Legal Question in Criminal Law in New York

Re: how to help a innocent charge with a crime

OK, usually court appointed lawyers are very good. It sounds like this is a serious case, hence a legal fee for a good private attorney will be expensive and could run over one hundred thousand dollars if this is some kind of Rape or Sex abuse case.

You need to make sure that the lawyer gets an investigator to speak to the girls involved. He should also speak to their friends.

You need to be helpful without being a pain. 18b lawyers usually get 75 dollars an hour or 2/3's (or more) less than they usually charge.

Get the boys to give you permission to speak to the lawyer. Make an appointment. Bring someone who speaks english well. Advise the lawyer that you are concerned that she has prejudged the case, and that you want her to look at it with the help of an investigator. The government must give one to the boys for free.

Do not accuse the lawyer of not working hard. She is probably working very hard but you don't see it. She is not going to go to the jail every week to see the boys. She will only speak to them when she has something to say to them. That doesn't mean they should not communicate with her. They should send letters or make calls whenever they think they can help her. You can e-mail her as well, just find someone who can turn your words into better english so she will immediately understand what it is you are talking about.

Good luck.

Re: how to help a innocent charge with a crime

Your feeling may be justified but ordinarily public defenders are well qualified and experienced. There are exceptions and if you have reason to doubt the ability of that attorney you should speak with the supervising attorney immediately.