how to talk to a district attorney about a reduction

by Cara Braun 4 min read

The fastest way is to hire a lawyer and have him/her make the bond motion. He should chat with the DA first to see what is in the DA's file. The lawyer should talk to the officers too and see how opposed they are to the motion, and why.

Full Answer

Why write a letter to the district attorney (DA)?

This is a letter to the District Attorney’s Office from an attorney representing a client who has received a traffic citation for speeding. The letter claims that the client’s speeding was due to a mechanical problem, and requests that the DA’s office advise him regarding the possibility of the citation being reduced to non-moving and the client accepting court costs.

How do I contact the district attorney for a criminal case?

Dec 09, 2018 · Tell the district attorney that you are willing to accept a reduction in charges to a non-moving violation and briefly explain why you want the speeding ticket to be reduced. For example, you might discuss your clean driving record or the fact that you were driving only very slightly over the speed limit. Don't admit guilt to the speeding ticket, because the prosecutor …

How do I make a reasonable request for a fine reduction?

Complete the Request for Reduction form to request a reduction of Vehicle and Traffic Law Charges. The form must be completed in full, signed and returned to the Office of the District Attorney. Incomplete forms will not be considered. Once your request has been reviewed and a determination is made, a written

How do I find the district attorney for a traffic ticket?

All traffic reduction requests must be handled, at least initially, through the internet. After you have completed the traffic safety course, we will process your reduction request, and email you and the court a pdf consent letter (at the email address you enter). Do not mail anything to the District Attorney’s Office . unless

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Can I get my charges reduced?

The first way your attorney can get the charges against you to be reduced is by having them dropped or dismissed. These are two different processes that end with the same result: one or more of the charges against the defendant are removed. ... Most lawyers negotiate a plea bargain before the case ever gets to trial..

Is it a good idea to talk to a prosecutor?

Defendants are advised not to speak with prosecutors. There is no specific rule that prohibits a defendant in a criminal case from speaking directly with the district attorney in an attempt to negotiate a resolution of the charges.Jan 22, 2022

How do you write a letter to the DA?

Write the inside address. The inside address includes the recipient's full name, title, and address. For example, "The Honorable Jane Doe, District Attorney for San Diego County, 330 W Broadway #1300, San Diego, CA 92101." "The Honorable" is used to refer to elected officials.

How can you reduce charges?

A charge can be dropped before or after a charge has been filed. You may need a charge dropped by the prosecutor, or you may need a charge dismissed by the prosecutor, though a court also can dismiss a charge if the prosecutor has made a fundamental legal error in the case. Either way, Neal Davis can help you.

How can charges be dropped before court date?

How Criminal Charges Get DismissedProsecutors. After the police arrest you, the prosecutor charges you with a criminal offense. ... Judge. The judge can also dismiss the charges against you. ... Pretrial Diversion. ... Deferred Entry of Judgment. ... Suppression of Evidence. ... Legally Defective Arrest. ... Exculpatory Evidence.Jun 22, 2021

How do you answer a prosecutor question?

Tips for a Successful Cross-ExaminationListen carefully to the prosecutor's question and let him ask his entire question before you answer.When you do answer, answer the question that is being asked, but nothing more. ... Stay calm and don't argue. ... Tell the truth. ... Think before you answer the question. ... Don't guess.More items...•Oct 26, 2020

How do you address judge in judge when unknown?

It's best to use “To the Honorable Judge of the (44th Judicial District Court - or whatever the Court's description is). That is respectful and specific enough to get it to the right person. Reference your case number in the “Re:” section, not in the address as one answer suggested.

Should I write a letter to the district attorney?

For best results, you will want to write a formal letter and address the district attorney appropriately. Keep your letter short and formal. ... Even if you are upset – e.g. you are a victim writing because our case is not being prosecuted – try to keep you letter formal and respectful.

How do you address the DA?

You address a DA as you would any other attorney. If you know them well, you call them by their first name, although inside the courtroom in front of the judge you use more formal, respectful language.

What happens when charge decreases?

If the charges against you are reduced, it means that you will be charged with a less serious crime. For example, let's say you are arrested and charged with menacing, which is similar to assault.Nov 14, 2019

Can I ask CPS to drop charges?

You will always need an excellent legal team. In some cases, it may be possible to negotiate with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for you to accept a lesser charge, avoiding the need for a trial. ... But, as you might expect, the CPS are not likely to drop charges unless they have a compelling reason to do so.Jul 20, 2021

Why do prosecutors sometimes choose not to prosecute criminal cases?

A prosecutor may choose not to pursue a criminal case for several reasons. Political pressure. ... Because the role of top prosecutor is an elected position in many jurisdictions, prosecutors may face political pressure to prosecute or refrain from prosecuting a person suspected of committing a crime. Limited resources.

How do you write a letter to a judge to reduce a speeding ticket?

Write the letter Tell the judge that a minimal fine is preferred over the full fine, and mention a willingness to attend traffic school to avoid pa...

How can I get my speeding ticket reduced in Louisiana?

Take A Defense Driving Course Many courts will waive or dismiss a ticket if a driver agrees to take and complete a course. You will need to speak t...

How do I write a letter to my district attorney for speeding?

Mention that you are not contesting your speed or the speed zone in the area. Explain why you were speeding i.e. you did not realize the new speed...

What do you say to a judge to reduce a speeding ticket?

Honesty is the Best Policy. Keep a Cool Head. Not Guilty. Explain in Detail. Mention the Weather. It was Less Than 5 Mph Over. There was an Absence...

How do you get a speeding ticket dismissed in Louisiana?

Appear at or contact your court and request permission to dismiss your ticket with a defensive driving course. Enroll in and complete your I Drive...

How do you ask a judge to reduce a ticket?

If you're asking for a reduction in points, admit your mistake and provide a reason if you have one why the judge should go easy on you. Then, apol...

How do you write a leniency letter to a judge?

The letter should be short, no more than one page, but it needs to give specific details as to why you believe you deserve or need a lenient senten...

How do lawyers get tickets reduced?

If something is missing, the ticket isn't valid, and it gets dismissed. If the ticket was issued correctly, there's a chance that a skilled lawyer...

What to do if accused of a crime?

If a person is accused of a crime, that person should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney for help. This is true no matter if the person is accused of: a misdemeanor, or. a felony. If a party is represented, and is then approached by the D.A., the suspect must inform the prosecutor of this representation.

What is the right to remain silent?

right to counsel. If a suspect expresses a desire to speak with a criminal defense attorney, public defender, or private attorney, the prosecutor must cease all communication with the accused or criminal defendant.

What is misconduct in a trial?

The misconduct is typically ai med at securing a conviction or a lengthier sentence for the defendant. A judge can do any of the following if he/she finds that misconduct prejudiced the accused: dismiss the charge (s), admonish the jury to disregard certain evidence or comments, or. grant a motion for a new trial.

How do you write a letter to a judge to reduce a speeding ticket?

Write the letter Tell the judge that a minimal fine is preferred over the full fine, and mention a willingness to attend traffic school to avoid paying a fine. Remember the judge is human, and she has the ability to reduce or dismiss the fine. Ask for her discretion in resolving this unfortunate situation.

How can I get my speeding ticket reduced in Louisiana?

Take A Defense Driving Course Many courts will waive or dismiss a ticket if a driver agrees to take and complete a course. You will need to speak to local representatives and get permission from the court. It is up to them at the end of the day to say if you'll be permitted to take a course in lieu of paying a fine.

How do I write a letter to my district attorney for speeding?

Mention that you are not contesting your speed or the speed zone in the area. Explain why you were speeding i.e. you did not realize the new speed limit after transitioning from a faster speed zone. Apologize and indicate that you will watch your speed more closely in the future.

What do you say to a judge to reduce a speeding ticket?

Honesty is the Best Policy. Keep a Cool Head. Not Guilty. Explain in Detail. Mention the Weather. It was Less Than 5 Mph Over. There was an Absence of Traffic. Use Your Clean Record to Your Advantage.

How do you get a speeding ticket dismissed in Louisiana?

Appear at or contact your court and request permission to dismiss your ticket with a defensive driving course. Enroll in and complete your I Drive Safely Louisiana Defensive Driving course. Submit your certificate of completion to the court.

How do you ask a judge to reduce a ticket?

If you're asking for a reduction in points, admit your mistake and provide a reason if you have one why the judge should go easy on you. Then, apologize and promise not to do it again, Jaskot said. Sometimes, judges ask the officer if you were polite during the stop and will take that into consideration, he said.

How do you write a leniency letter to a judge?

The letter should be short, no more than one page, but it needs to give specific details as to why you believe you deserve or need a lenient sentence. With specific examples, you can give the judge a clearer picture of your situation to make it easier for him or her to make a decision.

What happens if the DA reduces a speeding ticket?

If the district attorney agrees to reduce the charge, the two of you will both appear before the judge. The judge has the final word, so even if the DA recommends that the charge be reduced to a non-moving violation, there is a small risk that the judge will not allow it. Be prepared to either plead guilty to the original speeding ticket or plead not guilty and proceed to trial.

How to get a speeding ticket reduced?

Gather Your Documents. Check your speeding ticket to determine the court date and the county courthouse and courtroom where you need to appear. Bring the original speeding ticket, your driver's license, a certified copy of your driving record and enough money to pay your fines and court costs. Your goal is get your speeding ticket reduced ...

What are non-moving violations?

There are many non-moving violations, including illegal parking, driving without a seat belt, driving with expired registration and driving without insurance. Before you go to court, you'll have to decide which non-moving violation is best for you. Facts govern the outcome of traffic cases.

What is the end result of plea bargaining?

In most cases, the end result of plea bargaining is you pleading guilty to some traffic offense. But it's important to keep in mind that you might have other good options for resolving a ticket. For example, in a case where you have good defenses, fighting the ticket might be the way to go. And, for eligible drivers, traffic school is often the best choice.

What is plea bargaining?

The idea behind any type of plea bargaining is almost always to compromise on a better deal than you would get if you were found guilty at trial.

Do you have to go to a jury trial for a traffic ticket?

First, in most states, drivers with traffic tickets don't have a right to a jury trial; traffic trials are instead decided by a judge. When a defendant doesn't have the right to a jury trial, the state has less motivation to settle the case through plea bargaining. Second, in many jurisdictions, there are no prosecuting attorneys in traffic court.

Do prosecutors have plea bargains?

So, prosecutors and judges have lots of incentive to dispose of cases quickly through plea bargaining. With traffic ticket trials, some of the factors that motivate and facilitate the government to negotiate plea bargains in criminal cases might not be present. First, in most states, drivers with traffic tickets don't have a right to a jury trial;

Gregory J. Brewer

I concur with these answers. The fastest way is to hire a lawyer and have him/her make the bond motion. He should chat with the DA first to see what is in the DA's file. The lawyer should talk to the officers too and see how opposed they are to the motion, and why.#N#More

Damon John Chetson

Welcome to North Carolina, where the prosecutor controls the calendar. There are two ways to get a bond reduced - with the consent of the prosecutor. Or at a bond hearing, by arguing to the judge that an appropriate bond should be lower. Different counties have different policies.

John Matthew Leace

His attorney can file a motion for bond reduction and schedule a hearing with the presiding judge.

2 attorney answers

Of course you can always talk with the District Attorney. Keep in mind that what you tell him may or may not be used later. The district attorney always wants to hear from the victim and always wants to know whether you will or will not be a friendly witness.

Douglas A Thomas

Of course you can always talk with the District Attorney. Keep in mind that what you tell him may or may not be used later. The district attorney always wants to hear from the victim and always wants to know whether you will or will not be a friendly witness.

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