Q: How do I go about getting a court appointed lawyer after receiving a citation?
A: You can ask for a court appointed lawyer at your court date listed on the Traffic Ticket and Complaint. You will then be asked to provide the court with your financial information so the court can determine whether you are indigent. Many courts will not appoint a public defender unless the State is seeking jail time.
Josephine Pesaresi Hallam agrees with this answer
A:
I agree with Attorney Maerowitz. The court has each person do a financial affidavit to see if you are eligible for a public defender. If you meet the criteria of indigency, the next step is to see if you qualify regarding your case qualifications. If the prosecutor is not asking for jail time in your case, then the court will not appoint you a court appointed attorney. Most attorneys give free consultations however. So make a few appointments and ask an attorney during the free consultation what you should expect in court and what you should expect as a plea offer from the state. That way you will go in having some knowledge of what’s going to happen and the sequence of events. I hope that helps. Best of luck.
Josephine Hallam
Hallam Law Group
A: Unless you are charged with a crime for which you could be sentenced to 366 or more days, you don't. The right to counsel attaches when the defendant faces more than a year in jail/prison. This is NORMALLY reserved for felony charges.
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