Legal Question in Criminal Law in Michigan

busted with one joint at a concert

My wife was busted for one marijuana cigarette, at a concert at the DTE Music Theater. They took her to some room where all they did was write a ticket and sent her onher way . NO rights were read, no prints , basicly no nothing but a ticket. When,the wife called(when told by officerto call after 2 weeks) for cost of ticket info,she was told there was nothing in,and to call back next week.She DID,4 weeks in a row. suddenly 6 weeks later the officer called her to tell her they were following up on the ticket, and have put a bench warrent for her arrest. Sir, we have no money to obtain a lawyer,and have been burnt by pro-bono cronies. Please help us fight this mess, 'cause there is something definatly wrong here, because she had not smoked anything, nor was she holding anything for them to notice.PLEASE HELP US!


Asked on 10/23/04, 11:10 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
William Morrison Action Defense Center

Re: busted with one joint at a concert

Its hardly the end of the world to be caught at the DTE with a small amount of marijuana. She should turn herself in, and then get arraigned at the 52-3 District Court on Barclay in Rochester Hills. She should be released on personal bond (no money) after she explains to the magistrate why she didn't show up for her first appearance.

She should inform the magistrate that she wants a court appointed lawyer. She should do this soon because if she happens to be in the car on a traffic stop, she could spend the night (or weekend) in jail and will have to post a money bond to get out.

Assuming your wife has no prior drug-related convictions, a court appointed lawyer can guide her through a process that will result in no conviction, no record, and a (usually) one year period of probation with no penalty to her driving privileges.

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Answered on 10/23/04, 11:00 pm


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