This Doesn't Seem Right To Me

[LadyKay]

I know someone who was accused of something they did not do. They can not afford an attorney and told the court that they needed a court appointed attorney because of this. The court appointed them an attorney to represent them. The case as been delayed for months now and has not gone to trial. A few months ago this person got a notice in the mail that it has been order by the court that they have to pay reimbursement to the court for their court appointed attorney. The amount is over a hundred dollars at this point. This person is very upset being as the reason for them to get a court appointed attorney in the first place was because they could not afford an attorney. They are afraid that contempt of court charges will be added to them if they do not pay. I have never heard of such a thing going on and since I am unfamiliar with court stuff I am not much help to this person. They have talked to their attorney about it who simply said that a payment plan can be set up. I had always thought that a court appointed attorney was for those who can not pay. Which is the point of having one and that anyone had the right to have an attorney. It is in the law. Anyway this person feels they have no other choice but to try to make the payments. The court says they have to and they are afraid of what might happen if they do not. I did not know that our court system was set up this way and neath did this person I am talking about. It does not seem right to me. It is like punishing someone just for being poor.

[kat (1)]

Yes the judicial system punishes the poor....thats why we get fines, cannot afford them and go to jail..hence remaining in the crimibal justice system. I was on probation for six months over a mistake...long story but a stupid court clerk forgot to check a box in the lein (warrant indication) stating I was no longer an unlicensed driver...I got pulled over coincidentally and the officer basically seen that I had a warrant...I being a former kiddie probation officer knew immediately what happened.. I knew from filing warrants myself that u have to uncheck the box in the courts computer system that indicates there is no longer a warrant. I tried to tell the officer but being that I have anxiety I couldnt keep composure (I knew I was going to jail anyway) so when he asks me to step out the car I start balling..he asks me if I am fucking bipolar CAUSE I WAS CRYING AND SCARED..but anyway they kept me on probation until i paid kike 500 or some amount around that..never made me report all I had to do was send them a paper for six months..no hearings nothing. (but I slipped out of the handcuffs while waiting for booking when they arrested me...lol...that requires talent) oh anyway back to the point the money is probably for administrative and court costs..nothing in life is ever free. Did he read the fine print? Also if its only a hundred dollars I would count it as a blessing to get me off....and just because its a court appointed attorney doesnt mean its free. Good luck to your friend...when I was a prob officer my clients paid anything even five bucks a month...its a good faith effort.