Hello and thanks in advance for just reading and any help you can offer on this situation.
Im 20 years old with no criminal history, and a few weeks ago while getting a ride home I was sitting in the backseat of my friends car while we'll say friend B drove friend A's car who was intoxicated. I and the drive however were sober. Earlier in the night my friends had smoked, and the car may have smelled a little like weed. While heading home we were pulled over for a broken license plate light, and both of my friends admitted to smoking. I however did not and said so while the officer pretty much rejected my claim. My friend let him search the car, told him he had a pipe but no weed in the car. They searched no weed was in his car, but the pipe in which had res in it and we all got upm's.
Today at court I was offered the standard 32 hours and drug review plea with a conditional dismissal after a year of good behavior or whatever. I rejected it, and entered a plea of not guilty. This is where Im confused I asked for a public defender when he asked if I have met with an attorney yet and he said I don't qaulify for one. I figured I wouldnt however my friend who had court the same day got a upm + a unlawful possession of alcohol or whatever it is called. Is it just the fact a upm by itself if not big enough of a deal to get a public defender? Financially Im a student of a family who would qualify for a lot of social programs including medicaid and I receive financial aid for school. Anyways, thanks again and any advice, or thoughts to clear my confusion on why I cant get a public defender and how they think this will play out if I represent myself.
Im 20 years old with no criminal history, and a few weeks ago while getting a ride home I was sitting in the backseat of my friends car while we'll say friend B drove friend A's car who was intoxicated. I and the drive however were sober. Earlier in the night my friends had smoked, and the car may have smelled a little like weed. While heading home we were pulled over for a broken license plate light, and both of my friends admitted to smoking. I however did not and said so while the officer pretty much rejected my claim. My friend let him search the car, told him he had a pipe but no weed in the car. They searched no weed was in his car, but the pipe in which had res in it and we all got upm's.
Today at court I was offered the standard 32 hours and drug review plea with a conditional dismissal after a year of good behavior or whatever. I rejected it, and entered a plea of not guilty. This is where Im confused I asked for a public defender when he asked if I have met with an attorney yet and he said I don't qaulify for one. I figured I wouldnt however my friend who had court the same day got a upm + a unlawful possession of alcohol or whatever it is called. Is it just the fact a upm by itself if not big enough of a deal to get a public defender? Financially Im a student of a family who would qualify for a lot of social programs including medicaid and I receive financial aid for school. Anyways, thanks again and any advice, or thoughts to clear my confusion on why I cant get a public defender and how they think this will play out if I represent myself.