Hello, I was arrested a while back for lighting a firecracker and for having guns because I had a felony 32 years ago. I was appointed a public defender by the court. I asked my public defender if I could have a copy of my police report. She said "sometimes we give clients a copy of there police report but in your case I don't think we should". Can someone tell me what she means by that? Why cant I have a copy of my police report? I'm thinking maybe she is being lazy and doesn't want to copy it. Is there any reason a lawyer cant give his client a copy of his police report?

Wondergirl

You are entitled to a copy of your police report.

excon

Hello 3:

I'd ask her again. If she tells you crap like that, tell her that she works for you - not the other way around.

excon

twinkiedooter

You can go to the local police agency that has the police report you are speaking about and request a copy of that. They will charge you about $1 a page. You can also request your entire criminal history at the same time. Most times you can get this print out for free just by producing your proper ID.

The PD was just being a jerk for not giving this to you as this is all public information and costs her nothing to give you a copy of this.

3357

I called her again today, voice mail. I think she is actually avoiding my calls. Im thinking about fireing her............ Thanks for replies.

twinkiedooter

If you fire your PD as you put it, the judge at his discretion may or may not appoint another in her place. If you do not like that PD, then the next one is on your dime. Go get the paperwork yourself if it bothers you that much and maybe you'll figure out why she didn't want you to have it in the first place.

3357

Yea twinkiedooter, it does bother me that much. Its the documintation of what the police say about me and what they claim to be true about me and the events and circumstances that led to my arrest. Yea as you put it it does bother me alot that she dosent think I have a right to know what is being said about me by the people that seek to put me in prison. Also this public defender is already on my dime, who do you think pays her salary?. I believe that a person accused of a crime still is entitled to know what and why he is being accused of and what evidence is going to be used against him. Believe it or not twinkiedooter I dont want to go to prison over this stupid crap! MY public defender thinks I should be quiet and take what they give me. And has actually told me to "chill out" when I ask her about my case. She wont return my phone calls . She only seems to be interested in taking the easy way out and that scares me. I dont have alot of money but I figure If I am oppointed a public defender that person should at least take an intrest in what I have to say. There can be no reason not to give me a police report except she is to lazy to make a copy for me. Me having a copy could only help my case in alot of ways. It seems to me she is not real interested in my case. My question was does anybody know if she has a right to deny me a copy of my police report. I dont how she could have that right or why she would want to. But any way Monday I am going to straighten this out, if she blows off my phone call again Im going to her supervisors.

excon

Hello again, 3:

You don't wanna do that. If she's doing a crap job now, just imagine how far she'll sell you out AFTER you complain about her. And no, you don't want another lawyer from that office either. They’re all buddies.

Nope, she's either with ya, or agin ya.

Towards that end, I would write her a letter telling her exactly what you said here. You might threaten to fire her if she doesn't give you the best defense she possibly can. Or maybe you should just do it, unless you think the letter might do the trick. I dunno. Documentation is the key here. Send a copy to the judge and the prosecutor and let her know that you did. Send your letters certified, return receipt requested.

If you fire her, the judge will appoint another attorney for you NOT from the PD's office. Your new lawyer is gonna know that you're not a client to be trifled with. That's exactly what you want your attorney to know about you.

excon