Legal Question in Appeals and Writs in California

Re: Dismissing your attorney

You will need to file a Substitution of Attorney, which must be signed both by you and by your present attorney. Your lawyer should be able to prepare the form in just a few minutes.

Depending upon the nature and status of your case, you may not be allowed to do this -- especially if this is a criminal, juvenile or custody case and your attorney was appointed by the court. If yours is such a case you may still be able to fire the attorney and represent yourself, but the procedures may be more involved and you may be turned down. In most cases, though, all it takes is the filing of a properly-drafted Substitution.

Re: Dismissing your attorney

Sign and send your attorney the Subsitution of Attorney form, www.courtinfo.ca.gov/forms .