Hello,
I recently was charged with criminal mischief less than $200. The claim is that I broke someone's mirror off their car. I was notified by being given a hearing date to attend.
Supposedly I broke a mirror off of a black mercedes.
The only recollection that I have that involves a black car was a road rage incident in which myself, my 5 year old and 8 month pregnant fiance were driving, and a car in front of us was in a fit of road rage with another car trying to run them off the road and acting crazy.
That car turned off, and I proceeded to drive with this vehicle still being in front of me. All of a sudden this car slammed on their brakes with no one around. I beeped my horn at them, and then they moved over and began acting like they were going to sideswipe me, got in front of me and were slamming on their brakes, etc. I was on my way home so I turned off and they followed me. I got out of my car and told them they need to get on with their life and leave me and my family alone.
They drove off, and myself and family went home.
Now I am being charged for supposedly breaking someones mirror off their car with my hand. I got a copy of the "police report" and it has an officers name and says that I supposedly broke this persons mirror. The officer never contacted me, came to my house, etc.
I went to the state attorneys office and they claimed that I have to "file paperwork with an attorney" to get copies of what the state attorneys office has against me.
I went to my disposition today plead not guilty and was told since this is not a jailable offense, I don't qualify for a public defender. I called some local attornies and they stated they want $1,500 minimum to represent me.
How can someone randomly write down your license plate claim you did damage to their car, and no one contacts you other than through a hearing date/time in the mail?
Does anyone have any advice on what I can do? Should I file a motion for discovery pro se? Any advice would be helpful.
Thank you.
I recently was charged with criminal mischief less than $200. The claim is that I broke someone's mirror off their car. I was notified by being given a hearing date to attend.
Supposedly I broke a mirror off of a black mercedes.
The only recollection that I have that involves a black car was a road rage incident in which myself, my 5 year old and 8 month pregnant fiance were driving, and a car in front of us was in a fit of road rage with another car trying to run them off the road and acting crazy.
That car turned off, and I proceeded to drive with this vehicle still being in front of me. All of a sudden this car slammed on their brakes with no one around. I beeped my horn at them, and then they moved over and began acting like they were going to sideswipe me, got in front of me and were slamming on their brakes, etc. I was on my way home so I turned off and they followed me. I got out of my car and told them they need to get on with their life and leave me and my family alone.
They drove off, and myself and family went home.
Now I am being charged for supposedly breaking someones mirror off their car with my hand. I got a copy of the "police report" and it has an officers name and says that I supposedly broke this persons mirror. The officer never contacted me, came to my house, etc.
I went to the state attorneys office and they claimed that I have to "file paperwork with an attorney" to get copies of what the state attorneys office has against me.
I went to my disposition today plead not guilty and was told since this is not a jailable offense, I don't qualify for a public defender. I called some local attornies and they stated they want $1,500 minimum to represent me.
How can someone randomly write down your license plate claim you did damage to their car, and no one contacts you other than through a hearing date/time in the mail?
Does anyone have any advice on what I can do? Should I file a motion for discovery pro se? Any advice would be helpful.
Thank you.