How One Charge Can Shape Your Future in Two Very Different Ways

🚔 The Same Charge. Two Completely Different Outcomes.

Two college students. Same night. Same charge.

Simple possession of marijuana — less than 14 grams.

One walks away with a clean record.
The other ends up with a criminal conviction that haunts every background check.
What made the difference?

At Lawrence Law Firm, we've seen this play out hundreds of times in Ruston and throughout North Louisiana — especially in a college town. And we've helped students, parents, and first-time defendants turn things around before it's too late.

Here's what that looks like.

⚖️ Scenario A: Dismissal, Expungement, and a Fresh Start

Tyler is 20, a Louisiana Tech student, caught with a vape pen containing marijuana. No criminal record. Cooperative with police.

His parents call a lawyer the next morning.

🔍 What We Do:

• Contact the DA's office immediately

• Obtain full police report and lab results

• Argue for pretrial diversion or informal resolution

• Provide proof of clean drug test, enrollment, and counseling

• File for expungement as soon as legally allowed

✅ Outcome:

• Charges dropped

• No court conviction

• Eligible for expungement within 90 days

• Clean record for school, jobs, and scholarships

❌ Scenario B: Conviction, Fines, and a Record That Follows

Jayden is also 20, caught in a similar situation. Same amount. Same night.
But he:

• Talks to police without a lawyer

• Misses his first court date

• Pleads guilty at arraignment to “get it over with”

• Never files for expungement or understands eligibility

🚫 Consequences:

• Conviction for drug possession

• Fined + court costs

• Criminal record visible to schools, employers, landlords

• Risk of suspension or discipline from university

• Ineligible for some financial aid and student programs

He may still qualify for expungement years later — but the damage is already done.

🧠 The Takeaway: What You Do Early Matters

These cases started the same — but one student had a legal advocate, and the other didn't.

That's what the One Charge, Many Outcomes series is all about:

How your response shapes your result.

If your child, roommate, or student is arrested for weed — even a small amount — don't assume it's minor.

🛡️ How We Help

At Lawrence Law Firm, we:

• Step in quickly to reduce the chance of formal prosecution

• Push for dismissals, not convictions

• Keep young people in school and out of jail

• Protect their record — and their future

• Handle expungement as soon as possible

Whether it's you or your child, our job is to fight for the cleanest exit path.

📞 Caught With Weed? Don't Plead Without a Plan.

📞 Call 318.232.4000 to speak with a defense attorney who knows how to turn charges into second chances.
🖥️ Or [schedule your free consultation] today.

🔜 Coming Up in the Series:

Blog #2: First DWI — Jail Time vs. Diversion

The blog published by Lawrence Law Firm is available for informational purposes only and is not considered legal advice on any subject matter. By viewing blog posts, the reader understands there is no attorney-client relationship between the reader and the blog publisher. Artificial Intelligence has been used to assist in formatting, topic selection, and organization, and while this information has been reviewed an attorney, this article should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney, and readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel on any specific legal questions concerning a specific situation.