Legal Question in Criminal Law in Virginia

Going to court without an attorney

I'm 31 years old and have a family of 4 children, I recently got hooked on crack cocaine and was never in trouble with the law until recently, I had my work van and disappeared for a few days on a drug binge and my employer had me arrested with unauthorized use of a vehicle. I was arrested in Maryland which is where I live and where I was working. The court that he filed charges with was located in Virgina. I was released without bond but was turned down for a public defender in Virginia. I have not been able to find a job in order to get legal representation so my question is if I go to court without an attorney will I end up serving jail time because of not being able to have an attorney. Should I be able to get a public defender in Maryland where I live.?


Asked on 5/06/05, 6:28 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Going to court without an attorney

If the charges pending against you are with a court in Virginia, you must appear and defend (preferably with counsel)against these charges in the Virginia forum, and if you have a lawyer, the lawyer must be licensed to practice in Virginia. Maryland counsel will avail you of nothing in this particular situation.

If you are now unemployed with no funds available to hire an attorney, you should go to the clerk's office(criminal division) of the Virginia court which has jurisdiction over your case and request to have another hearing on the issue of your financial eligibility for court-appointed counsel.

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Answered on 5/06/05, 6:50 am


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