Without One Plea

What happens, and what it costs.

This is where families ask Without One Plea to take a case. Please read this first. It explains the work, the cost, and what you will need to send. If you do not have those papers yet, we help you get them.

What we look for

California requires a grand jury indictment to start a felony case, and a signed judgment of conviction before the State can imprison anyone. When those records are missing from the court file, that is the defect.

How it works

  1. 01We start with the AOJ and Felony Complaint.
  2. 02We read them and confirm the defects.
  3. 03We document it and put the state officials on formal notice.

$5,000 to open a case

plus 50% of any recovery

That figure does not cover what a case costs us. Retaining counsel alone runs $15,000 to $30,000. Many clients pay nothing at all, because a sponsor covers their case. In plain terms: we are paid when you are paid.

Formal services are optional, and no one is required to take this path. Without One Plea publishes free information at withoutoneplea.org, and asking questions there costs you nothing.

What you will need

  • The Abstract of Judgment
  • The original Complaint
  • The incarcerated person’s full legal name, CDCR number, institution, and county of conviction

You do not need to have these in hand today. If you cannot find them, we will show you how to request them from the county court — withoutoneplea.org/families explains where to go and what to look for, and you can call us. Once a case opens, we work with each family one-on-one, and both you and the person inside get regular updates.

Enrollment requires a signed agreement, a witnessed limited power of attorney, your mailed documents, and the fee.

Requesting information is free and carries no obligation.

Ask us to look at a case

This is an inquiry, not enrollment. Tell us who you are and who the case is for. We reply by phone or email, usually within a few business days.

About you
About the incarcerated person
Anything else

Requesting information is free and carries no obligation.

Sending this form is an inquiry, not enrollment.

Nothing binding happens online. A case opens only with a signed agreement, a witnessed limited power of attorney, your mailed documents, and the fee. When you are ready, mail the Abstract of Judgment and the original Complaint to:

Without One Plea
PO Box 2298
Lodi, CA 95241

Questions first? Call (209) 420-8369, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.