Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

i got caught with a butterfly knife, not to stab anyone but because i liked how it looked and thought it be cool to show it off and do tricks, still no intentions of pulling it out on someone, My court ticket said switchblade but the police report said butterfly knife.. i did indeed have a butterfly knife. i have two marijuana tickets of possession of less that an oz. i really dont want to go to jail for six months when i actually only had the knife for collecting.. i also got a ticket for driving without a license and being under age at the time. i dont have a job or money to pay off any of my tickets, im only 18. im not from a gang or affiliate myself with them. i just made a mistake of carrying the knife and showing it off. and like i just bought that knife a week before i got arrested for it


Asked on 10/29/09, 3:37 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Joe Dane Law Office of Joe Dane

Butterfly knives are illegal under Penal Code section 653k. That section covers switchblades too, so most officers refer to illegal knives as switchblades.

If you cannot afford to hire an attorney, ask for a public defender to be appointed to represent you at your first court appearance.

As far as your fines go, you'll have to work out something with the court to pay them off. They won't just go away. You may be able to do community service instead of the fines, but you'll have to speak to the judge about them.

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Answered on 11/03/09, 6:52 pm


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