what if i plead not guilty to retail theft and can not afford an attorney

1. Plead not guilty. If you can't afford a lawyer, ask for a public defender.

Full Answer

What happens to a case after a not guilty plea?

Jun 26, 2012 ·

Is it better to plead not guilty or not guilty?

How does an attorney establish that someone is innocent?

Apr 13, 2014 · i was arrested for retail theft. received a class A misdemeanor. should i plead guilty or not guilty. i cant afford a lawyer so when i go to my first court date how do i get a court appointed attorney? im thinking of pleading not guilty or should i just plead guilty

What happens if accused people Cannot afford to hire a lawyer?

In criminal cases, if you cannot afford a lawyer, the court will appoint a lawyer for you, like a public defender. But in civil cases, you do not have the right to a court-appointed lawyer so, if you cannot afford your own lawyer, you have to represent yourself.

What happens if you do not plead guilty?

Pleading not guilty means that you say you didn't do the crime, or that you had a reasonable excuse for doing so. The court will then have a trial to decide whether you did. If the court decides that you did, this means you will be convicted, and the court will decide what sentence to give you.

Do judges follow pre sentence reports?

The judge is not bound to follow any recommended sentence in the pre-sentence report, but if the judge reaches the view that a community order is the correct sentence in a particular case, then often the judge will follow the recommendations for any particular additional requirements (such as suggested programmes and ...

Can a case be dismissed after pleading guilty?

A judge is more likely to accept a guilty plea withdrawal in the earlier stages of a case or soon after the plea was made. If a judge has not yet accepted a guilty plea, the defendant likely can withdraw the plea. They also may be able to withdraw a plea if the judge has not yet sentenced them.Oct 18, 2021