Our client is a businessman in his 50s who owns a concrete company. He was pulled over and arrested after an officer searched his car and found marijuana and paraphernalia. He was charged with marijuana possession and possession of paraphernalia. Both charges are minor misdemeanors punishable by a maximum $150 fine and no jail time, but also by a mandatory driver’s license suspension.
Initially, our client chose the option to pay his fines and not have to go to court on the marijuana possession and possession of paraphernalia charges. However, he didn’t understand the effect this would have on his future. He ended up with a driver’s license suspension and drug convictions on his record. The license suspension affected his ability to make a living through his business. He called the Cincinnati criminal defense attorneys at Luftman, Heck & Associates for help.
Attorney Brad Groene agreed to represent the business owner and filed the necessary motions in Clermont County Municipal Court to get his guilty pleas withdrawn. At the heart of attorney Groene’s defense was the man’s lack of any prior criminal record.
Attorney Groene was able to negotiate with prosecutors and get the marijuana possession and possession of paraphernalia charges reduced to disorderly conduct. Our client ended up with no driver’s license suspension and no drug convictions on his record. He was very happy with the outcome.
Whenever you get a ticket such as a speeding ticket or a minor marijuana possession with the option to pay instead of going to court, there are consequences for simply paying the ticket without challenging it. Paying the ticket is the same as a guilty plea. Always talk to an experienced criminal defense attorney before taking an action that might have a detrimental impact on your future.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case. Individual results may vary based on the facts, injuries, jurisdiction, venue, witnesses, parties, and other factors. The results and client testimonials provided are not necessarily representative of the results obtained by all clients or their satisfaction with the firm’s services.
