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20 Dec, 2024 by Chad kammin
Christine Branstad is extremely professional and successful. She truly cares about her clients.
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09 Dec, 2024 by Lucas stone
If I could give this more than five stars I would. You never know if life is going to turn upside down and you’re going to be looking for a lawyer. In July that happened to me, luckily I was referred to Branstad and Olson from a friend. I met with David and he instantly made me feel at ease with his expertise and professionalism. He went way over and beyond that I can’t be so sure I would receive from a different law firm. I’m forever grateful for ALL the staff at Branstad and Olson who helped me. This is the only law firm I would trust if I found myself in trouble again.
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10 Oct, 2024 by John alcorn
I just want to say Attorney Christine Branstad is a fantastic defense Attorney and a great person who really cares for people when it comes to making sure you get justice and true legal advice. Attorney Branstad exceed all others because she actually interview you and try to get to know you as a person and see your true character to help you honestly and legally to protect you and your family member from being prosecuted for a crime that your not guilty of and to defend people against a system that often lock up and convict people of the wrong charges who doesn't know the law to defend themselves from prosecutor's that only care about a win and conviction even if sometimes locking up innocent people and ruining there lives and there families. She is a trooper I wish there were more like her to save these poor souls. J.A. JR
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16 Dec, 2024 by Dave bingham (papa dave)
Very knowledgeable, kept me informed , and his anticipations of my options
and outcomes were always spot-on. I would retain counselor culp again without a doubt. I would also recommend him to my friends and family .
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09 Dec, 2024 by Kevin stocker
Highly recommend Nick and his teams services.
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03 Oct, 2024 by Tiffany burcham
I cannot recommend my lawyer highly enough. From the very start, his assistant
and him handled my case with exceptional care and professionalism. They put my mind at ease during what could have been an overwhelming process. No matter how complex my questions were or how many times I called, they were always available, patient, and thorough in their explanations. Their responsiveness and dedication were unmatched, and they went above and beyond to ensure that I got the best possible outcome for my situation. Their expertise, coupled with genuine concern for my well-being, made all the difference. I am truly grateful for their hard work and outstanding service.
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16 Dec, 2024 by Dave bingham (papa dave)
Very knowledgeable, kept me informed , and his anticipations of my options
and outcomes were always spot-on. I would retain counselor culp again without a doubt. I would also recommend him to my friends and family .
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09 Dec, 2024 by Kevin stocker
Highly recommend Nick and his teams services.
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03 Oct, 2024 by Tiffany burcham
I cannot recommend my lawyer highly enough. From the very start, his assistant
and him handled my case with exceptional care and professionalism. They put my mind at ease during what could have been an overwhelming process. No matter how complex my questions were or how many times I called, they were always available, patient, and thorough in their explanations. Their responsiveness and dedication were unmatched, and they went above and beyond to ensure that I got the best possible outcome for my situation. Their expertise, coupled with genuine concern for my well-being, made all the difference. I am truly grateful for their hard work and outstanding service.
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07 Jan, 2025 by Dennis mccullough
30 Dec, 2024 by Geetalliance taylor
Two cases with this company, both cases lost. I had to fetch results and the lawyer and still have gotten no answer on our questions. My clients don’t want to work with this company any more, we lost both time and money.
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10 Aug, 2024 by Kamran ilyas
Definitely recommend them. They helped in almost impossible case. 5/5
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20 Dec, 2024 by Chad kammin
Christine Branstad is extremely professional and successful. She truly cares about her clients.
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09 Dec, 2024 by Lucas stone
If I could give this more than five stars I would. You never know if life is going to turn upside down and you’re going to be looking for a lawyer. In July that happened to me, luckily I was referred to Branstad and Olson from a friend. I met with David and he instantly made me feel at ease with his expertise and professionalism. He went way over and beyond that I can’t be so sure I would receive from a different law firm. I’m forever grateful for ALL the staff at Branstad and Olson who helped me. This is the only law firm I would trust if I found myself in trouble again.
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10 Oct, 2024 by John alcorn
I just want to say Attorney Christine Branstad is a fantastic defense Attorney and a great person who really cares for people when it comes to making sure you get justice and true legal advice. Attorney Branstad exceed all others because she actually interview you and try to get to know you as a person and see your true character to help you honestly and legally to protect you and your family member from being prosecuted for a crime that your not guilty of and to defend people against a system that often lock up and convict people of the wrong charges who doesn't know the law to defend themselves from prosecutor's that only care about a win and conviction even if sometimes locking up innocent people and ruining there lives and there families. She is a trooper I wish there were more like her to save these poor souls. J.A. JR
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02 Dec, 2024 by Eduardo sanchez
Great experience. Highly recommend.
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19 Oct, 2024 by Kenny cable
Mr. Hurd was very confident in his knowledge from the first conversation I had with him. This led me to believe he was the guy I needed to hire and did so. Everything he told me that was going to happen did happen in my favor and beyond. He’s a great young attorney and highly recommend from my experience.
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10 Oct, 2024 by Wyatt rehberg
02 Dec, 2024 by Eduardo sanchez
Great experience. Highly recommend.
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19 Oct, 2024 by Kenny cable
Mr. Hurd was very confident in his knowledge from the first conversation I had with him. This led me to believe he was the guy I needed to hire and did so. Everything he told me that was going to happen did happen in my favor and beyond. He’s a great young attorney and highly recommend from my experience.
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10 Oct, 2024 by Wyatt rehberg
02 Dec, 2024 by Eduardo sanchez
Great experience. Highly recommend.
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19 Oct, 2024 by Kenny cable
Mr. Hurd was very confident in his knowledge from the first conversation I had with him. This led me to believe he was the guy I needed to hire and did so. Everything he told me that was going to happen did happen in my favor and beyond. He’s a great young attorney and highly recommend from my experience.
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10 Oct, 2024 by Wyatt rehberg
20 Dec, 2024 by Chad kammin
Christine Branstad is extremely professional and successful. She truly cares about her clients.
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09 Dec, 2024 by Lucas stone
If I could give this more than five stars I would. You never know if life is going to turn upside down and you’re going to be looking for a lawyer. In July that happened to me, luckily I was referred to Branstad and Olson from a friend. I met with David and he instantly made me feel at ease with his expertise and professionalism. He went way over and beyond that I can’t be so sure I would receive from a different law firm. I’m forever grateful for ALL the staff at Branstad and Olson who helped me. This is the only law firm I would trust if I found myself in trouble again.
Read more
10 Oct, 2024 by John alcorn
I just want to say Attorney Christine Branstad is a fantastic defense Attorney and a great person who really cares for people when it comes to making sure you get justice and true legal advice. Attorney Branstad exceed all others because she actually interview you and try to get to know you as a person and see your true character to help you honestly and legally to protect you and your family member from being prosecuted for a crime that your not guilty of and to defend people against a system that often lock up and convict people of the wrong charges who doesn't know the law to defend themselves from prosecutor's that only care about a win and conviction even if sometimes locking up innocent people and ruining there lives and there families. She is a trooper I wish there were more like her to save these poor souls. J.A. JR
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03 Aug, 2024 by Carlos
Un muy buen abogado,profesional en lo que hace ,muy atento,se los recomiendo ,es muy cerio en su trabajo
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19 Jan, 2023 by Javier saldana
Raziel is a very professional lawyer that is great with people. He was very helpful with helping us and helped us understand the whole process of what was going on. It was very helpful that he is fluent in spanish. I would highly recommend him. After talking to him for the first time he truly explains everything very well. He is also really easy to get ahold of which makes the whole process even better. We we’re highly satisfied with him taking care of our case. Very professional.
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19 Jan, 2023 by Helen saldana
Since we had our first consultation with attorney Raziel Argueta, we knew that giving our case to him would be the best decision. Our application for adjustment of status was sent instantly and his communication is very good. He speaks Spanish perfectly and is honest. He explains the process very well. Easy to talk to him through the phone or in person he truly cares about his clients. Un abogado excelente ayuda mucho a la comunidad hispana muy fácil comunicarse con el nos ayuda mucho cuando tenemos preguntas y siempre hace todo en un proceso rápido.
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03 Aug, 2019 by Jake
Bo helped me with a criminal defense case this year and did an excellent job defending me. I could tell he genuinely cared and always kept me in the loop when new information was presented.
He is most definitely on top of his game 100% of the time!!
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28 Apr, 2019 by Jordan
When I was served papers for joint legal custody of my son, I panicked. Bo was recommended to me by a family friend and I couldn't have been happier with my decision. Bo is very kind and upfront with people and very knowledgeable. He assisted me in not only getting a fair deal, but he fought alongside me to ensure that wasn't getting a raw deal. Thanks again Bo!
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02 Jan, 2019 by Leah
Bo actually listens to you, and does the job you need him to do. He is extremely prompt at replying to questions, and he explains everything to you. You always know where you/your case stand - you’re not left in the dark. I finally found a competent attorney that I completely trust!
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27 Aug, 2024 by Carrie
This lawyer is the most amazing lawyer she is smart and down to earth and she did what she said she was going to . I will be forever grateful for her help in my case . She is the best lawyer I could of asked for . Thank you again Sydney Ross for everything ..
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21 Jun, 2024 by Anonymous
I unfortunately was arrested on I80 for an OWI second offense and a .324 BAC. I gave Sydney a call the following morning and had a short meeting. She was very communicative and responsive to every question I had.
She walked me through the entire process start to finish and outlined every possible scenario. Sydney made sure to exhaust every option we had to get the best result for me. We ended up getting a plea deal with the prosecutor for a simple reckless driving. I would recommend Sydney to anyone who finds themself in the unfortunate position of an OWI charge. I’m keeping her number on file with the hope that I never have to call her again!
If you ever find yourself in that position for goodness sake shut your mouth and give her a call.
11/10!
Thank you Sydney!!
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23 May, 2024 by Anonymous
Sydney was excellent. She communicated everything so well and I really felt like we were a team. She was very knowledgeable regarding the laws in my case and I got the best outcome possible.
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08 Jan, 2020 by Josh
Kate was an absolute pleasure to work with. She handled all of my concerns promptly and always made herself available for conversation when issues came up. I highly recommend her if you are going through a divorce, she worked circles around my spouses so called "experienced" lawyer and she was always two steps ahead of him. At one point my spouse actually wanted to fire her lawyer and just let Kate finish out the paperwork process. She's that amazing folks.
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22 Aug, 2019 by Timothy
Kate was very professional and delivered on everything she intended to. She kept me well informed throughout the process and was able to rush my divorce through in less than one week. Even though my final bill was much higher than what was estimated, I would still recommend Kate to anyone needing her services. Just budget for more than what is estimated.
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05 Jul, 2019 by Valerie
Kate was such a fabulous divorce attorney. She is knowledgeable, patient and supportive. I would highly recommend her.
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03 Jun, 2024 by Brienne
Glen was a great lawyer. He was always willing to go the extra mile for his client. Always willing to explain everything In terms that you understood. Glen is always willing to listen and help you understand what you’re up against.
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27 Feb, 2020 by Amy
He was timely and efficient and got my situation cleared up with a deferred judgement. I could not have asked for anything more. He was really concerned about me as a person. People post bad stuff about lawyers when they dont get good things happening to them, so dont believe bad reviews.
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26 May, 2014 by Keri
He was an excellent attorney, very compassionate and knowledgeable. He helped me when no other lawyer would. He is not to expensive either. If I ever need a lawyer this will be my first and last call. Brilliant and he kept me informed during the whole process.
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11 Dec, 2024 by Morgan mcmillan
Going into a legal situation is something I’ve never had to encounter, RHS Legal was there to help me every step of the way answering any questions I was unsure about or giving the best advice when it came to making any type of agreements! I had the BEST experience working with Emily Anderson and her paralegal Tonya, they never left me with anything unanswered and always kept me updated on the next steps! I will continue to refer them to anyone who reaches out for legal assistance! 😊
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11 Dec, 2024 by Jason volkert
RSH legal was very helpful with my injury. Very professional and work hard for there clients easy to talk with and easy goin. Would highly recommend them to anybody that needs help!!
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10 Dec, 2024 by Michael morse
I was an expert for RSH Legal in a recent case. I found RSH legal to be quite professional and very dedicated to success for their client. In the 30+ years that I have been an expert witness, I have worked with 600 law firms so I feel competent to comment on my interactions with the firm. Most important is that they were focused and very professional but as important is that they did not waste their client's potential award on frivolous interactions with consultants such as myself. It was business when it needed to be which always impresses me. I would recommend them and I would happily consult with them again in the future.
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15 Mar, 2014 by Anonymous
Erin represented me in a civil dispute with a service provider who owed me $2,000 and refused to answer my calls or return my voicemail messages for 5+ months.
First, Erin is of the highest ethical standards. He explained to me that he thought this dispute could be easily resolved outside of court and, if so, he would only charge me his hourly rate rather than the standard 1/3 of the recovery amount. Second, Erin was extremely professional. He kept me up to date with his progress as well as what my options were at each turn.
Erin was right and the dispute was resolved within a few weeks of him initially contacting the service provider. I recovered the full $2,000 and paid Erin for less than 2 hours of work which ended up saving me a lot of money. He was great to work with and I would recommend him to anyone in need of an attorney.
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20 Sep, 2024 by Laura
We are lucky to have found Eddie as we live out of state and were dealing with a Iowa violation. He responded right away when we reached out and I appreciated that he took as much time in our inital phone call to explain the process. He always responded to emails in a timely fashion and resolved our case with the best possible outcome!
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19 Mar, 2024 by Conrad law (scanner)
Tyler is a rare treat and a person who cares about his clients. He's also really intelligent.
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09 Jul, 2021 by Megan hennessy
Tyler Coe provided exceptional legal counsel throughout my divorce and custody proceedings. Tyler is professional, supportive, and informed. I cannot recommend Tyler and Whitfield & Eddy enough - Their representation is simply unparalleled.
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05 Feb, 2021 by Roxane penick
Tyler Coe was a beacon of hope for us at a time when our options appeared limited and the likelihood of a satisfactory resolution seemed unlikely. He had a calm and empathetic demeanor while offering practical guidance through a difficult divorce. We are grateful for his service and very pleased with the results. We recommend Mr. Coe without reservation.
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02 Nov, 2023 by Dan goldman
Joe Gamble was very excellent at consulting for my needs highly recommend!
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03 Sep, 2022 by Jacklyn fox
02 Sep, 2018 by Rod rosburg
Knowledgeable staff.
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03 Oct, 2020 by Kelly markham
Good food
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09 Jan, 2025 by Sam s
I was about to face two years in prison for something I didn't even did but thanks to Clara and her team they did amazing job I'm really thankful to be out after so many years getting in trouble with the law
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02 Dec, 2024 by Anonymous
Clara Rose Avenarius's was very helpful to me she was kind nice respectful patient smart lawyer. Thanks for her I won my case got forgiven.
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14 Nov, 2024 by Sierra
Thank you for helping me your the best attorney I've ever had and I would recommend you to everyone
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06 Jul, 2024 by Peter hartje
Dealing with our insurance company on a claim was turning into a nightmare. We contacted Harley, and from the first consultation to receiving claim approval, Harley’s counsel was invaluable. His knowledge, professionalism, and rigorous advocacy when dealing with the claim investigator, the insurance company’s attorney, and his guidance during the process directly led to our claim being awarded. If you need an attorney, choose Harley. Period.
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11 Jun, 2024 by Louis holmes
Very grateful and thankful to have Harley as my lawyer to represent me. Very understanding. Always answer my phone call and questions and concerns. Very helpful. Get the job done for you! Highly recommended to represent you!
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01 Apr, 2024 by Grace stokes
I am exceptionally grateful for Harley who helped us in our boundary dispute with a new neighbor.
Harley guided us through the process, was kind, and was a true expert in his field. It is hard to believe where we would be without him.
He was efficient, timely and has incredible integrity. I will recommend Harley to anyone who needs help, he is a true advocate for his clients.
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06 Aug, 2023 by Sharon wegner
13 Oct, 2022 by Milehighbry
04 May, 2022 by John kirsch
Matt Sease is a capable, helpful attorney.
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15 Nov, 2017 by Anonymous
I hired Mr. Benzoni in a very complicated case. We were newly weds with my husband and he faced problems with immigration before I could even submit a I-130 application. Mr. Benzoni was very straight forward and told us the process from the consultation day. I loved the fact he is not the type of lawyer who will say everything will be fine, he tells you the bad things and risks very clear from day one. My husband did go back for 1 1/2 years to MX just like Mr. Benzoni had said. He was approved to re-enter to US and 3 years have passed, my husband is a US citizen now. All started with the knowledge and dedication of Mr. Benzoni and his assistant. I totally recommend him to friends and family because he is honest and hard working lawyer.
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26 Feb, 2017 by Andrea
I hired James Benzoni to help me and my husband on his deportation case in 2016, and we are still fighting the order. We are trying to get the courts to re-open it so we can have a chance to keep our family together. I have faith in Mr. Benzoni to do the right thing as he has shown himself to be a capable, intellegent man. He has won many difficult cases in the past for grateful clients, and I believe he is going to continue to work on finding answers. He isn't the kind of man that gives up and gives in. He will continue to work hard and we will get a fair outcome, which doesn't come easily these days.
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09 Oct, 2015 by Linda
My son in law had a complicated case for immigration. Mr Benzoni and his team were wonderful, supportive, respectful, efficient and really worked hard for such a fair price. I am grateful to them for everything. I have referred multiple people to him for help. Mr. Benzoni and his assistant have so much compassion and love for all walks of life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Sincerely, Linda Almanza
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20 Jul, 2024 by Krystas sparkles
20 Jul, 2024 by Krissy solorio
12 Jun, 2024 by John gutting
Johnathan was a wealth of information and understanding. What he did not know he took the time to research and get a solid answer. I will definitely be enlisting his services again.
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02 Dec, 2024 by Eduardo sanchez
Great experience. Highly recommend.
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19 Oct, 2024 by Kenny cable
Mr. Hurd was very confident in his knowledge from the first conversation I had with him. This led me to believe he was the guy I needed to hire and did so. Everything he told me that was going to happen did happen in my favor and beyond. He’s a great young attorney and highly recommend from my experience.
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10 Oct, 2024 by Wyatt rehberg
12 Dec, 2024 by Andrew dosch
Very unorganized. Bad communication. Disappointed in the whole process and how it was handled. Tony in particular, would not even respond back to me on the very few emails or questions that I had. I feel that if you have a question about billing, somebody needs to at least give you the courtesy of responding back in a timely manner. Apparently, it’s just an option if they wanna do it or not. Incredible.
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11 Dec, 2024 by Doosie
Very long and redundant process.. we dealt with multiple people on many of the same things and provided many of the same documents over and over. They billed us an additional $600 because apparently we didn’t have enough information. We provided them the first time and a certain area.. pretty sure that’s what we pay them for is to know exactly what is needed and how much of what is required. This process seems to be never ending and there seems to be no finish line in sight. Overall disappointed. Communication is not a strong point either as I have only asked a handful of questions throughout the process that I expected a response to in a timely manner and my last question has gone unanswered regarding why they didn’t know how much documentation we needed for the $600 extra fee. Must be nice to be able to bill people without providing anybody any type of answer or clarification on why.
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13 Nov, 2024 by Ch w
I had an exceptional experience with Causey and Ye Law during my EB2-NIW application process. After facing delays of over a year with a previous lawyer in Ames, I decided to restart my case with Causey and Ye Law in April. From the outset, my attorney, Ye, was incredibly supportive and instrumental in guiding me through the process. Along with client manager Wendy, the entire team provided outstanding dedication and thorough attention to detail, which greatly strengthened my case and ensured a seamless process. Thanks to their expertise and commitment, my case was approved by September, and I promptly received my priority date following submission. I highly recommend Causey and Ye Law for anyone in need of efficient, professional legal representation. Their exceptional service and unwavering support made all the difference in the success of my application.
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04 Dec, 2024 by Leah nuthman
I never thought that I would be in the position that I was in when I had to file bankruptcy, but Nancy made it bearable! She explained everything in detail every step of the way, and it made this process so much more streamlined than what I expected. Nancy is kind, courteous and professional. I hope I’m never in this position again, but if I am, I know who to call, I highly recommend!!!
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02 Dec, 2024 by Eduardo sanchez
Great experience. Highly recommend.
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13 Sep, 2024 by Ann heacock
Going through Nancy for my bankruptcy was a great decision. Highly recommend.
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09 Nov, 2024 by Montana sour
I interviewed with several lawyers to find the right fit for my situation. Jason was the only one I met with in person, and he immediately made me feel confident in a difficult situation. Throughout the entire process, he reassured me and answered all of my questions in a very timely manner and with as much information as possible. His paralegal Jenn is also phenomenal and so kind as well! When I called other law offices to set up interviews, their staff knowledge and overall care for the situation was greatly lacking in comparison to Jason's staff. The entire situation was difficult, as divorce tends to be, but not once did I feel unprepared or apprehensive when it came to the legal side. Meet with Jason, you won't regret it.
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30 Sep, 2024 by J madrid
Jason and his team helped very expeditiously and efficiently finalize my divorce. I would highly recommend using their services.
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26 Sep, 2024 by Sabrina smajlovic
Jason is very educated, understands the court system, and how things work. He is willing to help which is a little hard to find. Fights for the right things. Very professional and knows what he is doing. Thanks Jason.
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20 Jul, 2024 by Krystas sparkles
20 Jul, 2024 by Krissy solorio
12 Jun, 2024 by John gutting
Johnathan was a wealth of information and understanding. What he did not know he took the time to research and get a solid answer. I will definitely be enlisting his services again.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
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.
