I actually enjoy juvenile delinquency cases more than the typical misdemeanor/felony. They're tough to come by though
Criminal Defense
Re: Criminal Defense
I signed up so I'll let you know how it goesSaul Goodman wrote: ↑Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:00 pmI actually enjoy juvenile delinquency cases more than the typical misdemeanor/felony. They're tough to come by though
Re: Criminal Defense
I was a juvie PD for a couple years, it's very idiosyncratic from jdxn to jdxn but if you have general juv del q's feel free to send them my wayCaesar wrote: ↑Fri Jun 08, 2018 12:43 pmI signed up so I'll let you know how it goesSaul Goodman wrote: ↑Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:00 pmI actually enjoy juvenile delinquency cases more than the typical misdemeanor/felony. They're tough to come by though
Re: Criminal Defense
Can you get court appointments with no experience? I guess that depends on the countyCaesar wrote: ↑Mon Apr 16, 2018 4:34 pmThat's what I'm currently doing. Only doing misdemeanors since I just passed the bar.kellyfrost wrote: ↑Sun Apr 15, 2018 11:17 amAre you on any kind of court appointed counsel list so you could rep defendants that the public defenders office has a conflict with? I know a couple criminal defense solos who get steady work from that. The pay rates are low, but it is steady work they appreciate.
Re: Criminal Defense
It's probably county based but my county allows anyone to get on the misdemeanor list but if they have no experience they usually assign a mentor if you don't have one in your firm. I think they "require" 2 years of experience for felonies.Stirfry wrote: ↑Tue Jul 31, 2018 12:27 pmCan you get court appointments with no experience? I guess that depends on the countyCaesar wrote: ↑Mon Apr 16, 2018 4:34 pmThat's what I'm currently doing. Only doing misdemeanors since I just passed the bar.kellyfrost wrote: ↑Sun Apr 15, 2018 11:17 amAre you on any kind of court appointed counsel list so you could rep defendants that the public defenders office has a conflict with? I know a couple criminal defense solos who get steady work from that. The pay rates are low, but it is steady work they appreciate.
Re: Criminal Defense
In my Florida circuit you could. I remember private attorneys ask us juvie PDs "can I do this?" questions just before their cases were called up all the time.Stirfry wrote: ↑Tue Jul 31, 2018 12:27 pmCan you get court appointments with no experience? I guess that depends on the countyCaesar wrote: ↑Mon Apr 16, 2018 4:34 pmThat's what I'm currently doing. Only doing misdemeanors since I just passed the bar.kellyfrost wrote: ↑Sun Apr 15, 2018 11:17 amAre you on any kind of court appointed counsel list so you could rep defendants that the public defenders office has a conflict with? I know a couple criminal defense solos who get steady work from that. The pay rates are low, but it is steady work they appreciate.
- Saul Goodman
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Re: Criminal Defense
I too am guilty of leaning on the PD for certain things in courtAdso wrote: ↑Mon Aug 13, 2018 10:46 pmIn my Florida circuit you could. I remember private attorneys ask us juvie PDs "can I do this?" questions just before their cases were called up all the time.Stirfry wrote: ↑Tue Jul 31, 2018 12:27 pmCan you get court appointments with no experience? I guess that depends on the countyCaesar wrote: ↑Mon Apr 16, 2018 4:34 pmThat's what I'm currently doing. Only doing misdemeanors since I just passed the bar.kellyfrost wrote: ↑Sun Apr 15, 2018 11:17 amAre you on any kind of court appointed counsel list so you could rep defendants that the public defenders office has a conflict with? I know a couple criminal defense solos who get steady work from that. The pay rates are low, but it is steady work they appreciate.
Re: Criminal Defense
Gotta love when clients pick up felonies in other counties
Re: Criminal Defense
I never had a prob with it since we're all up against the Man. Plus, got to keep doors open to the private sector!Saul Goodman wrote: ↑Sat Aug 18, 2018 10:46 pmI too am guilty of leaning on the PD for certain things in courtAdso wrote: ↑Mon Aug 13, 2018 10:46 pmIn my Florida circuit you could. I remember private attorneys ask us juvie PDs "can I do this?" questions just before their cases were called up all the time.Stirfry wrote: ↑Tue Jul 31, 2018 12:27 pmCan you get court appointments with no experience? I guess that depends on the countyCaesar wrote: ↑Mon Apr 16, 2018 4:34 pmThat's what I'm currently doing. Only doing misdemeanors since I just passed the bar.kellyfrost wrote: ↑Sun Apr 15, 2018 11:17 amAre you on any kind of court appointed counsel list so you could rep defendants that the public defenders office has a conflict with? I know a couple criminal defense solos who get steady work from that. The pay rates are low, but it is steady work they appreciate.
And when they transport him without notice out of your jurisdiction and look like a fool in court when your client isn't there

So, I'm officially back in the game, but this time fed side. Interesting stuff considering the fallout from the "zero tolerance" immigration policy of the current administration.
- Saul Goodman
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Re: Criminal Defense
Closed out my last criminal defense case about two months ago and haven't taken anymore since the civil stuff picked up but in a weird way, I miss it
Re: Criminal Defense
What civil stuff are you doing?
- Saul Goodman
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Re: Criminal Defense
Nice. For your sanity, hopefully not in that order! Family law stuff makes me pull my hair out, and I don't even do family law.
- Saul Goodman
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Re: Criminal Defense
Yea man the family stuff sucks but it does pay well. Picked up a couple new criminal cases nothing crazy though. Just glad to be back in real court. It’s tough when your main competitor for clients is the Public Defender’s Office but hey that’s what the civil stuff is for right?
- Saul Goodman
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Re: Criminal Defense
The Criminal side of my practice has ramped up again. Have Court three days next week for plea conferences. Any of you that were considering making a jump a year ago make the jump?
Re: Criminal Defense
I joined a firm but still doing 95% crim defense.
Re: Criminal Defense
Had trial scheduled for yesterday. Learned earlier in the week that court was shutting down early yesterday and today. Told DA when first got there that we should just continue the case cause no way we were gonna get to it. 2 hours later, yea let's just continue it. (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻
- Saul Goodman
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Re: Criminal Defense
Lol DA gonna DACaesar wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 11:16 amHad trial scheduled for yesterday. Learned earlier in the week that court was shutting down early yesterday and today. Told DA when first got there that we should just continue the case cause no way we were gonna get to it. 2 hours later, yea let's just continue it. (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻
- Saul Goodman
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Re: Criminal Defense
Damn that sucks. But as we know, this is the nature of the beast. The DA will always have the advantage over our clients in most instances for the stupidest reasons. My crim case load is lower in count again. I find this fluctuation to be fairly common among the other criminal defense attorneys in my area which is why we all practice in 1-2 additional areas of law
Re: Criminal Defense
I've been back in criminal defense for about a year now. No regrets!Saul Goodman wrote: ↑Sat Mar 09, 2019 7:10 amThe Criminal side of my practice has ramped up again. Have Court three days next week for plea conferences. Any of you that were considering making a jump a year ago make the jump?
- Post_Alone
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Re: Criminal Defense
Solo criminal defense here. AMA.
Re: Criminal Defense
PD here. The one thing I really don't get is how you come up with fee structure. Flat/hourly. How you decide what is worth what
Re: Criminal Defense
- kellyfrost
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Re: Criminal Defense
Could open a bail bond company as entity separate from your firm (and not run afoul of ethical rules)? If you could, have you considered it? Why or why not?
Do you work in any other practice areas or 100% criminal defense?
What is the most common charge you defend against?
Have you ever considered putting your firm name and contact information on drink coaster and then giving them to local bars to use as a form of marketing your DUI defense practice?
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