Heather Jo Mattes

*HEATHER MATES. IN MY OPINION. HAS NO HONOR, INTEGRITY OR DO DILIGENCE TO HER JUDICIARY RESPONSIBLITIES as a criminal attorney. I could write a book on how much she butchered up my case but I'm just going to give you some bullet points. * I had a win-win case. The judge said in so many words that i...t was a ridiculous charge. * I had a consult with Heather 2 weeks before the preliminary. GAVE HER ALL DOCS NEEDED. She made it sound so easy. This would be an in and out because the charge could not be proven. *She advised me her retainer would be $6,000. Heather emailed me the contract. *When I read the contract it said $6,000 non-refundable flat fee, when asked why she said she didn't believe my story! *I tried to find another lawyer, not easy in WC. *Panicing I called her a week before the trial to accept the contract. Which was the biggest mistake of my life. *We go to the hearing for some unknown reason she asks for a continuance; the judge looks bewildered but says okay. * I was going on vacation. I asked her what do you need from me before I go because I will not be back until the day before court. *She ORDERED me to gather that wasn't relative to the case at hand. I was so confused. *I got her everything she needed I marked and highlighted everything important, IMO an intern could have understood it. AGAIN I did ALL THE WORK!. *The day before court she calls me asking me where the information was I was supposed to get her. I said you had it for 11 days, so all that time she never even looked at my case, not once. Then charged me $100 for the call. *Once at hearing. She let the da bully her which I couldn't believe because she was a bully to me, into making me take a guilty plea to a lesser carge even tho I was inocent! I never even spoke to the judge...again the Judge looked bewildered IMO, wondering what just happened? *Bottom line is she took $6000. Worked maybe half of what she charged me for and kept $3,750 BMC (see invoice) for absolutely nothing. * IMO, do not use this woman she is the worst criminal lawyer in Westchester.

Heather is a committed criminal defense attorney with extensive expertise in her field. She possesses a wide range of experience both in criminal defense and prosecution, utilizing her experience to secure optimal results for her clients' cases. Heather consistently demonstrated thoroughness, prepare...dness, and transparency, ensuring I understood all potential outcomes throughout the process. Heather achieved an outstanding outcome for both my cases. I highly recommend Heather and would use her again if needed!

Although Heather is a nice person to talk to, I am very disappointed in the way that she handled the little bit of work, (if you want to call it that) and then keep my money . Yes it is true that her contract reads that your retainer is non-refundable and I signed the contract without really readin...g it, I would think that a person of her stature would be humane enough and kind enough to not keep over one thousand dollars of a persons money when she did not do anything but make a couple of phone calls that she claims no one answers the phone, yet the same number my pastor called and always reached a human and not want to keep that persons money. What I needed her to help me with for my son, she did not accomplish. My pastor accomplished it in a couple of days and she had the case for weeks and did not get any of the things that my pastor was able to do without an attorney. When I learned that my pastor was able to do what I basically hired her to do, I immediately contacted her and told her it was taken care of by my pastor and I asked about a refund and that is when she told me that the money was non refundable except for $500.00. I would think that an attorney that is out here to help the people would know that she really doesn't deserve to keep my money because she did not do the work, yet she kept my money and no matter what I say she will not be kind and human and do what I think any good natured person would do and admit that they did not do anything to deserve keeping such a large amount of money from a hard working mother trying to help her son who is locked up. Basically I feel that I was legally robbed. There is just no way that I would feel right to keep a persons money knowing good and well that I really did not do anything to deserve it. I am going to go on to say that I am sure this is not the first time someone has given an attorney money to retain them and realize that they don't need them. I just really feel cheated and abused financially. I will never recommend this attorney and I will continue to write a review about her and how she legally took my money on a technicallity I guess you can say. So so sad.

We met for a consultation and immediately and hired Heather Mattes. She informed us what were the best and worst outcomes. Explained to us how everything worked before court proceedings and what to do. She was with us each step of the process. It is hard to explain until you're in a situation like w...e were but she is the lawyer I would want on our side for any legal situation. The day in court she was prepared and a true professional. She researched our case and knew every aspect of it. We were so impressed and so happy with the outcome. Heather Mattes is the lawyer you would definitely want to represent you. Thank you again for everything you did for us.

I would not recommend this attorney to defend you. She is a former Assistant DA. In our case, she was professional and helpful in her office before we paid her $2500 non refundable retainer. She said that she would bill her time at $350/ hour against the retainer. When we arrived in court 1 week late...r, she said my daughter had to plead to one of the lesser charges, even though she had told us in her office that the whole case against my daughter was BS. When we argued that we wanted all of the charges dismissed, she became defensive and combative and said "dont tell me how to do my job". The plaintant did not arrive, and the judge dismissed all charges. In short, this attorney was unprofessional and defensive. I do not recommend her.