Terrible Communicator. Over Commits, Under Performs
All of the following information pertains to my case which was a first time DUI, on a golf cart, outside of a nearby campground. No accidents and no injuries, was stopped for not having a seatbelt.
Charles initially (during the consultation) was very
responsive and seemed to be in the inner circle in Tuolumne County (the County I was charged in). He spoke about knowing the judges, but stating that the County was stuck in the stone ages. He still displayed confidence in regard to my case and his ability to help me out. I agreed to hire him, signed the retainer, and as soon as I sent my first payment, the communication all but stopped! He initially stated that he preferred to communicate via text, which I was more than happy to do. However, he would almost never respond to my texts. I inquired about court dates, DMV hearing, general questions about my case, etc. and he simply just did not respond. I would then call him and finally get him on the phone just for him to be frustrated with me and tell me that he has been busy in trials. He would never give a straight and honest answer about my case, but instead just say that he has it handled.
My frustration first started when I received a warrant for my arrest in the mail for missing a court date. When I contacted Charles, obviously in a panic, he said that my case was not yet filed so he did not appear at the scheduled arraignment, and that the warrant was issued in error. He went to Court the following week to clear it up. At this point in time, I was accepting of the mishap and Charles' fix to the situation.
Next came the motion to suppress evidence hearing, which Charles displayed high hopes for. Said he was friends with the judge and that we had about a 70% chance of success. This was a let down once the time came and the judge rejected the motion. I did not feel Charles did a good job at the hearing, as he spent most of the time belittling the officer instead of focusing on the facts. However, I am not an attorney, and maybe that is what works for him?
Next frustration was the DMV hearing. After about 9 months of pushing off my hearing (done strategically), he missed my scheduled hearing!! My drivers license was then suspended, throwing our whole strategic timeline off. I initially couldn't get ahold of him to find out what was going on, so I reached out to DMV. They told me that he missed the hearing and they could not reach him after multiple attempts so they had not choice but to suspend my license. When I finally did get ahold of Charles, he said he let them know he wouldn't be able to make the hearing on the day before it was scheduled, due to trial. He did refund a portion of my retainer for missing the hearing though. At this point I was done and asked him to get me the best plea deal.
I do not believe he spoke privately to the DA once during this whole process in an attempt to get a plea deal. He simply just told me that they don't offer plea deals in that County. I have a really hard time believing this.
He went to Court, with my plea papers in hand, and called me after the hearing to let me know I could either do 2 days in jail, 30 days house arrest, or 10 days sheriff work program. I would also have to pay $2142 and be on probation for 3 years. I was shocked he couldn't get me anything better than that, but opted to do the 10 days sheriff work program. When we finally went to sentencing, he was over 40 minutes late!!! He also showed up in the courtroom flustered and in a hurry. It was obvious to me at that point how the Judge and court in general view Charles in Tuolumne County.
To anyone reading this, please go another route when it comes to hiring an attorney in Tuolumne County. Most of my stress about this whole ordeal was associated with Charles instead of the criminal case.
