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Arrests, Searches, Warrants & Procedure : Includes Right to Counsel, Fifth Amendment Rights, Right to Trial by Jury, etc.
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  #1  
Old 03-30-2005, 04:37 AM
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can someone be their own lawyer in a criminial matter


What is the name of your state?California
If a person is in custody can they act as their own lawyer in a criminal matter?What rights would they have(i.e. investigations , law books,???)
Is acting as your own lawyer refered as "pro per"
  #2  
Old 03-30-2005, 08:57 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by angi71
What is the name of your state?California
If a person is in custody can they act as their own lawyer in a criminal matter?What rights would they have(i.e. investigations , law books,???)
Is acting as your own lawyer refered as "pro per"
Yes, they can act as their own attorney and they would have the same rights as another attorney to a great extent. There ARE limitations, however ... access to some information and witnesses might be restricted in some way depending on the nature of the case and you.

Although I can't think of a single instance in my career where I have heard of a pro per defendant actually winning a serious criminal case.

- Carl
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  #3  
Old 03-30-2005, 09:04 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by angi71
What is the name of your state?California
If a person is in custody can they act as their own lawyer in a criminal matter?

**A: yes.
***
Is acting as your own lawyer refered as "pro per"
**A: no, pro lame.
  #4  
Old 03-30-2005, 12:27 PM
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I agree. Representing yourself is a horrible idea and increases your chances of getting convicted. Invariably the defendant makes a fool of himself in front of the jury, by making objections that have no basis, and asking questions that can't be asked. Would you fix your own car if you were not a mechanic? Thinking you can represent yourself better than a lawyer is pure arrogance.
  #5  
Old 03-30-2005, 12:48 PM
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Jeesh


Reading your posts ang... you either live in a soap opera... or... well I do not want to contemplate the or...
Of course you have heard the old saying. " He who represents himself has a fool for a client and an idiot for a lawyer."

besides you were all over this board trying to find out what "malicious prosecution' is... if is you trying to do Pro Per... oh how I would love to be the prosecuter. Or at least a fly on the wall of that court room.
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  #6  
Old 03-30-2005, 12:50 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by angi71
What is the name of your state?California
If a person is in custody can they act as their own lawyer in a criminal matter?What rights would they have(i.e. investigations , law books,???)
Is acting as your own lawyer refered as "pro per"
Sure you can be your own attorney.

Mens rea.

What does it mean?

What laws require and what laws do not?
  #7  
Old 03-30-2005, 07:56 PM
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ENASNI dont jump to conclusions,


the only stupid question is one that dosent get asked.So you should try asking one instead of contemplating my life, because belive me its no soap, its very boaring actually.
  #8  
Old 03-30-2005, 08:14 PM
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ack ( no soap radio)


Quote:
Originally Posted by angi71
the only stupid question is one that dosent get asked.So you should try asking one instead of contemplating my life, because belive me its no soap, its very boaring actually.
Angi... If there be Boars around I would certainly make sure you had soap in your life.

boar ( P ) Pronunciation Key (bôr, br)
n.

An uncastrated male pig.
The adult male of any of several mammals, such as the beaver, raccoon, or guinea pig.
The wild boar.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Middle English bor, from Old English br.]
Source
Dictionary.com
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  #9  
Old 03-30-2005, 09:21 PM
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is this a real question.


only a person with a degree in juris prudis should attempt to defend them selves. unless you are talking about a parking ticket. remember only a fool would throw him/herself to the wolves.

Last edited by willitkeep; 03-30-2005 at 09:25 PM.
  #10  
Old 03-30-2005, 11:31 PM
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ok ,ok,i get the picture


Calm down everybody i am not acting as my own lawyer,It was just a question.What do you think...I'm crazy(dont answer that )you dont need to lose any sleep,you have nothing to fear ,your jobs are safe I do thank you for the opinions though ,Are there any web sites i can find more info on the topic.
  #11  
Old 03-31-2005, 09:58 AM
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You still don't get it. What kind of website? How to learn the law in 10 easy lessons? Lawyering for dummies?
  #12  
Old 03-31-2005, 10:53 AM
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umm


How I got 10 to 20 with only fifteen words to the Judge
by B. B. Butnotme .
Available at B & N
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  #13  
Old 03-31-2005, 11:16 AM
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As a lawyer, I highly recommend representing yourself as much as possible. Not only does it provide endless fodder for my future stand-up comedy routine, it makes my job 1000x easier when I have to go up against someone who has no clue what they're doing (which, admittedly, also applies to some of the other lawyers around here).

This goes double in criminal trials where the only penalty is some lousy jail time. I mean, cmon, it's just jail, right? Not like you have to pay money or something important!
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