Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

i asked this question before but i guess i didnt ask it right i am asking for my grandson that is in jail and been arraigned and held to answer he does not want a copy of anything he just wants to read the police report and evidence the prosecution has provided to his attorney he understands not disclosing witness info or any confidential informants info or providing copies in jail but how can he plea if he doesnt know what evidence they have against him some lawyers in the town we live in have been known to over dramatize cases to charge more money or not take a plea and get the money for a trial that they cant win how can a person decide if the attorney has your best interest or is making your case more than it is and you would be ok with a public defender just because they want the money and how can a person be active in there case if the attorney wont share the evidence against you in californi prop 15 keeps the prosecution from disclosing all the evidence anyways but dont you have a better chance of fighting your case if your attorney lets you read the police report minus any witness or ci info and if you read it then you know your lawyer isnt over dramatising the case against you and if you were representing your self wouldnt you need to at least read a police report or something this case is not so complicated that there are 100s of pages to read at this point


Asked on 8/29/09, 10:55 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Deirdre O'Connor Law Offices of Deirdre O'Connor

I'm not sure what the previous answer said, but your grandson is absolutely - without question - entitled to the police report and any other discovery. Yes, it is true that the witness contact information will have to be deleted. But that is easily accomplished. Also, it is true that many lawyers would try to encourage their client not to keep a copy with them in jail because the papers may get into the wrong hands and encourage false snitch testimony.

There is absolutely no legitimate reason for the lawyer not to read the discovery to his client.

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Answered on 8/29/09, 11:29 am


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