View Full Version : Attorney Problems
sigep1
Feb 9, 2013, 07:25 AM
I was charged last year with drug possession w/intent to deliver and am still trying to beat the charge. I have an attorney but I am having problems with him. I paid him $5000 to represent me. My question is: What should I do if I don't like the way my attorney is representating me? He is VERY, VERY rude to me, never returns my phone calls and when I do talk to him, he acts like I should know the laws and speaks to me like I'm a redneck, uneducated person! I do not feel like be is helping me at all. I do not have money to get another attorney and feel stuck with him. Can I report him to some agency?
Please help me.
Thank you.
AK lawyer
Feb 9, 2013, 07:34 AM
Can I report him to some agency?
Certainly.
"What agency?", you ask?
What jurisdiction?
excon
Feb 9, 2013, 07:42 AM
Hello s:
You don't want him representing you AFTER you snitch on him. He'll send you away FOR SURE.. If you're not happy with him, FIRE him. If you can't afford to hire another lawyer, the court WILL appoint you one.
Fire him by certified mail citing the reasons you gave us. Send a copy to the judge and to the prosecutor.
excon
tickle
Feb 9, 2013, 07:44 AM
You can report him to the Bar Association in your area, but you had better consider your options if you don't have money for another lawyer. Call them and discuss this.
AK lawyer
Feb 9, 2013, 08:01 AM
... but you had better consider your options if you don't have money for another lawyer. Call them and discuss this.
You should consider whether you are entitled to a refund of some of the $5,000. It depends on whether he in fact did that much work. Do you have a written fee agreement?
Fr_Chuck
Feb 9, 2013, 08:46 AM
Also to expand on excon, not every location will appoint you an attorney, esp if you had one hired already, for example Georgia (USA) if you posted bail, then in most locations, you can not have an appointed attorney
excon
Feb 9, 2013, 09:05 AM
Hello again:
The Padre and I DON'T disagree. They're not WILLINGLY going to give you a new lawyer. But, court ISN'T a place where ANYTHING willful happens.. You got to MAKE it happen. If you really, and truly cannot afford an attorney, (they're going to CHECK), the Constitution guarantees that you'll get one. But, as the Padre points out, they're not going to lay down for you, just as you shouldn't lay down for them...
If you get to a point where they're DENYING you counsel, get back to us, and I'll tell you HOW you can MAKE them give you one.
excon
sigep1
Feb 9, 2013, 09:29 AM
Thank you all. I will look further into this and update.
sigep1
Feb 9, 2013, 09:30 AM
Certainly.
"What agency?", you ask?
What jurisdiction?
Montgomery County, PA
AK lawyer
Feb 9, 2013, 09:57 AM
Montgomery County, PA
Look here (http://www.padisciplinaryboard.org/).
ScottGem
Feb 9, 2013, 11:06 AM
am still trying to beat the charge
I am struck by the wording here. An innocent person would have been more likely to say I'm still fighting the charge. Your phrasing makes me wonder if you are innocent of the charge. And, if not, I'm wondering if that is behind your attorney's attitude.