Expert: Robin Sexton - 7/31/2008

Question
I was arrested 3 years ago on 5 counts of child neglect and 1 count of manufacturing an explosive.  After an immense amount of money, 1 criminal, 1 criminal-family, and 1 family court attornies, loss of time with my children, DSS intervention they out of the blue just dropped the case. no contact with my attornies just dismissed the charges.  I contacted my attornies-thats how they found out the charges were gone.  All along the way they said don't call or bother them- time is on your side.  I had to pay all the criminal attorney fee in advance.  Am I able to get them back?

Answer
Stephen,

You want to get money back for attorneys ???  Good luck.  OK  here is how it is suppose to work.  You paid the attorneys what is called a retainer, lets say 5000 dollars.  This is advance payment for the attorney and he is to draw on that till it runs out and then they ask for more.  Now you understand where the blood sucking term comes from.  The attorney is suppose to keep records as to where the money goes and these they are suppose to provide to you.  Any extra money is held in account with your name on it and should be returned. I am often amazed at how the retainer equals exactly the amount of work done.
Contact your attorneys and get your account records see what they say.  If you disagree with the amounts discuss it with your attorney first. If that don't work out then you can contact their Grievance system and file a complaint.


Good luck

robin