new user got a possession charge with mmj card

Hey guys new here I got a possession charge for under a gram of cannabis in California went to court today presented my paper work, which is up to date, to a judge and still got charged with possession and a fine. I've had my card for a long time and don't understand why I am still charged and fined in a state where medical marijuana use is legal. I'm pretty pissed at this time and want to know why my card didn't do shit for me in court. any ideas?

If you had a public defender that would explain a lot.

no public defender just me. why would I need a public defender if I'm not breaking any laws? Is not having proof of being a patient enough?

someone who has had experience in this matter would be nice. not to mention I have a grow going and if this is how I'm treated for under a gram I couldn't imagine what would happen if I were busted for a "legal" grow. I guess at that point I would be considering getting a lawyer.

rrReagaN said:

Hey guys new here I got a possession charge for under a gram of cannabis in California went to court today presented my paper work, which is up to date, to a judge and still got charged with possession and a fine. I've had my card for a long time and don't understand why I am still charged and fined in a state where medical marijuana use is legal. I'm pretty pissed at this time and want to know why my card didn't do shit for me in court. any ideas?

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You say you have had your card for a long time. When was the last time you renewed it? Oh and in what state did you get the card. Finally is it verifiable by a physician. There's a lot of crooked places out there selling useless paper.

wow man that sucks, can you reopen the case and go to a different judge ?

trust me when I say my card is legit 100% verifiable. I mean I have had my card for about 6 years and renew it once a year on the pink slip I got from the judge it says I presented my proof of being a mmj patient.

I have no idea if I can reopen the case I was told this wouldn't happen if I brought my paper work with me to court. I feel like I got stiffed by the man and am feeling like my card actually does not protect me in court like I assumed.

oh yeah got it here Cali born and raised

Appeal it, fuck em

i def say appeal

If this is exactly as you say and there are no extenuating circumstances you need to go here and lawyer up. You should have immediately lawyered up but better late than never.
http://lawyers.norml.org/california

curious2garden said:

If this is exactly as you say and there are no extenuating circumstances you need to go here and lawyer up. You should have immediately lawyered up but better late than never.
http://lawyers.norml.org/california

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Yeah, seriously. What a bunch of bullshit. A judge doesn't get to decide to ignore the law.

curious2garden said:

If this is exactly as you say and there are no extenuating circumstances you need to go here and lawyer up. You should have immediately lawyered up but better late than never.
http://lawyers.norml.org/california

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Yeah I don't get why you didn't ask for a public defender at the bare minimum. Unless you were in traffic court? Broski, you never go in front of a judge without a lawyer. Our court system is no longer accessible to the common person like it was meant to be. Curious2garden I'm addressing the OP here but you brought up a good point.

Hell I don't even go in front of the judge for a speeding ticket without a lawyer. Unless you have extensive knowledge of the law you should never walk in front of a judge. Not to mention some lawyers are in with the DA's so they can get shit thrown out.

how was the gram taken from you...were you tokin in public? traffic stop? how did they know you had a gram

I have a feeling there is more to this story..

Or since it's an infraction, which means nothing on your record, and the fine is only a couple hundred, maybe just pay it and move on with your life?

Although, I also believe that there's mor to this story than the OP is telling us. Or it's all made up.

Yeah. Something is odd here. I couldnt even see a cop in the state of california writing anyone a ticket for possession for something like a gram unless he was smoking in public or something to get the attention of the police. I don't think cops just stop a random guy walking down the street like "hey i bet this kid has 1 gram of pot and i wanna write him a ticket". Cops from NC don't even bother with a gram...they make you dump it out and keep moving on with their day.

Don't assume that because they are a 'judge' they know the law.

A judge is just a lawyer in a black robe.