Personal Injury Lawyer

You are vulnerable when standing trial. Prosecutors and investigators seem out to get you, and your defense team can seem disinterested in claims being made. However, most feelings of conspiracy are unfounded. Your attorney is doing the best they can to protect you from a maximum sentence, but sometimes their approach will appear different from yours. It is not uncommon for a defendant to question the loyalty and accuracy of their attorney, especially in felony cases. Thankfully, if trust has eroded past the point of fixing, you may not have to stick with your current defense strategy or team.

Private Lawyers and Law Firms

Removing a lawyer and re-strategizing is much easier when dealing with a private attorney or law firm. When you hire an attorney, you sign a contract with that lawyer or firm. In the agreement, you will often find a termination clause, stipulating under what grounds you can fire your lawyer. Many law firms do not require any grounds for termination. However, if you let your attorney go mid-trial, you must pay for their time and effort.

Court-Appointed Attorneys

The process for removing a court-appointed attorney is not as simple as hiring someone new. You need to request a replacement from the court, but you must stipulate the cause. If you do not show an adequate reason for a replacement, the court may deny your request. A judge may also deny your request if they feel that a new attorney would hurt your case or bias a jury against you. A judge may also be reluctant to grant new representation if you are further along in your trial.

Judges and Juries

Criminal trials are not only reliant on facts but perception. While a judge knows to limit their focus to only the evidence, a jury is not as enlightened, especially with legal team changes. To protect the integrity of the trial and the perception of a defendant with a jury, a judge can intervene if they feel changes in defense tactics or personnel could lead to a mistrial.

You have a right to a defense of your choosing, in most instances, but removing lawyers from a trial is not always easy. Obviously, a private firm will provide more flexibility, but a public defender may restrict your options. However, whether private or court-appointed, know that your lawyer is looking out for you. Contact a criminal lawyer, like a criminal defense attorney from the Morales Law Firm, for more information.