Not A Professional Public Defender
In 2019 my ex-wife made false allegations of domestic violence in an attempt to gain the upper hand in her divorce. I could not afford a private attorney at the time and Leland Burton was appointed as my public defender. I told Mr. Burton I am 100% innocent
and will be going to trial, unless the prosecution drops the charges. At this time, the Shelterhouse social workers, who were supposed to represent my wife as the victim against me, found out I am completely innocent & contacted the prosecutor to let him know they will be representing me as the victim at my trial (not as lawyers, THAT was Leland Burton's job.) I explained to Mr Burton that I will be needing a copy of the police report before the next court date, which he refused to provide me. I also told him there is exculpatory video evidence we need to subpoena. It's important to note that at this point I was recording everything as evidence for trial. Leland Burton then told me "The police lied in their report...Who do you think the court will believe, you or the police?". Mr Burton then complained "I have clients who are facing years" and "Your're getting off easy becauase you have no (prior) record. Mr Burton told me he "Know you're innocent"... but " I can't help you". I told Mr Burton I have contacted several other private attorneys who told me that with the available evidence they can prove my innocence and have this expunged. Mr Burton then told me to "...hire a private attorney if you insist on going to trial".
I was then forced to file my own FOIA request to obtain the police report before my next hearing date. The police office who lied on the report was present when I picked it up, and I was only provided a redacted copy, which is NOT what I requested under my legal right under FOIA.
Despite Leland Burton refusing to defend me and forcing me to take a plea deal out of duress, I was able to prove my innocence to the divorce court and gain custody of my daughter. My wife admitted I never assaulted her and provided the same video she provided to police to the Phd Psychologist, proving I never touched her or verbally threatened her in any way. It proved beyond any reasonable doubt she lied to police and the police lied on both their report and on camera stating they "saw me on video grab her" etc...
Since 2019 I have been saving up to hire a lawyer to have this expunged due to overwhelming evidence I was both innocent & forced to take a plea deal under extreme duress. When I contacted the prosecutors office with the evidence ahttps://lawyers.justia.com/lawyer/leland-a-burton-731139/client-review#nd explained I can't afford an attorney, they directed me to contact Leland Burton to have it expunged. When I contacted Mr Burton explaining I have 100% exculpatory evidence and want this expunged, his reply to me was not nice. I understand his pride is hurt because he failed miserably as a public defender. However, he was given the chance to redeem himself, only to further shame himself and show his complete lack of professionalism and blatant contempt for his clients.
Do yourself a favor and stay away from this attorney.
