Battery and Disorderly Conduct

I just went to court today regarding Battery/Disorderly Conduct charges. I must say, this has been the most confusing day ever.

I went to court and I sat down when my name was called. They Court Comissioner asked if I had sought out a lawyer, I said no. He then asked me why I did not seek a lawyer, I responded that I did not know (I didn't, I had planned to just say no contest and end the matter). Now, my girlfriend (the "victim")'s mother works were I work which is for the prosecuting county. At the end of the session and a new court date was setup, the prosecutor brought up that the DA and my girlfriends mother talked about something (I cannot remember) and that they wanted to move the case to Milwaukee County.

I called my grandmother who has great experience with the court system and she told me that they could not do that because the incident happened in Waukesha county, not Milwaukee county. She said that I should have objected to the motion...but I did not know what I was doing. I don't think that they moved it to Milwaukee county since the next court date had already been set in motion.

I am going to be seeking consultation from a lawyer before the next court date, but what should I do? I was denied a public defender and simply cannot afford to drop $2,500 on a lawyer for this case.


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Can someone please explain to me how I am supposed to act in court? Am I really supposed to say "your honor" after every single statement I say? Or is is just some statements? The bailiff was mean mugging me the entire session because I was not answering with "your honor" strung after my statements. I did say "your honor" at the end though.

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I am going to be seeking consultation from a lawyer before the next court date, but what should I do?

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You're already doing it - discussing your situation with an attorney is really the only option for people who don't know what they're doing in court (that would be virtually everyone who is not an attorney, by the way).

Yes, you should address the judge as Your Honor. Think of it like calling your excruciatingly polite Grandmother "Ma'am". When you're in trouble and an authority figure addresses you, you show proper respect for their authority. "Ma'am", "Sir", "Officer", "Your Honor", as the case may be.

The change of venue may have been predicated upon the fact that the judges and/or prosecuting attorneys have some sort of relationship with you, the victim and/or the victim's mother, by virtue of your and the mother's employment with the prosecutor's office. We can't know as we weren't there, and you haven't told us.

It's foolish to just plead guilty or no contest w. out the advice of a lawyer.She if you can arrange a payment plan,get,loan etc,it's very important to a have a lawyer w. you in court.The lawyer might able to get the battery lowered,etc,help you avoid spending some time in Jail.

It's important to dress well,collar shit,dockers,shoes, and say yes sir or yes your honor,etc.Apperance is a big thing,making the wrong impression can have a negative effect on you.

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Quoting tc498

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It's foolish to just plead guilty or no contest w. out the advice of a lawyer.She if you can arrange a payment plan,get,loan etc,it's very important to a have a lawyer w. you in court.The lawyer might able to get the battery lowered,etc,help you avoid spending some time in Jail.

It's important to dress well,collar shit,dockers,shoes, and say yes sir or yes your honor,etc.Apperance is a big thing,making the wrong impression can have a negative effect on you.

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I work for the county, so I have to dress nicely. I am a very cleanly person so I don't worry about the looks too much. I've got it covered. I consulted with an attorney and he told me he could possibly get the Battery charge dropped and just get an ordinance violation. Makes sense since this is one of the most petty boyfriend/girlfriend fights you can imagine. I found out she wasn't the one that initially called the police - it was her friends mother. My girlfriend is the one to be pushed around by everyone she of course she would abide by her friend's mother's advice.

Her mother and I work for the county. I work on the third floor in the administration building adjacent to the officer her mother works in, which would be the DA's office. The DA's office is located on the ground floor and in the actual courthouse, not the administration building.