Charge is considered class 4 misdemeanor and subject to $97 fine if convicted/plead guilty
Was outside my house in driveway/on sidewalk (maintained and owned by community HOA)
Refused to go inside when asked by officers
Did not have wallet/ID on me
Incorrect spelling of name, and wrong address on arrrest record (though gave correct SS# when asked)
NO WITNESSES besides cops
No past criminal record
Live in Fairfax Co. (Northern, VA)
Possibly irrelevant details:
Was held for five hours
Not tested by breathalizer, or other methods (not required for intoxication charge)
Officer refused to show how to make call after leaving numbers out of form to dial (refused phone call even after specifically asking while being booked)
Generally outstanding member of community-over 3k hours of voluntary community service (continues weekly), past Army officer, non-profit leader, landlord w/ no complaints and over 20 past tenants, member of local church group, etc
Thank-you for answering
2007-07-25 21:36:22 · 4 answers · asked by gulfstreamxo 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
If there was no breathalyzer test, no blood test, and no field sobriety test, consider pleading "not guilty" and go to trial. If you can find your own witnesses, bring them to the hearing. TRY TO FIND YOUR OWN WITNESSES. Surely somebody else in your neighborhood was outside then.
At most, the cops may say that your speech was slurred and that you were stumbling. You may get lucky and the policeman will not appear for the hearing, at which case they charges would be dropped.
The amount of the fine is less than what you would have to pay a lawyer to defend you in the hearing. It may be cost-effective to plead either guilty or nolo contendere. A misdemeanor is no big thing.
2007-07-26 00:03:55 · answer #1 · answered by Mark 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can you plead no contest? Meaning you'll pay the $97 dollars but you won't actually plead guilty and you shouldn't have to go to court.
2007-07-26 04:51:48 · answer #2 · answered by Arcangel 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Plead guilty and face the punishment. You deserve to for your own stupidity of not getting back on your property when you were told.
2007-07-26 04:52:03 · answer #3 · answered by SW1 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Just plead guilty.
2007-07-26 04:43:01 · answer #4 · answered by _____ 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋