[ThisNoize]

Adult summoned to court for possession of cannabis with the street value of €10.

I handed it straight over to the Garda when asked. (Garda himself called me the 'perfect civillian' as I was co-operative and polite)
No previous convictions or encounters what so ever with the Garda and I have also stopped using Mariajuana since.

I was told to pay a fine of €500. Money isn't the issue.
Surely this will stay on my record and hinder me from getting a job or possibly studying or working abroad in Australia or the U.S?

I know it's my fault and believe me, I've learned from my mistake but I really do feel hard done by?

Can anybody shed some light?

[chopser]

Originally Posted by ThisNoize

Adult summoned to court for possession of cannabis with the street value of €10.

I handed it straight over to the Garda when asked. (Garda himself called me the 'perfect civillian' as I was co-operative and polite)
No previous convictions or encounters what so ever with the Garda and I have also stopped using Mariajuana since.

I was told to pay a fine of €500. Money isn't the issue.
Surely this will stay on my record and hinder me from getting a job or possibly studying or working abroad in Australia or the U.S?

I know it's my fault and believe me, I've learned from my mistake but I really do feel hard done by?

Can anybody shed some light?

What else did the Judge say and did you have a solicitor represent you?
You can ring up the District Court Clerk and ask what order was made.

[ThisNoize]

Originally Posted by chopser

What else did the Judge say and did you have a solicitor represent you?
You can ring up the District Court Clerk and ask what order was made.

I got free legal aid.
My solicitor was quite disgusted by his decision and definitely wants to appeal it.

As for the judge I'm 99.9% he said 'fine' as in paying a fine.

[chopser]

Originally Posted by ThisNoize

I got free legal aid.
My solicitor was quite disgusted by his decision and definitely wants to appeal it.

As for the judge I'm 99.9% he said 'fine' as in paying a fine.

My question is did he let you away with a large fine and not convict you as can often happen.

[ThisNoize]

Originally Posted by chopser

My question is did he let you away with a large fine and not convict you as can often happen.

This I don't know.
If I ring up, can I find this out?

[chopser]

Originally Posted by ThisNoize

This I don't know.
If I ring up, can I find this out?

Yes ring up the District Court or your solicitor.
By large fine, I mean was it a donation to a cause?

[kneemos]

If the solicitor wants to appeal I suspect he had the book thrown at him.

[NoQuarter]

If it was the "poor box", its not a conviction. If it was a "fine", it is.

[ThisNoize]

It wasn't a donation as he said I have a deadline to pay. (Around 3 months)
Why can't I donate? People with previous and/or worse convictions get a second chance and I don't? Very unfair.

Can I ask what people would do in this situation (out of curiosity)

Originally Posted by kneemos

If the solicitor wants to appeal I suspect he had the book thrown at him.

Wasn't the case at all, what a stupid thing to say.

[johnnyskeleton]

Originally Posted by ThisNoize

Adult summoned to court for possession of cannabis with the street value of €10.

I handed it straight over to the Garda when asked. (Garda himself called me the 'perfect civillian' as I was co-operative and polite)
No previous convictions or encounters what so ever with the Garda and I have also stopped using Mariajuana since.

I was told to pay a fine of €500. Money isn't the issue.
Surely this will stay on my record and hinder me from getting a job or possibly studying or working abroad in Australia or the U.S?

I know it's my fault and believe me, I've learned from my mistake but I really do feel hard done by?

Can anybody shed some light?

The reality is if you weren't convicted and paid a charitable donation instead it would have been an excellent result which you should have een very grateful for.

Because you didn't get an extra special result, you are upset. You probably wouldn't feel so hard done by if perhaps you had more realistic expectations of what you were facing.

[ThisNoize]

Originally Posted by johnnyskeleton

The reality is if you weren't convicted and paid a charitable donation instead it would have been an excellent result which you should have een very grateful for.

Because you didn't get an extra special result, you are upset. You probably wouldn't feel so hard done by if perhaps you had more realistic expectations of what you were facing.

Yeah of course I'm upset by people with previous convictions and/or court summons who also were caught with dozens X the street value (in which I was) getting away with the charity box? That screams of 'Overhaul' to me.
I'm not just having a moan.

I have since then, given it up and I will be going to my GP to provide tests of soberness.

[NoQuarter]

Originally Posted by ThisNoize

Yeah of course I'm upset by people with previous convictions and/or court summons who also were caught with dozens X the street value (in which I was) getting away with the charity box? That screams of 'Overhaul' to me.
I'm not just having a moan.

They clearly dont get lucky all the time then do they. You were caught breaking the law and were convicted, you need to accept it but for what it is worth, I agree that its harsh. The appeals process is there if you wish.

[McCrack]

If that wasn't a poor box donation (no conviction) but a conviction and fine of €500.00 then that's very harsh in my opinion for a person that co-operated with the Gardai and has no previous.

[FreudianSlippers]

I'm no Cheech Marin, but surely it's about time we did something about our legislation to tax and control "personal" amounts of marijuana.

Anyway, digressions aside... don't listen to anyone here - not that they are incorrect by any means - the reason we do no legal advice is that it is almost impossible to get all of the nuances of the story if you aren't involved in the matter most of the time.
Discuss this with your solicitor and be sure he explains the possible dangers of appealing as well as the possible positives to appealing.

[kneemos]

Sounds like something you would get if you did'nt turn up in court.