Just spoke to an attorney who handles misdemeanors. He said I wasn't offered a pd because my charge involves no jail time. He said it would be far more expensive to hire a lawyer than to just pay the fines. He said, at most, I'll pay fines and court costs because it's basically the same thing as...
Do most attorneys handle misdemeanors or should I find someone who lists that in their specialties? I'm confused about it, too. It didn't go the way I expected at all. It was odd.
Yes. Before the judge even came in, the clerk in front of the courtroom said that if any of us were pleading not guilty, we needed to go back to the window where we signed in and tell the lady there that we were pleading not guilty so she could set up a date with the city attorney. I asked if...
How was I supposed to ask for one without speaking to the judge? The clerk I plead to is the same lady I just spoke to on the phone. She knew nothing. I'll start calling around but I can't afford a lawyer. Worst case scenario, what do you think will happen if I go without representation?
I just called and the lady knew nothing. She said I'd have to call around to find a pd, but I don't even know where to start. And she said that if I chose to have representation then the whole case would go a different route. She said everything was up to me and offered no other information...
No, I said nothing else at all. Just that I was pleading not guilty. Do you think I should ask an attorney if the city attorney is my pd, or maybe call the courthouse? I want to know ahead of time so I can be ready if he isn't the pd. If he isn't, where can I find one?
And thank you for all...
The clerk said if I was pleading not guilty that I couldn't discuss my case with the judge and I'd just have to make an appointment with the city attorney. I had to sign some papers that stated that the attorney would go over trial procedures and they gave me a date to see him. As far as I know...
No, I didn't. Since I couldn't even speak to the judge, I didn't know who to ask. How can I get one now? What will this new date be, a hearing or a meeting? Did I do the right thing?
So I showed up for my arraignment but was told that since I was pleading not guilty I couldn't discuss anything with the judge. Instead I had to make a Sept 1st appt with the city attorney. What just happened?
So how long does the arraignment last? Can anyone qualify for a public defender? I'll receive no punishment tomorrow, right? So he'll basically just ask how I plead and that's it?
No, all I have is the original citation and my release paper saying to see a judge at 9 am on Wednesday. Ugh I'm so freaked out. I hate this. How does one get a straight judgement of deferrment? Does that mean that they went to their arraignment with an attorney? Do you think I'm eligible for...