I have been charged for attempted theft under $5000 and I have to go to the court soon . My question is if I don't have a lawyer will the court appoint me one ? And if the court appoint me one who he/she able to help me out as to not face any criminal records or would I be able to get a diversion programme as this is my first time? Please help :(

Hello julia:

Yes, and yes. Don't talk to the cops or the prosecutor until you have one, though.

excon

1. depends on where you are at.
Many places have first offender programs and diversion program.

2. depends on where you live, most places do have court appointed attorneys if you can not afford one, the rules on affording varies, they court will decide.

3. don't make any statements, don't admit any quilt without talking to the attorney

Hey there thanks for the reply...
I am in Canada right now and I can't afford to hire a lawyer you know because 'm a single mom and 'm not working right now.
If I don't have a lawyer when I go to the court... what would the judge declare for me? What should I tell in the court then if I don't have an attorney with me?

what should i tell in the court then if i dont have an attorney with me ??Hello again, julia:

Tell the judge you NEED an attorney, and that you cannot proceed without one.

excon

Hey excon thanks a lot for the reply again . I am really anxious you know . It's the first time I've ever fallen in something like this , it's really embarrassing if anyone knows about it . So as you said to tell the judge thai I want an attorney , do you think that the court appointed attorney could help me out? Seriously I really don't have money to pay the attorney and in other hand if I am charged guilty , I can't imagine what would I do :(

There are good and bad court appointed attorneys, like good and bad other ones,

So much depends, first on how over worked your attorney will be, and next how much evidence they have against you. If they have you with no doubt, with evidence that can not be throw out somehow, then they will offer some basic deal for you to do.

There is no one pat answer, you may get a hot shot court appointed attorney, who will file every motion under the sun but then I would not count on that