[joshc1359]

Last week I was given a citation for HSC 11357 (b) in California. Misdemeanor possession of marijuana, amounting to 3 grams. I have no prior history with the law in any shape or form. This is literally the first time I have even spoken to a cop without being a bystander. I am 20 yrs old. What are all my possible outcomes of my court date? I.E. if I plea out, nolo contender plea, guilty, or fight the case. And if I decide to just take the conviction and pay the fee about what ballpark would this run? I am hoping to get deferred entry of judgement but that still has me with a conviction for the period of the DEJ. I do not want my lapse in judgement to ruin the rest of my life. It will already ruin the next year of my college life because of loss of financial aid.The conviction will be expunged from my criminal record after 2 years. the public record is what stays. and I dont plan on traveling out of country in the next two years. I have my job already. I am asking from people who have been in this situation. And DEJ or diversionary sentencing would keep a conviction from ever being on my record but the record would still reflect me having DEJ, I don't know about diversion though.