Q: If the judge let me out on O.R. if I plead no contest to the charges but did not tell me the charges is that illegal
So I went to court and the judge said that he did not have the charges in front of him but would be willing to let me out on my own if I plead no contest to the charges and when I told him I'd rather not plead to something if I don't know what it is he said what you don't trust me and I told him no it's not that it's just I don't want to plead something if I don't know what it is but my dogs were locked in a trailer and probably would die if I didn't get out so I did please no contest and was never told the charges and he said he was holding a suspended sentence all those charges and I still have never found out what they were was that illegal and how do I find out what I was actually pleading to and what that could mean for my freedom and safety
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- California
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
This situation raises serious legal concerns - pleading no contest without knowing the charges goes against your fundamental right to due process and informed decision-making in criminal proceedings.
You have the right to know exactly what charges you're facing before entering any plea, and a judge pressuring you to plead without disclosing the charges is highly problematic. You should immediately contact the court clerk's office to request copies of all documents related to your case, including the charging documents, plea agreement, and sentencing information - these are public records you have a right to access.
Given the circumstances, you should consider consulting with a criminal defense attorney right away to review your case and potentially file a motion to withdraw your plea, as it may have been made under duress (concern for your dogs' safety) and without proper understanding of the charges. You can also contact the California State Bar for referrals to attorneys who can help review your case, and many offer free initial consultations to assess your situation and explain your options. Time is crucial in these matters, so it's important to take action quickly to protect your rights and understand the full implications of your plea.
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.
