Q: how to write the letter to the judge, that I can't be in the court at that day?
I am from Ukraine and was arrested in Florida.
A:
If you are represented by an attorney, you'll need to have the attorney address this issue. If you cannot afford an attorney, try contacting the Public Defender's Office in the County where you were arrested and see if they can provide you with an affidavit of indigency to have you appointed to their office so that they can represent you. Some charges can be taken care of while you are in the Ukraine, and some cannot. At some point, you may be required to appear in court and if you can't be there, a warrant will be issued for your arrest. This warrant will of course prevent you from being able to come back to the United States. If you cannot contact the Public Defender's Office and you cannot hire an attorney, only then should you write to the judge and let the judge know that you had to return to the Ukraine and that you are requesting a new court date and give a reasonable time as to when you can come back to court, and explain that a warrant for failing to appear could prevent your ability from coming back to the U.S. to resolve the charge. The court won't let very much time go by, and may only give you a two week extension, so it's really in your best interest to try to get an attorney on your case as soon as possible.
Good luck!
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