Can I get a new court date so that I have time to get an attorney? 10 Answers as of October 28, 2011
I recently went to my arraignment on September 7th and plead not guilty in hopes of getting an attorney. I still haven't gotten the money together and my court date is Octpber 3rd. Tomorrow. Will they let me continue my court case to another date so I can get a lawyer? I am out on bail right now.Free Case Evaluation by a Local Lawyer!
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Law Office of Tracey S. Sang | Tracey Sang
They might. For the time being, you should take the Public Defender; you can hire an attorney at any point if you're not happy with the attorney you get. If you make too much money for the PD, you should ask them to refer you to a near-indigent panel where attorneys take the cases for a low rate.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/10/2011
Law Office of Edward J. Blum | Edward J. Blum
Probably. You can also allow a public defender to be appointed, then substitute a private lawyer later.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/28/2011
Law Office of Jeff Yeh | Jeff Yeh
Very likely. Times are tough so most Judges are rather lenient about defendants needing more time to bring in an attorney.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/28/2011
Bonilla Cintean, LLP | Alin Cintean
Ask the court for another continuance so that you can hire an attorney. If the court will not grant you a continuance, then the court will likely appoint you a public defender who will continue the case anyway. In the meantime there is nothing to prevent you from going out and hiring your own attorney.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/5/2011
Law Office of Joe Dane | Joe Dane
Unless the judge thinks it's purely a stall tactic, they should allow you a reasonable continuance to secure counsel. Be prepared to tell the judge who you've spoken to, who you plan to hire and when (realistically) you will have the funds together to do it. If the judge doesn't agree to continue your case and assigns the public defender, you can always substitute in a new lawyer later.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/5/2011
LynchLaw | Michael Thomas Lynch
The Court will generally be very generous in allowing you time to find an attorney to represent your interests. The Court sure does not want you defending yourself. So long as you a reasonable, and have a plan to meet with an attorney, the Court should provide additional time.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/5/2011
Law Offices of Elliott Zarabi | Elliott Zarabi
They may continue your case or they may not. Since you already plead not guilty and had no continuances, they should.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/5/2011
Law Office of Daniel K Martin | Daniel K Martin
Generally, most courts will give you at least one or two continuances so that you can hire your own lawyer. There are some great cases that came out a couple of years ago that say that defendants have the right to have counsel of their choice when they have a private lawyer. They cannot chose which public defender, but if they have hire a specific private lawyer they have the right to have that lawyer represent them.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/5/2011
Law Office of David Baum | David M. Baum
Yes, ask the Judge for a continuance to allow you time to retain an attorney.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/5/2011
Todd Landgren, Professional Law Corp. | Todd Landgren
Probably, but it will be short continuance and you had best show that you contacted some attorneys in the interim. Be polite and ask for one more chance. If you can't afford one, don't waste court time and get a Public Defender.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/5/2011
