Q: Can a circuit court judge force a defendant to cease taking prescribed medications
I am on probation and have been using marijuana for many mental health issues and was prescribed medical marijuana but the court order says that I cannot use marijuana period. Is that a violation of an amendment right or something?
A:
A circuit court judge has the authority to set conditions for probation, which can include restrictions on substance use. Even if you have a prescription for medical marijuana, the court may prohibit its use if it conflicts with the terms of your probation. Violating these conditions can result in penalties, including potential revocation of probation.
Your situation involves balancing your medical needs with legal obligations. It might be possible to present your medical marijuana prescription to the court and seek a modification of your probation terms. This process typically requires legal assistance to navigate effectively.
Regarding constitutional rights, the court's restrictions are generally based on ensuring public safety and compliance with the law. While there are protections under the Constitution, they may not override the specific conditions set by the court for your probation. Consulting with an attorney can provide you with guidance tailored to your case and help you understand your rights and options.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.