I got pulled over for DWI, on a highway at the end of November the dui didn’t stick, so he slapped me with 'crossing the double white lines," mind you it was dark and raining. I was able extend it until tommorrow, didn’t show for court once and paid bond, showed again and got an extension.
Tommorrow at 7, I’ve got court again. I told the Judge, I’d hire a lawyer in the mean. However, I have none, and less than 100 dollars to my name at the moment (I’ve got a few g’s coming soon.)
What should I do? I have to show or be arrested but, should I show up with a friend in a suit and have him act like a lawyer for me or something. Should I plead not guilty should I not be granted an extension?
How can I deal with this myself with little money and little time? Does anyone know what kind of leverage lawyers even have with Judges, PAs and DAs? They are not permitted to pay them, so how exactly do they negotiatate?
[quote]blazindave wrote:
Can’t you act as your own lawyer?[/quote]
Yes you can, but I don’t think an individual can out-of-court bargain for themself. At least I’ve never heard of such a thing, of course, I don’t it would be that difficult to simulate as long as I knew what the fuck I was doing.
You’re going to traffic court, not criminal court. All you have to do is enter a plea and tell your side of the story. If you weren’t under the influence and you crossed the line due to weather conditions and unfamiliarity with the road most judges will understand.
If you’re a law abiding young man with no real record or tickets whatsoever. Use this to your advantage and bring it up and ask nicely for probation for the points/ticket.
Make some bs up (cops commit perjury all the time) be like I was driving under the speed limit and even then it was difficult to see.
If all else fails, just start picking up chairs and hurl them.
I’m going to go in and orate myself a plea bargain. Basically stating, that I don’t have money for a lawyer, but that is what I seek, as they already are sitting on 300 dollars of my money, I imagine they would be willing to commute me to a non-moving violation and a fine.
[quote]pushmepullme wrote:
SpartanX wrote:
… should I show up with a friend in a suit and have him act like a lawyer for me or something. …
Incredibly BAD idea.[/quote]
Agree. Now, a complete stranger is a different matter altogether.
In all seriousness, there is nothing preventing you from negotiating on your own as a layperson. In the future, I would recommend calling the city/county attorney’s office directly and setting up a time to talk to one of the attorneys there. They will usually bargain with you in some fashion, though you’ll probably have to go to court if you hope to get it thrown out completely.
You are granted legal counsel even if you cannot afford it, although it might be shitty advice. Don’t have someone pretend to be a lawyer for you, as you will dig yourself even deeper into a hole. Once you’re caught lying, your fucked.
I agree this is definitely not something you need a lawyer for. And you can bargain on your behalf for sure. I would just plead no contest, get a deferred and be done with it.
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
pushmepullme wrote:
SpartanX wrote:
… should I show up with a friend in a suit and have him act like a lawyer for me or something. …
Incredibly BAD idea.
Funny, I was thinking how hilarious this would be. I mean, it would only get him in more trouble, but seriously, how funny would this be?[/quote]
It was pretty funny when it happened on seinfeld, but most judges don’t have a sense of humor about that sort of thing.
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
pushmepullme wrote:
SpartanX wrote:
… should I show up with a friend in a suit and have him act like a lawyer for me or something. …
Incredibly BAD idea.
Funny, I was thinking how hilarious this would be. I mean, it would only get him in more trouble, but seriously, how funny would this be?[/quote]
Hahahaha, I can just imagine…
Judge: “Counsel, what is your bar registration number?”
[quote]Travacolypse wrote:
LankyMofo wrote:
pushmepullme wrote:
SpartanX wrote:
… should I show up with a friend in a suit and have him act like a lawyer for me or something. …
Incredibly BAD idea.
Funny, I was thinking how hilarious this would be. I mean, it would only get him in more trouble, but seriously, how funny would this be?
It was pretty funny when it happened on seinfeld, but most judges don’t have a sense of humor about that sort of thing.[/quote]
I couldn’t see why not. Is it because the OP thinks that any guy in a suit could pass for a lawyer?
[quote]pushmepullme wrote:
Hahahaha, I can just imagine…
Judge: “Counsel, what is your bar registration number?”
Douchebag in a suit: “Uhh…four?”
[/quote]
Lol, you just made me look like an ass at work for laughing when I’m supposed to be working.
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
pushmepullme wrote:
SpartanX wrote:
… should I show up with a friend in a suit and have him act like a lawyer for me or something. …
Incredibly BAD idea.
Funny, I was thinking how hilarious this would be. I mean, it would only get him in more trouble, but seriously, how funny would this be?[/quote]
Friend in suit: “Duuuuuude!! I now pronounce you, like, SO innocent!! What say you Judge-O-Mundo? That cop was being like, such an ASS!! Hey cop! As per state law Section 13, Paragraph 3, line 5-- ‘You have the right to stop being such a DOUCHEBAG’! Alright, high fives, high fives, yeaaahh”
Yea having a friend appear as your lawyer has FAIL written all over it. You are also talking about a traffic ticket at this point, not a criminal conviction. Don’t shoot a fly with a shotgun.
I think you’re pretty fucked. You’ve already made at least two promises to the court you haven’t kept (didn’t show, didn’t get a lawyer), so the chances that you’re going to beat this are going downhill.
Here in Minneapolis, since I had a clean record, they gave me a chance to pay court costs in exchange for keeping a speeding ticket off of my record.
When I got another ticket, the ticketing officer didn’t show, so the city dropped the case. (I was ready to ask the judge for a dismissal since the officer wasn’t there - you have to mention it for the court record for it to work for you).
In Minnesota, you don’t have the right to talk to a lawyer for traffic stuff, but you do get to cross examine the ticketing officer. I know that in other states the laws are different.
I’d try to figure out some of the laws for your state. Maybe see if the court has a website with a FAQ, too. Otherwise, I’d be worried about what happens when you don’t have money to pay the judgement right away. You might need to borrow some money to avoid jail (again, depends on the state).