Birds of a Feather…

So if you’ve ever heard your parents say “choose your friends wisely” let me hear you say “YEAH”! Wow, that was loud. Yep, everybody knows the sayings of the wise. “If you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas.” “Birds of a feather flock together.” “Play with S#*T and get your hands dirty.” There is no shortage of clever warning phrases to keep us out of trouble. Here’s an all too common story… Your friend’s older brother is picking you and your friend up to take you to the movies. Your friend is really nice and your parents are fine with it.  They tell you to “Be Safe” and off you go. Everything is fine, the movie was great, brother comes back to pick you up and you are on your way home. Suddenly, BLUE LIGHTS! your friends brother is getting pulled over. Officer approaches the vehicle and asks the driver for his license and registration, shines the light on you and your friend and asks you to step out of the vehicle. You are now officially freaked out. The officer dips in into the front seat of the car and comes out with a straw, not a long straw, just half a straw with what appears to be residue from some white powdery substance on the inside of the straw… OFFICER: “What is this?” BROTHER: “I don’t know.” OFFICER: “What are you using it for?” BROTHER: “It’s not mine. I’ve never seen it before.” OFFICER: “Is it yours?” The blinding light from his flashlight makes your head spin, and you assume that he is asking you if the half straw that he pulled out of the ashtray in your friend’s brother’s car is yours. You say “No”. Your friend says “No.” The Officer informs you that unless someone admits to the ownership of the half straw found in the ashtray of your friend’s brother’s car, he is going to place everyone under arrest. The Charge – Possession of Schedule 1 or 2 Narcotic. (Code of Virginia – Crimes and Offenses.) 

CLASS 5 FELONY

§ 18.2-250. Possession of controlled substances unlawful.

FACT: This happens all the time. I play “meet the parents” when this happens and it is usually between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM at a regional or county jail facility. I arrive armed with the power and credentials to post a secured bond along with contact numbers for resources to help the family get through the ordeal. I have a calling and compassion for people who get arrested, especially in the midst of unfortunate circumstances like these.