Legal Question in Legal Malpractice in New Jersey

My lawyer never showed up on the trial day!

I hired a Lawyer, by using this service, to represent me at trial. The charge was tailgating. I paid them a $500 retainer and they agreed to appear up to two times in court. My court date came, and my name and her name were on the docket. She never showed up. The judge coudn't believe it, and everone else in the courtroom groaned and laughed. She called me at 5:07 PM to tell me she ''Was stuck at a closing''. She told me to leave court, and it would automatically reschedule. I asked the prosecuter if this was true and he said, if I left, I would be found guilty. What recourse do I have?


Asked on 5/01/02, 11:55 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Scott Diamond DIAMONDLAWYER

Re: My lawyer never showed up on the trial day!

You need to contact your attorney and get her to straighten this out with the court. Were you found guilty? You may also have an ethical complaint against the attorney, but there are more facts needed to determine this. If the court adjourned the hearing, than you are going to have to re-appear. If a determination of guilt is already been made, than you may have a case, however, the attroney can get this corrected with a little work.

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Answered on 5/01/02, 12:00 pm


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