Re: probation violation
Posted by:
Bill
()
Date: August 16, 2010 12:06AM
scared Wrote:
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> I am on probation for a dui I received, convicted
> in March, high BAC. Spent five days in jail, 25
> days suspended. Was attending ASAP and like an
> idiot, I got drunk at our community pool last
> weekend, got arrested for drunk in public and
> spent night in jail. I know I have a drinking
> problem, am in aa and looking for a sponsor, also
> signed up for substance abuse counseling which
> starts this week. Really upset with myself, I
> know it was a stupid, ridiculous choice. Has
> anyone been through this before? I was recently
> laid off from my job, can't affort to hire another
> lawyer and the one I had for dui was USELESS.. Joe
> Ritenour. Has anyone worked with a public
> defender before and can anyone tell me what I
> might expect when I go before the judge? Please
> don't reply with any sarcastic responses, I know I
> made a stupid decision and I'm working on my
> problem, but I'd appreciate any sincere advice.
> Thank you
If you cannot afford a lawyer and meet state guidelines in Fairfax you can get a court appointed lawyer in private practice. Some of them can be good and others not so much so, but if the state is paying them they will be working for peanuts. Ask yourself whether you really want to trust your fate to someone working at those rates. Better course of action would be to try to scrounge up whatever money you could and then hire some lawyer who recently worked for Fairfax Commonwealth Attorneys office.
The process in Fairfax for getting a court appointed lawyer is pretty straight forward. On your first hearing date you go in and ask for one. You will have to fill out a form with asset and income information on it. If you meet guidelines they will appoint one for you.
You didn't say what your beef was with Ritenour so cannot comment about the result of your last trial. However I can warn you not to expect a miracle. If the bust was good then it will come down to 1) what kind of deal will the prosecutor offer and 2) what kind of mood is the judge in that day. If you are expecting Alan Shore type performances and results, think again.