Some more experience I have had with the system is that I had to learn how it all REALLY works, as opposed to the way TV tells THEM it works.(Because believe me, they don't understand)
How it works 101-
Don't worry about your court date. By Law, you must be given a 'speedy trial', IF YOU ASK FOR ONE, (Don't do this unless you KNOW they fucked up on a technical point of the law, and can prove it with witnesses, documentation, etc)
The first date you are given will be your arraignment date, and absolutely NOTHING will happen at this time. (Unless you want it to, and you plead guilty at arraignment. NEVER DO THIS unless you know exactly what you are doing and why you are doing it) It doesn't even matter if you have a lawyer or not, because all a $100, 000 lawyer would do for you at arraignment is tell you that you were pleading 'not guilty' at arraignment.
I'm sure those unfamiliar with this scenario are asking WHY?
Because of the nature of our criminal justice system and a convenient (for THEM) little process called 'plea bargaining'.
By pleading 'not guilty' at arraignment, you set in motion the grinding, rusty wheels of justice.....this is the actual beginning of the 'let's negotiate for JustinNeds ass' process, whereby the DA will make an 'offer', and the imaginary dialogue might go something like this:
DA: Heroin possession is a very serious crime. We want your client to do some time.
Attorney: That's a crock of shit. He's a first offender. It's a non-violent crime.
DA: True, but Heroin is at the very top of Schedule 1, and sentences are usually harsher than for other drugs in this class.
Attorney: I'd like to see you try to get this guy some time for possession of ten milligrams of heroin. You've completely lost your mind.
(At this point, the negotiators appear to have reached a stalemate.....however, this is an illusion. What just happened was the first phase of a very carefully orchestrated dance, a mating ceremony between attorneys, if you will.....and that's really all it is too, seeing as next year, your 'drug-hip' defense attorney might be running for DA, and the guy gunning for your ass may be defending you....it happens, I swear it.)
The reason I tell you these things is so that you understand;
These people are sluts. Whores for the process. Your 'justice' isn't relevant. What's best for you isn't either. What's best for them IS, and what's best for them is this;
Attorney: But I was wondering if you would be open to an in-house drug program, where he would spend 30 days in treatment and a period of time on probation.
DA- I suppose for such a small amount, it's reasonable.
Attorney- You can still give your 'tough on drugs' line to the newspapers.
DA- Wanna grab some lunch?
Attorney- Sure, it's on JustinNed....
(laughter as they both walk off)