Q: Sentencing in 5 weeks what post conviction motions can I file and do I do that myself or do I have to get an attorney?
My attorney throughout this has done nothing for me and now I'm due to be sentenced in 5 weeks. I have been found guilty in a jury trial of two counts of burglary, one count methamphetamine possession, one count THC possession misdemeanor, one count paraphernalia possession misdemeanor. Between my attorney and the district attorney My trial was a circus and I can't believe I was convicted on anything. I'm not just saying this I'm actually very serious. By the end of the trial the criminal complaint was not even in play and it got changed to something totally different than what I was even arrested for. During the trial timelines were changed, objections were not made, cross-examinations were not done that should have been done to impeach witnesses, false statements made false testimony being allowed to be presented and not corrected, threatened more charges if I proceeded with the trial, I have a list that goes on and on and I can't get any answers. Can someone please help me?
A: I no longer practice criminal law. But your questions highlight why it’s vital to have an attorney to help navigate the legal process. The law is complex. The rules of procedure are complex. Good lawyers even sometimes make mistakes and get sued for malpractice—that’s why lawyers carry malpractice insurance. You should hire a lawyer or apply for a public defender, depending on your circumstances. Your liberty is at stake. It’s worth the cost of a good lawyer to protect your legal rights. (Of course, even the best of lawyers can’t stop the legal system, they sometimes can just protect your rights and help you make the best out of a difficult or bad situation.) Good luck!
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