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30 Oct, 2018 by Anonymous
I would highly recommend Abby to anyone who finds themselves in a jam. She and her staff were always responsive, available, and made an unpleasant experience as
Pleasant as possible.
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30 Oct, 2018 by Anonymous
I hired Abby after having a bad experience with another attorney, who made me feel like he did not value my input related to my child's custody arrangement . Abby always made me feel like my case was a top priority for her, really listened to what I was looking for, and helped me to navigate the process to optimize the outcome for my child and limited the contention that can typically arise in these types of things. Abby also went out of her way to meet me during times/days that would work for me given my nontraditional work schedule, which I really appreciated.
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27 Sep, 2018 by John
We had hired Ms Leeds for one of two cases. She knew the date scheduled for court but the morning of is when she decided to let everyone else know she had gone on vacation. Court was rescheduled and when I arrived she was offended I didn’t know her face and entire hearing discussed with her DA buddies what they were gonna do.... she knew nothing of her clients case which she had in her hands and looked at it like it was supposed to talk to her. She did not at all represent her client, I had to give her the death stAre or speak up myself to speak on her clients behalf. Also, instead of dealing with the charges she misinformed her client to get him to agree to continue... HE HAD NO CHARGES AND SHE CONTINUED IT! Most likely to get her greedy hands into the next charge in which she was to charge more but the first was paid in full and not yet dealt with... Not only did we have this horrible unnecessary experience. She was absolutely almost impossible to get a hold of by phone, text, email even Facebook. She has all clients paperwork. ALL ORIGINAL PAPERWORK no copies were made! Did I mention she failed to write up an agreement of services? What lawyer does not have some type of written agreement with their clients?? We fired her about a month ago But we still try to call her for the inmate only proof of innocence alas, still No reply from Ms Abby Leeds. We don’t even know if she knows she was fired!! Completely and totally unprofessional in any and all standards and we will be contacting the Bar Association as well as others!
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24 Jul, 2019 by James
Mr. Hylan represented me in a P.C.R.A. (post conviction relief) action against an illegal sentence on a criminal case. He started out slow to file documents but to his credit he did finally get the paperwork done and filed and I had my day in court. At the hearing the judge found that the sentence was indeed illegal. No other finding was possible (1). For reasons unknown to me she denied the petition and set the stage for an appeal to the upper courts. She probably did not want to disturb the original judges decision and so shifted the burden to the upper court as is common. Mr. Hylan told me he was going to handle the appeal as it was his legal obligation to do so. It again took a long time for him to complete the filing and when he did so he "forgot" to include the requisite 1925b statement. The 1925b is a statement of issues of complaint and is the very root of an appeal. I put "forgot" in quotes because for a criminal defence attorney to "forget" the 1925b is like forgetting to get dressed before driving to work. It is nearly impossible. He sent me a letter saying "oops"! The case was denied by the upper court and I was thusly denied "meaningful judicial review" as is my Right in PA. Then when he was graciously afforded the opportunity to rectify the error by the superior court, he failed to do so. He promised me in my panicked phone conversations that he "was on it". My fatal error was my continued faith in him. I had a winning case and I quite probably served an extra 2 years in prison and parole because "oops" he "forgot".
(1) Noteworthy also: A P.C.R.A. is, as a matter of rule, prepared by the inmate who has the burden of, doing all the legal research, writing it all in legal format, and filing it with the courts who then appoint an attorney only if merit is found. Mr Hylan told me that my filed petition was so well prepared that he would have little to do on this case and it was a winning case. It was indeed a "slam dunk" case but he blew it.
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06 Apr, 2009 by Anonymous
So far, two other clients fired him for lack of representation. He said he'd write up a will for my parents, but took a year to do it. Not only that, but he never had it notarized, nor did he inform my parents that they had to get it notarized, which caused a great deal of trouble after my dad died. I, unfortunately was arrested once. He actually said, "Well, something wasn't right with the arrest...It wasn't a clean arrest...not a good arrest..." He never went further with this. He just informed me that I was a victim of a bad arrest. He never helped me. I could have gone through the justice system myself without even having a lawyer instead of an incompetent one such as Joe Hylan.
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11 Jul, 2022 by Anonymous
I agree with the other reviewer. He does not follow up or follow through. and he does so callously without regard to the lives he might be ruining. Avoid unless you're an easy case. This guy is negligent.
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27 Jun, 2014 by Anonymous
Mr. Woodward is a terrible communicator. He is all about taking the easy road (whichever road is easiest for him). I do not recommend Mr. Woodward as he is very distant and detatched from his cases. He was recommended by many friends however he was a big disappointment. I suggest you look elsewhere.
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07 Jun, 2017 by Scott
I hired Mr. Jenkins in December of 2016 to help me with an issue with my son being attacked and injured by another student in school. At first Mr. Jenkins was very helpful with dealing with the school district. After the school district was dealt with we proceeded to deal with the charges pressed against the child and the subsequent lawsuit to be filed after the criminal hearings. Over the 3 months this has taken place, Mr. Jenkins would always talk to me on the phone and tell me what to do or who to call. Over time Mr. Jenkins was very back and forth about a lawsuit saying we could go after the parents, then maybe even go after the school district too, then to say we may not be filing a lawsuit at all. At no point was Mr. Jenkins taking this case as contingency, it was all an hourly fee. Over the 4-5 month period and $4,000+ later, Mr. Jenkins calls me to inform me that he feels I should find another law firm to handle these issues. The only thing Mr. Jenkins did in this case was write 3 letters and talk to the school district's attorneys 2 or 3 times. Other than that it was just telling me what to do and that all cost me over $4,000!!!!
With an absolute lack of professionalism for him to just dump me in the middle of this case I will NEVER refer anyone to Mr. Jenkins or his firm due to their unethical practices.
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11 Dec, 2016 by Margaret
Art was my first divorce attorney, who I fired for incompetence. He advised me to keep all kinds of notes on my ex and how he was alienating my kids. When my ex would bad mouth me and emotionally abuse my kids, I begged Art to do something. He was always "too busy."
The day before a hearing, Art had his secretary call and tell me if I didn't pay my bill in full (all of my assets were in joint games,which means I had to wait to pay Art), art would not show up to represent me. I had to take a loan from my 401k and had to prove I made the request before he came to court.
I paid Art over $50k in legal bills. He messed up filing some paperwork and had to fix it. He charged me $2500 to fix his mistake. He sued me, adding $7500 for his fees (???) and now wants me to fly in from out of state.
This guy is a has been. He will manipulate you and will come after you if you don't do everything he says. He is unreasonable, nasty and arrogant. He did a terrible terrible job. He will suck you dry. Divorce is hard enough, dont make it harder on yourself by hiring Art Jenkins. He is everything people hate,about lawyers.
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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.
