how does a PTA works (Promesse to appear)?
HI,My friend got a PTA for possession of marijuana.The cop told him to take it to court that he wasn't gonna go( he was really nice) He went to Court and he had the chance to pay 250 and do community hours and donations etc..but he had no money at that time so he took it to trial which is tomorrow,but he heard that its not the same as when you get a ticket that if that cop don't go your case is dismiss,does anyone know if is hard or he'll get a misdemeanor? thanks for everyone help!!
Comments
The officer does not have to personally appear they will use his sworn statement or continue the case until he can appear, if your friend had taken the plea he would have been allowed to pay in installments that he could afford. It isa lot more difficult than your friend may think and that agreement may lead to some jail time if he goes to trial and loses.
Going to trial.
Means the person is contesting that the incident even occured.
Otherwise they just would have payed the original fine.
Going to trial , would show , no remorse for the incident has taken place. In fact, contesting the charge shows there is no remorse whatsoever.
Once proven , the incident occured by the officers testimony. Which is a credible testimony. Along with whatever evidence there is.
Then a harsher sentence is given.
If he did not have the money to pay the fin in full in the first place. They do allow to pay it in instalments. But you have to call them to organise it.
Going to trial can mean you either plead not guilty or you plead guilty.
Pleading guilty obviously means you admit you did wrong.
Pleading not guilty, just means the prosecution has to prove their case. Thus, with the officers testimony, as well as the evidence of marijuana posession. Then it can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the incident did in fact take place.
If he elected to go to trial the officer's department will now be notified and the officer must show up or receive punishment.
Shoulda taken the community service.