I recently got arrested for a DUI and 3 other charges, Wondering if i should plead not guilty?

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A little less than a month ago I was arrested for the first time and charged with a DUI after an accident. After after a search of my car and person, I was also charged with possession of marijuana (7 grams) and paraphernalia, as well as underage possession of alcohol.


I know that compared to the DUI, the other charges seem insignificant, but all that alcohol and drugs that were in my car weren't even mine (Just to be clear, I am very very guilty of the DUI and am not protesting it). The pipe, weed, and beer was my passenger's/best friend's (who is 23, and not a underage). The cops didnt even talk to him. I want to get a public defender and try to get out from under the 3 possession charges, but first I have two questions:

I spoke to the public defender's office in my county and they told me i have to ask to be represented AT my arraignment. But, apparently I have to enter a plea as well? How would they expect me to enter a plea before consulting a lawyer? Are there any negative consequences for pleading not guilty and then changing your plea?

What kind of shit am I looking at for these drug charges? Would it be worth it to throw my main man down for them? I don't want to lose my license for two years because of his pot.

Thanks in advance
This "main man" is a good friend of mine. If i wanted to, I could ask him to fess up to the charges. I just would prefer not to take that route. I'm cool with it if it's just a fine and some drug school.

Oh, and I got arrested in West Palm Beach, FL by the way.

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  1. Artemis Gwen says:
    April 22, 2010 at 4:47 am

    You are expected to enter a plea of not guilty at your arraignment. Only incredibly foolish people will enter a plea of anything other than not guilty during the arraignment. This is never held against you and there are no adverse consequences.

    Generally, you will check in with the court clerk when you first get into the court room and the clerk will direct you to the public defender’s office for a quick consultation. Then you would come back to the court room and enter your plea.

    As the driver, you were the proverbial "captain of the ship" and ultimately responsible for the contraband in the vehicle. If you didn’t tell the arresting officer that the paraphernalia belonged to the passenger at the time of your arrest and if your passenger isn’t willing to step forward and claim responsibility for the drugs now, then trying to "throw" him down for them isn’t going to do you any good. The open container is on you no matter what – as the driver, you have the responsibility for an open container in the passenger compartment. You can claim that the drugs belonged to your "main man" but the burden of proving this will be squarely on you – this means that your word isn’t going to be enough.

  2. Docventure says:
    April 22, 2010 at 4:47 am

    It really, really would help to throw your "main man" down for them. You’re in some deep trouble.

  3. the brown neo says:
    April 22, 2010 at 4:47 am

    Since you’re the driver you have a responsibility over the things in your car, so some of the blame does lay on you. If you plead not guilty, you’re probably going to be trialled and found guilty anyway, so by pleading guilty you may be able to get off on a lesser charge. Just a though, but ask a lawyer seriously

  4. Obamavenger says:
    April 22, 2010 at 4:47 am

    At arraignment you should ask for a public defender and time to consult with him or her before entering a plea.

  5. MeInUSA says:
    April 22, 2010 at 4:47 am

    Hire your own attorney ASAP. DON’T depend on a public defender, they will not defend you adequately and you are going to have big problems. Most attorneys will accept payments to represent you.

  6. Thomas says:
    April 22, 2010 at 4:47 am

    Definitely make sure you get to talk to a lawyer before you do anything else. It’s part of your fifth amendment constitutional right. Probably if you were the one driving the car, it’s your car, and the marijuana wasn’t on your friend’s person you were technically in possession, which is illegal.

  7. Smokies Hiker says:
    April 22, 2010 at 4:47 am

    Your "best friend" should "man up" and tell the police that the marijuana, drug paraphernalia and alcohol belonged to him and not you. The location of these items in the vehicle was likely the determining factor of who the police determined they belonged to. If they were ‘in control" of your friend, then he should be involved.

  8. Michael H says:
    April 22, 2010 at 4:47 am

    At your arraignment, when your name is called, let the judge know that you are not represented. He may give you an order to employ (you are ordered to have an attorney by your next court date) or let you apply for a public defender (assuming you qualify), either way (in Texas) you are not required to enter a plea at that time.
    \
    If they INSIST on a plea, plead not guilty.

  9. hotwheels122287 says:
    April 22, 2010 at 4:47 am

    technically you are guilty of all charges, since it was YOUR car…was the guy in there with you? did you in fact KNOW that these drugs were in your car? these are all things you should use in your defense. i admire your loyalty but at what cost? going to jail maybe? you COULD plea not guilty, but in all honesty you will still be found guilty since you are responsible for the things in your car.

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