I would STRONGLY suggest to anyone looking to hire a criminal DEFENSE attorney from this firm, to…read moretake their time and research thoroughly before deciding on retaining services here.
I understand that fear and uncertainty would lead one to believe that they don't have much time or any options when your freedom/livelihood is at stake, but believe me - you do. The vast amount of firms in our area that offer free consultation should give you some sort of solace and a moment of relief to take your time and interview each firm appropriately before deciding "this is the one".
Please keep in mind, the attorney you choose ultimately has your freedom in their hands, they are your voice to have favor and/or mercy from the court. This is something I wish I had known before using this firm for my battle.
The unfortunate situation that I found myself in this past year, I decided to use this firm again solely off the none-criminal representation in which I had hired Obie A. to handle that particular case. Obie was amazing, very knowledgeable and proficient and given those circumstances, I would recommend him again in a heartbeat. However, the naive thinking that this would be the case when applied against a different legal matter, cost me thousands of dollars resulting in very less than desirable outcome many months later.
While Obie A. was NOT the suggested attorney for my criminal case - PER HIS PEERS at Owenby Law, I relented and move forward with Dustin N. as suggested. I was scared of the situation I was in, and never having to need a criminal attorney in my life, I trusted any and all counsel that was given to me without researching the background of my attorney based on the firms suggestion.
Had I known prior to securing Dustin's representation what I found out after thousands of dollars spent, I would have known he was simply not a good fit for me and my case. For instance, the reasons surrounding his departure as a city prosecutor, becoming a defense attorney with the mindset that "he has sent people to jail for less" take it or leave it type attitude, his application of legal knowledge and self-confidence to argue my case, and his lack of urgency and timeliness to court hearings would have given me pause.
I accumulated more fees texting, versus any actual attorney hours towards my case; I paid more money for his transportation to hearings, than any motion filed or negotiation attempts with the state. That is why it is imperative to select an attorney who is transparent with you from the very beginning , who keeps you updated as the updates occur, and not simply to run their hourly rate up. ***For example - While he was busy participating in civil war re-enactments, I was physically sick deciding if I were to adhere to his suggestion of resigning from my only place of employment ***
In court they will ask you if you understand and are satisfied with your representation, but to be realistic - you have about 30-60 seconds to process the information said to you to respond yes or no. And after months of court hearings I was relieved for everything to finally be over; everything said to me honestly sounded like Charlie Browns teacher.
The clerical staff at the Park Ave location has been great, a wonderful bunch, however a finance employee by the name - Joshnea H., has very questionable characteristics and one to watch very closely regarding any type of financial transactions. Just recently I received an invoice with an absurd charge against my payment plan. When pressed about said unknown fee she hung up. I've never seen this behavior from professionals, only from scammers during tax season, and towards the elderly. You would think at 300-400 dollars a hour, there would be some type of diginty in which they would carry themself.
If you need a defense attorney, I would strongly suggest you hire one that has always been defense. And always, always, do a background check to ensure the attorney you hire ethics align with yours.
Best of luck to you all.
