You Have a Right:
- To know the nature of the charge filed
against you.
- To know the identity of the person filing that charge.
- To have a copy of the charging instrument in your possession.
- To talk to an attorney before entering any plea and a
continuance to talk to that attorney.
- To a trial and in certain cases a trial by jury.
- To have the public defender represent you if you cannot
afford an attorney.
All of these rights will be more fully
explained by the Judge when you appear in Court.
Your Constitutional
Rights as a Defendant:
- To plead “guilty” or “not
guilty” to any violation with which you have been
charged.
- To enter a plea of “no contest” and allow
the Judge to make a finding of “guilty” or “not
guilty” from the facts in your case.
- To have your own attorney or, in certain cases, the public
defender represent you.
- To be granted a continuance to allow you to get an attorney
and prepare a proper defense.
- To demand a jury trial in certain cases by filing a written
jury demand.
- To subpoena witnesses to testify for or on your behalf.
This subpoena requires them to appear at trial.
- To testify or not to testify on your own behalf. You
alone make this decision. No one can require you to testify.
When your case
is called in court YOU will be required to enter one of
the following pleas:
- GUILTY – If you feel you are
guilty. If you enter a plea of guilty the matter will
be disposed of immediately.
- NOT GUILTY – If you feel you
are not guilty or if you are in doubt. If you enter a
plea of not guilty your case will then be continued to
a later date for trial or other disposition.
- NO CONTEST – Generally used
in accident cases. You give up the hearsay rule and allow
the Court to make a finding of “guilty” or
“not guilty” from the papers in your case
and any comment you might have.
Remember, it is
our desire that you fully understand your rights and our
procedures. If you have any questions about your case, please
let us know and we will clear it up for you before we proceed.
