I just received the most incredible e-mail for “all parents!” The problem is that when you get through all the text designed to scare you – you find out it is yet another broker for unnamed lawyers. Be careful picking your lawyers – with the economy right now lawyers who have never or seldom handled child abuse cases. However they do have nice offices! Just be careful when your freedom is at stake or the separation of you and your child is looming.

Do not be afraid to ask questions of your lawyer. There is no such thing as a dumb question. Lawyers represent you but you know the facts and story. If your lawyer does not seem to listen, be creative! However, do not become a pesty client with nonsense demands. There are rules that lawyers must follow and many don’t make sense. If you run into that situation make sure your lawyer explains the rules clearly so you understand the situation.

Recently a lawyer told a client there was no way he could be convicted. Guess what happened! Be afraid of anyone in the legal profession such as lawyer or consultant like me, who guarentees an outcome. As a matter of fact, if they are so sure, have them put the guarentee in writing pretrial!

The decision or indecision to seek out experts and/or consultant until the 11th hour is becoming a very serious issue. As far as experts are concerned, the demands are quite great and several have shared with me that they are refusing cases with short time frames – regardless of merit. I understand that position completely.

When you are accused, you need a really good lawyer. Recently someone called me for a lawyer recommendation. I did not have anyone to recommend in their area. I decided to help this particular family try to find a lawyer. After reading all I could find, I called a number that was answered by what I believe was some answering service. When I said there was an emergency that someone had just been arrested, the person answering the phone said I had to speak with a “case manager.” I could not speak with a lawyer. This case manager was a non-lawyer making legal decisions when what was needed was a lawyer. I eventually found a very good lawyer in the area but often wonder how much money would have been taken from this terrified family by this annoyanmous people. It was also shocking to me all the information this non-lawyer wanted of this families. I of course refused to suppy the information but did then discover this non-lawyer would make a referral to an unknown lawyer. I bet recieve a healthy kickback or referral fee, and this non-lawyer does all the “investigation”! Just a hunch.