Taxpayers will not be paying for former Carl Junction R-1 choir teacher Craig Smith's defense on stalking and child pornography charges.
According to a letter from the Carthage Trial Office of the Missouri Public Defender, Smith applied for a public defender but was rejected because he had enough money to pay for a private lawyer.
Smith is in the Jasper County Detention Center with a $400,000 cash-only bond.
His next court hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. February 5.
9 comments:
Maybe he can apply to work for the public defenders office like Rowan Fords sicko stepfather is
Craig Smith, 53, either makes/made too much money and/or has to many assets to be defined as Indigent. Of course, with a $400,000 Bond and Potential Legal Fees to be Represented by an Attorney for his situation - could run as High as $50,000 to $100,000. So, if you have a House, Savings, Retirement, Other Assets - Kiss those Good-Bye just to Cover those Costs.
When Checking the Value of the Home where he Resides - Not Knowing if he Rents or Owns the Property, is Currently Valued at $430,000. That is a Nice Home in Carl Junction.
Once he does secure a Lawyer, they will probably be able to get that $400,000 Bond - Reduced to Recognizance Bond, also known as a Personal Recognizance (PR) bond or release on one's Own Recognizance (OR), is a type of bail that allows a defendant to be released from jail without paying cash. Instead, the defendant promises to appear in court and comply with any conditions of their release - House Arrest and/or Ankle Monitoring.
But his Legal Fees will require him to Utilize what Cash / Savings / Retirement / Borrowing on his House and Selling any Assets to Pay for his Legal Defense - or he could just Plead Guilty and throw himself on the Mercy of the Court - Saving himself and his Family - Tens of Thousands of Dollars. Though the Family of the Child could also, sue him Civilly - thus again Bankrupting him and his Family.
Maybe it was his Go-Fund-Me Fundraiser.
"Hello, friends. My name is Craig Smith. All I am asking is that 200,000 people give just $1. If you can spare a dollar, that would save me and my family and I can enter retirement. I have spent 30 years in the classroom and have loved each and every moment of it, but with some health issues, it is just time." Again, he is 53 - How many People do you know can even Think about Retirement at 53. This was Laughable - He know with Stepping Down at Carl Junction for his Actions would catch up to him very quickly and needed Cash to Bail himself out - since he would probably never Teach again.
Not only has this Ex-Teacher Screwed up the Rest of his Life - he will leave his Family in Financial Ruin - and at 53 - Was it Worth it Craig - To Lose Everything You and Your Family Every Worked For - Pedophiles are Sick and Twisted Individuals - Just Hope his Victim gets the needed Help to put this behind her.
A public defender generally has to take a case assigned to them, meaning they cannot refuse to represent a client without a valid legal reason; this is because providing legal counsel in criminal cases is a constitutional right, and public defenders are obligated to fulfill that role, even if they have a large caseload. Therefore, maybe the defendant has enough assets to hire his preferred counsel.
The "Prolific Paragraph Producer" strikes again!
Clearly 11:32PM, stated that Craig Smith, was found "Not Indigent", by the Missouri State Public Defender's Office. This is the Reason they will not assist in providing a public defender to represent him. As stated earlier he will need to put up or sell assets to obtain his own counsel.
With a House worth nearly $430K Dollars and probably additional Assets - he clearly has the Assets to provide his own legal counsel. I am sure he does not want to borrow or sell his assets, but again Craig Smith, put him and his family into a Financial Dilemma - Like most Criminals he Failed to look at how his actions would affect him and his family.
I have no need for being prolific but
I know "Pathetic Dribble" when I see it!
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This thread seriously made my day.
So many people no so much!
Calling out 2:32PM and 6:19PM, why do you think Craig Smith was denied a public defender? Time for your, "Prolific Comments". We are all waiting to hear from you. This is your big opportunity.
. A quick review of Section 18 CSR 10-3.010 - Guidelines for the Determination of Indigence suggests a few possibilities for why this person is not eligible for a public defender.
(A) A person shall be considered eligible for representation when it appears from all the circumstances of the case including his/her ability to make bond, his/her income and the number of persons dependent on him/her for support that the person does not have the means at his/her disposal or available to him/her to obtain counsel in his/her behalf and is indigent as hereafter determined.
I think it's NONE of the above!
Bonus factors not already mentioned by the other comments:
*Spouse's Income
(B) When making the financial determination, the following factors should be taken into consideration:
1. Spouse's Income-If the applicant is married and not separated from his/her spouse, the spouse's financial status shall be considered unless the spouse is the alleged victim;
*Support of minor children
Assuming an accused is married and not separated or divorced yet, then if whatever combined income and other assets the accused plus the spouse have are sufficent for the support of any minor children in the household this will not be a factor to entitle the accused to indigent representation.
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