Q: I'd like to know in your professional opionion what I should do with a criminal case in Maryland.
On October 18th, 2013 I failed to appear in court in Worcester county for a small possession charge (less than .2 grams. I was smoking a joint the summer of 2013 when I was stopped by officers who confiscated a small joint roach (the end of the joint) and arrested me on the spot. I failed to appear in court for my final court date. On Friday August 11th 2017 I was stopped at a weigh station (I'm a truck driver) in Maryland and taken to jail to be processed and told I would need to appear in Worcester county to take care of this matter. It's been 4 years since this happened but I'm worried that such a small offense will be taken more serious because of the time lapse. Could I face jail time for that small of an offense ? Should I hire a personal lawyer & also does it matter that marijuana was substantially decriminalized in your state since then ? I'm 24 years old and this happened when I was just a young adult. Since I am drug free & have no had any other legal issues. Please help me.
A:
Good afternoon,
If the possession is for under an ounce of marijuana, the case should be dismissed. I would suggest you call an attorney in Massachusetts. You will have to appear in court to get the default removed and hopefully have the case dismissed the same day. You will not be able to renew your license, if it's a MA license if you still have a warrant.
Ismail Mohammed, Esq.
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