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.

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.