Baloney,she thought if they showed up without a lawyer the Judge would postpone or go easy.
They were told to get a lawyer and they didn't.
Tough.
Where did it say that?
More importantly, what about a judge that doesn't follow the law? Isn't that more important than this kids motives?
The article does mention why the private attorney did not represent the offender. The mother had declined the PD and hired a private attorney and her money ran out.
To avoid a conflict of interest in a case involving co-defendants, only one is represented by the State, the others are sub- contracted out to private attorneys.
The co-defendant's attorney could not speak out, her role was to represent her client.
To those argueing that the offenders civil rights were violated remember, the offender had already attended an adjudicatory hearing where he was represented,he had pled guilty, hence the probation. This was the disposition or restitution hearing,there is no possibility of jail time or any other punishment except financial restitution for his high jinks,this is where the juvenile learns that crime does not pay.
Contrary to public opinion, Florida's PD's are not free--
If you are found guilty,most judges now require the defendant to pay attorneys fees to the PD's office.
To Mrs. Castillo-- "Law and Order" is a tv show,(and bears no resemblance to real life,) which is why they can conjure up a lawyer in a minute, read a brief in 30 secs,and argue with passion for another 30 secs.
Asking for a PD an hour before a trial is like getting legal adice from a baliff,(extremely low success rate). I wish you and your son the very best in your future endevours.
The judge faces no penalties for allowing the trial to proceed except in the minds of liberals and those that do not read the article.