On Feb. 18 my husband and I had a fire in our home. During the next two weeks we worked with insurance and the detectives -- we were told that the fire was not caused by an accident. On March 10 the detectives called me at work and asked if my husband and I could come in for a meeting. We did -- AND WE WERE ARRESTED! We were charged with aggravated arson and spent the weekend in jail. That following Monday we were arraigned and both posted a $5000 bond. Three weeks after that the case had not been to the grand jury for possible indictment. We found out last week that the case was dismissed without prejudice; I know that means they can refile the suit. Then today the detective called my husband and asked if we would come in for DNA tests. We are so lost and confused about so many things:
1. If the case was dismissed, does that mean the charges were dropped?
2. We cannot afford an attorney. We were told we could not apply for a court-appointed attorney unless we were indicted. Is that true?
3. We are scared that going in for the DNA tests is a ploy to arrest us again, although we have nothing to hide. Can they arrest us again and put us in jail again?
4. On the municipal court web site it said on our case file "case dismissed felony only." What does that mean?
5. We are going to tell the detective that we would like to wait to take the DNA tests until after we have talked to an attorney; we are going in for a consult for a minimal fee. Is it a good idea for us to wait on the tests until after we talk to someone?
We have felt that everybody is against us and nobody wants to help us. Anything you could tell us to help us understand what is happening to us would be much appreciated. We have not been in any sort of trouble before except for speeding tickets!
Thank you so much!
1. If the case was dismissed, does that mean the charges were dropped?
2. We cannot afford an attorney. We were told we could not apply for a court-appointed attorney unless we were indicted. Is that true?
3. We are scared that going in for the DNA tests is a ploy to arrest us again, although we have nothing to hide. Can they arrest us again and put us in jail again?
4. On the municipal court web site it said on our case file "case dismissed felony only." What does that mean?
5. We are going to tell the detective that we would like to wait to take the DNA tests until after we have talked to an attorney; we are going in for a consult for a minimal fee. Is it a good idea for us to wait on the tests until after we talk to someone?
We have felt that everybody is against us and nobody wants to help us. Anything you could tell us to help us understand what is happening to us would be much appreciated. We have not been in any sort of trouble before except for speeding tickets!
Thank you so much!