Facing Forgery Charges in Another State

[alanscorp]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: California

I am looking for some guidance in my criminal case that I have pending in San Bernardino County in California. My situation is a little complicated so I will try to explain it as best as possible. 03/29/2011 I was arrested with a fraud charge and release on my own recognizance within 24 hours of being arrested. After that I made all of my court appearances that occurred every six weeks because the case kept getting continued until they brought charges. On June 30, 2011 I checked myself into Rehab at Cedar House Rehabilitation Center for 90 Days. On September 22, 2011 I was picked up by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department on an extradition warrant that the state of Utah had out on me. Once extradited I pled guilty to two felonies for Forgery and spent 4 and a half months in Cache County Jail. I was released on February 13, 2012 placed on felony probation for a year. On 03/26/2012 an arrest warrant was placed on me in California due to not appearing in court because I was in custody of the state of Utah. The charges that California has filed against me are the following:

1) PC 530.5 (C) (3) F MULTIPLE IDENTIFYING INFORMATION THEFT
2) PC 475 (C) F FORGE CHECK, MONEY ORDER/ETC
3) PC 496 (A) F RECEIVE/ETC KNOWN STOLEN PROP (OVER $400)
4) PC 470B F POSSESS DRIVER'S LICENSE/IDENTIFICATION TO COMMIT FORGERY

I'm trying to get legal representation so I can get my California case taken care of and looking for some guidance in what to do from here. Since being released I have being doing all the right things, checking in with my probation office, counseling, working, and I got my own place. I'm trying to handle things from Utah if possible and I really don't want to go back to jail but I know that is a possibly. I don't have a lot of money so how much the representation is important to me. I have a job and I can make monthly payments for representation.

Please contact me ASAP

[PTPD22]

If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to represent you. Whether you hire a private attorney or get a PD, you will not be able to “handle things from Utah.” You are going to have to go back to San Berdoo to get this taken care of.

If you want a PD, I think your best bet is to go back and surrender yourself on the outstanding warrant. You will want to get written permission from your Utah PO before leaving the state, however. Once you surrender yourself, you will go to arraignment. At arraignment, ask to be represented by a public defender. It is possible that your attorney can get you released “OR.” But, most likely, you will have to post bail to get released until your next court appearance.