Legal Question in Criminal Law in Washington

16 year old being charged with felonies

My daughters 16 year old guy friend was picked up for ''slashing tires and kicking out windows on a bus''. He was escorted by three cop cars, in shackles, with four officers in the car with him holding their rifles. He was taken in on Sunday and Monday has his arraignment by phone while he was in maximum security lock down. He plead guilty and the judge told him this was happening because of his families history. He has not been in jail before members of his family has. My question is, shouldn't he have been given a public defender or had the option to have his own attorney there during the phone ''arraignment'' and will his guilty plea ''stick''?


Asked on 7/07/08, 9:26 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
James J. White, attorney Law Offices of Smith & White, PLLC

Re: 16 year old being charged with felonies

Yes, he should have been afforded access to an attorney for any "significant" part of the proceedings. Clearly, entering a guilty plea is such a proceeding so, unless he specifically waived his right to an attorney, the guilty plea will not stick. Contact me directly for further assistance.

At your service,

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Answered on 7/07/08, 10:54 pm


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