Q: I just found out yesterday that I have a case from two years ago when I was a minor, without notice, can I fight it?
I was only 16 and I waited for a letter from court with a court date but I never received one. I received my background check from a job yesterday and that's when I seen that there was a case. Can I also get a lawyer to do it pro bono?
A:
You can try to reopen, but I don't see that you will get an attorney to handle it for free other than the legal services, and they usually don't handle such issues.
First,go check the Court docket--a)it may not says what the sheet says it does b) if it does it will say exactly what the charge was etc. You will want to copy any notices they said were sent to you, any receipt cards, and what the Court's findings were.
Second you will want to find out from the Indiana Civil Liberties Union if you can reopen it. Do understand that if they served your parents or guardians and they didn't give it to you, that won't necessarily be enough--the Court may say that you should have called if you were expecting a court date & never got one.
Good luck!
A: What kind of case was this? If it was a civil case, you can contact legal aid about possible representation. Keep in mind that their resources are limited.
A: You will need to have a lawyer file an appearance with the court and get a new court date. Public defenders are available to represent indigent defendants, in the event you qualify.
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