Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

I was charged with a misdemeanor and was required me to do some community labor at the West Covina Court House. I wasn't able to complete it within the court ordered time I was given;.I requested an extention and was granted 45 days. My next court date was Feb. 25. Since i was in a car accident last Nov, 1st, The Judge said if i could not perform the tasks, To have a doctors letter stating I cannot perform the tasks required to do the community labor. I have the medical records to prove I am incapable of performing the community labor, I couldn't find the doctor who saw me the night of the accident.. I was at the emergency room the night before my scheduled court date and was discharged early morning.on the day of my court. I wasn't feeling well. I fell asleep. I missed my court date. I'm sure I have a warrant. Now I'm scared. Please give me advice what I should do and what are my options.I'm currently unemployed and cannot afford to hire an attorney. I also have 4 children who rely on me to be around for them. Please help


Asked on 3/09/10, 12:57 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Marshall Law Office of Robert L, Marshall

If you can prove you were in the emergency room just before your court date, you should contact the clerk of the court IMMEDIATELY and get placed back on calendar. If you are represented by the public defender, call them for help instead.

The longer you wait, the worse it will get. It's better to take responsibility for your mistake than to wait be arrested on the warrant. If you take care of this yourself, the judge is far more likely to give you another chance than if you wait to be arrested and dragged into court in handcuffs.

I have a little trouble with your statement that you can't get a letter from a doctor about your inability to do community service after the November 1 car accident. If the specific doctor isn't available, the hospital should be able to have another doctor review the records and write an excuse. It also sounds like you waited until the last minute, which is always a bad idea.

Read more
Answered on 3/14/10, 3:13 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Criminal Law questions and answers in California