Reviews

I was appointed, Mr. Bill Stephens, to represent me by the Henderson County Indigent Defense Coordinator on Oct. 2, 2014. Bill and his son, Brad, are both Attorneys and Counselors At Law. Stephens and Stephens have an office in Gun Barrel City just a few miles from my house. I was charged with Assault causes bodily injury to family member. It is Class A Misdemeanor, not a big deal to some, but to me it is a big deal and has become an even BIGGER Deal as it has gone on. When my wife and I first met Bill at his office we found out he had spent time in the US Army and was a Dallas Police Officer before getting his law degree. Now this is a quote from their web site, "When you need to be sure that you are getting the very best legal representation, and not some fly-by-night attorney who is only interested in settling your case as soon as possible, trust the experts at the Stephens & Stephens Law Firm to do everything in their power to get the best possible ruling on your case." Every time I would meet with Bill he had a new plea deal for me. I was offered a small fine and Disorderly Conduct Charge for the first offer and I was told that if I didn't take it the prosecutor said he was going to seek the max punishment. Bill gets the Deputies audio and video recording on a Thursday or Friday and the trial was going to start the following Monday. My wife and I watched it Saturday in Bill's office. The "tape" had some evidence I felt would be in my favor. The victim and her witness filled out written statements, which differ's from what they say on the video and what they said in court. The video also shows that the witness could not have seen what she claims she saw for two reasons, 1) The kitchen breakfast nook and dining area obstructs the view of the back door coming from the basement and 2) I was NOT on top of my niece, punching her in the face and the number changes with each story they tell. I have maintained the same story she pushed me twice and began choking me with both hands. I defended myself and I punched her in the nose one time and she dropped to the floor. During the trial Mr. Stephens only made one objection I do believe, never introduced the audio/video tape or the written statements from the victim and her witness. The only evidence was a single photo of the victim and that was introduced by the prosecutor. The jury returned with a guilty verdict in less than 6 minutes. I don't feel my attorney was prepared for trial and did not represent me to the best of his ability. I don't blame Mr. Stephens or the jury. I blame the system. I have been assigned a new attorney that handles appeals. I did an initial review of Ms. Linda Altier and will provide a follow up review. I asked Mr. Stephens for a copy of my "file" and was told due to the "Michael Morton Act" he could not give it to me. The judge sentenced me to 2 yrs. probation, 20 days in jail, Anger Management Class, Drug Testing, Court Costs, Fines, attorney fees and her hospital bill. I did not report to the jail like the judge told me to do and Mr. Stephens did manage to smooth that out during the last court date where he was taken off my case and the new attorney was assigned. It has been three days and I still have not heard from Ms. Altier.