Need some legal advice from my WF family.

C

CodSpot

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May 18, 2010
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Well, myself, my 2 roomates and my girlfriend fell into an EXTREMELY unfortunate situation, in which we now are convicted of misdemeanors with more charges pending for something that was not our fault basically.

Well, my advice I need from you guys, is finding a good lawyer. Money is not an issue, I just don't know the questions I need to ask, or even where to begin in finding the right lawyer who will actually fight in our defense until then meat has been picked off of the bone.

So basically:
Where do I start?
When I start free consultations, what questions should I ask?

I can really use all the advice you guys have to offer.

On top of that I got in a car accident today, been a hell of a month for me.


Thanks guys.
 


This guy has been doing a legal radio show here in LA since 1985. He promotes his legal referral website: handelonthelaw*com

In terms of questions - find someone who specializes in the type of crime you're being charged with.

There are at least a couple of lawyers on here who should hopefully chime in with more details.


Good luck man
 
Is there a chance you can lose assets?
The pending charges, are they serious?
How much cash do you have to pay the lawyer?

One thing is for certain, do not talk to the police, do not talk to your friends about anything, do not talk to anyone about anything, everyone will screw you over.

Choose a lawyer via referral from someone you know that is already a lawyer. Hopefully you know at least 1 person. Even if it is a friend of a friend. Make certain the lawyer you go to specializes in your specific problem area.
 
How do you get convicted on one charge, but have more charges pending in the 1 case? Normally most places don't break up 1 case into multiples.

Where are you at? If you're in Vegas or Oklahoma I can make some solid references. If you're not let me know where you're at and I can ask some of my friends (criminal defense lawyers) that might know.
 
Compound said:
This guy has been doing a legal radio show here in LA since 1985. He promotes his legal referral website: handelonthelaw*com

In terms of questions - find someone who specializes in the type of crime you're being charged with.

There are at least a couple of lawyers on here who should hopefully chime in with more details.


Good luck man
Click to expand...

Thanks.
I've just never been in the situation (nor thought I would ever be) where I would need a criminal defense lawyer. It's all just kind of stressful when thinking "How the fuck do I know which lawyer is the right lawyer for me?"

I have a friend who is the state prosecutor for central florida, but he's not legally allowed to speak to me on behalf of the case. Also, when asking him for referrals is hard because he's not local.

justo_tx said:
If money wasn't an issue why didn't you already find a lawyer to avoid the first convictions?
Click to expand...

It was basically impossible to avoid the first conviction.

crackp0t said:
How do you get convicted on one charge, but have more charges pending in the 1 case? Normally most places don't break up 1 case into multiples.

Where are you at? If you're in Vegas or Oklahoma I can make some solid references. If you're not let me know where you're at and I can ask some of my friends (criminal defense lawyers) that might know.
Click to expand...

Well, the reason being, our bail was set at $5,002 per person (4 of us) which I'm in the state of Florida, meaning that it's a felony priced bail. We were only arrested for a misdemeanor, and they say "more charges are pending" which is where things are a bit unclear for me.
 
I'm curious what you did, but everyone in here is right, shut you're mouth and don't admit to anything, don't even talk remain silent.

I live in FL but I can't really suggest anyone other then a DUI attorney (that a friend used).

Sorry bro, have you tried looking on google for lawyer reviews in you're area for the type of situation you're in.
 
I've looked around, Sumo, but I still don't exactly know what I'm looking for besides a lawyer who specializes in misdemeanors. I've got a few appointments set up for tomorrow, I'll update this thread after my meetings with them.

Thanks guys.
 
pm me. what part of the country are you in? I dont do crim law but can find you someone who does. Also, with the charges they can also stack them to try and get you to plea out. For example, you could get pulled over for speeding and arrested for a DUI, then they could take your blood and find out it was an extreme and tack on that charge. Plus if your vehicle was impounded and searched and they found drugs or paraphenalia then they could add on those charges as well.

My suggestions are:
1) cancel all your appointments with people who are not former prosecutors. Find someone who is a former prosecutor in the area you're in, and has been out for maybe a few years...not like 10, but 5 at the most. Most of these guys have connections that no one else has.
2) do a google search and see if they have any complaints. Maybe call the state bar.
3) ask them what their trial record is, and how many cases (like yours) that they have pushed to trial.
4) if it goes to trial, ask how much extra it will cost.
5) ask if they have an in house private investigator, or one on the payroll.
6) see what their caseload is like.
7) ask if they will be the attorney handling the case, or if it will be an associate.

edit: derp. saw you were in florida. I dont know anyone direct, but can ask my listserv.
 
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CodSpot said:
I have a friend who is the state prosecutor for central florida, but he's not legally allowed to speak to me on behalf of the case. Also, when asking him for referrals is hard because he's not local.

It was basically impossible to avoid the first conviction.

Well, the reason being, our bail was set at $5,002 per person (4 of us) which I'm in the state of Florida, meaning that it's a felony priced bail. We were only arrested for a misdemeanor, and they say "more charges are pending" which is where things are a bit unclear for me.
Click to expand...


Ask your friend, the state prosecutor, for the referral.

You are being way too laid back about all of this.

Now if you catch the other case they can charge you as if you have prior convictions.

Never underestimate what may be happening to you.

Get the referral, you have a friend who is a state prosecutor? That person at a minimum should be able to point you in the right direction.
 
aaronklaw said:
pm me. what part of the country are you in? I dont do crim law but can find you someone who does. Also, with the charges they can also stack them to try and get you to plea out. For example, you could get pulled over for speeding and arrested for a DUI, then they could take your blood and find out it was an extreme and tack on that charge. Plus if your vehicle was impounded and searched and they found drugs or paraphenalia then they could add on those charges as well.

My suggestions are:
1) cancel all your appointments with people who are not former prosecutors. Find someone who is a former prosecutor in the area you're in, and has been out for maybe a few years...not like 10, but 5 at the most. Most of these guys have connections that no one else has.
2) do a google search and see if they have any complaints. Maybe call the state bar.
3) ask them what their trial record is, and how many cases (like yours) that they have pushed to trial.
4) if it goes to trial, ask how much extra it will cost.
5) ask if they have an in house private investigator, or one on the payroll.
6) see what their caseload is like.
7) ask if they will be the attorney handling the case, or if it will be an associate.

edit: derp. saw you were in florida. I dont know anyone direct, but can ask my listserv.
Click to expand...

top notch post very solid advise. This sounds like a drug case with 3 passengers in the car (just a guess and OP should not confirm or deny) but as others have mentioned it cant be hard to find a "drug attorney" in Florida or whatever crime was committed. The key here is to move fast and get out ahead of it before it turns into an even bigger shit storm than your already heading into. And remember no matter who you get for an attorney you need to stay on them to make sure they are keeping up w/ the paper work (you would be surprised how often they manage to miss deadlines) either way good luck to ya bro
 
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