A few weeks ago I turned myself in and spent a little over 24 hours in jail before I was released on ROR, released on my own recognizance. I had three warrants, 2 of which are misdemenaors and 1 felony, all for worthless checks. One was for about $168, the other was $63 and the other one was over $215. I have a pre trial coming up, what happens at the pretrial? And why will they not deal with my misdeamonor case until my feloney case is resolved? Do you think I could get jail time? This is my first offense. I've never been in trouble before. I live in the state of Florida and I'm 21 years old. The checks were written over 3 1/2 years ago. Please help and give me any information you know on something like this. I'd apprecaite it!
2007-02-07 12:13:50 · 10 answers · asked by journeythroughlife85 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
A felony means anything punishable by 1 year or more in Prison.
Oftentimes, a judge will time serve you IF you pay all the restitution before you go back to court and sound really sorry, and say it was just a financially difficult time for you back then.
Borrow the money if you have to, but pay it! Be prepared to borrow even more for the court costs or you'll end up in contempt. PAY BACK THE MONEY IF YOU BORROW IT.
Ask for a withhold of adjudication of guilt so that you can avoid being labeled a convicted felon the rest of your life.
Oh yeah, stop writing bad checks!
2007-02-07 12:46:17 · answer #1 · answered by cop350zx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How many checks did you write? You never said if the Felony was bad checks and the misdemeanors were not, or vice versa. Were all the charges checks? If so, most likely not. If where you are is like where I am, on all check cases, they want the $$ and will give you probation as an opportunity to get it back. Just dont re-offend, or you will be back in jail.
To answer your question about pre-trial, in my state, pre-trial means you show up and meet with the DA, and see if you can work out a plea bargin. You need to bring legal counsel. As for the other question, the Felony court takes jurisdiction, and the misdemeanor court normally waits for their disposition. Its not abnormal to plead your misd cases in felony court at the same time as your felony plea.
Good luck.
2007-02-07 12:48:29 · answer #2 · answered by journeyfan75 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first of all i dont feel you will get any time since it is your first time. a pre-trial is when you go in front of a judge on a felony in district court. it is not your trial. they just try to decide to either drop it down to a misdemeanor or indict you . if they drop the charge down they could go ahead and offer you a deal. if they keep the charge a felony you will have to go to circuit court for an arraignment. all they do at an arraignment is read your charges but the state could offer you a deal. i want to give you some advice. if you plead guilty or if you are found guilty and they ask you why you did it. tell them you have adrug problem even if you dont. judges can sympathize with that. they dont like people breaking the law when they dont do drugs.they will assume you have no conscience.and you break the law for the hell of it.
2007-02-07 14:24:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
if you were 17 when the offenses occured ( the exact day you gave out those bad checks) you might get off. Talk to a lawyer. how did you get a felony your checks don't add up to $500 dollars, maybe its different in florida. You really need a lawyer. sorry i hope i helped a little.
2007-02-07 13:09:55 · answer #4 · answered by Ankit 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
How is writing a bad check become a felony? If it was a large amount maybe, but not for $215. I think there's something more you haven't told us.
2007-02-08 12:36:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you will get gaol time as it is a first offence and you did turn yourself in. You may get a suspended sentence or just community service or something.
Check out the link for some legal aid in your state. All the best
http://www.flcourts.org/gen_public/family/self_help/legal_aid.shtml
2007-02-07 12:20:28 · answer #6 · answered by blueponywhiteduck 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally for a first offense, if you show remorse, and make restitution, I would not expect jail time. You will probably receive a fine (in addition to restitution) and a suspended sentence.
2007-02-07 13:47:27 · answer #7 · answered by STEVEN F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pay for the checks before you go to court and beg for mercy. Either that or go write a bad check for soap on a rope.
2007-02-07 12:21:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You need a lawyer for this, he can better answer questions for you.
Also, NEVER write a bad check - you're better off just not paying what you owe. There is no debtors prison anymore, but there is prison for those who commit crimes like writing a bad check.
2007-02-07 12:27:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
your in a red state seek legal advice
2007-02-07 12:26:27 · answer #10 · answered by Eric the Great *USA* 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋