What should I expect at court for a 530.5(a)

Not t be unduly cute, but there are some options inherently included in "expect at court". Do you mean at arraignemnt, which raises the question of whether or not thia is a misdemeanor or felony [prior prison term would cause me to believe it is a felony charge due to that alone]. Do you mean at some hearing between trial and arraignment? If you are referring to arraignemnt, then you will be told the general consequeces [prison] as well as your trial rights [preliminary hearing, confront witnesses, subppoena power rit=ght not to testify, to a lawyer]. You will be asked what you want to do. You say, I want an attorney. For any appearance after arraignement, ask your attorney. If you have the means to retain counsel, hire one before court.

Well, 530.5 is a "wobbler" which means it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. So the penalty could range from a fine to prison time. How your background comes into play depends, but it likely will and not in a positive way. So it is hard to say what you should expect at court for this charge. You should speak with an attorney before you ever go to court. Meet with a few attorneys and choose the one you like best. Most give free consultations. Ideally you want an attorney who is familiar with the court where your case is being handled. You should not speak with ANYONE other than an attorney about this matter, especially law enforcement. That means do not post any facts here or on any other website about what happened. If you cannot afford a private attorney the court will appoint you a public defender, just request one at your first court date. Feel free to contact me via e-mail or phone for a free consultation. Michel & Associates, PC (562) 216-4444

You can expect to be beaten and flogged - honestly, what kind of question is that? If you've been on parole, you KNOW what to expect in court. Get an attorney or the PD if you're broke. Otherwise don't ask silly questions.