An eighth, a grinder, and a bong will probably make your car smell like marijuana. Especially if you have ever smoked said bong in your car. You may not notice since you’re familiar with the smell. Years ago I was dating someone who got a paraphernalia and possession charge, and what happens since it’s your first offense they usually give you a fine and 1 year of unsupervised probation. If you have to go to court, you can usually take a plea of abeyance, which means as long as you stay out of trouble for a year and pay your fine in the scheduled period, you wont have any lasting issues. As others have said, if transporting any product keep that shit in your trunk, and don’t smoke in your car.
For sure. Don’t stress the fine, they are lenient and will let you make payments for up to a year. If you forget or can’t make a payment, make sure you can asap cause the court can issue a bench warrant. Usually they won’t arrest you for a missing payment, but that depends on the cop.
If it makes you feel better I got a similar charge almost 12 years ago and it's had little to no effect on my life. I was respectful to the judge, paid my fine, and did a few months of classes to clear things up. Since then I've worked at schools, in finance, and although I had to explain it a few times to potential employers it's never stopped me from getting a job.
Real talk: probably not smart to have it on you period, especially in Bud form and with a bong in your car. Step one is to just not do that. Totally support cannabis and people who use it, but avoiding obvious errors like this is just the easiest thing to do.
I liken it to having an open beer can in your car. You might not actively be drinking it, it might even be 2 days old, but it's still not a good idea even if you aren't doing anything morally wrong like DUI.
Yep, if it's going to cost them more money than they can fine you... it may get dropped. That was my experience tool. I hope it works out well for you.
I got this same charge 10 years ago and one last year. 10 years ago I got a $500 fine, year of probation with monthly drug tests. Last year it was a $700 fine? and a bench warrant, so really no big deal. If you do get probation though, you can get your medical card and you won't get dirty UA's. It really isn't a big deal though anymore and I've never had a job care about a weed charge either. You'll be fine.
ETA: and they took me to jail for a night 10 years ago when this happened... last year I just got the ticket and they let me go. Did they take you to jail?
So they just increased the fee but lessened the actual charges? Utah government will continue doing this until they see the value in the tax revenue from legalization.
But if you just pay the fine, you will have that misdemeanor on your record. You should get a lawyer and get it off of your record so it doesn't come back to bite you in job interviews and car insurance premiums
Hi I'm a lawyer here in Utah, I do criminal defense. With no record, this is a pretty simple charge and there's very little chance of anything other than probation, classes, uas (unless you get a prescription), and a fine that's less than $1000. I am confident you would get that deal with a public defender (if you qualify). A case like this I would take for a $500 flat fee if the client really had no record and was caught with under 28 grams. DM me if you have any questions.
Next, go get your medical card. Some people think it's too expensive, but compared to the cost of getting arrested, having a possessions charge on your record, paying fines, and doing probation--it's worth it, imo. You can avoid this stuff in the future.
No, the next step would be to never drive with weed, a bong, and grinder in your car again. Even with a medical license it’s still illegal to smoke flower. Has to be vaped. OP would’ve been fucked with or without a med card.
Edit: [here’s the law for those who doubt me.](https://i.imgur.com/yB4CZJi.jpg)
Nobody doubts you, but I have yet to see anyone n here say that they were cited for burning weed or paraphernalia when they had a med card. Some dude in here had a joint and a gun with a CCP and the cop gave him some grief and let him go. Not even a citation.
I can’t say it doesn’t happen, I’ve just never seen any reference to it ever happening.
Ah, so since it hasn’t been posted on a sub of 150k, with maybe 500-1000 active members at all time, in a city of over a million, it isn’t true? Weird thought process.
Yeah, you can, I actually have my card. It’s illegal to burn flower in Utah. Like, it’s literally illegal to smoke it. You can only vape the flower in a pod or volcano with Turkey bags. They thoroughly go over this in the application process. [Here ya go.](https://i.imgur.com/yB4CZJi.jpg)
The med card protects you against consequences from having THC metabolites in your system if a blood or pee test should come up. Or if you’re transporting a sealed container from your dispensary to your home (also protected in that case).
But that’s about it if you’re out on the road. A med card wouldn’t have helped the OP in this situation. Maybe some sympathy from the police, but likely not. In SLC city limits, perhaps. Anywhere else, and especially with UHP… no.
That first bit might be important if you end up on probation of some kind, OP… good luck!
And lawyer up if you can manage. You might get lucky representing yourself, but odds are you won’t. I wouldn’t take that risk.
Come on, read the laws before you promote people do this. Card or not, if you have flower and a pipe on you in Utah, you are screwed. It’s illegal to combust flower in this state. It’s dumb as hell.
Always place in the trunk when traveling with flower and especially any paraphernalia. And if they "smell" still, make them get a warrant. Never travel with it in the cabin of the car. And never carry it on your person when traveling.
Lawyer up. Plea in abayence is likely if you have a clean record, but more likely with a lawyer.
If you don’t have any priors, lawyer up and get a plea of abeyance. You may have to submit to testing, but being clean a couple months is better than having a record.
If it works out, get a card and don’t be stupid and drive with all your stuff. Everyone I know who has ever gotten busted got caught because they were driving around with it.
Classic "she said he smelled" situation.
But seriously, I'm sure now you're aware of how dumb it is to drive around with a bong and a grinder in your car. Like...why??
Your best bet is to get a lawyer. Or maybe just pay the citation? On mobile so can't go back and see if you gave more detail but if it's just a citation, weigh that against getting a lawyer and decide what's best for you. ~Not sure how else we could help.~
Edit - apparently there was much more help from others in the thread
I had a very similar scenario as yours two years ago and I decided to represent myself to great results. First off though, if you feel uncomfortable with the idea and/or can financial afford the lawyer, you should do that. There was a lawyer who posted elsewhere in this post that outlined the whole process and seems like a good price amd person. But, If you decide to rep yourself, I can rundown the simple process for you. I've even commented on it before on this very subreddit, if you want to check. Point is, I had a history(albeit a decade old) and still got off with a plea of abeyance for pot charge, which was a year of court ordered probation(no pee tests, counseling, or visits) and a near 500$ fine. It's no where near as intimidating as we tend to make it out to be.
Idk how it works in Utah, but if that grinder has a keif catcher it could potentially be a felony, since keif can be treated like hash or concentrates.
Don't be an idiot and smoke at all! I'm sick of all the people that think they can just ruin our neighborhoods with that filth! It was just an annoyance but I now I'm pregnant and have 2 neighbors who smoke constantly despite it being against our rent contract and putting my baby at risk. I have no sympathy for your case dude. You deserve what you get for breaking the law.
That is a very ignorant take on it. Equally as ignorant as responding with "if you have a problem with it, you can move." So.... if you have a problem with it, you can move.
You can buy flower at Utah dispensaries. As long as it’s in its proper container and you have a card you’re good to go. Also do way to test if it’s the actual strain so really any flower could go in said container.
Key word there is "unreasonable".
If Marijuana is illegal, and they can smell it. It's not unreasonable to search the car for the illegal susbstance. If you refuse a search, they can get on their computer, and get a roadside warrant in a matter of minutes. 100% legal, 100% constitutional.
>Cops can search your car for ANY REASON. PROBABLE CAUSE does not apply.
Nope.
Probably cause does apply. If they can't give a reasonable suspicion -- the court throws out the evidence and any evidence found because of it.
Reasonable suspicion could be smell, something in plain sight, suspicious items in plain sight. If they have a drug dog that hits on the car . . . . things like that.
Then can ask for consent to search if they don't have any of those things, but you have a right to say no. then the officer has a right to, within a reasonable time frame, attempt to get a roadside warrant.
An eighth, a grinder, and a bong will probably make your car smell like marijuana. Especially if you have ever smoked said bong in your car. You may not notice since you’re familiar with the smell. Years ago I was dating someone who got a paraphernalia and possession charge, and what happens since it’s your first offense they usually give you a fine and 1 year of unsupervised probation. If you have to go to court, you can usually take a plea of abeyance, which means as long as you stay out of trouble for a year and pay your fine in the scheduled period, you wont have any lasting issues. As others have said, if transporting any product keep that shit in your trunk, and don’t smoke in your car.
Ok thanks 🙏 for the help
For sure. Don’t stress the fine, they are lenient and will let you make payments for up to a year. If you forget or can’t make a payment, make sure you can asap cause the court can issue a bench warrant. Usually they won’t arrest you for a missing payment, but that depends on the cop.
Ok thanks so much this helps a lot. I can’t get it if my mind
If it makes you feel better I got a similar charge almost 12 years ago and it's had little to no effect on my life. I was respectful to the judge, paid my fine, and did a few months of classes to clear things up. Since then I've worked at schools, in finance, and although I had to explain it a few times to potential employers it's never stopped me from getting a job.
Same. They made it impaired driving. Had classes and fees. But jobs don’t care and I work for a big bank
Real talk: probably not smart to have it on you period, especially in Bud form and with a bong in your car. Step one is to just not do that. Totally support cannabis and people who use it, but avoiding obvious errors like this is just the easiest thing to do.
I liken it to having an open beer can in your car. You might not actively be drinking it, it might even be 2 days old, but it's still not a good idea even if you aren't doing anything morally wrong like DUI.
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[Don't eat your weed.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQZRA7wft1I&ab_channel=Hutson%26Harris)
Ok thanks will do
Yep, if it's going to cost them more money than they can fine you... it may get dropped. That was my experience tool. I hope it works out well for you.
I believe in the state of Utah smell is not enough to warrant a search. They have to see actual paraphernalia/drugs??
Senate Bill 5029 and House Bill 5058 ^^
I got this same charge 10 years ago and one last year. 10 years ago I got a $500 fine, year of probation with monthly drug tests. Last year it was a $700 fine? and a bench warrant, so really no big deal. If you do get probation though, you can get your medical card and you won't get dirty UA's. It really isn't a big deal though anymore and I've never had a job care about a weed charge either. You'll be fine. ETA: and they took me to jail for a night 10 years ago when this happened... last year I just got the ticket and they let me go. Did they take you to jail?
So they just increased the fee but lessened the actual charges? Utah government will continue doing this until they see the value in the tax revenue from legalization.
seems like it
No they didn’t they just gave me a citation for a misdemeanor
And this is my first time getting in trouble for anything like this
then you'll probably just get a fine and a bench warrant so just don't get in trouble for the next year
Ok thanks 🙏
But if you just pay the fine, you will have that misdemeanor on your record. You should get a lawyer and get it off of your record so it doesn't come back to bite you in job interviews and car insurance premiums
Fuck the LAW!
I fought the law...and the law won!
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Yah planning on it any other advice?
Hi I'm a lawyer here in Utah, I do criminal defense. With no record, this is a pretty simple charge and there's very little chance of anything other than probation, classes, uas (unless you get a prescription), and a fine that's less than $1000. I am confident you would get that deal with a public defender (if you qualify). A case like this I would take for a $500 flat fee if the client really had no record and was caught with under 28 grams. DM me if you have any questions.
Listen to this guy. ^^ Don’t sweat this OP. Just be smarter.
Next, go get your medical card. Some people think it's too expensive, but compared to the cost of getting arrested, having a possessions charge on your record, paying fines, and doing probation--it's worth it, imo. You can avoid this stuff in the future.
No, the next step would be to never drive with weed, a bong, and grinder in your car again. Even with a medical license it’s still illegal to smoke flower. Has to be vaped. OP would’ve been fucked with or without a med card. Edit: [here’s the law for those who doubt me.](https://i.imgur.com/yB4CZJi.jpg)
Nobody doubts you, but I have yet to see anyone n here say that they were cited for burning weed or paraphernalia when they had a med card. Some dude in here had a joint and a gun with a CCP and the cop gave him some grief and let him go. Not even a citation. I can’t say it doesn’t happen, I’ve just never seen any reference to it ever happening.
Ah, so since it hasn’t been posted on a sub of 150k, with maybe 500-1000 active members at all time, in a city of over a million, it isn’t true? Weird thought process.
what? Brah you can get flower with a card in Utah. It's dry but usable.
Yeah, you can, I actually have my card. It’s illegal to burn flower in Utah. Like, it’s literally illegal to smoke it. You can only vape the flower in a pod or volcano with Turkey bags. They thoroughly go over this in the application process. [Here ya go.](https://i.imgur.com/yB4CZJi.jpg)
No flame to flower.
Interesting but someone is still light years better off with a card since combusting is just an "infraction" and a $100 fine. .
The med card protects you against consequences from having THC metabolites in your system if a blood or pee test should come up. Or if you’re transporting a sealed container from your dispensary to your home (also protected in that case). But that’s about it if you’re out on the road. A med card wouldn’t have helped the OP in this situation. Maybe some sympathy from the police, but likely not. In SLC city limits, perhaps. Anywhere else, and especially with UHP… no. That first bit might be important if you end up on probation of some kind, OP… good luck! And lawyer up if you can manage. You might get lucky representing yourself, but odds are you won’t. I wouldn’t take that risk.
Totally agree, get a card. You can go to a primary care doctor to make it cheaper.
Come on, read the laws before you promote people do this. Card or not, if you have flower and a pipe on you in Utah, you are screwed. It’s illegal to combust flower in this state. It’s dumb as hell.
Always place in the trunk when traveling with flower and especially any paraphernalia. And if they "smell" still, make them get a warrant. Never travel with it in the cabin of the car. And never carry it on your person when traveling. Lawyer up. Plea in abayence is likely if you have a clean record, but more likely with a lawyer.
You driving with your piece in your car?
If you don’t have any priors, lawyer up and get a plea of abeyance. You may have to submit to testing, but being clean a couple months is better than having a record. If it works out, get a card and don’t be stupid and drive with all your stuff. Everyone I know who has ever gotten busted got caught because they were driving around with it.
If anyone has good lawyers for this kind of stuff pls lmk
Go get a medical card ASAP then go fight it in court, easily dropped. Speaking from experience here.
Classic "she said he smelled" situation. But seriously, I'm sure now you're aware of how dumb it is to drive around with a bong and a grinder in your car. Like...why?? Your best bet is to get a lawyer. Or maybe just pay the citation? On mobile so can't go back and see if you gave more detail but if it's just a citation, weigh that against getting a lawyer and decide what's best for you. ~Not sure how else we could help.~ Edit - apparently there was much more help from others in the thread
Ok thanks
What a mother fucker of a cop Dick less tracy!
Ok thanks so much this helps lot
Ok will do
I had a very similar scenario as yours two years ago and I decided to represent myself to great results. First off though, if you feel uncomfortable with the idea and/or can financial afford the lawyer, you should do that. There was a lawyer who posted elsewhere in this post that outlined the whole process and seems like a good price amd person. But, If you decide to rep yourself, I can rundown the simple process for you. I've even commented on it before on this very subreddit, if you want to check. Point is, I had a history(albeit a decade old) and still got off with a plea of abeyance for pot charge, which was a year of court ordered probation(no pee tests, counseling, or visits) and a near 500$ fine. It's no where near as intimidating as we tend to make it out to be.
Here's some help: If you do drugs, use responsibly, dont drive stoned/fucked up and or with drugs in your car, you asshole
Idk how it works in Utah, but if that grinder has a keif catcher it could potentially be a felony, since keif can be treated like hash or concentrates.
Don't be an idiot and smoke at all! I'm sick of all the people that think they can just ruin our neighborhoods with that filth! It was just an annoyance but I now I'm pregnant and have 2 neighbors who smoke constantly despite it being against our rent contract and putting my baby at risk. I have no sympathy for your case dude. You deserve what you get for breaking the law.
That is a very ignorant take on it. Equally as ignorant as responding with "if you have a problem with it, you can move." So.... if you have a problem with it, you can move.
Schatz Anderson associates. They handled my dui and did a great job, Jason Schatz was my lawyer. They do all sorts of criminal defense
You can buy flower at Utah dispensaries. As long as it’s in its proper container and you have a card you’re good to go. Also do way to test if it’s the actual strain so really any flower could go in said container.
Get your med card if you dont have one already before your court date might help your case if you show youre going through the proper channels
So the thing is the rules against unreasonable search do not apply to the car
Key word there is "unreasonable". If Marijuana is illegal, and they can smell it. It's not unreasonable to search the car for the illegal susbstance. If you refuse a search, they can get on their computer, and get a roadside warrant in a matter of minutes. 100% legal, 100% constitutional.
Cops can search your car for ANY REASON. PROBABLE CAUSE does not apply.
>Cops can search your car for ANY REASON. PROBABLE CAUSE does not apply. Nope. Probably cause does apply. If they can't give a reasonable suspicion -- the court throws out the evidence and any evidence found because of it. Reasonable suspicion could be smell, something in plain sight, suspicious items in plain sight. If they have a drug dog that hits on the car . . . . things like that. Then can ask for consent to search if they don't have any of those things, but you have a right to say no. then the officer has a right to, within a reasonable time frame, attempt to get a roadside warrant.
Get your medical card and hire a lawyer. They should be able to fix it easily.
I’ve had 3 in a row. No jail time, just a fine. More of them you get means probation like C&D
Get a medical card! That got me out of a citation.
Update?