My husband and I got in an argument and my neighbors called the cops. He was arrested and charged with felony domestic violence. We hired an attorney and when we went to court the charge was dropped by the state to a misdemeanor. They attorney asked the judge to lift the "no contact" bond condition and she denied that and told him it would have to be done with the judge at the next court date being that a different judge handles misdemeanor cases. Now that the attorney has to come to another court date he wants to charge us another 750.00 even though he didn't do anything at this hearing.
I have paid him for the last court date where they said that we just had to come back in march. Now that the charges are misdemeanor, should we bring an attorney or just go to court without one? This is his 1st offence and he has no prior criminal record. Should we spend more $$$ on this attorney?

I would stay with the same Attorney - your Attorney certainly did work behind the scenes and apparently drove to and from the Courthouse and appeared on your behalf. Attorneys don't get paid, unfortunately, based on whether the client is satisfied with the results.

I would have a concern that if you aren't represented by an Attorney there will be some type of "revenge" action by the other party, such as a false arrest claim, something along those lines.

Protect yourself.

Would you rather spend money on a lawyer or domestic abuse classes, court fees, fines and still possible jail time?

You may consider hiring a different lawyer - one that will bill a flat fee. But you are talking about the freedom of your husband... do you really want to try to save a few bucks when his entire income may be on the line?

If the attorney charged you $750 to handle the first part of this case, I don't feel his fee was out of line as this was a felony charge. You can't just equate attorney's fees with going into WalMart and buying a bag of oranges! Most good criminal attorneys charge way more than $750. I find his fees to be reasonable and I'd stay with him as he knows the case whereas if you went out and hired another attorney to handle the second part of your husband's case, he's going to have to charge you to get "up to speed" on this case.

The original attorney did get help get the charges reduced to misdemeanor charges. You can't expect miracles.

Don't go to the next hearing unrepresented.

Yes, most attorneys would have wanted 2000 to 3000 just to start the case.

But yes, more for another court appearace should be normal.

But what actually happened, what evidence of a assult happened.

But he does not want a domestic violence charge against him.
It will effect job chances, gun ownership and more