Will a marijuana possession charge in Ohio show up on my record?

Under Ohio's criminal laws, possession of less than 100 grams of marijuana is a minor misdemeanor. Even though it may seem a small infraction, a conviction may carry serious consequences that will follow you for years. Additionally, many cities in Ohio have their own municipal laws regarding marijuana possession that are even more restrictive than the state's laws. For example, Cincinnati's marijuana possession law is categorized as a fourth degree misdemeanor which incurs possible jail time. Additionally, the city allows police officers to seize and impound your car if they find any marijuana, no matter how small the amount.

Yes, it goes on your record

A conviction of or guilty plea to a marijuana possession charge goes on your record and it remains there unless it is expunged. This means that future employers who do a background check will discover this conviction for drug possession. You may be able to have the conviction erased in a year or more if you commit no subsequent offenses during that time. However, expunged crimes may be discovered under certain circumstances..

License Suspension

A marijuana possession conviction will be reported to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The state will suspend your license for a minimum of 90 days. However, you may request limited driving privileges for transit to and from work or school, but you need to file a motion and appear in court to obtain the temporary license. At the end of your license suspension, you will be required to pay a reinstatement fee to have your license reinstated.

Talk with an experienced defense attorney regarding any marijuana possession charge you face.