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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
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    2

    Default Should I Plead Not Guilty at First Arraignment

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: Florida.


    Well I was pulled over for a cracked light on my trailer and the police officers searched my car after I gave them yes to search. I told the officer that I did have marijuana in the car and they found an ounce of marijuana all together. They also found a pipe with the marijuana. I have first appearance on Monday the 21st of March. I was wondering if I should plead guilty or not guilty to the charges I have received. The charges that I had received were possession of an ounce of marijuana and a charge of paraphanelia. If anybody can help me out with this tonight that would be a blessing. Thank you for your time

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Should I Plead Not Guilty at First Arraignment

    what do you want to do? If you plead guilty, that's the end. The judge can sentence you.

    If you plead not guilty, you can get a lawyer and try to get the charges minimized or the impact of the charges minimized.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Posts
    2

    Default Re: Should I Plead Not Guilty at First Arraignment

    Well I would like to try to get a public defender or a lawyer to try to minimize my charges. So I probably will plead not guilty so I can get more time to figure things out. what would you do in my situation. Just asking. I am trying to get things to the minimum possible charge. I wish the judge would tell me what I would get if i plead guilty or not guilty and than I could go from there. If I go in and plead guilty I wonder if the judge would treat me better that I was honest rather than be shady and plead not guilty.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Should I Plead Not Guilty at First Arraignment

    I would plead no guilty so I could obtain the services of a lawyer. If you qualify for a PD, that is the only way to start the process of getting one. They aren't going to interview you for a PD if you just plead guilty.

    and it's not a matter of being shady by pleading not guilty. That is simply how the process works.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    California
    Posts
    540

    Default Re: Should I Plead Not Guilty at First Arraignment

    Quote Quoting jrs419
    the police officers searched my car after I gave them yes to search.
    I hope one lesson you have learned from this is to not consent to a search.

    Personally, I have nothing to hide, but I also do not have exclusive control over my vehicle. I do not want to get in trouble because someone hid something in my vehicle. Consenting to a search is asking for more trouble than saying, "No."

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