Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

I was arrested for accepting bribes within my department. I am facing 2 felony charges (bribery and conspiracy). I have information about another employee within my department who also has accepted bribes and is most likely still doing so. I also have a telephone number wrote down by the person whom is bribing my old coworker because he also offered to bribe me in which I refused. This number is the contact of a seperate person whom is actually paying the employee. I called my public defender and explained to her without being too specific some of the information I know. She said she'll see what she can do and has scheduled another interview with me the day before my court date. She is very aggressive and is demanding I be specific in telling her everything I know. I am worried if by doing this the DA will not offer me anything because I didnt get a guarantee. Would it be smart if I tell my public defender that I will not give up any information to anyone (including her) until I have a written guarantee from the prosecution about dropping my case or atleast dropping them down to misdemeanors. Thankyou for reading.


Asked on 9/23/10, 3:31 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

You want the prosecution to guarantee that it will drop or reduce all the charges against you, not only before you tell it what you know but before you even tell your own public defender? That's not going to happen. And there's no reason why it should. You can trust this information to the PD, who will not reveal your secrets and who will be able to negotiate with the prosecutor much more credibly than you ever could -- especially if she's as aggressive as you say.

Good luck.

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Answered on 9/28/10, 3:48 pm
Anthony Roach Law Office of Anthony A. Roach

I agree with Mr. Hoffman. You have to trust your appointed attorney, and give them all relevant information that they need to defend you. You need to realize that she cannot disclose things you do not want disclosed, under the doctrine of attorney client privilege and attorney client confidentiality, regardless of the fact that she is a deputy public defender.

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Answered on 9/29/10, 4:35 pm


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