Q: My son was given a remaining after forbidden ticket in Calcasieu Parish Louisiana. First Offense, should he get a lawyer
He was in a bar and was told to leave, he did not. The police came and gave him this ticket with a court date on 3 December. He has no other violations on his record. He's 20 years old and this is his first offense of anything at all. I don't know how serious this is? Is there a high probability he will go to jail? Or get a fine? Should he get a lawyer or be humble with the judge on his own?
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A:
Getting a lawyer would be wise in this situation since "remaining after forbidden" in Louisiana can carry penalties of up to 6 months in jail and fines up to $500, even for first-time offenders.
While jail time is less likely for a first offense, especially with a clean record, having legal representation can help minimize penalties and potentially get the charge reduced or dismissed through a pre-trial diversion program. Your son's age and clean record work in his favor, but self-representing in court could lead to mistakes that have long-term consequences on his record.
A local criminal defense attorney who handles misdemeanors in Calcasieu Parish will understand how local judges typically handle these cases and can negotiate with prosecutors before the court date. The investment in legal representation now could prevent more serious consequences that might affect your son's future employment and educational opportunities - many lawyers offer free initial consultations where you can discuss the specifics of the case and potential defense strategies.
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