Drunk and Disorderly Charge With a Clean Record

[Tina Langley-Siegel]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Michigan

My son was arrested for drunk and disorderly in Marquette Michigan. He goes to court April 8th and we cannot afford a lawyer. He called the courts and they said they were not going to appoint him a lawyer but he needed to come in for finger printing, which they already took when he was arrested. Why would they not appoint him a lawyer? What should or can we do at this point to make sure he is properly represented?

[brownj12]

What exactly did he ask when they said they wouldn't appoint him a lawyer? If you truly cannot afford an attorney he can request a public defender at his arraignment. He should show up on April 8th and request a public defender, if for some reason he is not eligible for a public defender then he should plead not guilty, the court should set is next appearance far enough out to give him time to find a lawyer or come up with a new plan.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Why would they not appoint him a lawyer?

The two most likely reasons the court might have ruled him ineligible are (a) he was found to have sufficient income and/or assets to pay for his own lawyer, or (b) he's not facing jail time.

What should or can we do at this point to make sure he is properly represented?

If he does not qualify for a court-appointed lawyer, you can help him find and retain a criminal defense lawyer.