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179 Reviews
14 Feb, 2025 by Josh ausborne
I would give a 0 if possible, this is the worst law firm ever they will tell you anything you want to hear until you put the retainer , I was ignored until pay day by supervisors, attorneys, case managers, then the first 2 court dates had to be postponed because my attorney didn’t come they sent a fill in with his own law firm that didn’t know anything about my case so I had to get a extra court date months later when the date came my attorney shows up didn’t know me or anything about the case asked if I wanted another delay , remind a month I was told to pause payment because of lack of communication so the day of my court the lawyer said he didn’t know me but was told he can’t go inside because I owe a payment lol I already had paid over 2500 dollars & that was literally my first time speaking to him , I was ignored the whole time except when paying was due worst place ever & they still are trying to charge me more money
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21 Dec, 2024 by Clasina kidd
Donna made my case as painless and streamline as possible. Going through this bankruptcy was a breeze and she was always available to answer my questions. Her staff is very pleasant and knowledgeable. Her experience will benefit you if you hire her as your attorney. I’m so glad I did she was worth her reasonable cost!
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08 Nov, 2024 by Axel corrales
Bullard & Powell has giving me solid advice and there truthful. If your looking for an honest and trustworthy hired lawyer they are a great option and have giving me great legal advice. They are very professional and honest every time i call their phone they are ready to talk and keep me updated, so if your looking for an attorney in the high desert Bullard & Powell are one your best options!
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08 Jan, 2025 by Donna baisa
Shah comes through again. We have used Shah more than once. He has always got us the best out come possible. I have recommended him to many family & friends and they all have been more the satisfied. Thank you for always doing your best.
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11 May, 2024 by Gary allen
Reliable Trustworthy and Experienced
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07 May, 2024 by Tina smith
08 Jan, 2025 by Donna baisa
Shah comes through again. We have used Shah more than once. He has always got us the best out come possible. I have recommended him to many family & friends and they all have been more the satisfied. Thank you for always doing your best.
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11 May, 2024 by Gary allen
Reliable Trustworthy and Experienced
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07 May, 2024 by Tina smith
10 Dec, 2024 by Stephanie paz
Do not use this service. These people have no education and are operating under a paralegal who no longer works there. They are literally playing lawyer with no education to back it up. Idk how it’s legal. I tried to file paperwork they was poorly prepared by the manager and the paperwork was rejected by the courts lol they will play with you and your money
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20 Nov, 2024 by Aria the esthie
Avoid James Alderson at All Costs!
My experience with James Alderson as my attorney was an absolute nightmare. As a 24-year-old single mother needing legal help to navigate a custody situation, I trusted him, only to be completely taken advantage of. Not only did he lack any real communication, but he also belittled me and made incredibly hurtful and unprofessional remarks. He even went so far as to call me “ignorant” and tried to instill fear by saying I shouldn’t have custody of my daughter and that she should be taken away—all because I slapped my ex-husband in the face after he made horrible remarks about me and my daughter. The disrespect and lack of empathy were shocking.
I initially hired James to help clarify custody details with my ex-husband, specifically regarding dates, holidays, and weekly schedules. But from the start, he twisted my trust. When I later informed his office that my ex-husband had filed a restraining order against me, I wasn’t seeking help for this—I only wanted him to be aware since he was my attorney. Despite this, James later claimed he “helped” the restraining order get dismissed (even though it had no grounds and wasn’t my reason for hiring him). When I reminded him that I’d only hired him for custody matters, he became dismissive, calling me “ignorant” and telling me he couldn’t represent me because of a misdemeanor on my record. He even suggested that I didn’t deserve custody of my daughter—an unbelievably hurtful and baseless statement.
In short, James Alderson took advantage of my situation as a young mother, provided no real support, and was entirely unprofessional and judgmental. His lack of communication, combined with his condescending and manipulative tactics, made a difficult situation even harder. I would never recommend him to anyone. If you’re seeking a compassionate, competent attorney, steer clear of James Alderson. Don’t let him take advantage of you as he did to me.
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12 Nov, 2024 by Aria the esthie
Do Not Hire Robert Ponce!
I had an awful experience with Robert Ponce as my attorney. As a 24-year-old single mother needing legal help, I trusted him, only to be completely mislead and taken advantage of. From the start, he misled me, claiming he was “reducing” a felony charge to a misdemeanor. Later, I found out it had only ever been a misdemeanor—there was no felony to “reduce.”
Throughout the entire process, I never even got the chance to physically speak to Robert Ponce himself. Every conversation I had was with his front desk assistant. Looking back, that should’ve been a red flag, but I wanted to trust that he was handling my case properly and doing what was best for myself and my child. Instead, he dragged out my case over nearly a year, ultimately charging me over $3,500 for what I now realize was a complete lie.
When he asked if I wanted to keep him on for further representation, I declined due to his high fees and my lack of confidence in his help. I informed him that I was low on funds, hoping he might understand. But instead, he immediately handed my case over to a public defender without even notifying me of an upcoming court date. This lack of communication resulted in me missing the appearance and having a warrant issued for my arrest. When I finally got back on track with the public defender, they were shocked he hadn’t told me about the court date, putting me in an unnecessary and stressful situation.
Robert Ponce’s lack of honesty, communication, and compassion shows he’s only interested in adding another client to his roster to squeeze out a few thousand dollars. His business practices are extremely shady, and it’s a shame there are lawyers out there who operate like this. I would never recommend him to anyone, and I strongly advise anyone considering his services to look elsewhere. Don’t let him take advantage of you the way he did to me.
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10 Dec, 2024 by Stephanie paz
Do not use this service. These people have no education and are operating under a paralegal who no longer works there. They are literally playing lawyer with no education to back it up. Idk how it’s legal. I tried to file paperwork they was poorly prepared by the manager and the paperwork was rejected by the courts lol they will play with you and your money
Read more
20 Nov, 2024 by Aria the esthie
Avoid James Alderson at All Costs!
My experience with James Alderson as my attorney was an absolute nightmare. As a 24-year-old single mother needing legal help to navigate a custody situation, I trusted him, only to be completely taken advantage of. Not only did he lack any real communication, but he also belittled me and made incredibly hurtful and unprofessional remarks. He even went so far as to call me “ignorant” and tried to instill fear by saying I shouldn’t have custody of my daughter and that she should be taken away—all because I slapped my ex-husband in the face after he made horrible remarks about me and my daughter. The disrespect and lack of empathy were shocking.
I initially hired James to help clarify custody details with my ex-husband, specifically regarding dates, holidays, and weekly schedules. But from the start, he twisted my trust. When I later informed his office that my ex-husband had filed a restraining order against me, I wasn’t seeking help for this—I only wanted him to be aware since he was my attorney. Despite this, James later claimed he “helped” the restraining order get dismissed (even though it had no grounds and wasn’t my reason for hiring him). When I reminded him that I’d only hired him for custody matters, he became dismissive, calling me “ignorant” and telling me he couldn’t represent me because of a misdemeanor on my record. He even suggested that I didn’t deserve custody of my daughter—an unbelievably hurtful and baseless statement.
In short, James Alderson took advantage of my situation as a young mother, provided no real support, and was entirely unprofessional and judgmental. His lack of communication, combined with his condescending and manipulative tactics, made a difficult situation even harder. I would never recommend him to anyone. If you’re seeking a compassionate, competent attorney, steer clear of James Alderson. Don’t let him take advantage of you as he did to me.
Read more
12 Nov, 2024 by Aria the esthie
Do Not Hire Robert Ponce!
I had an awful experience with Robert Ponce as my attorney. As a 24-year-old single mother needing legal help, I trusted him, only to be completely mislead and taken advantage of. From the start, he misled me, claiming he was “reducing” a felony charge to a misdemeanor. Later, I found out it had only ever been a misdemeanor—there was no felony to “reduce.”
Throughout the entire process, I never even got the chance to physically speak to Robert Ponce himself. Every conversation I had was with his front desk assistant. Looking back, that should’ve been a red flag, but I wanted to trust that he was handling my case properly and doing what was best for myself and my child. Instead, he dragged out my case over nearly a year, ultimately charging me over $3,500 for what I now realize was a complete lie.
When he asked if I wanted to keep him on for further representation, I declined due to his high fees and my lack of confidence in his help. I informed him that I was low on funds, hoping he might understand. But instead, he immediately handed my case over to a public defender without even notifying me of an upcoming court date. This lack of communication resulted in me missing the appearance and having a warrant issued for my arrest. When I finally got back on track with the public defender, they were shocked he hadn’t told me about the court date, putting me in an unnecessary and stressful situation.
Robert Ponce’s lack of honesty, communication, and compassion shows he’s only interested in adding another client to his roster to squeeze out a few thousand dollars. His business practices are extremely shady, and it’s a shame there are lawyers out there who operate like this. I would never recommend him to anyone, and I strongly advise anyone considering his services to look elsewhere. Don’t let him take advantage of you the way he did to me.
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17 Aug, 2024 by Casey g
I highly recommend Mrs. Brunner. She is a very good lawyer and I am so thankful that we chose her to represent us during a very difficult time with our child custody matter😊
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25 Jun, 2024 by Jesse chase
One star. Do not recommend.
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21 Apr, 2024 by Anna loalbo
No no no. She was my lawyer 13 years ago. I'm still mad at her.
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23 Jul, 2018 by Anonymous
The judge and the DA were willing to dismiss the case since it was a 3 year old case. Alan was an appointed public defender, who instead of helping me threw more obstacles my way, even the judge made a comment about it. I was very disappointed and should have represented myself instead, I work nights so was exhausted and didn’t want to go back another date to represent myself. Alan acted as the judge and was not on my side. The judge and DA were more on my side than he was.
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15 Apr, 2015 by Anonymous
This Attorney was court appointed! He only returned calls after you left several messages. His ability to write a court brief was not there, I had another attorney read it and he called it boiler room work. He has no passion for his clients, it seems it was all about the money nothing else.
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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.
