Utah & Marijuana prosecution

Having been in situations involving the law before, I would say firmly and unequivocally, LAWYER UP!!! There are a lot of subtleties and loopholes in our "justice" system that a little money and assistance can help you navigate. I don't mean that "your friend" will be able to circumnavigate the law completely or escape responsibilty entirely, but you'll perhaps avoid getting railed hard by a bunch of overjealous prosecuters who help make US citizens the most incarcerated population on this planet, especially for "drugs".

And, most importantly, remember: cops are always your friends and in no way have an attitude towards you that is hostile or aggressive: youtube.com/watch?v=gipHbhg…

http://youtube.com/watch?v=SbBJvgEnGvs

KevinCO wrote:

This aint Amsterdam Smokey, there are rules.

Brett Thompson wrote: and will specifically target cars with plates from WA, OR, and CA.

not that there's anything wrong with that

just tell them that Irie is your religion and the one true path. and babble about it on the web. you will be good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gCCjFbFXn8

Really valuable graphic here
online-paralegal-programs.c…

Buff Johnson wrote: not that there's anything wrong with that

Thats a slippery slope with profiling sir. I can certainly say that "proper" states have big "unproper" problems; not to mention the meth problem is the real deal in those areas... But yeah, make sure those jail slots are full with non-violent pot smokers?

no problem, just add texas

Buff Johnson wrote:no problem, just add texas

Most honest people from the mid-west and south I've met simply mind their business as long as you leave them alone...I believe it was explained to me as respect.

David Sahalie wrote:When traveling in fascitst states, I only have a joint at hand so it can be crushed and be tossed out the window. The rest is in a locked pelican case marked photography. I've heard they would need a warrant to open this box. Taken a step further, put stash in a box labeled with postage. A local officer cannot open this package. .. it is a federal offense. Good luck. I'd get a lawyer. You never know how this will follow you.

I've always had luck with just keeping it in my pocket, they can search the car all they want without a warrant and they do(personal experience). If its in your pocket they have to arrest you before searching. Never had a problem except back in high school, even in Monticello Utah! I like the postage idea though.

I'd eat the joint before tossing it.

David Sahalie wrote:When traveling in fascitst states, I only have a joint at hand so it can be crushed and be tossed out the window. The rest is in a locked pelican case marked photography. I've heard they would need a warrant to open this box.

From Caleb Mason's legal analysis of Jay-Zs 99 problems in the Saint Louis University Law Journal:
"If this Essay serves no other purpose, I hope it serves to debunk, for any readers who persist in believing it, the myth that locking your trunk will keep the cops from searching it. Based on the number of my students who arrived at law school believing that if you lock your trunk and glove compartment, the police will need a warrant to search them, I surmise that it’s even more widespread among the lay public. But it’s completely, 100% wrong."

The Blueprint Part Dank wrote:This is an odd question, but I'll bite. As others have stated, probable cause is a huge part of the equation, was he openly smoking? Was paraphernalia visible? If not, the only inclination they had that your friend possessed marijuana had to have been based n the smell, which, of I understand correctly, hasn't stood up in court as probable cause for a search.

See Taylor vs United States (1932): Supreme Court said "...prohibition officers may rely on distinctive odors as a physical fact indicative of a possible crime."

Well, if you smoke pot in your car you are a bit on an idiot. Correct me if I'm legally wrong but cops don't need a warrant, they need probable cause to believe a crime has been committed or they are in danger.

I'm aware of one case involving a friend where the prosecuting attorney said the stop and subsequent arrest was illegal due to lack of probable cause and that they refused to try the case due to this. It was thrown out after 5 minutes when the judge agreed.

Cops break the law too, it all depends on if you have a reasonable judge and prosecuting attorney whether this matters or not.

Better call Saul!