Person committed petty theft and the items were valued at $95. The guy doesn't have money for an attorney, and is worried about losing his job(s) because he keeps calling off due to these legal matters, as well as he can go to jail. His official court date in September, after he starts school, but he is allowed to go any mon-fri between 8-9, prior to 9/11. He plans to go Wed 8/23. He is guilty of the crime and expresses sincere remorse and needs advice. Personally, I don't know what to tell him. He's not a bad guy and has no prior criminal record, I'm just worried about him possibly representing himself and ending up in jail. Problem is that even though he's a great person and all, the judge doesn't know that, and will only be considering what he's done. (Which is, shoplifting a few movies...and lying to the store about why...but he plans to come clean in court, whatever the outcome)
I came here for honest advice, not bashing of any kind, so only reply if you're helping out.
2006-08-22 12:55:13 · 6 answers · asked by MissLin 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
An attorney is provided free of charge. Miranda rights "...if you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed for you..." So he will in no way have to represent himself and if he does he is taking a huge gamble. The judge will look at his entire history, credit record, employment history, school transcripts everything prior to him even getting to court.
Here is some of my own advice, honesty is the best policy. Judges were prosecutors before they sat on the bench, they were by no means born yesterday. They have seen and heard it all and can spot BS at 100 feet. Be absolutely honest.
2006-08-22 13:32:35 · answer #1 · answered by mk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact the prosecutor's office and see if they would be willing to work out a deal. It is possible that a plea agreement could be reached with the sentence suspended and the person placed on probation.
The prosecutor may not want to deal directly with him, however. In that case, he would need a lawyer.
Even though he has little money, he might not qualify for a free public defender attorney. The court will look at all of his resources to decide if he has the assets to pay for an attorney on his own rather than using taxpayer funds to pay for a public defender. Some states have pretty restrictive income and asset limits in order to qualify for a public defender.
good luck.
2006-08-22 15:50:47 · answer #2 · answered by Mama Pastafarian 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
over the final 20 or 30 years, crime has grow to be a political soccer. No flesh presser desires to be accused of being 'comfortable on crime' so as that they outdo one yet another to develop effects, double sentences and double them returned, and to envision mandatory sentences. it could be that the DA is charging you with a criminal hoping you will settle for a plea good purchase, meaning which you will plead to blame if he reduces it to a misdemeanor. They try this lots, in actuality maximum criminal circumstances right this moment are settled with plea deals, no longer in courtroom (courtroom trials are time-eating and high priced). once you're up for a criminal, i could get a lawyer. he will accompany you to a consultation with the prosecutor the place one ingredient or the different will propose a plea good purchase. additionally, right here in California (and that i'm particular another places), in case you have already got a checklist, misdemeanors can grow to be felonies. we've a guy serving 25 to existence for stealing a slice of pizza from some babies. only yet in a distinctive thank you to refill the prisons so we are able to construct new prisons. we've greater advantageous than a million% of our inhabitants at the back of bars. And the persons who love this are an identical ones who choose a huge tax shrink.
2016-11-05 10:10:44 · answer #3 · answered by lurette 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can't do the time? Don't do the crime. This person should take responsibility for his actions and understand that committing crimes is a dead end. Do the time. Learn from the experience and don't ever do it again.
2006-08-22 13:05:03 · answer #4 · answered by ubinhad 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He needs to throw himself on the mercy of the court.
2006-08-22 13:05:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
hope for the best.
2006-08-22 13:26:28 · answer #6 · answered by Bawney 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋