how to write a letter to a district attorney for a disorderly conduct case

by Dr. Gideon Emmerich 5 min read

For best results, you will want to write a formal letter and address the district attorney appropriately. The envelope: The Honorable (Full name), District Attorney of (city or county) Letter salutation: Dear Mr. / Madame District Attorney:

Organize your thoughts prior to writing your letter.
  1. Be brief. Explain your situation in as few words as possible, addressing the issue and the solution you would like to see. ...
  2. Be professional in your language and positive in your approach. ...
  3. Keep your tone formal and respectful.

Full Answer

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

There are many reasons for writing a letter to the District Attorney (DA). Whatever your reason, you’ll want to draft a formal, respectful letter to give your inquiry the best chance of success.

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

If you are looking for the specific attorney handling your case, it is best to email or call the county or city court clerk to find this information. Use the correct form of address. For best results, you will want to write a formal letter and address the district attorney appropriately. Keep your letter short and formal.

What to do if you are charged with disorderly conduct?

If you have been charged with disorderly conduct, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer to help with your case. If you cannot afford a lawyer then the court can appoint a public defender. A lawyer can represent you in all court proceedings and try to negotiate a deal that does not include jail time.

Does the district attorney have the authority to address my concern?

The district attorney may not have the authority to address your concern, and may simply refer you to another office. If you are not sure to whom you should address your concern, consider telephoning the district attorney's office or contacting an attorney.

How do you address a DA in a letter?

District Attorneys are typically elected in a general election. As such, they are traditionally entitled to be addressed as 'the Honorable (Full Name)'.

How do you write a formal letter to a prosecutor?

The address should include the prosecutor's organization, street address, city, state and ZIP code, one under the other. Begin your letter with a suitable greeting. To address a prosecutor, use "Dear Mr." or "Dear Ms." followed by the prosecutor's last name.

How do you write a letter to a judge to drop charges?

sample letter to judge to drop charges I'm writing this letter to drop [name of the offender], my ex-husband charges. In the above-named case before this honorable court, I was the complainant and victim, and through this letter, I would like to request that the charges against [name of the offender] be dismissed.

How do you write a formal letter to a court?

0:191:25How to Address a Letter to a Judge - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStep. 2 right the judges name and the courts address along the left margin beneath your own use theMoreStep. 2 right the judges name and the courts address along the left margin beneath your own use the title honorable. Before the judges name for instance honorable John Smith.

What does a judge look for in a character letter?

The goal of a character letter is to cast the defendant in the most favorable light possible. A character letter to a judge should establish your credibility, paint a full picture of the defendant and be respectful, among other things.

How do you write a good character statement for court?

Tips for Writing an Effective Character LetterAddress Your Letter to the Judge. ... Establish a Clear Relationship with the Defendant. ... Be Truthful. ... Be Positive. ... Include a Discussion of the Crime. ... Do Not Suggest Penalties for the Crime.

Does writing a letter to the judge help?

Writing a letter to the judge in a legal case can indeed influence the outcome of a case. The letter can offer the judge background information that will help him or her make the best possible decision and, in some cases, such letters can help victims and other affected parties make their voices heard.

How do you write a letter to get a case dismissed?

Reiterate your trust in the defendant and your respect for the judge and their position in the matter. Not only do you want to express the defendant's regret in wrongdoing but also suggest ways in which they can better themselves and the community should their case be dismissed.

How do you ask a judge for leniency?

A defendant in a criminal case can petition a judge for a lenient sentence in a number of ways, including by making a verbal statement in court or by writing a letter to the judge; an argument by a defense attorney; and through statements or written documents in support from neighbors, clients, friends, spouses, family ...

How do you write a formal letter to a lawyer?

Tips. A letter to an attorney should be written in a formal letter format with the attorney's name, law firm and address at the top near the date, addressed using a salutation and signed off with a closing such as "Very Truly Yours" or "Sincerely."

How do you begin a letter?

Open with the purpose of writing the letter.Commence with your contact information. ... Include the date. ... Add the recipient's contact information. ... Start with the most appropriate greeting. ... Use the most professional form of the recipient's name. ... Begin the letter with an agreeable tone. ... Open with the purpose of writing the letter.

How do you write a letter before legal action?

What do I write in a letter before claim?your name and address;concise detail of the claim;summary of the facts;if the claimant is seeking to recover debt then they should list all of these debts;a reasonable time limit for the defendant to reply, usually 14 days;More items...

How to address a concern with the district attorney?

The district attorney may not have the authority to address your concern, and may simply refer you to another office. If you are not sure to whom you should address your concern, consider telephoning the district attorney's office or contacting an attorney.

How to find the name of the district attorney?

If you do not already know the name of the district attorney in your jurisdiction, you can find it online by searching for the website of the "office of the district attorney" or "district attorney's office" in your area. "District attorney" is the title of the chief prosecutor ...

How to start a salutation?

Write the salutation. The salutation, or greeting, normally begins with "Dear." It is acceptable to begin your salutation with "Dear Mr./Madame District Attorney" or "Dear Mr./Ms. (surname)."

What does it mean to address an authority figure?

When addressing any authority figure, it is polite to show respect that person and the office he or she holds by using the proper title. Twenty-one states in the United States use the title of "district attorney" to refer to the chief prosecutor of a jurisdiction.

Is a district attorney's office confidential?

If you are making unsolicited contact with the district attorney or his or her office, you may not be entitled to attorney-client privilege, and your communication may not be confidential .

Do you capitalize "district attorney"?

Tips. "District attorney" is not a proper noun, and does not need to be capitalized unless it is being used as a person's title. For example, "I have a question for District Attorney Johnson" versus "I have a question for the district attorney.". Thanks!

Sample Letter to Attorney Regarding Case Sample 1

I am drafting this letter to make an inquiry about my immigration case. I am thinking that how my departure from New York will affect my case.

Sample Letter to Attorney Regarding Case Sample 2

Subject: requesting for a frequent meeting with an attorney regarding case

Sample Letter to Attorney Regarding Case Sample 4

I am drafting to make you aware of the financial difficulties that have been very much affected by your part. You assured me on 1 st feb2020 that you will forward my legal case file (file number- nh258) to the high court within 15 days.

Sample Letter to Attorney Regarding Case Sample 5

It gives me pleasure to tell you that I am going to start a new venture that will deal in a real state. You and I are old friends.

Sample Letter to Attorney Regarding Case Sample 6

I got a notice from courtside to be present with my all testimonials. But due to urgent work I have to go out of state (It was decided before the commencement of court date).

Reve Gerardo Bautista

Writing a letter to the DA will only help if you personally appear before the DA, and the court and swear under oath to what you claim occurred. The best help is to make sure your boyfriend retain a local experienced defense attorney to help him with this issue. You can talk to your boyfriend's attorney to inform her or him about the incident.

Jonathan Mark Levitan

In my view, a letter will do little or no good, and certainly not as much good as legal representation for your friend.

How to avoid problems with your attorney?

To avoid problems with their attorney, clients should: Get a fee agreement in writing and request to be billed promptly. Understand the realistic expectations for the outcome of their case. Give their lawyer all documentation promptly. Get all important understandings in writing and keep a record of phone calls to their lawyer.

What happens if a lawyer breaches the rules of professional conduct?

If any of these are breached, then the lawyer is subject to discipline and can be privately reprimanded or permanently lose his or her license to practice law.

What to do if a lawyer doesn't meet client?

However, if the lawyer will not meet the client, they can send a complaint letter explaining the problem and request a response. If they are still not satisfied, they can fire their attorney and hire another one. Simply because a client is not happy with their lawyer’s performance, does not necessarily mean the lawyer deserves discipline.

What are some examples of serious breaches of ethics?

Some examples of serious breaches of ethics for which the attorney can be disciplined are: Not keeping their client fully informed about the developments of their case. Not properly accounting for the client’s money or returning money owed. Not returning the client’s case file if they hire another attorney.

How to write a complaint letter?

If there are several complaints, each one should be clearly stated in its own paragraph. The most serious should be the first. The letter should give examples of the problem with dates and times.

Who can complain against an attorney?

A person has the right to complain against any attorney who is involved in legal issues concerning that person. They may write a letter to an attorney who is representing them or to an attorney who is working against their case. Any letter should be written in a professional tone and in formal business style.

Should a complaint letter be addressed to a lawyer?

The client may want to make a list of complaints before starting to write to clarify their thoughts. Even if the client uses the lawyer’s first name in regular communication, the complaint letter should be address to the lawyer’s formal name. This maintains the professional tone.

How to write a complaint letter to an attorney?

Use this sample complaint letter to an attorney as a template for your formal complaint letter. 1 ​#N#Not keeping their client fully informed about the developments of their case 2 Not properly accounting for the client’s money or returning money owed 3 Not returning the client’s case file if they hire another attorney 4 Intentionally making false statements 5 Committing malpractice or being negligent​ 6 Charging an excessive or illegal fee

What happens if a lawyer breaches the rules of professional conduct?

If any of these are breached, then the lawyer is subject to discipline and can be privately reprimanded or permanently lose his or her license to practice law. ​.

What to do if a lawyer doesn't meet client?

However, if the lawyer will not meet the client, they can send a complaint letter explaining the problem and request a response. If they are still not satisfied, they can fire their attorney and hire another one.

Who has the right to complain against an attorney?

Legal Issues. A person has the right to complain against any attorney who is involved in legal issues concerning that person. They may write a letter to an attorney who is representing them or to an attorney who is working against their case.

Should a complaint letter be addressed to a lawyer?

The client may want to make a list of complaints before starting to write to clarify their thoughts. Even if the client uses the lawyer’s first name in regular communication, the complaint letter should be address to the lawyer’s formal name. This maintains the professional tone.

What is disorderly conduct?

Disorderly conduct is a wide category encompassing acts such as public drunkenness, rioting and disturbing the peace, loitering in forbidden areas or fighting.

How to defend yourself against an aggressor?

Demonstrate to the judge that defending yourself against an aggressor by shouting or hitting him back was necessary, that you believed he was going to harm you and that the response (self-defense) was absolutely necessary. Call upon witnesses to support this or present videotapes that prove your claim. (See ref 4)

What is a motion to suppress evidence?

File a motion to suppress evidence that is false or was obtained unlawfully by the police. For example, in a drunken driving disorderly conduct case, indicate in the motion that the police had not actual cause to stop you or the police had no reasonable belief that you were committing a crime.

How to appeal a conviction?

Appeal a judge’s conviction against you by filing a notice of appeal to the trial court within 30 days of the conviction. Attend your appeal trial and provide more evidence of the charges against you. Come up with new evidence or ask the court to review the evidence you had earlier provided to the trial court. (See ref 2)

How to plead not guilty to a charge?

Attend the trial hearing set by the judge to make a defense against the charges brought against you. Prepare your case by identifying witnesses, videotapes of a scene and by having a sufficient explanation of the events. (See ref 2)

What happens if you plead guilty to a crime?

Plead guilty if you do not want the case to go to trial by striking an agreement between you and the prosecutor to either drop the charges or to reduce the charges against you . You will keep your case from going to trial and also will avoid a jail sentence. You might be given a less severe punishment such as community service. (See resources)

Is drunk driving a felony?

These acts might be charged as misdemeanors, while others such as repeated drunk driving or engaging in violent fighting might be charged as felony . (See ref 1) There are various defenses that you can use to defend yourself in court for disorderly conduct. The defense that you choose will depend on the circumstances of your case.

What are Some Examples of Disorderly Conduct?

Oftentimes, this charge will be given when the action does not fit into the elements of another crime. Here are a few examples of actions that would generally reach the minimum standard of disorderly conduct:

What Types of Punishments Can You Face for Disorderly Conduct?

If you are convicted of a misdemeanor charge for disorderly conduct, you could face a fine, probation, community service, drug testing, alcohol education, counseling, and/or jail time of up to one year. Jail time is usually rare in these cases and if you served any jail time awaiting trial after your arrest, this will be deducted from any jail sentence that you receive as time served.

Do I Need a Lawyer If I Have Been Charged with Disorderly Conduct?

If you have been charged with disorderly conduct, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer to help with your case. If you cannot afford a lawyer then the court can appoint a public defender. A lawyer can represent you in all court proceedings and try to negotiate a deal that does not include jail time.

How much jail time do you get for disorderly conduct?

If you are convicted of a misdemeanor charge for disorderly conduct, you could face a fine, probation, community service, drug testing, alcohol education, counseling, and/or jail time of up to one year. Jail time is usually rare in these cases and if you served any jail time awaiting trial after your arrest, this will be deducted from any jail sentence that you receive as time served.

What is a catch all charge?

This is generally viewed as a “catch-all” charge for actions that are considered obnoxious or annoying. The behavior will generally cause some type of public disturbance. Each state will have their own laws about what classifies as disorderly conduct.

What happens if you plead not guilty to a crime?

If you were arrested and plead not guilty, the court will determine whether you can be released or will remain in jail. Again, bail will be set or the court will decide to release you with the understanding that you will appear for future court dates , which is called release on recognizance.

Is disorderly conduct a misdemeanor?

Also be aware that disorderly conduct crimes are considered misdemeanors, unless your state has felony exceptions. For example, some states consider false fire reports or harassment at a funeral as amounting to felony disorderly conduct.