Legal Question in Criminal Law in Arizona

Past due court date

I was arrested 8 months ago for a failure to appear warrant and a current charge of possession of marijuana, meth and painkillers. I was given 2 court dates 1 for old charges and 1 for new. New charges held me without bail. Went to the 1st court date and a plea was arranged for the past charges for probation. When I inquired about my next court date (next day per my arresting paperwork) my PD knew nothing about it and neither did the court. The next day came and no one retrieved me from jail to go to court. When that day passed I made a bail inquiry and all of a sudden I was eligible. A day later I posted and left jail. A month later I went to court and finalized the probation plea bargain and everything has been fine since. Then I get a letter telling me I'm due in court for those charges from 8 months ago, the charges I was never arraigned on or anything. How is this possible? Please let me know asap and I very much appreciate your assistance.


Asked on 10/17/07, 6:37 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Jason Lamm Jason D. Lamm Attorney at Law

Re: Past due court date

Sometimes charges are not filed immediately as the prosecutor asks for additional follow up work to be done. In your case, it sounds like they were waiting for lab results on the substances that they claim were in your possession. Nonetheless, your PD probably should have picked up on this and tried to wrap everything up together. I have had other clients with this situation before and have been able to use the "error" as leverage to favorably resolve the new charges. If you are looking to hire private counsel, call me at (six zero two) two two two - nine two three seven.

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Answered on 10/17/07, 9:10 am
Jason Lamm Jason D. Lamm Attorney at Law

Re: Past due court date

Sometimes charges are not filed immediately as the prosecutor asks for additional follow up work to be done. In your case, it sounds like they were waiting for lab results on the substances that they claim were in your possession. Nonetheless, your PD probably should have picked up on this and tried to wrap everything up together. I have had other clients with this situation before and have been able to use the "error" as leverage to favorably resolve the new charges. If you are looking to hire private counsel, call me at (six zero two) two two two - nine two three seven.

Read more
Answered on 10/17/07, 9:10 am


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