Can The Court Date Be Postponed Until I Retain A Lawyer?

If You Are Charged with a Crime

If you are charged with a crime, you are entitled to a court date to defend yourself against the charge. In the event that you could face jail time, you are entitled to defend yourself with the assistance of an attorney. The attorney may either be one that you hired or that was appointed to represent your interests. In most cases, a court date can be postponed if there are problems finding adequate legal counsel.

Not Having an Attorney Could Be Grounds for Appeal

One of the main reasons that a court date will be postponed if you can’t find an attorney is that the judge doesn’t want to provide grounds for appeal. Typically, the appeal will not take place in the same courtroom where your case is being tried the first time.

However, the judge in that case could be judged him or herself by those who review the appeal. Therefore, there is an incentive to get the case right the first time. Furthermore, getting an adequate and timely resolution to a case helps to keep the system moving efficiently.

In addition, the prosecution won’t want to take any steps that could jeopardize a conviction or any other favorable result in a case. This means that those who play a role in deciding your fate would rather go take a little extra time now to do things properly.

How Can I Have a Lawyer Appointed to Me?

There is no guarantee that a judge will allow you to work with a public defender. This is generally only allowed if you don’t have the financial resources to hire your own attorney. The judge in your case will likely ask for proof that you can’t afford adequate legal representation before providing you with free counsel.

It is important to note that a private attorney may be able to obtain a better result in a criminal case than a public defender. This is because private attorneys take on fewer clients and because they may specialize in one aspect of the law as opposed to taking on all cases assigned to him or her.

If you have not had a chance to meet with your private counsel or public defender, a judge will typically move your court date until a meeting occurs. This will give you a chance to better understand your plea options and create a defense to the charge or charges against you.

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

Load more

Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 736 reviews

Court Dates May Be Postponed If You Switch Lawyers

In the event that you choose to switch to a different attorney, you will likely be able to postpone any future court dates in your case. This is because the new attorney will need time to review any evidence against you as well as talk to witnesses involved in the case.

Your new attorney will also need time to speak with you about the case and whether you want to testify in the matter. A judge may grant a continuance of a few days to a few weeks depending on the complexity of the case. The exact amount of time that your case may be delayed also depends on if you have already asked for delays in the matter.

You are allowed to switch attorneys for many different reasons, but a judge may be critical of your decision if it isn’t made in good faith. In other words, if the switch is seen as a deliberate attempt to stall proceedings, it could draw his or her ire. However, it is generally not a good idea to avoid a switch just because someone may be annoyed at you.

It is important that you get quality legal counsel in your criminal case. This is true even if it causes your original court date to be postponed one or more times. A quality attorney is generally one who believes in you and is committed to providing a zealous defense of whatever charges that you face.

Don’t deal with Can The Court Date Be Postponed Until I Retain A Lawyer? alone. Speak to the Spodek Law Group today.