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I would like your advice. My son's lawyer keeps avoiding him. At least it seems that way. My son will send him an email, to which the lawyer will usually reply with instructions to call him the following day. This has been happening more often, the closer we get to sentencing, which is Monday, Nov 28. Then, lawyer does not make himself available and always says he's busy with other cases.
The lawyer told my son yesterday that he would be working hard on my son's case today. The lawyer told my son to call at him 3:00, which he did. However, my son was told by office staff that the lawyer was not available and to call again tomorrow. It really feels like the lawyer is giving my son the run around. Is this ethical? I am beginning to toy with the idea of claiming my son has had incompetent counsel. The lawyer's office assistant sent my son an electronic copy of the PSI report today. My son claims it contains errors. He needs the lawyer to coordinate getting a corrected version of the report filed before the sentencing. Any feedback you can offer will be very much appreciated.
My son is pretty stressed right now, because the PSI report is recommending 10 years in prison. Thanks for your continued helpfulness.
The lawyer told my son yesterday that he would be working hard on my son's case today. The lawyer told my son to call at him 3:00, which he did. However, my son was told by office staff that the lawyer was not available and to call again tomorrow. It really feels like the lawyer is giving my son the run around. Is this ethical? I am beginning to toy with the idea of claiming my son has had incompetent counsel. The lawyer's office assistant sent my son an electronic copy of the PSI report today. My son claims it contains errors. He needs the lawyer to coordinate getting a corrected version of the report filed before the sentencing. Any feedback you can offer will be very much appreciated.
My son is pretty stressed right now, because the PSI report is recommending 10 years in prison. Thanks for your continued helpfulness.
honestwitness
By the way…this is NOT a public defender. He's charging $25K.
christad5
This is not a good sign. He is not doing what you are paying him for and it will get worse. This happened with us and it ended badly. If you can you should considered finding someone else. This is only my thought, you have to do what is best for your son but this sounds exactly like our situation and my husband got screwed!!!!
deleted_user
what state are you in?
christad5
PA
honestwitness
My son's case is in Iowa.
red55
I will tell it like it is most lawyers will make a lot of promises and give you a lot of false hope in order to get your money. They are like hookers just after the money and getting another lawyer will only mean you will have the same problems all over again. A good lawyer who will fight your case is a rare thing most are part of the old boy network. Most lawyers prey on someone who is despirate promising anything to bleed them dry of money and in the end they just take a dive and sell you out.
coastie
My advise is not to pay another dime, get a new "Shyster" and report this idiot to the State Bar.
red55
If this clown is reported to the State Bar all he will get is a pat on the back. The State Bar is an organization of lawyers run for lawyers.... If anyone expects the State Bar to do anything they are badly mistaken. I would report this lawyer but do not expect anything positive from the state bar. As far as hiring another lawyer I would check with some on this forum and groups as there are some good attorneys just that there are not a lot of them .
deleted_user
I have the most honest attorney on the planet (yes they exist in real life)-I will ask her in the morning and see what she says. It pisses me off to know that as soon as some attys get their hands on the retainer they drag their ass. my heart goes out to you-we went thru 3 attys and almost 100,000 I FEEL YOUR PAIN.
honestwitness
Does it make any sense to get a new lawyer now, when the sentencing hearing is only 2 business days away?
honestwitness
Thanks for offering to ask your honest attorney about this, heismyson. I am anxious to learn her response.
LegalGuardian
honestwitness -- Since it is a sentencing hearing there is little good in changing lawyers at this time. The court will put more emphasis on what your son has to say rather than his attorney, but if the attorney does not point out the errors in the PSI then your son should and needs to do so.
honestwitness
Thanks for the advice, LG. Are you saying my son should state these things verbally to the judge? Doesn't some kind of motion have to be filed before the hearing?
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