An update on my legal thingy

I'm due for sentencing on the 6th of May. A couple of weeks away.

Anyway, here's what my summons reads (I've snipped out personal details):

Charge #1

<Sweet P> did drive a motor vehicle on a road namely <anonymous road> when her blood, as ascertained from an analysis of a blood specimen subsequently taken under section 73 of the Land Transport Act 1998, contained evidence of the use of a controlled drug in Schedule 1 of the Misuse Of Drugs Act 1975.

Charge #2

<Sweet P> did have in her possession a pipe, namely a glass pipe for the purpose of the commission of an offence against the Misuse Of Drugs Act 1975, namely consuming methamphetamine.

Charge #3

<Sweet P> did have in her possession a Class A controlled drug, namely methamphetamine.

Charge #4

<Sweet P> drove a motor vehicle on <anonymous road> in a manner which having regard to all the circumstances of the case might have been dangerous to the public.

The cops have already reduced the final charge, dangerous driving, to careless driving, which is really no more serious than a speeding ticket. I'm still pleading not guilty to it though, since I had a seizure behind the wheel and wasn't in control. All the other charges I've pled guilty to cos there's no possible way I could defend myself against them. The cops originally said they may drop the possession charge since there was only a small quantity found, but so far they haven't, which doesn't look very promising.

 

it doesn't look too horrible. This is good news! In the States, as a first time offender, you would (most likely) get probation (with random piss tests), X amount of mandatory attendance to 12 Step meetings and perhaps a drivers license suspension.

We also have this optional thingy referred to as Drug Court (http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/enforce/drugcourt.html) which, from my understanding that under successful completion of the program, the charges are dropped. Anything like that in your neck of the woods

 

I doubt they'll force me to attend 12-step programs, since they're spiritual. Seperation of church and state, etc. I'll definitely be losing my license for at least 6 months though, which will probably be the worst part of the sentence! And I may get supervision (probation), community service, and/or a fine. Oh, and there's no Drug Court here. The police can offer "diversion" schemes, but they aren't available for serious offences (i.e. what you'd call felonies in the US) which I've committed.