Attorney in with the police?

[dcdevilchild]

What is the name of your state? FL

I will try to make this short as possible.

An acquaintance was watched by the police and subsequently arrested for trafficking.

The attorney he hired to represent him let certain things slip that he knew about the case beforehand; he mentioned certain facts about the arrest before he actually saw the record, and he slipped over the phone with a friend of the accused that he had access to the police surveillance log. I recently found out about this and checked up on this attorney - he is a member of the "Police/Citizens Relations Committee" -

Is this considered unethical practice - or does his involvement in this committee somehow make him privy to this information? He approached the accused instead of the accused seeking him out to retain his services - through a "mutual friend" he said - supposedly.

Other aspects of this attorney that trouble me are that a) he has only met with the accused 4 times during this ordeal b) he did not inquire about or approach the accused with a plea or other options such as drug court or treatment instead of jail time (he was never even asked by the police or court if he was a user) - and does not seem to be doing any defense work at all c) his initial promise was that the accused would do no time because it was a first offense and he would make sure of this - then a few days ago told him that he would definately be doing time d) the accused asked for a meeting with the attorney before the sentencing (which is in a few days) but the attorney went on vacation and will not be available until they meet at the hearing.

Bottom line, this person paid $15,000 and would like to know what he can do to rectify this situation before the hearing. Is he entitled to have this attorney investigated by the Florida Bar Association and acquire new representation and a retrial? What are his rights?

Thank you in advance for your time and advice.

 

[stephenk]

what did your friend plead guilty to?

 

[dcdevilchild]

Is this attorney providing a service?

He was accused of trafficking and possession (do you need the actual substances?)...but the attorney plead guilty on his behalf to the judge (without his consent or his being present), and did not tell his client until afterwards. The attorney did not ask if there was a search warrant - but later told the client that he thought all cops in this area were crooked and usually bust in without evidence or a warrant. Imao - in that case, I would believe that would be the first question asked of the defendant.

My main concern is his affiliation with the police department, and the fact he did not divulge this information with the accused prior to retaining his services- which I believe he is required to do according to the Bar Association.

Another thing I have found out recently with regard to this attorney/case:

-he told his client upon signing the $15,000 contract that this was his only option (contract inclusive of a waiver of future witness rights and limited attorney involvement in the case - he was not around to answer questions and just showed up for continuances - then left). Since the accused has had no prior arrests or convictions and is not native to this country - he believed this to be his only option of defense. He was not afforded time or information to better represent himself and/or seek other options.

There are a few other items that I am doing a bit of investigating on, but not really important right now. I would just like to see this person receive a fair shot at possible rehabilitation and due process.

Thank you for your response...