Re:“You will not be arrested for using drugs”
by richthegeek on Thursday December 04, 2014 @09:42AM
(#8699391)
No they wouldn't - it might provide basis for a search warrant if the pictured quantity is large enough, but they have no way of proving that the thing in the picture is actually cocaine vs baking sugar.
As a slightly related anecdote, a friend of a friend got caught with 11 grams of cocaine (supplying for a party, I think) and by the time he got to court he was being charged with possession of 4 grams, which reduced his "years in prison" with "a few months probation and a fine". No mention of where the 7 grams went in the months between.
Re:“You will not be arrested for using drugs”
by lotsofmangos on Thursday December 04, 2014 @10:55AM
(#8699839)
Photographic evidence or CCTV, by itself, is almost never enough to reach a conviction.
Even if they catch you with drugs on you, as much as possession (non-dealing) charges have high maximums - for class A drugs I think the maximum is 7 years prison + fine for possession or life in prison for dealing - realistically you're unlikely to get in much trouble for a small quantity. Weed unless you're a serious repeat offender, or a cop decides he hates you, you'll either get an on-the-spot official "caution" and fine up to £90, or more likely a non-recorded verbal warning and confiscation. For harder drugs police aren't meant to do that, but stories I've heard you're still more likely to get confiscation and possibly a caution.
I've even known weed dealers (low level) who've been caught and only had to give up the cash and weed they had on them.