Legal question about a misdemeanor?

Question

I'm a student at UCLA and usually a good kid, I have some trouble in the car though. My license was suspended and I got a ticket for it, it's a misdemeanor (I don't know what class though).

I just showed up in court this morning. All misdemeanor people met with a Public Defender. I saw 2 or 3 people go before me who had prior offenses. They were told to plead no contest/guilty and get a fine and probation. Now, I have 4 or 5 tickets but no prior misdemeanors or offenses of that nature and the city attorney was asking for 5 days mandatory jail. My public defender was very confused and said that shouldn't have happened. So I was told to plead not guilty.

There's a pre-trial set for a few weeks from now. I've asked my public defender, a clerk at the court and another public defender what will probably happen at the pre-trial. I've been told by all three that it'll probably become a plea bargain consisting of a fine and probation. I'm still freaking out because I definitely do not want to do any mandatory time.

Can anyone else back up what I've been told or have educated answers? Thanks a lot.

- Calvin

Answer 1

It's up to the judge.  We can only guess.

Answer 2

You won't do the time. It's the judges decision anyways. You are lucky you are out in LA, maybe in some rural city you would but thats just the public defender doing his job. No worries mate, it might still cost you some bucks though.