Some advice please

[payzee]

Hello everyone,

im in need of some advice, this may seem really petty as im not sure what type fo questions you guys normally deal wiht , but really cud do with some answers please.

I got arrested last week outside a night club for criminal damage , i was very drunk ( no excuse i know ) but basically, i have not been charged (yet) and have been granted bail until the 28th this month. i am currently 18 years old and have 2 other offences on my record when i was a minor (aged 16). in the interview i denied all allegations agains me, but now i am in feat that i am going to get found out. i am considering handing myself in by the end of the week, but am worried that i may concur a more serious charge for lying, is this possible? can anyone tell me the likely outcome of this incident? all views and answers are very much appreicted
Thanks

 

[seniorjudge]

Hello everyone,

im in need of some advice, this may seem really petty as im not sure what type fo questions you guys normally deal wiht , but really cud do with some answers please.

I got arrested last week outside a night club for criminal damage , i was very drunk ( no excuse i know ) but basically, i have not been charged (yet) and have been granted bail until the 28th this month. i am currently 18 years old and have 2 other offences on my record when i was a minor (aged 16). in the interview i denied all allegations agains me, but now i am in feat that i am going to get found out. i am considering handing myself in by the end of the week, but am worried that i may concur a more serious charge for lying, is this possible? can anyone tell me the likely outcome of this incident? all views and answers are very much appreicted
Thanks

Standard answer

Here are some hints on appearing in court:

Dress professionally in clean clothes.

Do not wear message shirts.

Don't chew gum, smoke, or eat. (Smokers...pot or tobacco...literally stink. Remember that before you head for court.)

Bathe and wash your hair.

Do not bring small children or your friends.

Go to court beforehand some day before you actually have to go to watch how things go.

Speak politely and deferentially. If you argue or dispute something, do it professionally and without emotion.

Ask the court clerk who you talk to about a diversion (meaning you want to plead to a different, lesser charge), if applicable in your situation. Ask about traffic school and that the ticket not go on your record, if applicable. Ask also about getting a hardship driving permit, if applicable.

From marbol:

“Judge...

You forgot the one thing that I've seen that seems to frizz up most judges these days:

If you have a cell phone, make DAMN SURE that it doesn't make ANY noise in the courtroom. This means when you are talking to the judge AND when you are simply sitting in the court room.

If you have a ‘vibrate’ position on your cell phone, MAKE sure the judge DOESN'T EVEN HEAR it VIBRATE!

Turn it off or put it in silent mode where it flashes a LED if it rings. AND DON'T even DREAM about answering it if it rings.”

(Better yet, don’t carry your cell phone into the courtroom.)


Here are five stories that criminal court judges hear the most (and I suggest you do not use them or variations of them):

1. I’ve been saved! (This is not religion specific; folks from all kinds of religious backgrounds use this one.)

2. My girlfriend/mother/sister/daughter is pregnant/sick/dying/dead/crippled and needs my help.

3. I’ve got a job in [name a state five hundred miles away].

4. This is the first time I ever did this.

5. You’ve got the wrong guy. (A variation of this one is the phantom defendant story: “It wasn’t me driving, it was a hitchhiker I picked up. He wrecked the car, drug me behind the wheel then took off.” Or, another variation: “I was forced into it by a bad guy!”)

https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?p=854687#post854687

Public defender’s advice

http://newyork.craigslist.org/about/best/sfo/70300494.html


Other people may give you other advice; stand by.

 

[OHgurl2002]

Go to Court, Make a Plea

you've already been arraigned and should have a court date. At that time you'll be able to speak with a prosecutor or public defender. Tell them that you're interested in making a plea. You stated "criminal damaging"... that covers a lot of things. Your offer will depend on your record (which if you only have two priors from Juvy court you should be fine - it's my understanding that these are not on your record, BUT it may influence any diversion programs that are recommended) and what you actually did (compare tearing down a sign to throwing a brick through a window where people were standing). Follow all of the suggestions in the prior post. It makes a difference! And remember... you got yourself in this position... don't be disrespectful to the judge, prosecutor, or officers who may be testifying because you did something bad.... it will only reflect poorly upon you.