What is the name of your state? MA
Aproximately a year ago, I was backing out of my parking space at the post office. There was a panel van next to me. As I backed up around him, I didn't realize a pickup truck had parked illegally next to him. We bumped bumpers. I still had my foot on the brake when it happened, and was doing less than 5 mph. I pulled back into my parking spot and got out to look.
I saw no damage, save a little bumper rubber transfer mark on either vehicle. I asked the male driver, who was alone in the vehicle, if he wanted to exchange info. He said "No, I don't have my license." Whether he meant he did not have it on him or did not have it at all, I don't know. At any rate, it was no big deal, and I left.
A couple or 3 weeks later, I get a ticket in the mail, saying I left the scene of an accident. Apparently the registered owner of the vehicle, a female who I had had no contact with during the incident, went to the police, and said SHE was driving, and I fled the scene.
Apparently the police went and found out who I was from the postmaster (I had a PO Box there at the time for a few years, and they knew me). They marked her down as a witness, although she was working in the building and not present when the incident occured.
After about a half dozen appearances, I was asked if I wanted to plea out. Since it is a load of crap, I declined to plead guilty. I also declined to waive my right to a jury trial. I asked for a court appointed lawyer, and was denied.
At the time, I was going through bankruptcy. The company I was working for went bankrupt unexpectedly, and it put me in a financial tailspin. I am still trying to catch up on my mortgage. My savings is nonexistent. I have no family to borrow from; and I cannot borrow any money from financial institutions, due to the recent bankruptcy.
I have contacted low income legal services, and been told they only deal with immigration problems and child welfare cases.
I don't know what to do next. This whole thing is a croc; but I am not an attorney, and feel like I am being railroaded here. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Aproximately a year ago, I was backing out of my parking space at the post office. There was a panel van next to me. As I backed up around him, I didn't realize a pickup truck had parked illegally next to him. We bumped bumpers. I still had my foot on the brake when it happened, and was doing less than 5 mph. I pulled back into my parking spot and got out to look.
I saw no damage, save a little bumper rubber transfer mark on either vehicle. I asked the male driver, who was alone in the vehicle, if he wanted to exchange info. He said "No, I don't have my license." Whether he meant he did not have it on him or did not have it at all, I don't know. At any rate, it was no big deal, and I left.
A couple or 3 weeks later, I get a ticket in the mail, saying I left the scene of an accident. Apparently the registered owner of the vehicle, a female who I had had no contact with during the incident, went to the police, and said SHE was driving, and I fled the scene.
Apparently the police went and found out who I was from the postmaster (I had a PO Box there at the time for a few years, and they knew me). They marked her down as a witness, although she was working in the building and not present when the incident occured.
After about a half dozen appearances, I was asked if I wanted to plea out. Since it is a load of crap, I declined to plead guilty. I also declined to waive my right to a jury trial. I asked for a court appointed lawyer, and was denied.
At the time, I was going through bankruptcy. The company I was working for went bankrupt unexpectedly, and it put me in a financial tailspin. I am still trying to catch up on my mortgage. My savings is nonexistent. I have no family to borrow from; and I cannot borrow any money from financial institutions, due to the recent bankruptcy.
I have contacted low income legal services, and been told they only deal with immigration problems and child welfare cases.
I don't know what to do next. This whole thing is a croc; but I am not an attorney, and feel like I am being railroaded here. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.