Shop around. As a 59-year-old facing a first-offense Class A misdemeanor, I was in a vulnerable position and I paid $12,000 fee in full before any consultation could take place.
Throughout the process, I received inaccurate and misleading information. I was initially told in a text message that both my husband and I needed to take a class through victims' assistance to remove a no-contact order, which was incorrect. I was later told the policy changed and only my husband needed to attend, which also proved to be untrue. Additionally, I was instructed to bring $343 in cash for a diversion fee, only to find out the amount was actually $334 and went toward court fees instead.
Furthermore, on the day of my court appearance, Emily texted to inform me she would be late due to another hearing and suggested I arrive later as well. Regarding the resolution of my case, I was told the diversion program consisted only of watching a video. However, after agreeing to it before the judge, I discovered it requires attending 10 weeks of ATV classes at $25 each.
Crucial details were either miscommunicated or entirely withheld, forcing me to follow up a week later to ensure there were no additional surprises despite my full compliance with all requirements. I am deeply disappointed by the lack of transparency, accuracy, and professionalism provided during this stressful time. read more
