reckless driving, open container, and leaving scene. But never drove!

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devappy

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What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? florida
I got pulled over 3 weeks ago. They pulled me out of the car, and found an open bottle of alcohol with my roomate. They had me take a sobriety test. I passed the test, and they gave me tickets- well 2. It was the reckless driving, and open container.
After that they gave me my keys back, and told me to walk home or call a cab. We proceeded to walk home, and tried to figure out a way to get a ride without paying for a cab. None of our friends were picking up, so I said we should just walk it off.

My friend had to pee, and so we stopped at a tree. The conversation came up that everyone locks there car here in st pete. I usually don't in my neighborhood. I pulled a car handle on a car, and the door opened. I immediately, shut the car door. Right when I did a guy came out, and yelled at us to get away from the car. I said sorry your door is unlocked, and left, he then said no problem. Well around 10 minutes later the cops stopped us and said we were going into houses and cars, and stealing from them. A random guy even said we tried to steal his bike. We got arrested and spent 2 days in jail. A week later I got another ticket in the mail by my arresting officer for crash- leaving scene. The thing is I was in jail when that ticket says I left the scene of a crash. SO it is bogus!

I have court monday, and I would like to ask the judge for community service, and take classes, but I don't know how to tell him about the other ticket. I am being charged for a felony for conveyance unoccupied. That is a different case, and I don't want to bring that up in court to the judge. I don't want to say the last ticket is bogus cause I was in jail. What will he think?

So what should I do? I can't afford a lawyer. I have no priors- nothing. A clean record, and driving record.

I don't know why I pulled the handle. It was stupid, and I have been drinking a lot. I haven't drink since this incident. I am a college student, and I work. Its not like I cause trouble all the time. I never been in this situation before.
 
When you appear in court plead 'not guilty' and request an attorney be appointed to represent you. Don't say anything more than that. The public defender will know what to do to sort out your mess.

Regarding the ticket with the wrong time- it is possible the ticket shows the time of the report, not the time of the accident. Your attorney will have the means to access and review all that information to determine your best defense.
 
Do you mean plead not guilty to the burglary charge, or to the traffic tickets? I have not been set a court date for the burglary charge yet.
 
Assuming you are being honest and providing all the information, it sounds like the charges against you amount to a pile of crap. Plead not guilty to everything, lawyer up, and watch it all go away.
 
I have been calling lawyers, but they are so expensive. I can't afford them. What do you think about a public defender?
 
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