Q: My dad is charging my with false charges, CPS is getting called tomorrow, but I fear they won't listen again. Help?
My father is charging my with assault against him, for trying to defend myself against him attacking me. I have court this Wednesday. He refuses to let me get a lawyer, and I have no money to get my own. My mother did the same thing when I lived with her. She was beating me, the cops were called, and they believed her and not me. They've both called the cops and basically ruined my reputation, saying I'm a liar because I have autism. CPS has been involved with both multiple times. I only got to move out of my mother's house the night she nearly killed me. I'm worried that I'm going to have my record ruined, and have to be in jail because of their lies. I want to go to a private college for art in another state. I am 16, non-binary (AFAB), and live in Huber Heights, OH. My birthday is also this Sunday. What can I do to get the court to listen to me without a lawyer?
A: You should request a public defender at your initial hearing after entering a plea of not guilty. You are entitled to representation in a criminal matter.
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