Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Re: do i really need a lawyer?

IF you go to court without counsel and push the DA into offering a deal, you have just tied the hands of your attorney, because it will be far harder for him to get a 'better' deal after that than if he had negotiated it from the beginning. You don't really think the DA is going to give you Mr. Pro Per a good deal, now do you? If you get serious about doing this right, feel free to contact me.

Re: do i really need a lawyer?

You absolutely must get a lawyer. If you cannot afford a private one, a public defender will be provided for you. Representing yourself is always a very bad idea.

Jacek W. Lentz, Esq.

213.250.9200

www.lentzlawfirm.com

Re: do i really need a lawyer?

Having a private lawyer (not the public defender) can dramatically improves the chances of not getting jail time, especially if your case is a serious one. In this era of computerized employment background checks, it is especially important that you DO NOT get found guilty -- if you ever, ever want to get a job again.

Do not go to court by yourself, even one time.

Put it this way: if you were a coach, would you wait to have your team take the field until 2nd quarter? Until half time? The early stages of the court case are very important and the lawyer you hire needs to be there.

Once they "give you" a sentence, it will be too late: the case will be over, and they will drag you out of the courtroom in handcuffs to begin serving your sentence.

They cannot punish you just for having a private lawyer. If you were released on bail or on your own recognizance (O.R.), it will stay that way unless you fail to appear at a court hearing that requires your presence, or you are arrested again based on new allegations of criminal activity.

Please call or email me directly for more information.

Re: do i really need a lawyer?

Please don't take this the wrong way, but the fact that you are even asking a question like this indicates that you need a lawyer desperately.

There is no way we can tell you how likely it is that you'll get jail time since you haven't told us anything about either the charges against you or the underlying facts.

You have to fight the case before your sentencing, not after. You don't have the right to a second bite at the proverbial apple if you don't like the result the first time around.

And getting a lawyer should have no bearing on your bail status.

Remember that if you can't afford a lawyer the government will provide one for you at public expense. If you *can* afford a lawyer but hope to save money by representing yourself, then you need to re-think your priorities.

Re: do i really need a lawyer?

Based on the charges you mentioned, in my opinion, you definitely need a lawyer. However, if you want to go to court without a lawyer, you can. You made bail on 1 charge. If they charge you with all the charges you mentioned, they could raise the bail. Its your life and you do whatever you want. However, I would not be doing my job if I didn't tell you that your idea is not in your best interest. As always, I wish you well. David Wallin