Q: Is it a good idea to get a lawyer before an arraignment for misdemeanor charges?
On March 3rd I had an incident with my ex girlfriend. I was called down to the police station after for questioning. After talking to them I was arrested
My charges are:
-Class A misdemeanor domestic violence simple assualt (I grabbed her arm)
-Class B misdemeanor Criminal Mischief (I threw her phone into snow)
My Arraignment is March 30th. I plan to plea guilty or no contest as I already confessed the crime to the police. My family however is encouraging that I reach out for legal aid and possibly an attorney, because an attorney may be able to get me a plea deal. So I'm just reaching out to see if my family is correct on the matter, and if an attorney could infact get me a plea deal. I'm not too worried about fines. I could however face potential jail time for my class A misdemeanor, and I know that jail time would devastate my mental health.
A:
A DV simple assault carries with it many unforeseen consequences. It may impact your firearms rights and result in travel restrictions to Canada. I would encourage you to consult with a criminal defense attorney in the area where you are charged.
In many cases charges can be amended to avoid some consequences that impact housing, employment and recreation.
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