Help a member out, legal help.

[ctco223]

I got charged with receiving stolen property and giving a false address. Basically my car got towed from an apartment complex because I was using a parking pass I found that was reported stolen. The cop called me and I was pretty drunk. He asked me a few questions and apparently I told him I lived at the apartment complex which I don't think is true. Then he asked me to meet him and when I got in the cop car I told him my real address and then I got cuffed and taken to jail. I have a court date Wednesday and I really just need some advice on what to do.

[midnight07GT]

I'm not sure on that one dude. Sorry

[ctco223]

It's alright, I'm pretty lost on it myself. Anyone have any helpful advice at all?

[Animefreak1983]

My gf's dad is a lawyer . Since different states have different laws it may differ . But I'll talk to him for you an see if he has any insight on this.

Also most appartment complexes have video camera's so it should show if you found the pass . I'd suggest talking to the apartment manager an see. It would help you greatly.

[pat_08GT_Spyder]

yep, try talking to the complex manager first, SOBER, and tell him what really happened and see what he says... if he's being aggressive / defensive, or you feel he's not gonna work with you, just forget it and go to court. dont say anything that could come back against you.
then go to court on Wed, with your story, dress well, and just tell the judge the truth, that you were drunk that night (with NO PLAN TO DRIVE BACK)...
what interest would you have anyway in stealing a parking pass??? it's not like you can re-sell it for money

[joeyb]

hopefully you don't have any priors - if that's the case, hit hard on that when talking to the court. that should go a long way. IF you have a record then you obviously can't play that card, but try to hit on this being an "isolated" incident or freak occurrence or something along those lines. tell them you don't remember saying that - you aren't calling the policeman a liar - but you obviously misspoke when you told him the "lie." so play on that if you can. if you don't have a record then I gotta believe they'll be lenient with you. try to tell them you are a law abiding citizen and have a lot of respect for the police and the law, and you aren't trying to cause trouble or get away with anything.
like the guys are alluding to above, dressing nice, speaking respectfully to the court and all that, SHOULD (nothing's for sure, of course) but SHOULD go a long way.
best of luck.

[ctco223]

I have no priors. So I'll be sure to do that. I guess I'll be finding a lawyer to see if I can get it taken care of. Thanks for wishing me luck though, I'll need it.

[NitroGlisson]

I'd suggest getting to court a little early and try to speak with whomever is there from the DA's office....tell your story and ask if there is any way they can help you out.Right there you might get the charges reduced or dropped...then go before the judge on what remains and throw yourself upon the mercy of the court. Best of luck with this and sorry it happened.

[IraqVeteran]

can ask for a later date and talk to apointed state lawyer, but you might get let off easy due to a clean record

[ctco223]

I actually hired a lawyer today, so hopefully he can get this all sorted out for me.