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I got a misdemeanor 11550 (a) HS it is my first offense and I don't have money for a lawyer.
Anonymous4 views6 answers
I was detained and the police officer scared me into admitting that I had ingested something the night before and arrested me. I go to College and being convicted of a misdemeanor will ruin my Financial Aid. I have my first court case coming up. What should I plead? What can i do to make sure I get Proposition 36 and PC 1000 to avoid jail time? Is there anything I can do to avoid this affecting my Financial Aid? This is the first time I ever faces charges like this and I don't know what to do. I don't have money for a lawyer so I am going to represent myself. Thank you to anyone who is willing to help me out.
Jay Carl StoegbauerCriminal Defense AttorneyFullerton, CA ·
If you cannot afford an attorney the Public Defender's office can be appointed at your first appearance. He or she can advise you on the details of Proposition 36 and PC 1000 before you plead. A Public Defender may not be well versed with the consequences of your Financial Aid, but I would bet those details should be available online.
Public Defenders handle these matters often and should have much experience, and while they are often scrapped for time due to their high caseloads, I believe the vast majority have the best interest of their clients in mind.
First, if you are truly indigent, at your arraignment the judge will allow you to fill out paperwork in order to qualify for a public defender. Otherwise, at all costs, you should seek representation in your area.
PC 1000 is much less intensive than prop 36. In a PC 1000, you enter a guilty plea, do the drug rehabilitation class (about 4 months) and then you come back in either 18-24 months and your charge is dismissed. Even though you plead guilty in court, entry of the judgment is withheld until you complete the drug counseling course. This means you aren't technically convicted of drug charges unless you mess up during the probationary period or don't complete the drug classes.
With Prop 36, the charge remains.
If you cannot afford to retain a private attorney, go to court and request the assistance if court-appointed counsel (aka the public defender). Do not go it alone! Too much at stake. Why not contact a couple attorneys to see how much it might cost. Might not be as much as you think...I've handled misdemeanors and felonies in Riverside as does Mr. James Dickinson--also active here on .
