I was pulled over and searched..

[st0ne]

Hey..

I was in the process of moving from Alberta to B.C. when a traffic cop pulled me over for not signaling. If you ask me, complete bullshit.

He took my id and registration and disappeared to his car for an extended period. Upon returning he told me that he smelled marijuana in my vehicle, and that I was under arrest. I was dumbfounded, as I was NOT stoned nor had I smoked in my vehicle. I made my complaints heard, yet at the time figured that there wasn't anything more I could do other than get a lawyer. I am aware of my rights, and I do not agree that he had probable cause.

I sat in the back of the cop car for near an hour as he searched through all of my belongings, intent on busting me. I told him that I didn't have anything in my vehicle, even though I had my small personal stash in a backpack. I couldn't believe this was happening to me. I hadn't done anything wrong!

He comes back with my stash tin, and the outdoor seeds that I had high hopes for this coming season. He writes me a notice to appear in court, and with his smug attitude sends me on my way. I'll save you my distaste towards these ignorant people.

The night before I had vacuumed out my vehicle and burned some Nag Champa to cover up the smell of stale cigar smoke. I believe he saw a pot sticker on my guitar case and figured that I was an easy target. I assume with my B.C license plate he figured that perhaps I was a big time drug runner.

I have to drive 10 hours back to Alberta to attend court in a few months and I was wondering if it is worth getting a lawyer for and fighting? Is is possible to get my paraphernalia and seeds back, due to an illegal search? Hard to prove I know..

I was caught with like four grams, which I'm told isn't a criminal offense.

Any advice?
:|

 

[JJScorpio]

You don't really think you are going to get back your pot do you?

It's probably a fifty dollar fine for the offense. It would cost thousands to try and beat the ticket. You decide....

 

[SpacedCWBY]

If you look a little more liberalish (hippy), you could scream profiling. Sorry about your luck man. Stupid little things like your sticker are a give away. Lesson learned.

 

[querkle]

walk away and pay the fine lawyers are expencive pot is cheap

 

[st0ne]

I'm not so much concerned about the pot, as my seeds, pipe, and grinder..
You're right though..

Shitty luck.

Any ideas if I have to appear in court? I was served a promise to appear, yet what's the point of me driving 10 hours to attend if I'm going to receive a fine anyways ?

I suppose so I don't get a warrant out for my arrest?

Sigh..

 

[FreezerBoy]

I suppose so I don't get a warrant out for my arrest?

Bingo. It may be you can call the court and mail the fine but DO NOT take my word for it.

 

[SouthernGuerila]

I'm not so much concerned about the pot, as my seeds, pipe, and grinder..
You're right though..

Shitty luck.

Any ideas if I have to appear in court? I was served a promise to appear, yet what's the point of me driving 10 hours to attend if I'm going to receive a fine anyways ?

I suppose so I don't get a warrant out for my arrest?

Sigh..

call the # on the ticket..

 

[Botanist]

Fight it. He locked you up and rummaged though your things. then he took your personal property and you have to pay them! did he even kiss you when he was done. So what if it would cost less to just pay the fine. If i come to your house and say
"hay give me fifty bucks and i will never bug you again. If you don't then i will take much more from you."
Are you just going to let that happen and say
"OK man. I don't want any trouble because i don't have the balls to defend myself."
I'm not suggesting you should have fiscally disobeyed the cop but you have to fight this in court. That is if what you say is true about it being unwarranted search and robbery. If we keep backing down because its easier then fighting for our rights and what we know to be truth and self evident personal freedoms in this world then we will never be free.

"Get up, stand up. Stand up for your rights."

 

[SpacedCWBY]

did he even kiss you when he was done.

"Get up, stand up. Stand up for your rights."

LOL - nothing like a good ass raping with a little sand for lube, eh?

That really sucks man, but if you can fight it, fight it. Make them spend some cash too. Maybe when someone with a little common sense finally adds up their costs, they'll quit pissing around with tiny bits of pot like that.

As for the marley quote, I'm bouncing already...

 

[rafterman]

Talk to a lawyer, you want an absolute discharge from the charge. Not sure but I think even 4 grams is potentially a criminal offense - possession. If you are convicted good luck ever getting into the U.S. even for a vacation plus impact on getting jobs being bonded etc.

Don't want to be a negative nabob but take it seriously and defend yourself. A lawyer with drug experience is a worthwhile investment.

 

[Dr. G]

Ya id say fight it you dont want thisnshitnwith you

 

[Preacher]

Use turn signals. I've had an outstanding bench warrant for a year and a half, I have to drive nearly an hour round-trip to get to the nearest Wal-Mart, and I've been pulled over not once since and two times in my life because I am and always have been Johnny fucking Lawful when it comes to traffic laws. Even when it comes to bullshit excuses excessive window tint is the only one they could conceivably use and I happen to know mine has not been altered since it was bought from the manufacturer and is therefore legal.

Nevertheless, I carry a digital voice recorder in my center console should something like this ever happen. Your best defense is to hit record, hide it from view, and make your case right there. I've never smoked in any vehicle in my life and I'd make that explicitly clear in such a scenario.

As for what to do at this point, yeah, you don't want a warrant. The reason I have one is because I was too poor to drive to the state in which I was arrested. I'm not sure about Canadian laws but in Texas you'd get six months of probation for under five grams and I would assume your province is just a little more tolerant than this conservative shithole. If you can afford to make the court date do so because the worst thing that'll happen is you getting a fine/penalty you can just shrug off.