charged with a federal misdemeanor,plea guilty due to language barrier. I'd like to Motion to Withdraw Guilt and appeal

Asked in Lawton, OK on December 19, 2025 Last answered on December 30, 2025

I was involved in a minor traffic incident in a parking lot at Fort Sill. It was only a small vehicle collision (a minor scrape), and there was no injury or intent to damage property. The police officer who responded advised me that I only needed to pay the fine. At the hearing, both the judge and the prosecutor discussed that this incident was not considered a criminal case, and they indicated that the penalty could be downgraded. I was told that I could resolve the matter by paying a $100 fine. Because my English is limited and I have a language barrier, I understood that the case had been reduced to a traffic matter, not a criminal charge. Therefore, I agreed to pay the fine. I also emphasized at the time that I am a foreign-born individual and have difficulty fully understanding English. The next day, I contacted the court and was surprised to learn that I had been charged with a Class A misdemeanor under Title 18 §1361, which I did not understand at the time. I want to clarify that this was an unintentional, minor traffic incident and that I never intended to willfully damage any federal property! What do I need to do to correct any misunderstanding?

1 answer

Beverly A. Atteberry
Answered by:

Beverly A. Atteberry

Tulsa, OK
Beverly Atteberry Law Firm 918-880-3136
Free Consultation
Answer

You will need to contact an attorney near Ft. Sill that could assist you in this matter.  All traffic tickets are criminal charges.  They are just a lower type of criminal charge.

December 30, 2025

Don't see what you are looking for? Ask a Super Lawyers Selectee - it's free!

Submit a question and get answers for free from a Super Lawyers Selectee.

Ask a question
Disclaimer

The information contained in this web site is intended to convey general information. It should not be construed as legal advice or opinion. It is not an offer to represent you, nor is it intended to create an attorney-client relationship.

Page Generated: 0.083947896957397 sec