Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Re: Drug Charges

You need to continue to the hearing so you can retain counsel. These are very serious charges and if you can afford a private attorney it would be advisable to hire one now!

Re: Drug Charges

There is only one advice - no short cuts or substitutes here. Get a good lawyer. If you cannot afford private counsel, a public defender will be appointed for your fiance.

Jacek W. Lentz, Esq.

310.273.1361

www.lentzlawfirm.com

Re: Drug Charges

"I have court tomorrow morning" is not the way to consult or to retain a private attorney. We deserve more respect than that. If you are serious about obtaining a legal consultation, and I am assuming this is your first court appearance, find a way to have the arraignment postponed/continued for 7 days.

Is the case in Rancho Cucamonga?

Re: Drug Charges

There should be more planning going on in this situation. You are cutting it way to close by requesting advice the night before you have court. In the morning if this is the first appearance you will be arraigned. Essentially you will enter a plea and have an opportunity to get a copy of the complaint against you. The first thing you need to do is either request a continuance to obtain private counsel or ask for a public defender. If you start with a public defender you can always bring on a private attorney at any time and substitute the new attorney in for the PD. If the court will not give you a continuance ask for a PD and listen to their advice regarding your plea. I would suggest you waive time and ask to enter your plea at the next court appearance.

If this is not your first appearance and you do not have any legal representation then inform the court you do not have an attorney and ask for a continuance to either get a PD or hire an attorney.

The current situation needs to be immediately addressed and that is the court appearance. Explain to the court in a polite manner and request more time. After that get you head out of the sand and realize this problem is not going to just go away. If you want a private attorney and do not know anyone, contact your local bar association and request a referral. If you know someone than ask them about getting an attorney or if you know an attorney that does not practice criminal law ask them for a referral to a criminal law attorney. Good luck

Re: Drug Charges

If charges were file, What happens in Rancho is the Court appoint(ed) the public defender and you have until your next appearance to consult with outside counsel...now... were 5 months pregnant...who is pg...Rancho also has an excellent drug court if pc1000/prop 36 do not work out.

DJM