I was arrested for warrant class 6 felony credit card fraud VA code 18.2-195. I allowed someone to use my phone and that person allowed someone to use my phone to call Chinese food restaurant and obtained food with credit card. The credit card was not issued to that persons'. Detectives came to my home and told me this information saying my phone was used. Then detective filed warrant for my arrest for conspiracy! I am overwhelmed and very hurt! I make too much to get public defender and I can not afford attorney. I want to get case dismissed. Is this possible?
Possible? Sure.
Likely? No.
If you have been charged with a crime you need to do whatever you can to get the funds to hire an attorney.
You are no more capable of successfully defending yourself against the criminal justice system than you are of conducting abdominal surgery on yourself.
A conviction in VA will be for life- no expungment- and could impact your employment options forever.
Do whatever you must to scrape the funds together to properly defend yourself.
Good luck.
While you do have the right to represent yourself, I would advise against it. The criminal justice process in Virginia is extremely complex and convictions are permanent. A felony conviction will mean jeopardizing your future job prospects and forfeiture of certain civil rights.
There are plenty of attorneys here on .com that could help you with your case. Additionally, you can also seek out an attorney by contacting the Virginia Lawyer Referral Service.
I wish you luck with this matter.
Yes, you certainly have the legal right to represent yourself. However, your chances of obtaining a dismissal on your own are slim to none. You are risking a felony conviction on your record which can impact your future opportunities for many years. You should at least consider taking advantage of a free consultation and contact a local criminal attorney for advice and to explore your options. Best of luck.
Alexander O BentsenSocial Security LawyersStaten Island, NY ·
You have a right to represent yourself as a matter of law. However, often, even when a person represents themself--the judge presiding over the case orders that they consult with an attorney while the case is pending. You can represent yourself, but it is not at all a good idea. The reason being is that you will almost certainly incriminate yourself in your statements on your own behalf. In fact, just stating what you posted in this question would be self incrimination. So if you go in, represent your self and incriminate yourself--you will likely be punished for it. Just having an attorney, even the public defender, act on your behalf will drastically limit your exposure to punishment if you do not win. Very few cases are dismissed. If your case is dismissable, a decent attorney including the public defender, will likely get it dismissed. But it rarely happens in practice.
NO. NO. NO. NO. NO.
Do not represent yourself on felony charges. Financial situation aside, this is the most important decision of your life. You should consult with attorneys and find one that will work with you on price. It is possible to get a deferred finding and later dismissal but an attorney is better trained to get you the best result possible.
Let me get this straight. You spoke to detectives without an attorney trying to talk your way out of this predicament and ended up getting a warrant for conspiracy. Now you want to handle the case yourself and get it dismissed? Not advisable. The system is not always fair for pro se litigants and you may end up making it worse.
Yes anything is possible. Have you contacted multiple law firms? There may be an attorney willing to handle your case for a reasonable fee. If not, you can represent yourself. But keep in mind, the prosecutor is an attorney and you are not likely versed in the law. This could be problematic for you!
