Went to court with my husband for his initial appearance, but I felt worse for others

[Nikia]

There was a court room full of defendents who either were representing themselves or had a public defender. The other defendent who had a private attorney had the attorney who was recommended as someone who we should not use. I am still nervous about the charges that my husband is facing, but I know that many of those other people have worse prospects just because they don't have good legal representation. Although this whole experience has been traumatic, I am learning a lot about the criminal justice system.

[Bake]

1. What's he charged with?

Bake, Esq.

[Nikia]

2. Drug charges

I rather not expand on it much, but it isn't just possession.

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

4. That's a shame. Our system is way messed up when it comes to drugs.

[Bake]

5. Do you have a lawyer?

If it's not just simple possession, you need one. For simple possession, most prosecutors have a standard deal for first offenses. If it's more than that, you need a lawyer and it will be well worth the cost.

Sorry, I didn't mean to sound like I was prying.

Bake

[Nikia]

6. I'm sorry if it was unclear by my post

Yes, he has a lawyer, one that was recommended to us by a couple of people who themselves or a friend/relative had a good result for those charges.
I know though that he is facing prision time and that having this lawyer doesn't necessarily mean that won't happen. If he didn't have a lawyer or perhaps only a public defender though like most of the defendents in the court room, it probably would be very likely that he would go to prision.

[Bake]

9. Good luck!

Bake

[ChickMagic]

8. Eek

I got bumped during voir dire because I started ranting
about the obscene war on drugs. They thought I was nutzo.

[ThomCat]

3. I am hoping for the best

for him and for you. :hug:

I'm glad you have a decent attorney. I hope he can do something good for you.

[Nikia]

7. Thank you

I am hoping for good things as well.