|-Non-Client Education, Info & Resources-|
Facing Criminal Charges?
- If you have recently been arrested, charged with a felony or a misdemeanor likely to result in confinement, or have a probation violation case that might result in jail or prison, you will almost certainly need a lawyer.
- And the sooner you find a private attorney (you’d pay for) and/or apply for a public defender, the better.
- You do not need to wait to have your first court appearance before a judge to apply for a public defender. And you can do so online here.
- As you look for or apply for an attorney you should not do anything that would make your future lawyer’s job more difficult or impossible.
- Do not talk to anyone about your case – law enforcement should not be given any more evidence than they had when the charges were filed.
- Do not miss court.
- If you got a “summons” to appear you will not have a “bond” to pay while your case heard. You got a summons because the Judge thinks you will appear for court and does not need to take your money to ensure you will show up. Don’t prove him wrong.
- If you are out on bond, don’t miss court. Typically, a missed court date will result a new warrant for your arrest and a bond that increases (some court circuits, like the 24th (which include St. Francois and Ste. Genevieve counties, double the bond)
- When a lawyer has a client in jail who can’t afford a bond, that client is not especially helpful.
- While your mind is fresh, after your arrest or charges, if can do so confidentially, I thinks writing down a list any witnesses who may help defend you and ideas about other “evidence” that might be helpful but may also be lost (for example if you know a store near the alleged crime has a surveillance camera that would help your case) write that down so that when you hire or are appointed a lawyer they can talk to your witnesses and get the evidence you think will be helpful.
Need a Criminal Attorney?
NOTE: myMOpd is not a private attorney (bio here) and can’t be hired/retained in any capacity (criminal defense, appeals, civil rights, etc.) — so please do not inquire about this possibility — there is none.
I did not create this site to attract “business.” It intended to help treat my clients, who qualify for a public defender, to be treated the same as those who can pay for an attorney.
Need a Civil Attorney? Click here.