Q: my 16yo son stole my car and I pressed charges and he was arrested. damage was done to my property and a field
my 16yo son stole my car and I pressed charges and he was arrested. damage was done to my property and a field where he got the vehicle stuck. went to court and was told I had to get him a lawyer. it just seems that its a conflict of interest because I am his mother however I am the one pressing charges. do I have to provide a lawyer if I am the one pressing charges?
A: It's does not appear to be a conflict even if you pay. The duty is owed to re client, not to the person who pays for the attorney.
A: Respectively to Mr. Stengel, there is a secondary responsibility to principles (the people who pay)...so I think there is a conflict. However, considering you cannot afford an attorney, I would ask the court to provide you with an 18 B lawyer at the next appearance and appraise them of the situation that the person pressing charges against you also hired your lawyer… This is an unadulterated conflict of interest in my perspective
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