I see how it works around here. When the poop hits the fan, call motherevol. In trouble? Call motherevol. Well, damn if it's not all true.
I just think pleading not guilty when they already caught you in the act (so to speak) can drag the process out longer and make you look really bad in the long run. Saying "guilty" would just make you a fool, which is something that you are not.
You have to take into consideration what you want documented on your permanent record. No contest tells the court that you are defeated without hanging yourself publicly. You know and they know that you are guilty, but you have to play their game to your advantage. These people don't want to help you, they want to make a slimy buck off of your mistake.
I plead no contest and got a court appointed attorney myself. After that happens, make sure you know your rights and the California laws. You may want to do a lot of speaking on behalf of yourself to personalize the situation. Make sure that your lawyer is, at least, a good bargainer. Believe it or not, when the defense and prosecution talk they reach an agreement on how mild or server they want your sentence to be. Your attorney may get a lesser fine for you, but the prosecutor may squeeze more community service out of the deal. Something like that.
Since you were not pulled over, didn't injure yourself or anybody else, are a student, can articulate, you smell good, and this is your first (and last) offense, you can work it to your advantage. Hell, I use to be a member of S.A.D.D. throughout high school and I informed the courts about my active involvement with the group. It made me look a little better. Just work every possible angle you have here. Even your participation with Green Peace may help you look like a active contributing stand up citizen in the eyes of the law.
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momijizukamori
no subject
Date: 2002-07-08 05:32 pm (UTC)I just think pleading not guilty when they already caught you in the act (so to speak) can drag the process out longer and make you look really bad in the long run. Saying "guilty" would just make you a fool, which is something that you are not.
You have to take into consideration what you want documented on your permanent record. No contest tells the court that you are defeated without hanging yourself publicly. You know and they know that you are guilty, but you have to play their game to your advantage. These people don't want to help you, they want to make a slimy buck off of your mistake.
I plead no contest and got a court appointed attorney myself. After that happens, make sure you know your rights and the California laws. You may want to do a lot of speaking on behalf of yourself to personalize the situation. Make sure that your lawyer is, at least, a good bargainer. Believe it or not, when the defense and prosecution talk they reach an agreement on how mild or server they want your sentence to be. Your attorney may get a lesser fine for you, but the prosecutor may squeeze more community service out of the deal. Something like that.
Since you were not pulled over, didn't injure yourself or anybody else, are a student, can articulate, you smell good, and this is your first (and last) offense, you can work it to your advantage. Hell, I use to be a member of S.A.D.D. throughout high school and I informed the courts about my active involvement with the group. It made me look a little better. Just work every possible angle you have here. Even your participation with Green Peace may help you look like a active contributing stand up citizen in the eyes of the law.