Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Battery?

i was intoxicated and involved in an altercation with a cashier at an gas station and threw some coffee on her, about 10 minutes later and down the street from the station, my wife and i were jumped and put in the hospital. i assumed that if i told the police everything, that they would be able to find the perps but instead they took us to the hospital, and from there to jail. slapped me with a battery charge and my wife with a public intoxication charge....what should i do? some people are telling me to plead guilty and some are telling me to plead not guilty, or no contest.


Asked on 1/05/09, 9:05 pm

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

Re: Battery?

Get a lawyer. If you can't afford to hire one, get a public defender.

It sounds like you're guilty as charged, but a lawyer may be able to get you a better outcome than you could get on your own. You don't want a criminal record if you can help it. If you do get a record, you want it to show the least serious charges possible.

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Answered on 1/05/09, 9:15 pm
George Moschopoulos The Law Office of George Moschopoulos

Re: Battery?

You and your wife should each hire an attorney. Your actions may or may not constitute a crime, but the best way to optimize your results is with private counsel.

If you are serious about help, let us know.

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Answered on 1/06/09, 5:05 pm
Jacek W. Lentz Law Offices of Jacek W. Lentz

Re: Battery?

You should not plead to anything until and unless you have consulted with a lawyer about your case. The worst thing you can do is to assume that you should plead guilty because there is nothing to be done about your case and that you should represent yourself. Even if you ultimately take legal responsibility and plead guilty at some point during the whole process, having a good lawyer will ensure that you will not take a deal you should not take. If you are not properly represented, the prosecution is likely to take advantage of you.

Also, keep in mind that it is the prosecution's burden to prove their case against you. A good lawyer might be able to find and exploit to your advantage weaknesses in the prosecution's case.

Feel free to contact me if you desire additional consultation.

Jacek W. Lentz, Esq.

310.273.1361

www.lentzlawfirm.com

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Answered on 1/06/09, 9:21 pm


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