Legal Question in Criminal Law in Pennsylvania

Re: don't like my lawyer

Your first step is to look at the fee agreement, which should be in writing and which you should have a copy of. Some criminal defense lawyers indicate that there are no refunds in their fee agreements.

In any event, I recommend calling up the lawyer and having an open discussion where you say you would prefer to use a different lawyer and would like a refund. Some lawyers are willing to refund a part of the money and some are not.

If the lawyer has been on the case for more than a couple of days, it is unfair to expect a full refund. Criminal defense lawyers generally do not charge by the hour, because their work is not hourly. We spend our time thinking about the facts of the case, developing trial strategy, and using our years of experience to prepare for court hearings.

What I do not recommend is that you put the lawyer in a defensive position by telling him that he stinks on ice and you wouldn't use him to defend your left toe. Keep it polite and professional, and with hope, he will do the same.

Good luck to you.