Santa Clarita Criminal Court
I have been asked numerous times about self-representation at the Santa Clarita Criminal Court, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to write about the downsides of doing so. A common theme that you will read in this post is that attorney representation is a critical requirement if someone you know is accused of any crime.
At the Santa Clarita Criminal Court, the vast majority of criminal cases heard here are misdemeanor violations. Common misdemeanor charges include DUI, Hit and Run, Petty Theft or Shoplifting, and Driving on a Suspended License. Because many of these cases can be resolved without additional jail time (perhaps fines, community service, and/or programs), a common misperception is that these charges aren't very serious.
I want to emphasize that if you or a loved one are accused of any misdemeanor, it is absolutely critical that you have representation from a skilled criminal defense attorney, to help you determine your best options. Misdemeanor convictions have the propensity to prevent a person in California from obtaining a job (because a background check shows the conviction), obtaining a professional license (nursing, law, etc), and cause embarrassment or ridicule (because of the readily available information in our tecnologically advanced world).
I have seen many situations at Santa Clarita Criminal Courtwhere people plead guilty or no contest, without an attorney, to a misdemeanor charge, only to have one (or more) of the above problems arise, thereafter. These can be difficult problems to resolve. While some people charged may be eligible for a Motion to Withdraw the Plea (rare) or Expungements (which do not remedy all of the above problems), misdemeanor convictions can have a life-long negative impact.
Whether you are awaiting your first court date at Santa Clarita Criminal Court, or are looking to remedy an earlier plea on a criminal charge, an experienced criminal defense attorney can carefully evaluate your specific situation to help you explore every possible alternative.