in october i got arrested for wreckless driving in a parking lot. what i did was lose control on a left turn in a practically empty parking lot and the cops saw it and it was cited as "intentional." my problem is that i paid my lawyer $1500 and so far what he has done is just appear for my arraignment and talk to the DA (or so he says) and it stays as a misdemeanor and 2 points on my license along with a hefty fine.
This seems to me like a deal i could have cut on my own, or is what the court would have done to me regardless if i had a lawyer. it was only ONE left turn, that i floored it at, i didn't do it at every corner, just one and i got arrested for it. Does it sound like my lawyer could have done more? or did i just waste my money on a lawyer? should i still take it to trial and try to reduce the sentencing?
2007-02-14 11:23:58 · 7 answers · asked by Ippo 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
all my license points have been cleared prior to this arrest and i have never been arrested before this or had a run in with the police.
2007-02-14 11:36:21 · update #1
this was a practically empty parking lot where my friends and i meet up occasionally and i was leaving to return home. it was actually a right turn now to think of it and it was completely clear so i gased it and the rear swung wide, then i broke hard and came to a complete stop. the cops were hidden on the other side and witnessed this and i was later arrested.
2007-02-14 11:44:59 · update #2
I am a lawyer. Worked on over 500 of these cases.
1) 1,500.00 is not a competitive rate. Max for this type of charge is $750.00.
2) Nine times out of ten you can get the charge reduced, or even avoid a suspension, without a lawyer.
3) If you do retain a lawyer, expect him to go to Court once or twice, at the most. Usually the lawyer and the DA talk about clients who don't pay, about baseball, or about some other landmark case. Lawyer will devote about one minute to your case with the prosecutor or DA, and another three minutes with the Judge.
4) Unless you have video of the incident, you will be convicted if it's your word against the Cop.. Do not try the case. Better chance of getting a plea deal (with or without lawyer).
2007-02-14 12:05:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would not have cut a deal as this one on your own. If you did not have a lawyer, you would have been walked all over because you would have no idea what a good deal was or wasn't.
It's hard to diagnose whether or not this is a good deal. What is your criminal history? Do you have any same or similar charges?
It seems like you're admitting you were driving wreckless because you said you floored it on a left turn. That doesn't sound like you lost control. And why would you be driving fast enough to lose control in an empty parking alot anyway?
You need to talk to your lawyer and he or she will tell you if they think it is a good deal or not. They will also advise you what could happen if you do take it to trial, because that usually means any offer you were given is gone. You can face the maximum charge.
Talk to your lawyer about your reservations.
2007-02-14 11:32:21 · answer #2 · answered by Lisa S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am sure in your eyes it was no big deal. To the cop who arrested you, well maybe he had a neice, or nephew who got hurt doing something similar. Any puzzle has many many pieces and we only get to see a few of them. I am sure that the cop could have come up with more charges against you if you had been a total idiot. The $1500 seem like a lot, and it is but in reality is small considering that it stays a misdemeanor and only 2 points. It could have been a lot worse. Just think how you would feel if someone had gotten hurt in the parking lot. Grab a beer and relax. It isn't worth getting upset over.
2007-02-14 11:39:32 · answer #3 · answered by ttpawpaw 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you bought a value tag for wreckless employing given which you admitted to an officer that your turn-flop have been given caught between the pedals. That grew to become into stupid. Did you ever pay attention the word"something you assert can and could be held against you"? You baited your individual hook. Hiring an criminal expert is now in trouble-free terms a waste of money, no valid criminal expert will touch your case via fact he's conscious its a loser. yet i'd make certain which you positioned on the turn-flops into court docket so which you would be able to prepare the decide basically how they have been given caught, via fact perchance he's had that ensue to him too.
2016-10-02 03:47:51 · answer #4 · answered by stepp 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does sound like the lawyer isn't trying very hard... seems to me like you could have gotten the same deal without him. Is there any way you can ask the (free) advice of another lawyer, get a second opinion? Otherwise, unfortunately it sounds like you are out $1500...
2007-02-14 11:34:41 · answer #5 · answered by BearBert 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you take it to trial your lawyer might charge you even more. Lawyers really piss me off this way, they have the nerve to take a crap load of money and do nothing. Ask the lawyer what they would charge to go to trial.
2007-02-14 11:40:11 · answer #6 · answered by Ken 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lawyers are not good substitutes for speaking honestly to officials.
2007-02-14 11:36:20 · answer #7 · answered by J.SWAMY I ఇ జ స్వామి 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋