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AnnaMarie
Guest
I was arrested for D.U.I. I hired an attorney that did'nt have the time to represent me in trial. He quit 2 weeks before my court date. I was reimbursed all monies paid. I then hired my 2nd. attorney. On the day of my trial he never summond either of my medical witnesses. He then received a continuance told me that I would need to pay him an additional $1,400.00. I could'nt so he quit and refused to give me back the fee he charged to defend me. I had no money left and was then given a public defender. It is office policy there to only schedule appointments with council one week before your court appearance. The day before trial I found out that he had'nt even spoke to my witnesses.Another court date set and I find out that my witnesses have been summond to appear the day AFTER my trial. I fire him..borrow money to hire attorney number 4. He sounds very competent and I lay it all in his hands. He tells me that it is well known in the legal circle that my judge has never allowed a d.u.i. case to win in his court but he will do his best. On the morning of my trial I call my M.D. and am informed that he had just gotten the subpeona 3 days before and cannot possibly cancel all his appointments in such short notice. I appear in court with a prosecutor that is sick of all the delays and I am scared to death. My attorney tells me that if I want to proceed with trial he is ready!! I ask him how? Then he informs me of the really reasonable plea-bargain that has been offered to me. I refused to agree to use the word guilty and plead no contest to a crime I was innocent of.I have paid $4,00.00 in a defense that never was,court cost,fines and spent two days in jail.Never once did I get to speak with the judge that convicted me. I have proof and records of what I say is true. Do I have any recourse or is this the way or legal system is set up in Washington county,Arkansas?