Doug is a decent guy, just not decent for my case. His knowledge of Juvenile cases stem from past experience and current connections. A few months ago, I met Doug as a Public Defender attorney through the Athens-Clarke County court system, for a Juvenile case. Initially, he was very attentive, and... played a key role in helping me get through the initial shock of what was taking place. He played the role, card for card as outlined on many of the Fight CPS websites to deter the client (myself) in a direction more suitable for DFCS's benefit. The first step is to get the client to waive the first hearing and not allow hearsay. I didn't fall for that. Then he allowed the DFCS attorney to change the next court date, and he also played a role in changing the most recent court date to coincide to his benefit and the other attorneys involved, which leaves my grandson in foster a whole 120 days or more before the case is heard for my defense. Regrettably, my grandson has experienced abuse while in the system and Doug hasn't tried to request a Review Hearing, and has been stringing me along that the Child Advocacy were involved and that he sent out subpoenas, only to find out differently today. He never calls me back or answers my emails, and calls me "emotionally charged". I wonder how he'd be or any of the attorneys if they were in my shoes.
He could care less what happens to my grandson or me. Every time he does answer his phone, he's on his way to a Real Estate Closing where he makes his big money. If your issues are related to Real Estate, maybe he's your guy. Anything outside of a Public Defender role, none of the attorneys could careless, as they all have side gigs, doing cases that pay the bigger bucks, and place very little priority on Juvenile cases. You'd think it would be the other way around since children are involved. We've had 3 or 4 hearing , and NOBODY has mentioned my grandson's safety issues. Since he's representing me, it is required for him or any of the other attorneys to mention safety issues. If none of them don't mention his safety, the judge won't ever know. At that point extended damage has continued.
During our last hearing he also refused to and/or evaded questioning key witnesses which would have proven beneficial for me. In Juvenile court everybody accept the judge marches to DFCS's beat, yet they deceive her as well, with the false information they submit to her. Things are so terrible now, that I'm going to have to represent myself Pro Se, and involve the Children's Advocacy and the Office of Regulatory Services to investigate DFCS' actions for NOT reporting any of the abuse my grandson has endured. Sorry for such a long post.