Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

You�ll learn the actual charge[s] filed against you when you appear for arraignment at your first court hearing.

When charged with a felony, you potentially face one or more years in prison if convicted --- on each count; on a misdemeanor, you potentially face up to 6-12 months in jail -- on each count. Multiple counts and charges just make your situation worse, of course. If you have priors, they are penalty �enhancements� under the 3 Strikes rules. If this constitutes a probation or parole violation, factor those new and old charge[s] in as well.

�What can you do�? Hire an attorney, unless you know how to effectively represent yourself in court against a professional prosecutor intending to convict. No amount of free 'tips and hints' from here or anywhere else are going to effectively help you in your defense, other than the advice to exercise the 5th Amendment right to SHUT UP and do NOT talk to anyone except an attorney about the case. That includes on this or any other web site or public forum. Most police and prosecutors will happily tell you that 95% of people convict themselves by trying to be 'helpful and cooperative', either during initial contact, questioning, interview or interrogation. If serious about hiring counsel to help you in this, and if this is in SoCal courts, feel free to contact me.