Being threatened with drug charges can be frightening, especially if you’re a student. A conviction can threaten you with fines or jail time, and a criminal record can disrupt your professional career before it even gets off the ground. But there’s good news when it comes to marijuana offenses. Much of the state, and Harris County in particular, has taken a more relaxed approached to these low level crimes. This means that you might be able to get off easier than you think for minor marijuana offenses.
Harris County’s Misdemeanor Marijuana Diversion Program
There are a lot of diversion programs in the criminal legal system, but the Misdemeanor Marijuana Diversion Program in our county might allow you to avoid criminal charges altogether. Through this program, those who are arrested for misdemeanor marijuana offenses will be assessed to see if they qualify for the diversion program. If they do, then the individual will not be charged with a criminal offense if he or she agrees to participate in a one-time four-hour long class on cognitive decision-making.
To qualify for the diversion program, the offense for which you are arrested has to be a Class A or Class B misdemeanor for possession and you have to have proper identification. You also can’t have any outstanding warrants and have to be 17 or older. If you are found to possess marijuana in a drug free zone or correctional facility, or if you’re found to be illegally carrying a weapon along with marijuana, then you will be ineligible for the program.
Know your legal options
If you’re facing marijuana charges, then you need to know your legal options. You shouldn’t let such a minor offense upend your life, especially at such a young age. That’s why you need to be prepared to aggressively fight to protect your interests, even if you don’t qualify for a diversion program. If you’d like to learn more about what your criminal defense options might look like, consider discussing the circumstances of your case with an experienced attorney.
