lawrat i need a female laeyers advise or yours iaal no disrespect iaal, thank you.

[BADRAP]

hi well heres my problem im involved in a drug case in california and i changed my attorney after he got me to take a plea.(but i have not yet been sentenced ) so i hired another one to withdraw my plea he told me its never to late so i payed him the money he asked for then he tells me before he will do anything ill need to pay him the same amount. again, but i have a letter from his accounting people that says im paid in full.
can he drop me? and if yes am i going to be able to get a public defender to try n withdraw my plea? (im out of money now.)i dont like this but am i at his mercy ? thank you any one...

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BADRAP:
hi well heres my problem im involved in a drug case in california and i changed my attorney after he got me to take a plea.(but i have not yet been sentenced ) so i hired another one to withdraw my plea he told me its never to late so i payed him the money he asked for then he tells me before he will do anything ill need to pay him the same amount. again, but i have a letter from his accounting people that says im paid in full.
can he drop me? and if yes am i going to be able to get a public defender to try n withdraw my plea? (im out of money now.)i dont like this but am i at his mercy ? thank you any one...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


My response:

No offense taken. I'm not everyone's cup o' tea. Just ask my wife !! Lawrat is terrific and I know she'll do her best for you. Is it okay that I wish you the best?

IAAL

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By reading the “Response” to your question or comment, you agree that: The opinions expressed herein by "I AM ALWAYS LIABLE" are designed to provide educational information only and are not intended to, nor do they, offer legal advice. Opinions expressed to you in this site are not intended to, nor does it, create an attorney-client relationship, nor does it constitute legal advice to any person reviewing such information. No electronic communication with "I AM ALWAYS LIABLE," on its own, will generate an attorney-client relationship, nor will it be considered an attorney-client privileged communication. You further agree that you will obtain your own attorney's advice and counsel for your questions responded to herein by "I AM ALWAYS LIABLE."



[This message has been edited by I AM ALWAYS LIABLE (edited April 29, 2000).]

 

[BADRAP]

THANX IAAL FOR AN INCREDIBLY QUICK RESPONCE. ITS JUST THAT MY JUDGE HAPPENS TO BE A FEMALE ALSO AND IM VERY STESSED BY THIS SO IM REACHING FOR A NEW PERSPECTIVE AND LAWRAT SEEMS TO BE VERY INTELEGENT.ALSO

THANX AGAIN IAAL

 

[BADRAP]

OK LET ME CLAIRIFIE MY LAST RESPONCE GOT SENT B4 I COULD READ IT SO.........WHEN I SAID "I AM VERY STRESSED ABOUT THIS I MENT THE LAST 10 MONTHS IN COURT NOT THE FACT THE JUDGE IS FEMALE. ILL STOP NOW B4 I BURY MYSELF LOL THANX BADRAP.

 

[Tracey]

Well, I don't really see how this is a female problem, but here goes...

Read the fee agreement you signed. Was this a flat fee case or an hourly case with a retainer? In either case, he gave you a price to 'get started,' and is now trying to get more money from you. Trying to withdraw a plea is a very fact-specific procedure that doesn't require a lot of legal research. It's not a complicated thing. He just has to dust off a previous motion and argument and tailor it to your case. Either he intentionally lowballed you when he quoted the price and is jacking it up now, or he didn't realize you'd already paid his firm. Give him the benefit of the doubt.

Get a copy of your account from the accounting department showing that you paid the money he requested and show it to him. This should clear up the problem. If he still refuses to do the work, fire him and demand a full refund that very day. Inform him that you'll file a complaint with the bar tomorrow if he doesn't refund ALL your money so you can hire a new attorney.


Good luck

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This is not legal advice and you are not my client. Double check everything with your own attorney and your state's laws.

 

[lawrat]

I am a law school graduate currently awaiting Bar results. What I offer to you is mere information, not to be construed as forming an attorney-client relationship.

Okay, Tracey is a little bit right, But here goes, if the LAWYER did not TELL you he could charge more (as in an hourly fee arrangement), then his loss. You have the right to get all your paperwork back from him and get a withdrawal of your plea immediately. If you were never told your full rights and reprcussions of taking a plea, then you have an absolute constitutional right to withdrawal. But once sentencing or the final plea is accepted, you can't withdraw.

Public defenders are great, but have several clients at a time, mostly refer to them as numbers (not a close relationship).

YOU might try legal aid monday morning (community guide of your yellow pages under legal services). Ask for a criminal defense atty or dept. They can help you for no or very little cost.

Also, if they cannot directly help, ask them to refer you to another organization or private criminal defense atty who will work pro bono which means for free. (better choice). See what happens from there.

Hope this helps.
Thanks for the vote of confidence IAAL!

 

[BADRAP]

THANK YOU LAWRAT,TRACY & IAAL FOR RESPONDING TO MY QUERY'S YOU PEOPLE ARE A GREAT HELP IVE RECIEVED MORE HELP AND VALUBLE INFORMATION FROM THIS SITE THAN I RECIEVED FROM THE LAWYERS THAT I HAVE PAID WELL OVER $10,000.00 FOR. & THE BURDEN OF PROOF IS SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE PROSECUTOR.LOL NOT... BUT THANX AGAIN BECAUSE "I AM INOCENT" AND JUST WANT A FAIR SHOT AT PROOVING IT. THE SYSTEM NEEDS MORE PEOPLE LIKE YOU BECAUSE TO ME ITS NOT "THE PURSUIT OF THE TRUTH AS MUCH AS ITS THE PURSUIT OF THE CONVICTION...

 

[lawrat]

You are welcome.