In most countries if you are charged with a criminal offence you have the following options:
(a) ask for an adjournment to find a lawyer;
(b) ask the court for assistance to find you legal aid if you cannot afford a lawyer; or
(c) defend yourself.
2007-04-10 20:53:46
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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Misdemeanor or Felony crime??
For a felony:
At your first court appearance the judge will inform you of the official charge against you. He will inform you of your rights and ask if you have counsel. Since you don't and can't afford a lawyer, the court will appoint one for you, at the state's expense. Sometimes, these public defenders are already in court and everything gets put on hold until your new defender reads over your case file, talks to you. He will then enter a plea for you.
For a misdemeanor:
The judge will inform you of the charge. He will inform you of your rights. Minor charges are dealt with a bit more informally and you might not need a lawyer. Once the judge determines you understand what is going on he will ask for a plea. If you say "not guilty", then a trial date is set for some future time. If you say "guilty", then he will impose a sentence right them.
That's a pretty rough idea of what goes on the first time around.
2007-04-10 21:41:44
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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generally, if this is your first ever court apperence pertaining to this situation, you will plea not guilty or guilty, judge should ask you if your able to hire legal counsel, looks like your not.
judge should then give you the right to have a court appointed attorney. Keep in mind, they may not be in your best interest, depends on crime...if what they are charging you on isn't the way it all came down, stick to your story...don't pleabargain with them, take it to trial. Stand up for your own rights, no one else will, court dates will be according to how prepared your attorney is for this case. Good Luck to you
2007-04-10 21:05:26
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answer #3
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answered by cantholdit 1
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Well you need to get an attorney, go to legal aid or the public defender's office. At your hearing the judge will probably continue the matter until you get council, say in a week or two, but you need to contact organizations in your area which can refer you to attornies.
2007-04-14 18:05:12
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answer #4
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answered by Rhode Island Red 5
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Just make sure that you show up!! They will probably just assign you an attorney. Just tell them that you could not afford one.
2007-04-10 20:55:13
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answer #5
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answered by PEGGY S 7
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