Q: CAN AN ATTORNEY REALLY WORK ON A CASE WITHOUT EVER TALKING TO CLIENT ABOUT THE ALLEGATIONS OR DETAILS OF THE CASES?
I HAVE HAD 3 CONFLICT ATTORNEYS I WAS ARRESTED DEC OF 2021 NEXT COURT DATE IS PRELIM . ONLY CONVERSATION WAS ABOUT A DEAL FROM DA NEVER ABOUT ANY TYPE OF DEFENSE OR DETAILS. 3 FELONY CASES
A:
This is how the criminal "justice" system works. You get what you "pay" for.
FYI, Conflict Counsel in Riverside County only get paid a flat fee of $500 (unless the case goes to trial, then it's a measly $1,500). No reasonably competent criminal defense attorney can work and make a living at those rates.
Consequently, Conflict Counsel have a financial disincentive to appear at more than 2, maybe 3 times max, before declaring they having a "conflict of interest" because you won't accept the plea bargain offer and the same thing happens with the new one appointed until defendants like you (especially if in custody unable to make bail) give up and plead out.
Your only way to get off this merry-go-round is to hire private counsel. Some will accept payment plans, others will accept a Promissory Notes backed by some type of security depending on the nature of the charges filed against you and the amount of time they will expend to put on a quality defense on your behalf. You can also try to get a loan on your own, family members, etc.
A:
I WOULD NEVER START TO REPRESENT A CLIENT WITHOUT TALKING TO HIM/HER.
I ALSO WOULD NEVER GO TO TRIAL WITHOUT FIRST GOING TO THE SCENE OF THE ARREST OR ACCIDENT.
I THINK GOOD LAWYERS DO BOTH OF THE ABOVE.
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