Pontiac, MI asked in Criminal Law, Family Law, Appeals / Appellate Law and Domestic Violence for Minnesota

Q: Can i find an attorney for a trial that starts tomorrow for False Allegations of Sexual assault and Maltreatment, MN?

Complex Case: Criminal CPS cases dismissed. Civil current. Appeals? Indefinitely suspended FamilyPT, Juvenile history. Lawyer terminated our client/att. Relationship. Cannot find anyone to represent me. Urgent ExParte; Daughter attempted suicide due to forced to lie about accusation and father is using my daughters as pawns to access a family trust account. Youngest confessed to lying. What can I do?

2 Lawyer Answers
Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Saint Cloud, MN
  • Licensed in Minnesota

A: An attorney is not going to be prepared who is retained the day for a hearing/trial. It is unclear from your question whether this is a criminal trial; an OFP/HRO hearing; a child protection trial; or something else. Your best bet is to go to the hearing and request additional time from the Court to get an attorney on board. The status quo will remain as is, but you might at least be in a position to get representation. Handling something like this on your own is never a good idea.

Thomas C Gallagher
Thomas C Gallagher
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Minneapolis, MN
  • Licensed in Minnesota

A: As a practical matter, the day before a trial begins is too late to retain an attorney in that case. That should be avoided by retaining an attorney near the beginning of a case. The best option "the day before trial" might be to ask the judge for a postponement of the trial, to allow enough time to find and retain a lawyer. The new lawyer will also need time to get pre-trial discovery, review any potential pretrial issues, and otherwise prepare for trial.

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