Do I need an attorney?

[Jennifer Horn]

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

My daughter has been charged with a fourth degree misdemeanor, unlawful use of property. We have never been in court before. Do I have to have a lawyer? Can she plead no contest and take her punishment? Will the prosecutor rake her over the coals? I don't know what to expect and would like to be prepared.

 

[Ohiogal]

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

My daughter has been charged with a fourth degree misdemeanor, unlawful use of property. We have never been in court before. Do I have to have a lawyer? Can she plead no contest and take her punishment? Will the prosecutor rake her over the coals? I don't know what to expect and would like to be prepared.

Your daughter may very well be appointed counsel. You do not need a lawyer as you are not being charged with anything. The prosecutor might not rake her over the coals. If your daughter wants to do so she can plead no contest. What exactly did she do?

 

[Jennifer Horn]

Your daughter may very well be appointed counsel. You do not need a lawyer as you are not being charged with anything. The prosecutor might not rake her over the coals. If your daughter wants to do so she can plead no contest. What exactly did she do?

She and two friends logged onto another girl's facebook page and sent some derogatory messages to three kids. I know the victim's father is out to try to prove that my girl is the devil and says she "hacked" the password when in fact the girl gave it to my daughter when they were friends. The father seems to believe his girl is completely innocent when there was a lot of girl drama/nastiness back and forth. I'm not justifying what my girl did. She was wrong and should be punished. She's never been in trouble before. According to the court papers we received, we do not fit any of the criteria in order to be eligible for a court appointed attorney. If she pleads no contest do we have to delve into the whole mess in court or does she just take her lumps and go?

 

[Ohiogal]

She and two friends logged onto another girl's facebook page and sent some derogatory messages to three kids. I know the victim's father is out to try to prove that my girl is the devil and says she "hacked" the password when in fact the girl gave it to my daughter when they were friends. The father seems to believe his girl is completely innocent when there was a lot of girl drama/nastiness back and forth. I'm not justifying what my girl did. She was wrong and should be punished. She's never been in trouble before. According to the court papers we received, we do not fit any of the criteria in order to be eligible for a court appointed attorney. If she pleads no contest do we have to delve into the whole mess in court or does she just take her lumps and go?

Even if she had the girl's password from legitimate means what she did is unlawful use of property. Pleading no contest will result in her being given a punishment BUT said plea cannot be used against her in civil proceedings.

 

[Jennifer Horn]

Even if she had the girl's password from legitimate means what she did is unlawful use of property. Pleading no contest will result in her being given a punishment BUT said plea cannot be used against her in civil proceedings.

Can we just go into court by ourselves if she pleads no contest? Is an attorney required? There will be a lot of one sides word against the other in this case with no way to prove either way.

 

[Ohiogal]

Can we just go into court by ourselves if she pleads no contest? Is an attorney required? There will be a lot of one sides word against the other in this case with no way to prove either way.

An attorney is not required. You cannot represent her however.