Is it possible to talk to prosecutor/judge about reducing a charge during first appearance?
360691
Yes you can.\nIf your record is currently clean they may be talked into a fine and a dismissal of misdemeanor charges and a reduction to a civil infraction. But that is no guarantee.\nHope this helps.
182450
Your friend will probably get a fine for this violation.  He will go through a few court dates.  The arraignment, he is advised of his charges.  The initial appearance, he enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest).  If no contest or guilty, he basically has plead guilty and explains to the judge.  If not guilty, he will then be set for a pre-trial conference.  The prosecutor offers a plea deal.  If not accepted, you go to trial.  The court determines the sentence.  Most likely fine.
19455
Of course you have a right to know why. If I was in your situation, I would call the office of the prosecutor who issued to warrant. Inform them who you are, ask why there is a warrant out for your arrest, and arrange a time for you to turn yourself in. It may be something as simple as an unpaid ticket, then they will just want their money and will probably let you go, if it's something more serious, you can decide whether you need to bring a lawyer with you (which you should if they are arresting you). It will look good to the judge if you are willing to face the charges rather then them having to look for you, besides, I wouldn't want a warrant for my arrest hanging over my head. Good luck.
616869
you may get a lesser sentence if it's a first offense, but i have to say if you were my kid i wouldn't pay for your lawyer.  good luck.
145064
Also don't know Washington law, but agree that the State will often pick up DV charges if the victim recants or withdraws.  \n\nIf you want the charge dropped, you need to speak with the prosecutor, not the courts or anyone else.  It's the prosecutor's office that's doing the prosecution, so they're the ones to talk to if you no longer desire prosecution.\n\nWhere did the no contact order come from?  In California, the judge can issue one from the bench on his own or at the request of the prosecutor.  You might have sought one out as well.  In any event, most likely a judge is the one who actually issued the order, and it takes a judge to rescind it.  If you asked for it, get yourself back on calendar and tell the judge why you don't want it.  If the prosecutor asked for it on your behalf, ask them to ask the judge to rescind it.\n\nGood luck with whatever you do, but I really, REALLY encourage you to leave the no contact order as is.  Up to you what you want to do with the DV criminal charges, but there shouldn't be any harm leaving the no contact order in place if you've moved out of state anyway, right?
553993
There are attorneys that specialize in this, check first with the local attorney ref feral services, usually listed in the phone book. \n\nAs to cost it really depends on the conviction and sentence and if you have since conviction shown an improvement in the eyes of the judicial system. This will be of a huge impact, Judges will examine your life and record since the last conviction, it takes normally five years before they will even look at an expungement.\n\nIf you were arrested and no conviction to have the charge removed from your record will cost around 3 to 4 thousand per charge. This is not a cheap process and it is one that is fairly simple to achieve. The only problem is that it is something only an attorney can do for you.\n\nHope this helps
377980
1.  Do you have an attorney?\n2.  If so, tell your attorney. Tell him you want to (a) avoid being named, (b) not go to jail, (c) have charges against you dismissed.  Follow his advice.  Stay out of jail.\n3.  If you don't have an attorney, ask for one or hire one. Tell attorney.  Follow advice.  Protect your future.
502430
No, you are not being compelled by the court to go...I think the prosecutor screwed up, or defense counsel, by not issuing a subpoena. (I don't know which side needs your testimony) Normally, when you are called as a witness, the attorney (either for the defendant or the state) will contact you and go over what you will be testifying to. If you don't go, they may have another continuence granted and subpoena you then. I would contact the prosecutor's office and ask about your attendance. Most of the time the prosecutor and defense counsel reach a plea agreement before the trial and you won't testify anyway.
292030
In most cases the prosecutor will not begin any action until a Police report has been made. Contact the Police\nFraud unit, they are your best source of information.  You may have a Civil case which they can not get involved with.
834672
If your in a court that has a high conviction rate if it goes to jury trial and the state evidence against you is enough to prove it was you then I would get a lawyer and possible get a reduced charge to pled guilty to before I just plead Guilty. If you plead guilty and goto jail APPEAL right away they might stay the charges and you wont serve until you loose the APPEAL. Get a cheap lawyer who doesnt have alot of cases to defend that is familar with the court in which your being charged, they can talk to the judge and prosocution to try and work something out so you dont serve time.
797202
Plea Bargain!... lol... okay, I dont' know the details and you're giving me second hand information, and I'd never give actual legal advice, so this is entirely opinionated. Details don't matter, but he's likely going to be represented by the state, and the State Attorney will have suggestions, and inform him of his violations  about this issue, which is between him and the S.A.O. (State Attorney's Office), and the Public Defender he is assigned, if so. \n\nWhat you can do, is either hire him a private attorney, or show up at his Pre-Trial and show support!
775408
Not at this phase, although some digging may uncover it.\n\nif a real charge is to be filed, that person must appear
1144713
There is no yes/no answer to your question.\n\nOnly your friend's attorney is in a position to give you specific advice.\n\nAnything that causes the prosecution to produce evidence would seemingly help the defendant. But, only if the evidence exonerates him.
541277
It is totally up to your lawyer.\nHe is the one that can negotiate, not you.\nIf you have a good one, he will get it down as low as possible the first time.\nIf you have a good lawyer and they offered this and he recommends you take it, take it.\nIf you have a public defender, and they offered this, take the plea. If you turned it down already, then it's over most likely and you are going to court, where he will be convicted and get double what the plea was.\nI will always take a plea.\n\nYes of course your lawyer will ask for a lower plea if he is good, and not many are good. If he is good and expensive there is a slight chance he will get it down lower but my experience has been that once they offer a plea, that is it, they will not go lower, especially if we are talking about rape.\n\nI see by your other question it is child molestation.\nI would have taken the 8.5 years if I were him!\nThey are going to hang him.
862388
Nope, it's just the beginning. \n\nWhat is a preliminary hearing? \n\nEvery person who is charged by warrant is entitled to a preliminary hearing. If a person remains in jail, he or she is entitled to a preliminary hearing within 10 days of arrest. If a person is released from jail on bond, he or she is entitled to a preliminary hearing within 30 days of arrest.\n\nA preliminary hearing is a test of the charge against the accused. The prosecutor must present evidence and witnesses that prove that it appears that an offense has been committed that there is probable cause to believe that the person accused committed it. The accused may cross-examine witnesses and may present evidence if he or she wishes.\n\nIf the judge makes a finding of probable cause after hearing the evidence, the charge is sent to the grand jury. If the judge does not find that it appears that an offense has been committed or that the accused is likely the person who committed an offense, the accused is discharged and the charge is dismissed. If the accused is discharged and the charge dismissed after a preliminary hearing, the prosecutor may still present evidence to the grand jury to see if they will find probable cause.
527938
Get with a lawyer if you don't want to go to jail. The lawyer may be able to get it dropped and show an appearance for you. You my never have to go to court. Pay the lawyer!!!!!!
906979
I'm not sure about a diversion program in California. But I think your best bet is to talk to a lawyer. Initial consultations are free and they will know your options. Because it is a first offense, I would imagine you could probably do a certain amount of community service to be acquitted. However, your being charged will remain on your record. You can have it expunged which will erase it from your record, but you'll need a lawyer and you can only do it once.