Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Wrongfully charged with crime.

A friend of mine was in a car with a couple of men she knew. What she didn't know however, was that the car was stolen, they had unlicensed fire arms, drugs and stolen property. She was riding in the back seat. When an officer attempted to stop them, the driver fled for about 20 min. before pulling over. Now, like I said, she's knew little if anything about the situation she was getting into prior to getting in the car. She is now being charged with 2 misdemeanors and 1 felony as a co-defendent. I guess from what she was told her fate and the fates of the other men in the car are intertwined. She maintained her silence with the police and is now being represented by the public defender. They are trying to get her to take some deal for 180 days in jail. The thing is, she's totally innocent and had NO control over the situation. What should she do? She can't afford an attorney. Her next court date is in six days and she has no idea what to do.


Asked on 2/20/08, 6:14 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

Re: Wrongfully charged with crime.

Nobody in their right mind on this site is going to tell her what to do, unless they represent her. She needs to talk to her PD, or hire a private attorney, and follow their advice, once they know all the facts, defenses, etc. If she has admissible evidence and defenses, her attorney can consider it in deciding whether she should take a deal or risk a trial. If she loses at trial, she gets the full sentence for the crime.

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Answered on 2/20/08, 6:28 pm


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