Q: Should i plead guilty at arraignment or hope for the best and plead not guilty?
I am being charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle as well as false information to a police officer. I have no criminal record and I am a student. I cannot afford a lawyer. I have arraignment coming up and I don’t know if I should plead guilty and hope that the judge knows i’m a first time offender, or plead not guilty and hope i can get a public defender. I do not want to go to jail and i don’t want to go to trial. I am hoping to get probation as it is a first offense.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- Virginia
- (804) 250-1721
- View Profile
- Answered
A: At your arraignment you will have the opportunity to answer a list of financial questions to see whether you qualify for a public defender/court-appointed attorney. Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle is almost always a felony charge and so you will likely be scheduling a preliminary hearing in district court and would have some time before a trial in Circuit Court (if it gets to that stage). Consult with your attorney once you have hired one or have had one appointed to represent you. There may be the possibility of a plea to a reduced charge that doesn't involve a felony outcome. Your attorney would be able to tell you the look of things once they've had a chance to conduct discovery and consult with the Commonwealth's Attorney. Good luck to you.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
