Defending myself in court... good or bad idea?

[dj_destroyer]

I have my assault charge I have to deal with and I'm going to defend myself. I can't get legal aid because the prosecution isn't seeking jail time so I have to hire a lawyer or defend myself and I don't have enough money to hire a lawyer!

I studied law in university so I have a solid understanding of the procedures and the process. Been brushing up on the books the last few nights...



I got the duty counsel to send over the particulars, crown sentencing position, and the information sheet today so that should be here by Monday at the latest giving me a few days to go over them.

I think I can get through disclosure as well by myself... and if after seeing their evidence I feel I'm in too deep, I'll hire a lawyer.

[sharlataans]

Did you assault your local?

[LVHerbie]

If you aren't facing jail time what are they seeking? Assuming the Canadian judicial system works semi-close to the US system sounds like it time to plead out and move on...

[13th Inning]

Whatever you do, just do a better job than Colin Ferguson. I remember that trial where he tried to serve as his own defense. What a circus that was.

I remember he asked a witness something along the lines of, "Did you see who shot you?"
And the witness was like, "I saw YOU shoot me."

[ChalkyDog]

You really don't have much choice now do you? Either hire an attorney or don't. The latter involves self representation.

100% chance you get a plea offer, which will sound great after they scare you with the alternative if it goes to trial. (which will be the max, and no where near the reality).

Plead... easiest and cheapest way. Unless of course you are truly not guilty.

[LVHerbie]

You really don't have much choice now do you? Either hire an attorney or don't. The latter involves self representation.

100% chance you get a plea offer, which will sound great after they scare you with the alternative if it goes to trial. (which will be the max, and no where near the reality).

Plead... easiest and cheapest way. Unless of course you are truly not guilty.

Not to derail the thread but guilt really has little to do with it rather the real question is are you going to lose if you go to court or not... Guilty or not seems pretty silly to gamble on something like this when you would likely get slightly slapped on the wrist by playing the game...

[floridagolfer]

Hire a lawyer; figure out a way to pay the legal bill.

[ChalkyDog]

Not to derail the thread but guilt really has little to do with it rather the real question is are you going to lose if you go to court or not... Guilty or not seems pretty silly to gamble on something like this when you would likely get slightly slapped on the wrist by playing the game...

While I agree. It depends on a lot of factors.

If you think you have a chance of winning - weigh that against the fact that losing in trial almost guarantees the sentence will be more severe than the plea offered.

Act accordingly.

My opinion - if no jail time, then a lawyer will most likely get you out of having to do anything court related. In turn, you have to pay his bill.

A lawyer makes this problem go away, but replaces the problem with a bill.

[dj_destroyer]

The problem is that I have a job waiting for me with Corrections after I graduate... and I can't have a criminal record whatsoever to accept it. So if I go for a plea, I'm guilty and I lose my career.

[ChalkyDog]

If that truly is the case, lawyer up. In America, if you don't have a Lawyer when you should, the court will go out of its way to **** you in the ass.

Maybe in Canada you will get a more "royal" treatment.

Good luck, man!