Marijuana charge, I still want to be a pilot!
 

I don't want to do this but I need some advice.

I was charged with smoking marijuana and since my first offense I would most likely get a ACD. After a year of staying out of trouble my case would be dismissed and sealed but a background search would probably show. ACD doesn't mean you are guilty of the charges.

My question to you is, will I be able to fly for the majors in the future. I know I can stay clean for the rest of my life which I have started but I'm not sure if I would be able to get a 1st class medical and get hired. Its been a dream since I was 9 and I don't want to lose that.

Please don't judge me as a bad person. It was a stupid and unlucky decision. Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks

Go to court yet? if not lawyer up and try to get it dropped to a disorderly conduct

Next month is the court date. I tried going to a lawyer but he wants $750 to get me a ACD which is the same I would get without a lawyer. Does anyone know any good aviation lawyers and I was considering joining AOPA legal services?

AOPA legal services isn't going to help with a drug related issue, and they won't always help for aviation legal issues that arose before joining their program.

How old are you?

The money for a good lawyer to get it dropped is a drop in the bucket to a career.

I understand what you mean but I don't know any lawyer that is good at this. I'm willing to pay as long as they are confident enough.

I live in NYC, does anyone have any suggestions?

Most lawyers will give you a free consultation. You can explain the situation and see what the chances are of it being reduced to DC, if that's even possible. FWIW, a friend is using Helbock, Nappa and Gallucci on Staten Island when her son was arrested for being in a car with 2 20-something year olds who had a couple of pills in the car. It's still rolling around in court for nearly a year, but the lawyer is hoping to get it either dismissed or reduced to DC and sealed. (Keep in mind, this guy was 17 and if you're over 18 if may be different).

Your best bet is to look up some lawyers in your area who specialize in drug arrests and go for a free consultation. If may be worth the extra money in the long run.
Good luck and stay clean!!! :)

Ok you screwed up. Everybody deserves 1 break in my book.

If you really want to be a professional pilot, you best do your research on the cost involved.

$750 is a mere drop in the bucket compared to what you are going to pay to get your pilot training and all your ratings.

If the pilot thing doesn't work out, $750 is still a small price to pay to get your record clean, or cleaner.

A drug incident on your record will be a black mark which can have devastating effects on your future career potential.

Pay the lawyer, and keep clean. Best of luck

The answer to your question depends largely on your age.

If under 18, you can probably overcome this. As others have said, get the charge reduced to the greatest extent possible.

I assume you do not have an FAA medical? That would be a good thing...the standards for those who already have a medical and a pilot cert are higher, they are supposed to know better. Wait until the court business is finalized before applying for a medical. There are professional aviation medicine consulting services, I would engage one of those BEFORE talking to the FAA or an AME. This incident MUST be reported to the FAA when you apply for a medical, and you need to have all your ducks in a row before you pull that trigger. You may be confronted with a substance abuse eval and possible therapy program (at your own expense).

If you are over 18, it gets harder. If you're over 25 it gets harder still. At some point employers will assume that if you're doing dumb things at that age, you'll never learn.

I'll look around and research a little more for a better lawyer. You guys are right, i rather pay a get something out of it than going in alone.

I don't have a FAA medical yet. What is the aviation medicine consulting services, never heard about that?

Another question, i've heard that the FAA medical asks if you've been involed with any drug for the past 2 years. Would it be better to wait out 2 years and then apply? Im 21, i think 2 years is alot of time to wait. Then again its still better to say NO for this type of question than YES.