M
MissKeri
Guest
confront judge w/out counsel? HELP! **Need 2nd question answered now! - scroll down
What is the name of your state? Utah
I went to court on Nov. 1st to be sentenced on an "illegal use of a financial card" charge, and I was being represented by a public defender who got his license out of a CrackerJack box, and was not very eager (or even willing) to speak out on my behalf. Among other things, I was sentenced to 30 days jail time with credit for 8 days served. The judge was nice enough to give me until Nov. 15th to get my affairs in order before I have to begin my sentence.
I'm a full time, single Mom, and "getting my affairs in order" is proving to be much more difficult than one might imagine. After making a zillion phone calls, I've arranged for my kids to be bounced around, from sitter to sitter, with a few hours here and a few hours there.... for 17 days.... PLUS they have to transfer schools! It feels more like I'm preparing for my death than 17 days in jail.
I don't have a whole lot of experience with the judicial system, but I was wondering if there's ANYTHING I can do to get the judge to withdraw the jail time, and give me a fine or community service instead. I assume that writing him a letter explaining my position would just make me look silly, but my kids are just devastated, and I'll do anything it takes to see them smile right now.
I've left several messages for my public defender, but he must be too busy standing in a courtroom with his thumb up his ___ to call me back. Common sense tells me that my hands are tied in this situation, but I'm hoping somebody can tell me otherwise.
Please respond soon..... unfortunately, my time is limited.
What is the name of your state? Utah
I went to court on Nov. 1st to be sentenced on an "illegal use of a financial card" charge, and I was being represented by a public defender who got his license out of a CrackerJack box, and was not very eager (or even willing) to speak out on my behalf. Among other things, I was sentenced to 30 days jail time with credit for 8 days served. The judge was nice enough to give me until Nov. 15th to get my affairs in order before I have to begin my sentence.
I'm a full time, single Mom, and "getting my affairs in order" is proving to be much more difficult than one might imagine. After making a zillion phone calls, I've arranged for my kids to be bounced around, from sitter to sitter, with a few hours here and a few hours there.... for 17 days.... PLUS they have to transfer schools! It feels more like I'm preparing for my death than 17 days in jail.
I don't have a whole lot of experience with the judicial system, but I was wondering if there's ANYTHING I can do to get the judge to withdraw the jail time, and give me a fine or community service instead. I assume that writing him a letter explaining my position would just make me look silly, but my kids are just devastated, and I'll do anything it takes to see them smile right now.
I've left several messages for my public defender, but he must be too busy standing in a courtroom with his thumb up his ___ to call me back. Common sense tells me that my hands are tied in this situation, but I'm hoping somebody can tell me otherwise.
Please respond soon..... unfortunately, my time is limited.
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