If you’re found in possession of drugs, have no offending history, admit the offence and agree to see a worker from the ru-ok? young people’s substance misuse service, you may receive an Alternative Outcome.
This means the police take no further action. It won’t go on your criminal record, but it may be disclosed in future at police discretion.
If there's something that makes the possession offence more serious, you may need to see a Youth Offending Service worker, who will help the police to decide the best course of action. This could include a caution, which goes on your criminal record, or you may be charged, which means you’ll need to go to court.
If you don’t admit the offence, you may be charged immediately. If the court finds you guilty, this means you are convicted of a drug offence. Convictions will go on your criminal record.
Once convicted, it’s likely that you will get a court order that involves regular appointments with a Youth Offending Service worker and an ru-ok? worker. If you don’t attend these appointments, you would be returned to court and may be treated more severely.
If your offence involves drugs supply, you could end up with a long court order and there’s a chance you could go into custody.