If I’m facing a charge of threat to commit bodily harm, do not know if i need to hire an attorney?
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If I’m facing a charge of threat to commit bodily harm, do not know if i need to hire an attorney?
I do not know if I should just plead no contest as the case is 9 years old. I have not had any type of contact with the complainant and don’t know if she is pusuing the case or not. I did not even realize there were charges against me until I filled out a background check form that came back saying I had a warrant for failing to appear. The summons was sent to an old address and would not know the charges exhisted if not for the form. I have had no legal issues other than this case.
Asked on May 9, 2012 under Criminal Law, Massachusetts
Answers:
Kevin Bessant / Law Office of Kevin Bessant & Associates
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
I would advise you to consult a criminal defense attorney due to the assaultive nature of the offense, your warrant status, and the age of the case. You want to avoid having a criminal conviction on your record at all costs, especially for assaultive and fraud related crimes because employers today frown upon these type of convictions. Because a warrant was issued, you will initially have to turn yourself in, or set a new court date to address the warrant, in which the judge could apply a new bond. Given the 9 yr age of this case, an attorney may be able to have this case dismissed if the victim no longer wants to prosecute.
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