Caught with drugs
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The charges and the penalties.
Charge 1: Possession
Being caught with an illegal drug for your own use, whether it is (or has been) in your pocket, your bag, your house or car. You can also be charged if the police find the drug somewhere else and can prove that you controlled its whereabouts. If you're under 17, the police can tell your parents or carer, and inform social services and the Probation Service.
You could get:
- A formal warning - held on local police files. If you offend again this may influence the police to charge you;
- A formal caution - a central police record held for five years. If you offend again, this can be used against you;
- Charged with an offence leading to a Youth Court hearing. This is more likely for repeat offenders, who may end up with a fine or a custodial sentence.
You can be cautioned more than once but, if this happens repeatedly, you'll go to court.
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