In Nov. /Dec. 2005, I was hiking near an abandoned military housing complex. I was arrested and charged w/ Burglary, etc... Due to my indigence I was not able to retain council and was appointed a P-D {Public Defender}.At each stage of the court proceedings I had a different P-D, and all they wanted was for me to take a deal. Even at the Prelim. hearing when the D.A. could not produce "any" evidence to support the charges, The P-D did not motion for a dismissal, instead I was released on O.R. , only to return to more aggravation with more court dates and "NO" results.
Last Year(2007) I was driving to the court house for yet another hearing "on the same case", and due to a traffic accident in front of me , I would be delayed. I immediately called the Public Defenders office and informed them I would be 20-min. late. Upon arrival at the Court I was remanded into custody because no one informed the Clerk "or" Judge that I was delayed due to a traffic accident.
After 3-weeks incarcerated and the P-D was doing nothing to represent me , I requested a "Conflict Panel Attorney" however, I was denied.
I am the Sole provider for my Family and I needed to be released to care for my disabled Wife. I broke down and took the {D.A.'s} offer of up to 16-months state prison for the Burglary charge with the condition I be released right then on a "Cruz waiver" and return for sentencing in 2-months.
I knew I had made the mistake of "Pleading Guilty" and when I returned to Court 2-months later, I wanted to Withdrawal the "Guilty Plea" and fight the charges head on. I was denied the Plea Withdrawal and the sentencing was postponed for 6-weeks. I never returned to Court.
I desperately need help to resolve this Legal matter, I do not like living in fear of being re-incarcerated for a crime I did not commit.
"Please Help"
Matthew G. Richards
I cannot afford a lot due to I work part-time and go to College full-time.
*Would you "please" consider taking my case "Pro-Bono"?*
