Straight answers before your first court date

Yes. Text your name, the charge and your court date, and I'll reply myself, usually the same day. Keep the details of what happened for a phone call or a meeting.

Find your next court date and keep every paper you were given. Don't post about the arrest or talk about it with anyone but your lawyer. Then call or text me.

Not without your lawyer. You can be polite and still say you won't answer questions until you've spoken with one.

For most first appearances, yes. I'll be there beside you, and beforehand I'll tell you where to go, when to arrive and what to wear.

Because a judge sees you before you speak. Plain clothes say you take this seriously. I wear the same, so we look like we belong together.

Most cases are a flat fee, quoted in writing after we talk and before you pay anything. The fee depends on the charge and on whether the case goes to trial.

Yes. A parent or partner can call to set things up. Once we talk about the facts of the case, I'll need to speak with you directly.

You may qualify for a public defender, and I'll tell you so. Public defenders carry heavy loads, but many are very good at this work.