I know the obvious of being polite and respectful. do I show up early like an airport? Do I just show the guard my ticket? Anything I should know or be aware of?

  • FuglyDuck@lemmy.world
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    25 days ago

    Dress as well as you can, be on time or a little early, don’t piss off the judge.

    Be honest.

    if you’re wanting to talk to somebody before hand… they should have a public defender you can speak to. Bring relevant paperwork.

    • Tiefling IRL@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      25 days ago

      Be prepared for the public defender to ask you two questions then shun you the rest of the day while they tend to their other 30 clients that day

      • Aeao@lemmy.worldOP
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        25 days ago

        Do I need a public defender? I didn’t intentionally do anything wrong I just didn’t know my license was expired? I’ve got a clean record it was just a mistake.

        • Spiralvortexisalie@lemmy.world
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          25 days ago

          Don’t know where you are from but at least in 🦅 country you have a right to counsel. Thats works out to usually being assigned counsel (public defender) as soon as possible in the interest of justice. For a standard ticket you will probably have this settled within two court dates, your fees and other associated charges may not be so nice.

          • Maggoty@lemmy.world
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            25 days ago

            You only have that right when it’s a charge with a certain amount of weight, like prison time or a felony.

            • Spiralvortexisalie@lemmy.world
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              25 days ago

              Any “Serious crime” which the SCOTUS delineated long ago as anything where you may face more than 6 months incarceration which lines up with just about anything.