Q: CA ATTORNEYS: Can an attorney assign or "refer" a case to another attorney without notification to the client?
What are the ethical obligations for client assignation and/or referrals?
Is contracted attorney required to inform client a different (non staff) attorney will argue and negotiate their case?
Details: small firm specializing in serious traffic cases. (DUI, felony speeding, reckless endangerment, etc) This case is 1st offense, misdemeanor DUI. Contracted attorney has had 3 different attorneys appear/argue on clients behalf at initial appearance, plea negotiations, and sentencing. The client (who does not live in CA) was never once notified that contracted attorney would not be appearing OR that another attorney unfamiliar with their case and one they hadnt spoken to, would be appearing. Client feels that this lack of communication directly impacted the outcome, leading to a cookie cutter plea deal and now in restitution phase, of the process and adjudication of case.
A:
more info is needed.
many criminal lawyers have a provision in their retainer that they can associate with another criminal lawyer.
were the other lawyers from the same firm?
were they appearance lawyers just appearing to continue THE CASE?
in any event they could not enter a plea WITHOUT YOUR OK........DID YOU SIGN COURT DOCUMENTS RE THE PLEA?
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