Attorney represention

[WAL]

What is the name of your state? What is the name of your state?

maryland

Short version: A friend of mine was in an accident that was completely the other person's fault (she was stopped at a light waiting to go forward and was sideswiped by a car racing to turn right). There were no witnesses and they moved their cars to the roadside -- the other person was screaming my friend had pulled out in front of her, which was untrue. A police officer arriving after the accident ticketed my friend and indicated on the accident report that she pulled out in front of the other car-- the damages don't support this, so it is basically a "he said-she said" case and the office listed to the loudest party (my friend was actually stunned by the whole thing and said she was not at fault, but to no avail.)

Here's the question at long last: I am a licensed attorney in Maryland, but have never practiced so know little about court procedure. I want to accompany my friend -- for moral support if nothing else. What will happen when she shows up to fight the ticket -- will the judge just ask her questions, or should she prepare a statement (we also have pictures of the auto damage, etc). Do I have to notify the court that I am an attorney if I go with her? Thanks -- and if this is the wrong forum I apologize in advance.

 

[HomeGuru]

What is the name of your state? What is the name of your state?

maryland

Short version: A friend of mine was in an accident that was completely the other person's fault (she was stopped at a light waiting to go forward and was sideswiped by a car racing to turn right). There were no witnesses and they moved their cars to the roadside -- the other person was screaming my friend had pulled out in front of her, which was untrue. A police officer arriving after the accident ticketed my friend and indicated on the accident report that she pulled out in front of the other car-- the damages don't support this, so it is basically a "he said-she said" case and the office listed to the loudest party (my friend was actually stunned by the whole thing and said she was not at fault, but to no avail.)

Here's the question at long last: I am a licensed attorney in Maryland, but have never practiced so know little about court procedure. I want to accompany my friend -- for moral support if nothing else. What will happen when she shows up to fight the ticket -- will the judge just ask her questions, or should she prepare a statement (we also have pictures of the auto damage, etc). Do I have to notify the court that I am an attorney if I go with her? Thanks -- and if this is the wrong forum I apologize in advance.

**A: you got to be kidding, right?

 

[WAL]

No -- I'm not. Are you able to give any advice?

 

[spawn_x]

rofl...

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

Are you on "active status" with the State Bar? If not, then you'd better keep your seat in the peanut gallery of the courtroom.

If you are "active", then I would suggest that you read some books on courtroom procedure and trial advocacy, along with a book on fighting traffic tickets. You can find them all at Barnes & Noble bookstore.

IAAL