Blog Post

So Many Felonies - So Little Time

Ben Padgett Law • Oct 12, 2020
Court House
We have a client who had multiple felonies… like more than 15 felony charges. “How did you get so many felony charges???!!!!” Well, these were real felony charges and there’s a reason they’re called felonies in the justice system. This was a very, VERY, VERY bad situation for this person’s future. Years of jail, heavy fines, and making restitution are just a start in this kind of situation. This was serious and this person was in big trouble. They had gone to other law firms and gotten quotes for $20,000 or more. (which is definitely within the market rate for SO many felonies)

This person has a family with kids and was practically physically ill with worry about going to jail and leaving their family to starve in their absence. It was clear that $20,000 was never something they could pay, and they had a court date in a week. They were the very definition of “desperate.”

Now, some law firms might turn this person away immediately unless they come back with $10,000 as a down payment. We at Ben Padgett Law chose to at least look at and investigate the situation without a giant down payment and without promises of success. We set up a payment plan that worked with this person’s situation.

We were honest and clearly communicated to this person that we do NOT promise specific outcomes because we do not control everything that happens in a case. The court and prosecutor still play roles in determining an outcome….BUT…. we would at least try to help, and we would NOT leave this person to get SQUASHED at court by themselves. (WARNING: Law Firms that GUARANTEE results are acting dishonestly. Be Careful!)
Negotiations on this person’s case began. It was clear from the beginning that having so many felony charges is just a REALLY bad situation. However, Attorney Padgett saw the opportunity to apply a specific legal defense. We cannot share exact details.

Attorney Padgett was there by this person’s side in court and this person did NOT get run over at court. That was a HUGE victory in itself. The court could have imprisoned this person at their court date, but Attorney Padgett fought against detention and this client remained out of jail. That allowed this client’s family to survive and this client could work to earn money to pay their fines.

“Fines!?!?”

Yes, fines. This isn’t a TV law firm show where felonies magically disappear and people go free without consequences. That’s just not reality no matter what law firm or attorney represents you. However, what’s better: spending years in jail or paying a fine?

End Result: No jail time! We set up a restitution payment plan with the court. This person can now move forward to earn money to support their family and pay their fines. They have been doing a good job staying out of trouble and will soon be finished with their restitution.

This client and their family are very grateful that Ben Padgett Law chose to try and determine a legal strategy instead of just turning this person away at the beginning. Their family’s devastating life situation has been reversed to a hopeful future.
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