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Frequently Asked Questions

Someone called the police about me and now they want to drop the charges, why are the police and the prosecutor charging me?
The decision of whether to file charges and how to prosecute those charges is not in the hands of any citizen. The power to charge criminal cases is in the government's control through their prosecuting agency. Once a person makes a complaint or starts an inquiry, that person does not control the process, although they may still give input to the prosecutor and the court as the case proceeds.

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1. What are my rights if I've been arrested/charged with a crime?
2. Who can get advice from the Law Offices of the Public Defender?
3. Are Public Defenders real attorneys?
4. What do Public Defender's do?
5. How do I get a Public Defender?
6. Are all "appointed attorneys" employees of the law offices of the Public Defender?
7. If my ability to speak, read, or understand English is limited can you still help me?
8. What type of support staff does the Public Defender employ in the defense of its clients?
9. How does a criminal case get started?
10. What happens to the information I give the Public Defender's office?
11. What's going to happen to me in court?
12. Someone called the police about me and now they want to drop the charges, why are the police and the prosecutor charging me?
13. What is a felony charge?
14. What is a misdemeanor charge?
15. Can I expunge my case?