A friend has been in jail for 6 months waiting for trial. We don’t like the court appointed attorney. What can we do?
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A friend has been in jail for 6 months waiting for trial. We don’t like the court appointed attorney. What can we do?
Asked on March 19, 2009 under Criminal Law, New Jersey
Answers:
Martin Matlaga / Martin D. Matlaga, Esq., LLC
Answered 15 years ago | Contributor
You can hire private counsel. Is your friend's bail amount so high that you couldn't get him out on
bail or engage a bail bondsman to do the same thing? Your friend is always entitled under his
fundamental constitutional right to counsel to hire private counsel. And you must remember that
if your friend's charges are extremely serious, their defense may very well require lengthy and
extensive preparation. There is a difference between 1st degree Murder and Disorderly Conduct.
Call me at (732)932-7226 (office) or (732)710-0004 (cell).
Robert Pellinen / Law Offices of Robert Pellinen
Answered 15 years ago | Contributor
Every defendant in a criminal case has a constitutional right to a speedy trial. But that right can be "waived," i.e., you can agree to extend the time. An attorney may be changed virtually at any time with or without cause. But i
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