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.
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.
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