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What's the Difference Between a Court-Appointed and Retained Attorney

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  • 03-24-2013, 06:15 AM
    Centexcrimlaw
    What's the Difference Between a Court-Appointed and Retained Attorney
    My question involves criminal law for the state of: Texas

    There seems to be a lot of discussion on court appointed atty's and the public's total disdain for them. Iv'e been doing them for 21 years, including two death cases, and I get just as excited about a good court appointed case where we actually have a chance as i do with a retained one. What I do not understand is in central texas the court appointed clients are the absolutely worst clients i have ever had. They are the most disrespectful and just plain dumbest people i have ever had the displeasure of dealing with. They treat you like a second class citizen making stupid demands, telling you what motions to file, what will work with a jury and what will not etc.... I have an initial sit down with them to explain who is in charge and what I expect from him and his family. Like I will determine what motions get filed, explain what an open file policy is with the da's office so i dont have to deal with the daily request for a motion for discovery. This seems to help with some, but I have found that if you don't execute each and every stupid request then here comes the grievance stating "he works for the state and he ain't representing me right" and all that crap. Is anyone else having this problem with the younger court appointments?
  • 03-24-2013, 09:25 AM
    indybail
    Re: Court Appointed or Retained Atty
    You can thank TV for making everyone a "expert" on anything. Pity me. I'm a bail bondsman and I've got Dog the Bounty Hunter out there acting as the face of my industry. Sometimes it seems I spend half my time explaining that real life is nothing like what is being portrayed on those shows.
  • 03-25-2013, 03:32 AM
    BenT
    Re: What's the Difference Between a Court-Appointed and Retained Attorney
    Quote:

    Quoting Centexcrimlaw
    View Post
    This seems to help with some, but I have found that if you don't execute each and every stupid request then here comes the grievance stating "he works for the state and he ain't representing me right" and all that crap. Is anyone else having this problem with the younger court appointments?

    The same phenomena occurs in public institutions - like healthcare, education, social services etc. In the US we feel people are entitled to a whole lot of services without financial obligation, or accountability. For the most part free services are a good thing - but what it's done is created generations of people who don't work hard for it, are less-than appreciative of pro bono expertise and a dullard's view of the legal processes and procedures from watching TV shows, or by word of mouth from bonehead-to-bonehead.

    Personally, I think making people pay a minimum, or time-dependent clause for such services would bring back a higher degree of sobriety to these thankless people who suck up time and energy from folks who might really need these services & the generous people working to help make the world a better place.
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