Lawyers map
>331
experienced lawyers
Filter by
29 Apr, 2024 by Anonymous
Poor communication won’t respond for several days. Doesn’t listen fully about your case. Very unprofessional. Calls you in the beginning to get his money and meets you at various different settings for 5 minutes but then doesn’t respond. Clearly presented information I never gave him to the courts on top of not letting me see the documents befor submitting . Won’t send me my paperwork or respond but has withdrawn from the case. All around worst expierence ever and he said he would be with me every step of the way
Read more
14 Mar, 2017 by Trisha
When I met John I thought he seemed like he was going to fight for my case. I had to repeat myself every time we met. John was not very quick in returning my phone calls and emails, sometimes I never got a response to my questions. There was something he advised me against in the beginning and the case was prolonged and I ended up having to do the thing he advised me against anyway. If I would have done it when I asked about it my case might have been settled sooner.
Read more
10 Sep, 2009 by Kim
I was so impressed with John's knowledge and professionalism. I didn't have alot of experience with attorneys but I was so at ease with Mr. Danian. I could not have dealt with this matter on my own, he worked very quickly, and I would tell anyone who's seeking legal counsel: he's an excellent person to have in your corner, and I will contact him again with any and all legal matters.
Read more
16 Apr, 2024 by Anonymous
I've used Sracy in the past to be the Representative, in Settling an Estate matter after my Mother Inlaws passing.
My husband knew Ms. Vandyken thru his employment because they would run into one another there for many years. We both owned English Bulldogs also at the time and became what we would consider Friends.
She worked Hard,Honestly,Aggressively, and Attentively. She allowed us to focus on the Mourning and Healing Process from my Mother Inlaws passing. She made us feel that we had our own "St Michael", that stood for us in battle. Stood "FOR Us", not just "Beside us." Her One on One Phone calls always Made us feel that our case was Important to her, also. We loved her and we couldn't Thank her,enough!.
I think when you find and pay for the right Representation. That person that you've put your Trust, Life, and Furture in their hands. You build a Relationship with them.
One of which you can reach out to Directly. . At Least every couple of weeks for any updates,answer for new questions you may have, Or to just Call and see how your doing thru the difficult and stressful process of things?
Stacy Did that. If not, we could always call and leave a message with her staff. And recieve a phone call back from her.
She was Truly, a Blessing to us in such a Difficult time. We are truly Blessed.
Unfortunately , at this time our Daughter, whom she met many years ago at age 16,Has now had to hire Stacy for her Own, Legal counsel.
She was in need of an Aggressive,Strong, Attentive Attorney. One that will Stand Up For,and Protect her and her Children's best interests,
She'll be the one to stand " with Her", in Every Court appearance herself. Not an Associate. One who we Know, will Fight just as hard for her, as she did for us.
Stacy's an attorney who will Communicate "Directly" with her every couple of week to update her, and to guide her thru all of the zigs and zags there are with a Divorce with small children.
We have hired Stacy for a 2nd time and it was not only all of the reasons that I listed above, but because Stacy IS one who will not back down from apposing attorneys, will object when it's warrented,
Stacy Vandykem will Fight for, Her. And the future of our Grandchildrens.
Being in an Abusive Marriage for years was tough enough for our daughter, standing up in a courtroom, is Petrafieying to her.
Knowing that Stacy Herself, will stand Beside her in a court room, and will be Fighting for our daughter, her best interests, and an attorney who is not Afraid.
Our children,no matter if now young adults. Need Guidance at times. And I know that guiding ours to Stacy Vandyken, is Exactly the Women she needs right now to Fight for her and her children.
Knowing Stacy Vandyken will be in the courtroom, truly brings us, 'Peace"
Read more
14 Jul, 2023 by Anonymous
Communication was horrible if any by her or her assistants. I don't feel supported, I can't get directions and I can't get any information despite the numerous attempts made every week.
Read more
16 May, 2023 by Anonymous
You may as well represent yourself. Stacy threatened to withdraw as my attorney if I didn't do things her way. She talks a big game but always backed down from the opposing parties attorney. She will not fight for you because "she already knows what the court is going to say". It seems like all I paid her for was to talk tough, back down and forward emails.
Read more
09 Jun, 2022 by Johnny hines
This lawyer didn't have time this lawyer didn't respond this lawyer don't care about you this lawyer lied this late isn't professional if u think he you should know he is a scam!!!! Then when u comp pain he quits. He did nothing 3500 and forced me to plea with a deal the courts didn't do. I wavy to withdraw help me. I'm saving ya life!! Save mine
Read more
14 Nov, 2018 by Anonymous
I retained Mr. Pederson to represent me in a fairly simple criminal case and it was the biggest mistake I've ever made. Without going into too much detail, I will just say that this man is all about money and does the bare minimum. He tells you what you want to hear in order to gain your business and then drops the ball and is almost impossible to get in contact with when it really matters. You're better off sticking to a court appointed attorney than to waste your money on Mr. Pederson.
Read more
22 Sep, 2014 by Katherine mercer
I hired scott Pederson as the court appointed attorney Mr Cardinal Gaylord did not seem to have the time for this case. mr Gaylord was very was very professional and recommended his co-worker, namely Scott Pederson. Mr pederson had a great defense but we lost even though the overwhelming evidence was In our favour. We are now in the process of an appeal and I shall get t back to AVVO to let everyone know the outcome.
Read more
04 Jan, 2024 by Anonymous
Michael is a dishonest human being with no moral compass. The reviews on this site ARE 100 % accurate and true! I'm sure he will respond to this review denying these things as well, but he KNOWS they're true.
Read more
17 Jan, 2023 by Anonymous
I hired Mr. King to handle my custody case. He drunk text me and then apologized the next day. He did it again about a month later. When I called him out on his behavior and that I didn’t appreciate it he “fired” me.
I am friends with other women who had hired him and he definitely has a pattern of inappropriate behavior with female clients. He waits until their case is closed so “they are no longer a client.”
He also violates attorney client privilege by talking about the specifics, with names, to people he is dating.
Read more
19 Aug, 2021 by Anonymous
I hired Mr.King to handle my divorce. I was extremely weary about this “ All Inclusive” divorce ( for very good reason!). I even brought this up to tell, to which I was told “ I will fight until the end!”. I wish I was kidding when I say once the check cleared, the fight was gone. All the things I wanted before I paid him, were now “ not possible”. And the ones I had to practically beg him for weeks.like Financial Discovery ( pretty standard in a divorce). When I finally got a hard copy of the report that “ there’s nothing hidden” was 100% wrong, which leads me to believe he never read it. Mr. King “ fired me” due to the judge questioning if he was telling me orders from the court. He was not. Plus, he was supposed to change my child support after a certain day, told me he did. You guessed it, nope. Found out about the lie 4 months and THOUSANDS later. I honestly could have used the money I over paid in child support, still saved way more money, plus gotten much more accomplished in my divorce. Should have gone with my gut. Instead I got lied to, nothing accomplished and dropped once the judge found out.
And If ever expect an answer to a phone call, text or email in under two weeks after he gets paid. Don’t hold your breath, Plus, I was told and given completely inaccurate court date times. Nothing like taking the day off of work cause a “ small boo boo”
Read more
23 Mar, 2015 by Anonymous
Ms. Lane was appointed to me for federal court lawyer by the justice system, i could not find any reviews about her , not good or bad, when i requested another attorney i was told that there are very few federal legal attorneys in michigan to support me, i was pretty much stuck with her. needless to say , things did not go well for me and after the fact, i found out that had she presented evidence to the grand jury in the first trial after my indictment was served i may not have been sentenced to federal prison. i felt as if she did not even take my case seriously, she did not ask me about important things that made all the difference when i went to court and she led me to believe that i was going to walk out of the court room on the day of sentencing until hours before the sentence , then she sprung on me that i was going to go to prison. im not trying to scare people from her but i wish i had a review to read about her before i went forward with my case. in my experience she should not be working with the federal system, she was often late for our appointments and joked about having lunch with the judge, this made me feel uncompfortable from the first day i met her, and my gut instincts were right.
Read more
17 Sep, 2018 by Anonymous
My son entered in to a bitter, violent, and volatile divorce in July 2018. He reached out to Jeff because he is supposed to be a strong representative for fathers involved in a divorce. After hiring him on July 5, 2018, we found that my son's case was not held as a priority to Jeff. He often didn't return responses to emails or phone calls in a timely manner. Even though the safety of my son's children were at risk, he put other clients ahead of his case. When we brought this to his attention, he stated that he is busy and has other clients. Court paperwork in regard to temporary custody of the children was forwarded to my son for review without Jeff reviewing it first. There were many obvious mistakes including using the name of a judge that had retired 5 years ago, incorrect child support computation, incorrect directions for the exchange of the children, failure to include joint legal custody, failure to include that his spouse was no longer allowed in the home. When asked why the paperwork had not been properly reviewed, Jeff stated he was working on other cases and thought it best to get the information to my son as soon as possible. The most egregious action, however, was his biased opinion of my son and his chances of getting custody of his children. From day one, he used the word "jerk" when describing how a judge might look at my son. He told him the court system in which he had to file, was one of the worst ones to work with. When the friend of the court referee met with Jeff, he advised my son that the referee was not going to work with him and didn't even want to hear his case. Jeff advised my son to just accept whatever he could work out with his spouse's attorney as it would be the best he would get. This does not sound like an attorney that is willing to work for his client in his best interest. I would caution any male that is involved in a divorce to research very carefully before hiring an attorney to represent them. In the 6 weeks that Jeff represented my son, there was not one thing accomplished that would hold any weight in court. This allowed his wife to take his children, withold them from him, break into their house and take many of his belongings, and make constant threats. No one should go through this situation without an attorney that is willing to dig in and fight for them. We have since hired another attorney and are very pleased with her. She has gotten a court order that gives him time with his children, protection of his home, and personal safety.
Read more
12 Jun, 2023 by Anonymous
Hired this lawyer to fight for my daughter after her mother abandoned her for 14 year cooking meth and in and out of jail.
Instead of him doing what we wanted in court he bent over backwards and did what the court wanted. Did nothing to help us.
He knew I wanted to appeal the decision that he recommended to the courts which was the opposite of what we wanted. 2 months go on and he calls saying he didn't get anything from the courts until the judge signed the order.
This lawyer is a joke. Does what he thinks is best instead of doing what's best for is client. Worst lawyer I've ever come met!!
Read more
30 Oct, 2021 by Shane
He doesn’t return phone calls or emails but charges for reading the messages. He took months to even file the case. My wife wrote most of the petition with little help. But the worst is that he did absolutely no preparation to learn about the county in which we were dealing with and was completely unprepared for the hearing even though we provided him with all the information he could need in an easily readable format. He did little to support my petition and actually agreed with the opposing council that it didn't sound like a big deal. I knew immediately that I had lost and would not be able to get my son the help he needs. I spent thousands of dollars to end up in a worse situation than when I started.
Read more
08 Apr, 2013 by Terri
After hiring Curt Benson & leaving my photos, videos & receipts, he started dodging my calls, emails, even the ATG requests for communication. During this time, an agent from the insurance company showed up at my home while Toxic mold testing was being done after being told they could no longer be here as they had been through my home over 2 dozen times & it had been agreed upon that they had had enough time to get whatever they needed by then. The agent threw me to the ground, which he was found guilty of assault, by a jury. Also, the mold inspectors refused to allow him in as they had no gear needed for him to enter. So Curt Benson was told of the assault upon me & reminded of the agreement for the insurance agent to stay away & the mold inspectors refusal to allow anyone in & against our wishes & the wishes of the toxic mold inspector he still told the City Police to let it go & allow him to enter.
When I brokered a deal with the insurance company months later, there were 2 checks sent to Curt Benson for me. When I went to retrieve my checks, Curt Benson refused to give me either check unless I would fraudulently sign my husbands name & give the lesser of the 2 checks to him. I actually have an eye witness who was there when this entire situation went down. I chased after Curt Benson for months trying to retrieve my case file after firing him, finally having to have another attorney help me. When I did retrieve it, my photos, videos and receipts were all missing. Somehow, the insurance company I was in this lawsuit with, came up with all my photos that had went missing from my case file. Later I learned Curt Benson had actually done a lot of business with this same insurance company before going into private practice. He as well had worked with the same attorney who the insurance company was using in my case. Never once informing us, even after I specifically asked him, if he knew any of them. I later learned that both Curt Benson & the insurance company`s attorney had worked in the same law office from about 1986 until about 1992. I had asked Curt Benson the first day I met him if he had ever worked with or knew anyone from this insurance company as that same morning before our first meeting, an agent from the insurance company called me asking about my appointment with Curt Benson. I asked him how the insurance company had known of our appointment. He claimed he had never worked with them nor did he know any of them & he stated he certainly had not told anyone our our meeting.
After hiring another attorney, we were awarded a settlement, however, it was over turned with the Mi. Court of Appeals. We later learned his wife is a Mi. Court Of Appeals Judge.
I am not hostile or spiteful here in the telling of my experience. I actually learned a lot through all of this. And as I told our second attorney, this was never about the money, but the way in which we were treated by the insurance company. I only wish Curt Benson had of understood us. And the fact that we were awarded the settlement, no matter that it was over turned, we won by public opinion, is all we wanted to begin with.
Read more
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
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.
