Refused to press charges, now I'm being faced with charges!

[SimplySasha123]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Ohio

I posted earlier about how I refused to press charges against someone who punched me and now I'm being faced with charges. I am being faced with violation of Ohio Revised Code Section 2919.25(A) and 2909.07(A)(1). My court date is today and I do not have a lawyer, nor can I afford one, because I am a college student. I guess my biggest concern is what to do now? I still do not wish to make a plea by pressing charges against the person; however, I do not have the knowledge to represent myself in such a case. I am getting ready to apply to medical school and cannot have any misdemeanor charges on me though either. Thank you.

 

[Ohiogal]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Ohio

I posted earlier about how I refused to press charges against someone who punched me and now I'm being faced with charges. I am being faced with violation of Ohio Revised Code Section 2919.25(A) and 2909.07(A)(1). My court date is today and I do not have a lawyer, nor can I afford one, because I am a college student. I guess my biggest concern is what to do now? I still do not wish to make a plea by pressing charges against the person; however, I do not have the knowledge to represent myself in such a case. I am getting ready to apply to medical school and cannot have any misdemeanor charges on me though either. Thank you.

Ask for counsel to be appointed for you. Apparently you are considered the aggressor and that you committed domestic violence as well as criminal mischief by tampering/destroying someone else's property. For a first degree misdemeanor you are entitled to appointed counsel if you are indigent. So request a public defender.

 

[SimplySasha123]

Ask for counsel to be appointed for you. Apparently you are considered the aggressor and that you committed domestic violence as well as criminal mischief by tampering/destroying someone else's property. For a first degree misdemeanor you are entitled to appointed counsel if you are indigent. So request a public defender.

Thank you. So should I just request a public defender and not say anything today?

 

[Ohiogal]

Thank you. So should I just request a public defender and not say anything today?

Enter a not guilty plea and ask for counsel to be appointed.

 

[xylene]

still do not wish to make a plea by pressing charges against the person;

This is what your public defender is going to want you to do...

 

[TigerD]

This is what your public defender is going to want you to do...

There is no way to know that.

The public defender will review the case and discuss the options and potential outcomes so the client can make intelligent, knowing and voluntary decisions about the case.

TD