Legal Question in Criminal Law in New York

Representing yourself, petit larceny

A close friend is being charged with petit larceny for stealing $80 worth of things from his workplace, a convenience store. He has already paid the store back and is planning on pleading innocent. The problem is he has no money for a private attorney, and he is not eligible for a public defender because his family's income is ''too high.'' His family is not going to pay for a lawyer. It may have to come down to him defending himself. Is there any way to avoid this? Is there a way for the state to make an exception for him, or is he pretty much on his own? Are there attorneys out there who do small cases like this for a very low one-time fee? If so, how would we go about finding this out? Most importantly, we were told that if he shows up without a lawyer on his court date, ''the judge won't even talk to you.'' Doesn't he have a right to represent himself? If he represents himself, what should he expect, and what should he know, etc? Thank you, we really appreciate it.


Asked on 10/27/06, 2:30 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Carlos Gonzalez Gonzalez Legal Associates PLLC

Re: Representing yourself, petit larceny

If you do not qualify for legal aid the court will not hear your case, while you have a right to self representation the right does not exist in the early stages of a criminal case because of the fact that there are so many procedural issues that must be followed and anyone who argued a case themselves and didnt like the outcome could then appeal on inadequate representation grounds, because your friend is not a trained attorney.

You will have to find someone to represent you. Feel free to contact my office I may be able to give you discounted rates. 2127098303

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Answered on 10/27/06, 2:38 pm


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