As an attorney myself, if the facts of the case are going to hang you, there is nothing an attorney can do for you that you can't do yourself. 95% of the time a plea offer will be the same with or without an attorney. So chances are you can go forward with the same crap to do without an attorney. An old attorney trick is to plead not guilty and then the date of trial, if the witnesses show up try for a continuance--in your case you could ask for more time to hire an attorney, or take the plea then. If the witnesses do not show up tell the judge you want to go to trial and that forces the State to dismiss or ask for a continuance which may or may not be denied.
Well, it's been a week since I was arrested for soliciting an undercover police officer (I was the client and this happened in Hollywood)
This has been a real hell week and this has been on my mind the whole time.
I've been through shock, denial and anger trying to find the right thing to do.
I've fielded a ton of mailing from different attorneys and I called a couple of them but they don't seem to be on your side.
They both kind of painted a grim picture for me (I'd be paying them 1500 dollars and I'd still have to go to AIDS classes and take an HIV test) They never even mentioned anything like the possibility of getting the charge dismissed or reduced.
I don't want to go to court at all!
I've never been arrested before in my life for anything and my record was squeaky clean until this.
Is there anyone out there who can help?!
I would like someone who understands my situation....
as sappy or bull**it as you think this sounds, I truely am regretful for what I've done and I just want to get back to feeling normal again.
Any help would be appreciated.
In the immortal words of a TV cop named Baretta (AKA Robert Blake), "If you can't do the time, don't do the crime."
This is a hobby with risks. If they got you fair and square, it is not likely that a cheap shyster is going to get you off. Call Johnny Cochran.
BTW - You might be wise to read up on how LE 'John' stings work. They are pretty easy to avoid if you are not drunk.
These are people who put up cash to spring people out of jail when a bond is required. You may try ones in a seedy part of town, they are more likely to have dealt with people who needed agressive lawyering and can probaly give you some good advice on which lawyers to talk to.
I grew up poor and watch my father use bail bondsmen (they were all men in my city) who served poor people. The majority had a tenacious dedication to getting their customers freed and typically had no lost love for most LE tactics.
Good luck, and if you hobby again, get your head screwed on tight and work to avoid falling into LE stings.
You're failing to face reality and accept responsibility for your conduct.
Most of the lawyer comments I've read are correct analyses of where you are. Once again, you, not some other person, have been caught committing a crime. That makes you a criminal; small-time to be sure, but true nontheless. Pay the fine, take the test; be glad you you're not going to the county for a month or so. You'd pay a lot to get out of there.
--Edited by moderator 5/31/04
-- Modified on 5/31/2004 2:11:46 PM
Would you mind sharing the circumstances of the setup with the rest of us? Thanks
As an attorney myself, if the facts of the case are going to hang you, there is nothing an attorney can do for you that you can't do yourself. 95% of the time a plea offer will be the same with or without an attorney. So chances are you can go forward with the same crap to do without an attorney. An old attorney trick is to plead not guilty and then the date of trial, if the witnesses show up try for a continuance--in your case you could ask for more time to hire an attorney, or take the plea then. If the witnesses do not show up tell the judge you want to go to trial and that forces the State to dismiss or ask for a continuance which may or may not be denied.