Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

My son has been charged with two crimes. One is five counts of a felony "intent to commit criminal threats" against students in his previous high school. He sent a threatening email to some students when angry and wasn't thinking clearly. He never acted upon those threats in any way. There is also a misdemeanor charge of driving without a license because he was involved in a traffic accident with the car he was driving. He took our car without permission.

My son has been seeing a counselor every week and has had psychological testing done by a private psychologist and a medical center. Everyone he has seen has stated that my son is fine and was under duress when these crimes occured.

My question is what kind of attorney would help with this case? Also, if we cannot afford an attorney, will a public defender help to protect my son? Finally, what kind of documentation should we take to the court? The court case is being held in one week, so we are a little panicked at this point.


Asked on 1/06/13, 11:17 am

4 Answers from Attorneys

Zadik Shapiro Law Offices of C. Zadik Shapiro

Your son needs a good criminal defense attorney. You did not give his age but if the case is in juvenile court, he should have an attorney with juvenile court experience. If this is a first court appearance it will be for an arraignment, and if he does not have an attorney the public defender will be appointed to represent him. He will plead not guilty and he will either waive time or refuse to waive time. He should talk to his attorney about waiving time. In any case, future court dates will be set. Any psychological reports that you have should be taken to court and given to his attorney.

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Answered on 1/06/13, 11:56 am
Jacob Kiani Law Office of Jacob I. Kiani

Where are you located? LA County? Is this the first hearing?

If so, I have handled similar criminal defense matters, And although I've practiced criminal law, it is not my primary practice area. Nevertheless I think it would be better that you get a private attorney rather than the public defender because in these types of cases the most important factor is early involvement of an attorney as you need to try and work out a deal with the prosecutor well in advance of when the court would assign him a public defender.

Please check out my website as I offer alternative billing arrangements and various types of services. www.kianilaw.com.

I can provide you with a 15 to 20 minute free no obligation telephone consultation to see if there is something we can work out that you can afford

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Answered on 1/06/13, 11:58 am
Karren Kenney Criminal Defense Attorney Karren Kenney

I recommend retaining a lawyer BEFORE his first court appearnce. I offer a free 1 hour consult and am located in Orange County.

http://www.kenneylegaldefense.us

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Answered on 1/06/13, 12:40 pm
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

He needs a criminal defense attorney, now.

When questioned, arrested or charged with any crime, the proper questions are, can any evidence obtained in a test, search or statement be used against you, can you be convicted, and what can you do? A little free advice: exercise the 5th Amendment right to SHUT UP and do NOT talk to police or anyone about the case except with and through an attorney. No amount of free 'tips and hints' from here or elsewhere are going to effectively help in a legal defense. If you don't know how to represent yourself effectively against an experienced prosecutor intending to convict, then hire an attorney who does, who will try to get a dismissal, charge reduction, diversion, programs, or other decent outcome through motions, plea bargain, or take it to trial if appropriate. If serious about hiring counsel to help in this, and if this is in SoCal courts, feel free to contact me. I�ll be happy to help fight and get the best outcome possible, using whatever defenses and sympathies there may be.

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Answered on 1/07/13, 1:20 am


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