Bonus (Ep-5) Beyond the Bench: Essential Strategies for Legal Empowerment

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Imagine standing before a judge, the weight of your choices pressing down on you, and realizing just how crucial the right legal representation can be. Struggle to Success takes you through the personal and often tumultuous journey of navigating the justice system, reflecting on the anxiety and gravity of facing legal consequences without proper advocacy. This episode unravels the stark realities and common pitfalls of relying on court-appointed attorneys while emphasizing the life-altering impact a skilled lawyer can have on your case. Through personal experiences and practical advice, we aim to empower you with the knowledge to advocate for yourself effectively.

Join us as we provide a candid look into the maze of legal intricacies, from citations to felonies in Pennsylvania, and the importance of understanding your rights. We discuss the profound difference between good and bad lawyers with an eye-opening list of eight essential questions you should ask potential legal representatives. Whether you've faced challenges in the justice system or simply want to be prepared, this episode offers insights that could change your life's trajectory. Let us guide you through understanding the legal maze and finding the right advocate for your journey from struggle to success.

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This episode was hosted by Sterling Brown

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
If you have ever been told by someone that you're not
capable of attaining success,if you have made mistakes or
lived in an underprivilegedneighborhood, then this podcast
is for you.
You are now locked in toStruggle to Success.
Struggle to Success aims toinspire individuals to navigate
life's challenges with courage,fortitude and unwavering

(00:21):
determination.
So if you're in your carjogging or somewhere else trying
to find the calm in the storm,then join Struggle to Success
airing every other Saturday.
Remember life is trial.
Stay focused.

Sterling D. Brown (00:37):
Today we're going to dive into a topic that
affects many people but is oftenmisunderstood the intrinsics of
the legal system and theimportance of having the right
representation when it mattersmost.
Imagine standing in a courtroomwaiting for the judge to pass
sentence on your life and theweight of choices that have led
you there.
In this episode, I'll share mypersonal experience navigating

(00:58):
the legal system from citationsto felonies and the critical
role that a good lawyer plays inyour defense.
We'll unpack what you need toknow about your rights and how
to choose a lawyer who willtruly advocate for you, because
not all lawyers are createdequal.
In Pennsylvania, the grading andoffenses is a matrix and, to

(01:19):
say the least, depends onmultiple variables.
Let's start with a citation,which can be a written warning
with no fines or with fines.
These generally cover parkingor speeding tickets.
You rarely go to jail for anyof these, unless it's what is
called compound factors, such asaccumulating a large amount of
tickets.
Or you have what is known as apayment plan.

(01:39):
This is where you agree to payon a routine basis, but you
don't.
The providing district justicehas the authority to issue a
warrant for your arrest.
Under Pennsylvania law,misdemeanors fall under three
levels First degree up to fiveyears, second degree up to two
years and third degree up to ayear in prison.
However, certain misdemeanorcrimes, like driving under the

(02:01):
influence, have mandatoryminimums associated with them,
which generally require a bailto be set.
These charges also includedomestic violence.
Felonies in Pennsylvania carryminimum sentences.
A first-degree felony is up to20 years in prison,
second-degree up to 10 years andthird-degree up to 7 years.
Regardless of your situation,you have constitutional rights

(02:24):
designed to protect you.
While in custody of the police,sheriff or a correctional
institution, you are entitled tofair treatment and the right to
counsel if you wish.
Sadly, we know that this isn'talways the case.
Reflecting on my own experience, I recall being in a courtroom
with my attorney behind a woodendesk.
As he asked my attorney and meif we had decided to plead

(02:46):
guilty or not, my attorneyinstinctively replied yes, your
honor, we have.
When, in reality, those 10minutes felt like 10 hours as I
waited for the judge to imposesentence, I remember the anxiety
coursing through me.
My mouth felt dry and my legswere numb.
Just like that.
It was over Before I knew it.
I was processed back on thestreet.
Once I arrived home, I finallytook a look at my paperwork as I

(03:10):
stood there.
I read through it and noticedthe charge sheet contained a
brief account of events, thedate, my name in bold Curious.
I looked it up.
It was a devastating blow,something that changed my life.
I felt anger and frustrationtowards myself for not
advocating more vigorously formy rights.
The choices I had made on thestreet had cost me dearly.

(03:30):
Every time I applied for abetter job, I dreaded the
section asking me for mycriminal history or having to
explain in detail my pastmistakes and short-sightedness.
Looking back and beingtransparent, the fault was mine
and mine alone.
In this episode, I want tostress the importance of knowing
the difference between a goodlawyer and a bad lawyer,

(03:53):
understanding that a courtappointed attorney takes cases
because they are assigned to doso and many may not be
experienced in your specificsituation.
Many of us start out with thistype of lawyer because it never
crosses our minds that we willever need legal counsel.
Issues such as dishonesty, lackof transparency or conflicts of
interest can arise.

(04:14):
I've witnessed attorneys openlymake fun of and discuss their
clients' cases.
It happens more than you know.
As I said before, not allattorneys have the same level of
expertise or experience.
Here are eight very importantquestions to ask your potential
attorney.
Number one how often can Iexpect to be updated on my case?
Number two what is yourexperience with cases like mine?

(04:37):
Number three what is thehistory in winning cases or
getting a reduced sentence?
Number four what are your feesand billing structure?
Or getting a reduced sentence?
Number four what are your feesand billing structure?
Number five ask them how theycharge Hourly rate flat
contingency fees.
All these additional costs mayincur and you may not be able to

(04:57):
pay for them.
Number six can they provideinsight into their client
satisfaction?
And number seven what are thepotential risks and challenges
of your case?
This will give you a good ideato what to expect and how they
will anticipate complications.
And last number eight how dothey handle conflicts of
interest?
Listen to me no one wants toface the threat of going to jail

(05:19):
, but don't hire any lawyer whotries to make you believe that
they have a fix-all pill.
Asking these questions can helpyou make an informed decision
and find a lawyer who meets yourneeds and expectations.
Lastly, there's a common beliefthat a guilty plea means you'll
get a lighter sentence.
This is not always the case.
Factors such as the nature ofthe crime and the judge's
discretion can greatly influencesentencing.

(05:41):
It's essential to understandthe implications for making such
a plea.
Thank you for tuning in.
If you found this episodevaluable, please subscribe and
share with others who mightbenefit.
And remember stay informedabout your rights.
It's your life and your future.
Join us next time when we'lldiscuss expungements.
Until next time, remember lifeis trial Stay focused.