Q: I was coerced by a judge into taking a plea on a charge.
I was arrested and had to post over $720 in bonds to get out jail for 2 no registration tickets and a disorderly conduct ticket. One no registration ticket I was guilty of. The other was dismissed. The disorderly conduct ticket was issued to me by a police officer that was not at the scene when the alleged conduct had happened. Also neither the police officer nor the person who made the complaint were at the mediation with the prosecutor. I said it was not fair to charge me with something when there was no one there to back up anything. We had to go back before the judge and I had to accept the deal or he was going to make me go back to jail and bond out again on the charge I was already out on bond for. Also he would not give me community service. He lied and said they were not offering community service due to covid, but I had spoke with the gentleman who supervised the community service just the day prior.
A: The "mediation" with the prosecutor is not a trial, you are not entitled to confront your accuser, therefore your rights were not violated. You were entitled to be represented by Counsel at that proceeding, did you have a PD? Private attorney? Why not? You need to speak with a criminal law attorney. This isn't the place for it, just general questions. You should contact an attorney practicing in this area of law right away. Thank you for using Justia ask a lawyer.
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