Q: pre trial conference for a simple misdemeanor, was wondering if i apply for an attorney do i get one right away
Or would i get another court date
A:
Usually, if you're applying for an attorney at state expense, that's something you do at your initial appearance. If you have a PTC coming up and need to apply for counsel and have somehow not yet gotten that opportunity, call the clerk of court for whatever county this is in and ask how you can apply for counsel.
Bear in mind that if you have much income at all -- even so little as $10k/year -- you may not qualify for a public defender, and even if you do qualify, you will likely be expected to reimburse the state.
If you're told that you don't qualify for counsel, please interview and retain private counsel ASAP so that they have time to catch up on your case details before the pretrial and advise you about the feasibility of available plea options, whether you have any valid bases upon which to suppress evidence, and whether it's in your best interests to proceed to trial.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
