What is the name of your state? PA
About a month ago, I was charged with disorderly conduct for engaging in an altercation. I will not post a full litany of details here, but to summarize, I stood up to a bully who was screaming at me roughly two inches from my face (I struck her in the face with an open hand in an attempt to get her to back off, after telling her to do so was ineffective). I had total reason to believe she was going to become violent (after all, who "gets into someone's face" with *noble* intentions?), and that was further compounded when, after slapping her in the face, she flew at me and attempted to throw me to the ground (resulting in no less than four permanent scars on my skin). She told the officer that I had pulled her hair, and she was right -- but what she neglected to tell the officer was that I pulled her hair WHILE she was attempting to throw me to the ground.
I have no marks on my record and, as a ten-year veteran of martial arts, am extremely disappointed with myself for how I reacted to a bully. I had been having a rotten day, had just worked roughly 12 hours straight for four days in a row, found one of my pets had died, and was in the middle of finals week (which entailed, of all things, having to practice, perfect, and perform one of Beethoven's symphonies -- that in and of itself will make someone cranky).
Immediately after the altercation, I went home, then called the police. I did not stay at the scene because I have a panic disorder, and felt as if I was going to have a heart attack -- so, I went home (roughly two minutes away) to take my anti-anxiety medication. Took my medication, called the police, spoke with the officer, and was processed several days later.
Honestly, I would like to put this whole incident behind me -- particularly because we're waiting on my husband's permanent residency, and I'd rather not have any marks on my record. I'm thinking about pleading guilty for that reason, as well as the following: 1.) I know that what I did was not right, even if I had sufficient reason for doing so; 2.) I am having trouble reaching an appointed attorney (I work six days a week, since my husband currently can not, and we have one car between the two of us -- thus, if he has to use it [such as he did this morning, when I had a meeting with the court-appointed attorney], I am out of luck). While I would pursue a standard attorney, I make less than $1000 a month -- and our rent is $1050. Having never been involved with the law before, I don't know if payment plans are available.
What it boils down to is the following: If I plead guilty, will I still have the opportunity to present my version of events to the judge? I have literally never done anything wrong in my life -- the worst thing that has ever happened to me was getting a parking ticket, thanks to the signs in Philadelphia's Center City being a bit vague. I'm one of those strange people whose hobbies include things like animal rescue, and candy striping at the local hospital. I just want to put this behind me, as this is literally tearing me apart. I've had to go back on antidepressants, I've started smoking again, and basically my life has gone to hell, all because of a bully.
Please help.
About a month ago, I was charged with disorderly conduct for engaging in an altercation. I will not post a full litany of details here, but to summarize, I stood up to a bully who was screaming at me roughly two inches from my face (I struck her in the face with an open hand in an attempt to get her to back off, after telling her to do so was ineffective). I had total reason to believe she was going to become violent (after all, who "gets into someone's face" with *noble* intentions?), and that was further compounded when, after slapping her in the face, she flew at me and attempted to throw me to the ground (resulting in no less than four permanent scars on my skin). She told the officer that I had pulled her hair, and she was right -- but what she neglected to tell the officer was that I pulled her hair WHILE she was attempting to throw me to the ground.
I have no marks on my record and, as a ten-year veteran of martial arts, am extremely disappointed with myself for how I reacted to a bully. I had been having a rotten day, had just worked roughly 12 hours straight for four days in a row, found one of my pets had died, and was in the middle of finals week (which entailed, of all things, having to practice, perfect, and perform one of Beethoven's symphonies -- that in and of itself will make someone cranky).
Immediately after the altercation, I went home, then called the police. I did not stay at the scene because I have a panic disorder, and felt as if I was going to have a heart attack -- so, I went home (roughly two minutes away) to take my anti-anxiety medication. Took my medication, called the police, spoke with the officer, and was processed several days later.
Honestly, I would like to put this whole incident behind me -- particularly because we're waiting on my husband's permanent residency, and I'd rather not have any marks on my record. I'm thinking about pleading guilty for that reason, as well as the following: 1.) I know that what I did was not right, even if I had sufficient reason for doing so; 2.) I am having trouble reaching an appointed attorney (I work six days a week, since my husband currently can not, and we have one car between the two of us -- thus, if he has to use it [such as he did this morning, when I had a meeting with the court-appointed attorney], I am out of luck). While I would pursue a standard attorney, I make less than $1000 a month -- and our rent is $1050. Having never been involved with the law before, I don't know if payment plans are available.
What it boils down to is the following: If I plead guilty, will I still have the opportunity to present my version of events to the judge? I have literally never done anything wrong in my life -- the worst thing that has ever happened to me was getting a parking ticket, thanks to the signs in Philadelphia's Center City being a bit vague. I'm one of those strange people whose hobbies include things like animal rescue, and candy striping at the local hospital. I just want to put this behind me, as this is literally tearing me apart. I've had to go back on antidepressants, I've started smoking again, and basically my life has gone to hell, all because of a bully.
Please help.