What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA
basically, i was convicted of a strike felony (theft) almost 6 months ago and my lawyer had mentioned to the judge to make me look like i was changing my life that i was working on my addiction to marijuana. and the judge put me on formal probation with narcotics testing. i am a qualified patient in california with medical records proving my chronic back pain and anxiety. i have my state issued medical marijuana ID as well as my physicians recommendation. i know that senate bill 420 protects parolees/probationers. i want to schedule a Probation Condition Modification Hearing. i had a very well known and respected criminal attorney my mother hired for me but my mom is against this medical marijuana deal, but i am 19 years old and of course i do not need her consent. but i have heard if you have an attorney you cannot be appointed a public defender. and i am in no position financially to hire an attorney myself. my question is, is my attorney legally obligated to defend me in this hearing since it is his case whether i personally hired him myself? he is my attorney for this case whether i paid or not am i correct? if i am not correct, i would like to know how to go about getting this scheduled with a public defender and what my chances are of getting the judge to okay it. PLEASE HELP!
basically, i was convicted of a strike felony (theft) almost 6 months ago and my lawyer had mentioned to the judge to make me look like i was changing my life that i was working on my addiction to marijuana. and the judge put me on formal probation with narcotics testing. i am a qualified patient in california with medical records proving my chronic back pain and anxiety. i have my state issued medical marijuana ID as well as my physicians recommendation. i know that senate bill 420 protects parolees/probationers. i want to schedule a Probation Condition Modification Hearing. i had a very well known and respected criminal attorney my mother hired for me but my mom is against this medical marijuana deal, but i am 19 years old and of course i do not need her consent. but i have heard if you have an attorney you cannot be appointed a public defender. and i am in no position financially to hire an attorney myself. my question is, is my attorney legally obligated to defend me in this hearing since it is his case whether i personally hired him myself? he is my attorney for this case whether i paid or not am i correct? if i am not correct, i would like to know how to go about getting this scheduled with a public defender and what my chances are of getting the judge to okay it. PLEASE HELP!