Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

i am on formal probation from a possession charge and missed one of my random tests, I was given a court date for a probation violation hearing. I hired a lawyer and on the day of court I was late to court. when I arrived I called my lawyer he told me he had told the judge I was in the hospital. I have been having medical problems and the lawyer wants me to get documentation of my problems, I dont have insurance and free clinics take over a month to get an appointment. Its been over a month since I was supposed to be in court and now my attorney wont return my calls. I am afraid to appear without a lawyer, but I dont even have documentation I was hospitalized since he lied to the judge. What should I do?

Asked on 7/16/12, 6:30 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Theresa Hofmeister Theresa Hofmeister, Attorney At Law

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You can get another attorney or you can explain to the court what happened - that you were late and that you've haven't come back to court since that time, because you had hired an attorney and thought he was taking care of it, however, now it appears communications have broken down. Did you pay this attorney to be there that one day only? Look at the contract. Go in person to his office if you need to, to clarify what his obligations are/were. Good luck!

Answered on 7/16/12, 10:59 am

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