Legal Question in Criminal Law in Maryland

I went to baltimore with my boyfriend so he could buy heroin, in my car but he drove. I don't do it, i hate it because it makes him someone he's not but he didn't want to make the 2 hr drive by himself and talked me into going. Said it was simple because he had a hookup and can't get caught. I went with him and he couldn't reach his normal guy so he took me to downtown to cop it...i was in passenger side and the dealer came to my side, my boyfriend handed him the money and the dealer pretty much threw the bag on my lap so i handed it to my boyfriend. As we started to pull out thats when the cops pulled in front. I'm 28 years old and I have never been in trouble for anything, do not do drugs or even smoke marijuana or cigs. Is there any chance of getting this dropped and completely wiped off my record? The girls in my cell told me they can't do anything to me because nothing was actually found on me but the commissioner said it doesn't matter because i was in the car and it was my car. I'm so upset and havn't stopped crying since nor have i ate. I'm a really good person and will do anything for anyone, that's my weakness. I can never make myself say no when someone I really care about asks for a favor no matter how much i don't want to do it. My entire family is upset with me because they can't believe I was that stupid to have went with him, my relationship with my boyfriend is on the edge because of his drug problem and he refuses to get help. Hes on probation from prev drug charges so they will clearly see he has the problem. I will even take a drug test to prove I don't do any drugs. I can't afford a good lawyer so I have to go with a public defender. I know i wont get anymore jail time since its my first offense but I REALLY don't want this on my record, it will absolutely destroy my life. Please someone give me some advice so i can at least have a little hopefully a little peace of mind..... I am soo scared and extremely upset because I don't deserve this. I have been at the same job for 10 years, everyone loves me because i'm such a good person and easy to get along with. I've just gotten mixed up with the wrong guy, fell in love with him, then found out he had a drug problem and just couldn't leave him, I felt like I would be abandoning him, plus he kept telling me he was just having some fun while he's young and would clean up soon so we can settle down and start a family. I just kept waiting for him to make this change and now I'm caught in a world of trouble.

Asked on 8/17/10, 6:04 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Phillip M. Cook Cook Legal Services, LLC

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Yes you are caught in a world of trouble. I would strongly suggest that you not put this story in writing anymore. This is a public web page. You are not paying for an attorneys' advice through this section, so you have no expectation of privacy or confidentiality if the authorities are trolling this web page. With that said:

(1) I would strongly recommend that you pony up the money and hire a Maryland criminal defense attorney, no matter the cost. This is your life, your freedom that we are talking about. Don't be so confident that you will not get jail time. It depends on the quantity of heroin in the car and whether you were also charged with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, etc. It is possible that the State could try and take your car as part of the drug bust. You may lose your job of 10 years and have a real tough time finding another one with a heroin bust on the your record.

(2) If your boyfriend loves you like you think he does, he will take the entire wrap for this arrest. A prosecutor is unlikely to pursue the matter against you if your boyfriend is willing to take the heat and testify on your behalf.

(3) I think it goes without saying, it's time for you to move on with your life without the boyfriend. You sound like you have family and friends who really care about you. Remove the cancer from you life -- the two of you are heading down different paths, but he's dragging you with him.

Best of luck.******The above does not create an attorney-client relationship and is instead intended for informational purposes only.*******

Answered on 8/22/10, 7:23 pm

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