Q: My friend has been charged with a first time OVI between .08-1.7 BAC in ohio. Is this something worth fighting?
She has her arraignment tomorrow. She is struggling financially and is hoping to do anything to have her charges reduced. She couldn't see well on the street she was on due to lack of lighting, and she went to turn around in a driveway , and there was a ditch right next to the driveway. Her car went into the ditch. She is unfamiliar with the legal processes, would it be worth it for her to plead not guilty in order to receive a public defender? Or is a public defender appointed to her prior to her entering her plea?
A:
The court will advise her of her right to an appointed attorney if she qualifies. Courts will typically enter a not-guilty plea, and then give the person the opportunity to complete a financial disclosure form to determine whether they qualify for appointed counsel.
When a person enters a not guilty plea without counsel, it is best that they do not talk about the traffic stop at all during the arraignment.
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