18 PA CSA 6307)
(18 PA CSA 6310.3)

False identification includes using or possessing another person’s id who is of legal age or using or possessing an id with false age, name and/or birth date information, regardless of whether it has the student’s own photograph on it.
First offenses for violating the state’s fake id laws are summary offenses and generally are punishable only by a fine. Subsequent offenses, however, are third degree misdemeanors and carry increased penalties. Penalties for violating these laws can include:

0 fine for a first offense
0 fine for a second or subsequent offense
Up to 90 days in jail
Loss of driving privileges for 90 days for a first offense, one year for a second offense and two years for a third offense

If a student is charged under one of the state’s fake ID laws, the police will notify their parents.

Underage Drinking (UAD)

College students under the legal drinking age who are caught buying or attempting to buy alcohol, drinking, in possession of alcohol or transporting alcohol in their vehicles may be charged under 18 PA CSA 6308 with an underage drinking offense. A first time UAD offense is treated as a summary offense, while subsequent offenses are treated as third degree misdemeanors.

The penalties for underage drinking in Pennsylvania include:

0 fine for first offense
0 fine for the second and each subsequent offense
Up to 90 days in jail
Loss of driving privileges for 90 days for a first offense, one year for a second offense and two years for a third offense
Marijuana Possession

The penalties for marijuana possession are more serious than those for underage drinking. The severity of the penalty depends on how much marijuana was in the student’s possession at the time of the arrest.

If the amount was , then the student may be charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana and sentenced to and have to pay a maximum
If the amount was , the student may be charged with possession of marijuana and sentenced up to and have to pay a maximum

A student convicted of marijuana possession also will for the first conviction, one year for a second conviction and two years for a third or subsequent conviction.

Students caught with drug paraphernalia in their possession ? like a pot pipe ? can be charged with an additional crime, which carries up to 1 year in jail and a maximum 00 fine. The penalties for marijuana possession increase for any subsequent violations.

Effect of Drug Offenses on Student Aid

Aside from monetary fines and potential jail time, college students who are convicted under federal or state drug laws also face the potential of losing their rights to certain forms of student aid. Under the Higher Education Act of 1998, students convicted of any crime involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance are not eligible to receive any federal grant, loan or work assistance for a specified period of time, depending on the offense.

For example, if a college student is convicted of a drug possession crime, he or she is ineligible for student aid for a year following the conviction. The ineligibility period is extended to two years for a second offense, and a third or subsequent offense renders the student ineligible indefinitely.

The penalties for conviction of a crime involving the of a controlled substance are tougher: A first offense results in two years of financial aid ineligibility, while a second or subsequence offense means that the student is ineligible for an indefinite time.

Conclusion

If you have been charged with a crime, even a misdemeanor, it is important to begin working with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to minimize the consequences of the charges. In some cases, you may be able to complete a community service program or other type of accelerated rehabilitative diversionary (ARD) program to reduce or eliminate the penalties against you.

Do not underestimate the amount of trouble you may be in. A conviction for any crime can have devastating consequences for your college career and impact your ability to find employment after graduation.

Drug Possession: Jeff Hardy arrested – drug possession !

Earlier today Jeff Hardy arrested by the police for possession of drugs, a pretty big supply to say the very least. As it looks right now Jeff is in for a troublesome future.

Drug Possession: Conn man accused of seeking pot on Craig’s List
A 31-year-old Vernon man faces drug possession charges after allegedly placing an advertisement seeking marijuana on Craig’s List.
Read more on Boston Globe

Drug Possession: Conn man accused of seeking pot on Craigslist
A 31-year-old Vernon man faces drug possession charges after allegedly placing an advertisement seeking marijuana on Craigslist.
Read more on Boston Globe

Drug Possession: 3 held for drug dealing on East Rand
Three people were arrested for drug dealing and possession in Buhle Park and Dukathole this week, Ekurhuleni metro police said on Friday.
Read more on News 24 South Africa

More Drug Possession Information…

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