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04 Apr, 2011 by John
i totally DISAGREE with other comment, michael shaugnessy represented me and was above and beyond what i had previously thought of criminal attorneys. he was thoughtful, respectful, and only had my wishes and hopes before him. he is professional and i have, and will, continue to recommend him to others!
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22 Feb, 2011 by Janice
This lawyer was completely unprepared. He did not do any investigation for my son's case and showed up to court late trying to "cut a deal" with the prosecutor. He got my son the worst deal ever. Jail time for what should have been a misdemeanor offense. I will never use this lawyer again.
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12 Feb, 2021 by Anonymous
Harvey is a liar he told my son he knew he was innocent. He told my son the judge knew he was innocent, that if he took a plea deal he would get probation and we could fight to clear his name after the case was over. My son is in prison on a 7yrs prison sentence. Harvey hid information that would have cleared my son, that our private investigator located in my son's file in Harvey's office .. He railroaded my son. He was working with the system to lock him up. To close a case. On the day of the set trial, Harvey Told my son you are a black man they're to find you guilty just because you are black. My son wanted to go to trial. He fired Harvey Hired a new attorney who file a motion to vacate his plea, but Harvey and the judge were friends. He told us he was BEST friends with the Judges Dad. So instead of probation my son was sentenced to 7yrs. My son was 29 at the time, had no criminal record, was working fulltime and in college fulltime. Never been in any trouble. Now no one seems to be able to or want to help him since he'd taken a plea. Now here we are 5 yrs later still trying to get help for him.
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28 Apr, 2019 by Anonymous
I hired Harvey for my first and only brush with the law. I had one charge originally without any prior record. Harvey said I had no choice but to plead guilty. There was no negotiating. I plead guilty to the same original charge. During my imprisonment, I had multiple corrections officers tell me my attorney was obviously involved in some corruption with the judge/prosecutor. They took a look at my case and said it was crazy I ever had to do prison time. Harvey never seemed to care. He literally showed up at my hearing, then again at my sentencing, never contacting me outside of our dates in court. He does not care, just wants your money. Consider this your warning - do not hire him! Side note - I will say John M. that works for him does seem to care. He should do himself a favor and find a job working with another attorney.
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19 Jun, 2018 by Anonymous
Harvey was hired to defend us in a civil case, told us to use all our money to save our home. We had a good case and was ready to go to trial, he totally blew us off, did not show up for hearings, I found out he dropped the case by reading the court dockets online, he did not even have the professionalism to contact us himself. We lost our home, savings and retirement money because of his negligence. Do not hire him, he only cares about himself.
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24 Mar, 2023 by Bill
John has represented several family members and friends in civil, juvenile, and criminal cases for many years. He's always willing to help at a moment's notice. Due to his extensive experience in all local courts, he knows how the system works and how to obtain the optimal results.
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16 Feb, 2021 by Anonymous
This man is in the cloud of his own past and present life issues. Did not listen to anything my children and I ever told him. Treated me as a poor unworthy woman.
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01 Oct, 2019 by Anonymous
John was my lawyer and helped a great deal but he has no “bed side manner”. Very rude...for instance I was waiting and waiting for court and he left to see another clients so I called his office to ask what to die because I needed to work and was waiting 2 hours for a pretrial...when he came back he yelled at me in Front of other people and said he was thinking about with drawling as my lawyer because I called his office and I’m asking like an A-Hole for asking what to do...
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26 Oct, 2022 by Anonymous
Absolutely did not prepare for sentencing hearing. Never produce the evidence and didn’t challenge the prosection witness on a lie he knew was a lie!
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04 Aug, 2017 by Anonymous
I had just lost my job and was down on my luck and was eventually charged for committing a theft offense. With the help of family and friends I hired Jaye who was willing to work with me to make payment arrangements. Jaye represented me in my theft matter and was able to get me out of it with nothing on my record. The programs he recommended for me actually resulted in my finding my current full time employment and getting back on my feet. I can never thank Jaye enough for all he did for me. I have since hired Jaye for a few additional minor traffic matters and have recommended his services to many other individuals who were as happy as I was to have found this professional lawyer who gave me a second chance to turn around my life.
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22 Dec, 2014 by Anonymous
Based on my experience with this attorney, do not hire him. My experience proves he was not trustworthy, not responsive, and did not keep me informed....
In my opinion he made many errors in my case at trial.
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05 Aug, 2021 by Anonymous
Attorney Gibbons did not send out subpoenas in a timely manner, so therefore my witness did not appear in court. He failed to submit the necessary documents to the court for review as we discussed. He allowed the prosecutor to object every statement from me without a counter complaint and/or interjection. He also requested a significantly high retainer and did not perform. My trial would fall under "miscarriage of justice."
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28 Jan, 2015 by Anonymous
Wouldn't know where to start. Did not respond to any questions or concerns. Did not say a word to the judge in trial. Was not prepared for court at all!!!! We were not informed on the process (most likely not because of the lack of communication, but because no time was dedicated to the case on his end.) However, when there was an opportunity to get any of his attention a lot of things were promised from him, but NOTHING was done. Nothing at all. I wish i could say at least one good thing about my experience with John, but there is not a single thing!!! :(
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14 Dec, 2014 by Anonymous
Based on my experience with this attorney, do not hire him. My experience proves he was not trustworthy, not responsive, and did not keep me informed. My experience is he took his high cost retainer and forget about me. My recommendation is do not hire him!
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30 Sep, 2020 by Anonymous
After being accused of a Health Fraud crime, Mr. Drucker. never seek or contained any evidences that was going to support my innocences. He utilize the Government evidence at trial. He was not prepared and made me feel like I had no chance of winning this case. He kept trying to arranged a "deal" . He offering Me up as a sacrificial lamb. , I was not allow to Fired him ( and retain a better attorney. I would NOT recommend Mr. Drucker unless you like Prison.
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22 Jul, 2015 by Anonymous
After being falsely accused of a violent crime, my family member retained Mr. Drucker. He never requested the discovery report, which contained all of the evidence that was going to be used against my family member. He didn't see the evidence until the DAY OF the trial. He was not prepared and made us feel like we had no chance of winning this case. He arranged a "deal" which was horrible. He then pushed my family member into taking the plea. He had given up! We felt like he was offering our family member up as a sacrificial lamb. Eventually, we had to let him go and retain a better attorney. I would NOT recommend Mr. Drucker.
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04 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous
I hired Richard a year ago for a legal issue because I had fired my previous attorney for not returning my phone calls or keeping me informed on my case. I explained my issues to Richard in detail and he promised to keep in contact. I have been trying to contact him for the past 5 months (keep in mind, I hired him about a year ago) only for him to ignore phone calls to his cell phone and not return phone calls to his office. I am livid at his unprofessionalism!! Do not hire him!!
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25 Mar, 2015 by Thomas
Mr.Friedman was my public defender for my case, after the case was over and my judgement entry was filed it was filed wrong. To fix his mistake he told me it would cost 700 dollars to start looking into what happened. The problem is I am now a felon because of his mistake and I can't find a job to come up with his ridiculous fees.
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27 Feb, 2024 by Steve norm
01 Feb, 2023 by Doug geersens
26 Oct, 2022 by Taylor bates
27 Feb, 2024 by Steve norm
01 Feb, 2023 by Doug geersens
26 Oct, 2022 by Taylor bates
27 Feb, 2024 by Steve norm
01 Feb, 2023 by Doug geersens
26 Oct, 2022 by Taylor bates
27 Feb, 2024 by Steve norm
01 Feb, 2023 by Doug geersens
26 Oct, 2022 by Taylor bates
27 Feb, 2024 by Steve norm
01 Feb, 2023 by Doug geersens
26 Oct, 2022 by Taylor bates
27 Feb, 2024 by Steve norm
01 Feb, 2023 by Doug geersens
26 Oct, 2022 by Taylor bates
27 Feb, 2024 by Steve norm
01 Feb, 2023 by Doug geersens
26 Oct, 2022 by Taylor bates
27 Feb, 2024 by Steve norm
21 Jul, 2023 by Anonymous
Heard a story on serial. You should lose your license when you’re wanting to charge people with a felony for an EVIDENT ACCIDENT!
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01 Feb, 2023 by Doug geersens
16 Nov, 2020 by Artia
Complete waste of money. Did nothing for bail, filed several continuations (which pretty much ensured we’d have to pay for a bondsmen), lied about dates in which he’d be available, was almost an hour late to the appearance, and we almost ended up with a worst deal then the public defender had already pretty much guaranteed before he stepped in.
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10 Jul, 2017 by Anonymous
In our intial meeting Sam stated that he would complete his due diligence in my case and referred to himself as a "bulldog". He made several errors in my case, confusing my information with other clients he had at the time. He would write up rough draft motions and send me content and locations that were from another case. Unfortunately, he rarely answered calls, very delayed in responding to urgent situations, asked the same questions over and over again that he should have already been privy to had he read documents provided to him. Never remembered anything that was discussed. States he is going to do something and never does it. I obtained several emails where the other attorney on the case bullied him and corrected him in how particular procedures go. And most importantly he made decisions on my case, without my authorization that benifited the other party involved and not in the best interest of my children. He is all about receiving money and not doing the work. DO NOT HIRE and if you dont have a choice..make sure you keep and conduct everyting in writing because he changes his story and lies when faced with holding accountability for not doing his due dillegence.
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25 Sep, 2014 by Anonymous
Jean proves to be extremely unprofessional and very rude. She does not take her job as an attorney seriously, as she seems to have other interests in her life other than being an attorney. She does the absolute bare minimum. Definitely one of the worst attorneys we have ever come across in our time working with them.
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16 Jul, 2009 by Anonymous
While exuding the professionalism of a 5 year old, "no fuss Russ" consistently missed deadlines for filings and was unable to accurately or efficiently handle several cases he worked on for me.
*The only thing he was efficient with was sending a pumped up bill, which when called on it, he promptly reduced.*
I wouldn't recommend him to anyone looking for an estate or elder law attorney. He gives Reminger a bad name.
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16 Jan, 2012 by Anonymous
Never kept in contact during the time I had hired him as a lawyer, I had to constantly call him to receive updates on the proposed case. He had an attitude that he gave off as if he didn't care and made me feel as if I was bothering him anytime I tried to contact him. I felt as if I threw my money away because he ended up doing absolutely nothing to help me other then ask for more money at the end of it. Ended up contacting another lawyer who has been very helpful and seems to be a lot more knowledgable as well.
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01 Dec, 2022 by Anonymous
Horrible attorney! Didn’t take my case seriously. Told me that my evidence couldn’t be used. Only spoke to me twice and both times asked me the same questions about my case. Literally FORCED me to plead out. Yelled at me in the hallway while me and my fiancé was trying to tell him that I wanted to take it to trial saying “If you don’t take this plea I’m not going to represent you anymore.” Which I should have just got a new attorney. I wouldn’t recommend him to anyone. He doesn’t care at all. I have one star but I wish I could give a negative 5.
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28 Jul, 2022 by Ethan
Loves to give complete pieces of garbage the benefit of the doubt, just ask Larry Pringle… Who sexually assaulted my mother and stalked 10 underage High School students. Where is he at now may you ask? On the streets of Cleveland probably waiting to do it again to the next unsuspecting victim. Hope you sleep well at night knowing that you defended a monster
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20 Feb, 2018 by Bob
This attorney is terrible he took on my case and clearly didn't have the time. His bill was beyond unreasonable. He is only concerned with making money. Would tell me one thing then change it. When I questioned his outrageous bill he filed to withdraw saying I spoke disparaging to him and threatened him. He has caused a lot of damage to my case.
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08 May, 2023 by Daniel
I was referred to Mark Frank. My wife was involved in 2 accidents. In both accidents. she was hit and no fault of her own.Both accidents totaled her vehicles and she and my son were both injured. Mr. Frank was representing both my wife and my son in these 2 collisions and was extremely unprofessional leaving her without proper representation and with just 2 months to find an attorney to help pay for medical bills, etc. For the first case he filed a dismissal (when he could have recovered funds to pay her medical bills) in October 22 without our knowledge. Mr. Franks had 3 years to work on these cases. My wife made repeated attempts to reach him regarding both cases in which he never returned her calls or messages for 3 months, wasting valuable time under the Ohio statutes and subsequently 5 months after that sends a letter dropping both cases and her representation altogether without any prior discussion thereof. Be very wary of trusting Mr. Franks for any legal services. Mr. Frank’s inappropriate handling of these two cases has lead to great financial despair in our family and not much recourse.
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20 May, 2023 by Anonymous
Did not follow the payment schedule spelled out in the engagement letter. Became very unprofessional and rude was asked about the bill. Never gave an explanation on obvious billing questions.
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07 Mar, 2009 by Anonymous
I hired Mr Davis to handle a D.U.I. and despite my instruction did the bare minimum took my money and would not return my phone calls Below is my assessment of Robert E. Davis:
• Dose not provides sufficient information to permit the client to make informed decisions
• Seems more concerned in obtaining clients money or property than in defending client's rights
• Keeps client in the dark about significant developments on the case
• Fails to adequately explain client's rights
• Fails to prepare client for hearing or trial
• Does not willingly cooperate in the exchange of information and signs stipulations or agreements with opposing side without getting client's approval documents
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02 Nov, 2017 by Melissa
I hired Martin Baker to represent me in a civil protection order where I was the defendant, and this case should have been thrown out due to all of the holes in the story. During the consultation Martin laughed about how ridiculous it was and how it didn’t make any sense on what the other party was doing. At this time I put down my retainer fee which was 3 1/3 hours of his time. Come court date it seemed like everything changed once he knew who the plaintiff hired for their attorney. Martin even came out to say “well they hired a good attorney”. He was then coming across as very intimidated by their attorney that he did not argue my case but instead went along with whatever their attorney suggested to him. The temporary agreement that was initially brought to me had very little to do with the case, and absolutely nothing to do with me or the protection order. Not to mention it was a very long term and not guaranteed solution to the case. When I had questioned Martin with that, it was like a lightbulb went off and he then went back to their attorney with the slight change that I had come up with. The whole time during this, my side of the story did not come up in the arguments as Martin seemed to just want to please the other attorney. On top of all of this after the court date when I fired him, he did not refund me any of the money, even though I only worked with him for an hour and half. He is the biggest waste of money and I would not recommend anyone hiring him unless you are looking for a long drawn out case and no one fighting for you through it.
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FAQs
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What a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Do for You
A criminal defense lawyer provides legal representation to individuals or organizations accused of criminal conduct. If you're facing criminal charges, a defense lawyer will work to protect your rights, build a defense strategy, and ensure you receive a fair trial. Their primary goal is to reduce or dismiss charges, secure an acquittal, or negotiate a favorable plea deal.
Criminal defense lawyers have extensive knowledge of criminal law and court procedures. They investigate your case, identify weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence, and represent you in court, ensuring that you have the best possible defense.
When Should I Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
It’s crucial to hire a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible if you are facing any criminal charges. Some situations in which you should seek legal representation include:
- Arrest or police questioning: If you've been arrested or are under investigation, hiring a lawyer early on can prevent self-incrimination and protect your rights during police questioning.
- Felony charges: Crimes such as murder, assault, drug trafficking, or robbery carry severe penalties, including long prison sentences. A defense lawyer is essential in these cases.
- Misdemeanor charges: Even for less serious offenses like DUI, theft, or simple assault, a lawyer can help reduce penalties, negotiate alternatives to jail, or get charges dismissed.
- Plea negotiations: If you’re considering a plea bargain, a lawyer can evaluate the deal, advise you on its consequences, and negotiate for more favorable terms.
- Probation or parole violations: If you’ve been accused of violating probation or parole, a lawyer can defend you against additional penalties or revocation.
- Juvenile offenses: For minors charged with criminal acts, a criminal defense lawyer can protect their future by minimizing legal repercussions or keeping the case in juvenile court.
What Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?
Criminal defense lawyers provide comprehensive legal services to protect their clients’ rights throughout the criminal justice process. Their duties include:
- Case evaluation and investigation: Reviewing the evidence, interviewing witnesses, and investigating the facts to develop a strong defense strategy.
- Legal advice: Advising you on your rights, the charges you’re facing, and potential defense strategies, including whether to take a plea deal or go to trial.
- Negotiating plea bargains: Working with prosecutors to negotiate a plea deal that could reduce charges or minimize penalties.
- Court representation: Representing you in all court hearings, including bail hearings, pretrial motions, trials, and sentencing hearings.
- Filing motions: Filing motions to dismiss charges, suppress evidence, or reduce bail, depending on the specifics of your case.
- Trial preparation and defense: Preparing a defense strategy and presenting arguments, evidence, and witnesses during trial to contest the prosecution's case.
- Appeals: If you are convicted, a defense lawyer can appeal the conviction or sentence, arguing errors in the trial process or legal rulings.
How Are Criminal Defense Lawyers Paid?
Criminal defense lawyers generally charge clients in one of three ways, depending on the complexity of the case and the lawyer’s experience. Payment structures include:
- Flat fee: For straightforward cases (e.g., minor misdemeanors), some lawyers charge a one-time flat fee that covers all aspects of the defense.
- Hourly rate: For more complex or ongoing cases, lawyers may charge by the hour, with rates varying based on the lawyer’s experience and geographic location.
- Retainer fee: In cases where extensive work is expected, the client may pay a retainer fee upfront. The lawyer then bills against that retainer for their work on the case.
The cost of criminal defense services can vary greatly, so it’s important to discuss fees during your initial consultation.
How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a criminal defense lawyer depends on several factors, including the severity of the charges, the complexity of the case, and the lawyer’s experience. General cost guidelines are:
- Misdemeanor cases: For relatively minor offenses, such as a DUI or petty theft, a flat fee may range from $1,500 to $5,000.
- Felony cases: More serious charges, such as assault or drug trafficking, can range from $10,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on the complexity and duration of the case.
- Hourly rates: For cases billed by the hour, lawyers may charge anywhere from $150 to $500 or more per hour, depending on their expertise and the case's location.
- Additional expenses: You may also be responsible for other costs, such as filing fees, expert witness fees, or the cost of private investigators.
Be sure to clarify the lawyer’s fee structure and any potential additional costs during your consultation.
Top Questions to Ask a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Before hiring a criminal defense lawyer, you’ll want to ensure that they’re a good fit for your case. Here are key questions to ask:
-
What is your experience with cases like mine?
Make sure the lawyer has a strong track record with the specific type of criminal charges you’re facing, whether it’s DUI, drug offenses, or violent crimes. -
What is your fee structure?
Ask how the lawyer charges for their services and whether you’ll be responsible for any additional costs. -
What are the potential outcomes of my case?
A good lawyer should provide an honest assessment of your case and the likelihood of dismissal, a plea bargain, or conviction. -
How many cases have you taken to trial?
While many criminal cases settle with a plea deal, it’s important to hire a lawyer with courtroom experience in case your case goes to trial. -
Who will handle my case?
Ask if the lawyer will be personally involved or if other attorneys in the firm will handle most of the work. -
How do you communicate with your clients?
Be clear on how often and through what channels you can expect updates on your case.
How to Check the Credibility of a Criminal Defense Lawyer
To verify the credibility of a criminal defense lawyer, take the following steps:
- Check their standing with the state bar: Confirm that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing with your state’s bar association. Look for any past disciplinary actions or complaints.
- Read online reviews and testimonials: Platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google can provide insights from previous clients about the lawyer’s communication, professionalism, and case outcomes.
- Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should have past clients or other professionals who can speak to their competence and work ethic.
- Review their case history: Look at the lawyer’s website or professional profile to see their experience with criminal cases, including high-profile or complex cases.
- Look for trial experience: If your case might go to trial, make sure the lawyer has a strong history of courtroom advocacy and success.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most of your first consultation with a criminal defense lawyer, bring the following:
- Details of your case: Be prepared to provide a detailed account of the charges against you, including any documents related to your arrest, police reports, and court dates.
- Criminal history: If you have any prior criminal convictions, inform your lawyer so they can understand how that may affect your current case.
- List of witnesses or evidence: If there are any potential witnesses or evidence that may support your defense, share this information during the consultation.
- Questions for the lawyer: Prepare questions about their experience, legal strategy, and fees to ensure you understand how they will handle your case.
- Bail or release documents: If you’ve been released on bail, bring any paperwork related to your release conditions or restrictions.
By being well-prepared, you can help your lawyer quickly assess your situation and begin building an effective defense strategy.
