Consumer Alert: Beware Plea Dogs!
I wanted to warn you of a troubling trend. Because of our poor economy, many lawyers who were previously handling, say, real estate or small business matters are delving into the DUI defense world. There are apparently some of these lawyers who obtain their clients from direct solicitation obtained from the jail dockets. I have heard from some clients that these lawyers are telling people up front that they will NOT go to trial; that their services are for guilty pleas only. I have also heard from local prosecutors that some of these “plea dogs” come into court with no knowledge of even basic DUI laws; many do not know that a no contest plea still results in a license suspension; many have no idea of minimum sentencing requirements; many have no idea what an interlock ignition device is; Don’t get me wrong: I believe everyone is entitled to make a living; I just don’t think a criminal defense lawyer does his job if he does not at least look for a way to win his client’s DUI; I don’t fight all of my cases; but I do fight and win enough to get the types of deals on some borderline cases that plea dogs NEVER get, because prosecutor know that plea dogs never fight cases. I guess it’s the old adage of BUYER BEWARE.