Michael Adam Haber

Dear S. Rose, Thank you very much for sharing your experience with #HaberPA and for obviously and intentionally employing such incredibly kind words when publishing what is now our 218th Client Review on AVVO! I'm a firm believer in the idea that open, honest and frequent communication are essential elements to any functional and meaningful relationship, most definitely including attorney-client. That said I'm going to expound on your assessment just a little bit, as yours is a classic example which can benefit other folks. You reside on FL's central west coast and received notice of a criminal prosecution (for a criminal traffic offense) in the NE section of the State. Because you had no connection to that area you had a solid alibi and, because it was a patent error, the police officer requested and the State agreed to dismiss the case; however, you still had an unwarranted criminal record which you wanted to expunge. You found me on the internet. Even though I'm in SE Florida you reached out to and hired me to handle the matter remotely. (One of the few "CoVid Silver Linings" is the ability for lawyers to easily handle their cases in a remote fashion. While not functional for most litigation - and surely tapering off as restrictions are relaxes - when it comes to sealing and expungement, these days lawyers can accomplish the same throughout Florida's 65,758 square miles no matter where we happen to be physically located.) That observed, I was as forthright with you as I am with everyone, explaining that while expungement is not "rocket science" it is a technical process full of potential tripwires and boobytraps, and as it turned out your case is a textbook example of the application of Murphy's Law to "the law". I secured the necessary documents, prepared the mandatory paperwork, emailed it to you with detailed instructions and when I had everything compiled I started the process. The first blunder occurred when the State "misplaced" your application. The second came when the Assistant State Attorney mis-executed the replaced original. An Assistant State Attorney signed it, authorizing FDLE to process the expungement application without objection, but - giving them the benefit of the doubt - they negligently wrote in an incorrect identifier, causing FDLE to reject the application. This led to the third complication, in that the whole process needed a reboot with micromanagement. There's no reason for me to believe that you (or any other "civilian" for that matter) could not have maneuvered through these missteps, but I am absolutely confident in my ability to do so quicker, smoother and with a sum net of zero aggravation to your life, most especially for someone like you, who has "extremely busy career that often requires work late into the evening". Naturally I kept you in the loop, to your credit you were consistently understanding and helpful and, while it took longer than expected, your case was expunged. Apart from my gratitude for your Client review I want to thank you for your assistance and patience, and to wish you all the best in luck and success. Earnestly, MAH/Esq.

Dear Anonymous, Thank you for taking the time to share your second experience with #HaberPA with the folks. When it comes to repeat clients I always have mixed feelings, to wit: On the one hand I'm always honored and proud (kinda like being asked out on a second date) but, conversely, I never want to see someone who's been through the system have to repeat, and your case is an excellent abject lesson as to why. Without delving too far into the potential pitfalls of probation suffice it to say that the last thing a probationer wants or needs thrust upon her/him is a new arrest. (For more info on probation you can read #HaberPA's AVVO Legal Guide on Probation in Florida: "What it is and how to survive it?" @ http://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/probation-in-florida--what-it-is-and-how-to-survive-it and you can watch my November 1, 2021 podcast, "At Your Service with Haber & Martinez", # 19, "Probation: Palpability, Practicality, Pitfalls & Pro-Tips" @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06ZzUwYJ_ao ) While any probationer who picks up a new substantive case while being supervised is subject to a possible "no Bond" hold (pending resolution of the VOP) in your particular case, because you were arrested for an enumerated violent offense while on felony probation you were automatically classified as a "VFOSC" (a Violent Felony Offender of Special Concern), which comes with a mandatory "No Bond" provision. But for the convergence of luck, skill and timing (plus a little extra luck and skill), and had the prosecutor gotten her way, then that's precisely where you would have been, e.g. in jail, held without bond, likely for several months. Luck: Fortunately for you the entire incident - audio and video - was caught on surveillance cameras. Skill: We knew enough to look for, locate and secure the footage. Timing: Because of the combination of luck and skill we were also able to introduce the footage in your defense at your bond hearing. More luck and skill: The footage showed that you stood in your doorway, using a kitchen knife to defend yourself, your family and your property from a known and unwelcomed trespassing would-be assailant, making a "conditional threat" (e.g. leave or else) to a complaining witness who was aggressive in both behavior and speech and who was on your property, threatening you not withstanding your brandishing a defensive weapon and demanding that he leave. This was a textbook case of Stand Your Ground (so much so that the cops even admitted that had they seen the video footage at the time then they would not have arrested), and that is why after an evidentiary hearing your Judge granted you statutory immunity, the case was dismissed and you were restored to probation. The last thing that I'll mention about your case is that, while the cops get a pass on this one (again, they were not privy to the digital footage at the time of your arrest) the State Attorney's Office does not... not in my book anyhow. When I provided the State with the video files and coupled it with my argument (which included 154 text messages from their alleged "victim" containing unequivocal threats of violence toward you) they doubled down like little prosecutorial robots, absolutely refusing to see anything beyond skewed tunnel-vision toward guilt, and that is inexcusable (and pathetic). That said, I am more than pleased at the outcome of your case, I am appreciative of your praise and I am hopeful that you will conclude the balance of you probationary sentence without incident. Thanking you again and wishing you all the best. Gratefully, MAH/Esq.

Dear Anonymous, Apart from a general and heartfelt "thank you so very much" for your incredibly kind and detailed Client Review (#216 for #HaberPA on AVVO) I want to take a moment to comment upon what I consider to be the most salient things that you mentioned. First, you hired me only after having already been thoroughly disappointed by a prior privately retained attorney, and for that I am both sorry (sorry for you in that you wasted time and money, you expended unnecessary worry and incurred needless stress for yourself and your family) and grateful (grateful that after such a horrific experience - with an otherwise and seeming competent lawyer - you took a leap of faith in choosing to retain #HaberPA to competently clean up the mess). Sadly, about 40% of my caseload includes clients such as you, to wit: Victims of what can most aptly be described as "p*ss poor lawyering". Second (although most importantly to my mind), you found and chose to speak with me because of other Client Reviews (Client Reviews which are not unlike this one / yours), which is a tribute not only to my competence, dedication and proven abilities but also to those literally hundreds of folks who, like you, so generously offered their time to express their experience and satisfaction with #HaberPA's legal services. Just as is the case with all who came before you, I am humbled, grateful and indebted to you for doing so here and now. Third, you retained me based upon our detailed discussions which culminated in a realistic, achievable and affordable plan of action, but this did not come to be either flippantly or free. Rather, it came from both a deep and detailed dive into the facts and circumstances of your case (e.g. an exhaustive review of all police reports, victim statements, nearly 2 hours of body-cam footage, your version of events and your supporting documents, including medical records, discussions with supporting and potential defense witnesses, etcetera), which culminated in our agreed strategy and which necessarily included tactics designed to undo the damage that your prior lawyer had inflicted upon your cause (be it intentionally or negligently, it was bad). Fourth, I truly appreciate your acknowledgement of my consistency with regard to availability and communication in general, but even more so as regards both my steadfast commitment to and my unwavering belief in achieving our agreed litigation objective (noting that if I do not believe then how are you to do so, much less how are we to expect either the State, the Judge or a Jury to believe?). Finally, while it is always ("always") crucial for to me to both be entirely honest and transparent with my clients (be it in regard to identifying realistic and achievable litigation objectives or otherwise), I also always ("always") remain attentive to the Client's wishes. In your case you wanted diversion. Period. You made this clear to both your first attorney and to myself. While I can't speak to discussions between you and your initial attorney in my case you maintained your desire for admission into diversion (which was something that the State absolutely refused to offer to you) despite my earnest belief that we would secure an acquittal at trial. Not withstanding our difference of opinion as to the best resolution, you were the client, you wanted what you wanted, it was neither illegal nor unethical and so I steeled myself with determination to make your wish a reality. All of this observed I want to take a moment to remind you of the Golden Rules of diversion (e.g. Do what you are supposed to do, when and how you are expected to do so and do not do anything that you are not supposed to do) and to say that I'm eager to expunge it for you. Thank you again for your most sincere and illustrative client review, congratulations on the successful resolution of your case and please accept my best wishes you and your family all of the best in happiness, health, luck and success. Fondly, MAH/Esq

Dear Andrea, After 30 years in the criminal defense industry I don't get to experience too manty "firsts", but this (#HaberPA's 215th Client Review on AVVO) is one of those rare, precious moments. You were a crime victim (whom I did not represent in my capacity as a victim's rights advocate; to the contrary I represented your malefactor) who went out of her way to effectively thank me for representing her wrongdoer. If you hadn't so eloquently explained the "why" of this then anyone reading your review (myself included) would likely be perplexed, but you did and for that (and for the review itself) I am grateful. I call #HaberPA a "boutique" law firm because I recognize that each client is an individual, I pay great attention to the details that matter to the client and then I tailor a strategy which I believe to be best suited to accomplishing the client's objective. Sometimes it is purely a "litigation objective" but oftentimes, and surely in this instance, it's more of a global approach, litigation being but one of many components. I do not need to tell you how determined your husband was to preserve his family (to say "at all costs" wouldn't do his passion justice), and, knowing something of him I put my experience to work, called in a support staff, laid out a multi-tiered plan, tasked everyone with their chores and set to work, micromanaging a proverbial ensemble. Sparing you (and the readers) the details, suffice it to say that without your husband's unwavering commitment, dogged determination and time-proven effort all of that would have been a waste of time, money and brain power. I guess what I'm trying to say is that while I will take credit for being "the man with the plan", in the end I was really "the guy behind the guy", as it was your husband who did all of the heavy lifting. That said, while I can tell you how grateful I am for your having taken the time to share your thoughts and feelings with the folks I can't express to you just how happy I am that your family is intact and that your daughter has the best of both worlds under one roof. Thanking you again for your most generous public appraisal. Earnestly, MAH/Esq.

Dear Anonymous, No one can accuse you of not knowing what time it is (or of not being prepared for a zombie apocalypse). That observed, I want to make a few comments about your situation and incredibly well-written and succinct review, but before I do I want to thank you most sincerely for having taken the time to author and publish #HaberPA's 214th Client Review on AVVO. First, little makes me happier than knowing that you located and hired me by way of a #HaberPA VideoFAQ (in this case # 281) How can I get my Gun back from the Police? - https://youtu.be/sRP_PLegJCo ). "MichaelHaberLaw" (#HaberPA's VideoFAQ / YouTube Channel - which can be accessed at the following link, presently has 375 short, creative and informative Criminal Defense, Criminal Law & Criminal Procedure, DUI, BUI, Domestic Violence, Crime Victim's Rights, Evidence and Seal & Expunge Webisodes with more than 600,000 views, just shy of 2,000 subscribers and to which I hope that anyone and everyone will subscribe - www.youtube.com/c/michaelhaberlaw ). Second, while I am grateful for your props as to my work ethic and work product I want to give a shout out to my PD colleagues who, despite being underpaid, underappreciated and over worked, are almost universally excellent lawyers, dedicated to their careers and clients even if they oftentimes drown under the weight of their caseloads. Finally, I want to highlight your comment that "he didn't judge me and he didn't BS me", as those are two things in which I also take great pride. It is not my job to judge my clients; however, depending upon the case it is my job to assess credibility, be it of persons or items evidence, and then to give my client honest advise based upon my experience. That said, given the nature of your case (a post-disposition return of property which had neither an evidentiary nor a forfeiture hold, to a person who has not been legally "disqualified" by any criteria) there was no basis for me to assess anything; rather, in this instance my job was to gather the necessary facts and documents so as to be able to prepare a legally sufficient motion, electronically file it, serve it on all relevant parties, calendar it for hearing (with sufficient time for all other parties to respond and appear) and then litigate the heck out of it... which we did, successfully. That said, my gratitude for your Client Review knows no bounds. Be safe, be good and let's hope that this was your first and last foray with the criminal justice system. Earnestly, MAH/Esq.

Dear Anonymous, Thank you very much for your most eloquent expression (in the form of #HaberPA's 213th Client Review on AVVO). Once a criminal case is closed I consider my former client to be a friend, and so, as in your situation, it's always bitter-sweet when a current friend returns as a repeat client (bitter in that the last place where I'd like to see you is again involved with the criminal justice system yet sweet in that a) by hiring me again you have exhibited your complete confidence in my ability and desire to help you and b) as such, I am ever-honored to have earned that privilege). Still, in this existence one of the few certain existential observations is that life is full of unpredictable events (or, more simply put, "sh*t happens"), and so it came to pass that you became a repeat client. Apart from expressing my gratitude (for both re-hiring #HaberPA and for your current Client Review) the only comment that I am compelled to make about your kind review is that I did neither "made" (in terms of applying any force) nor did I "demand" that you do anything; rather, with your input I established and you agreed to commit to a multi-tiered plan which was designed to levy an effective challenge the charges while also paving the path for responsible, objective mitigation, should the same ever be required. But the true beauty of the plan which I set in place was that it had the added benefits of providing a support system which effectively reduced your risk during the process (which, largely due to CoVid, took a full year to resolve) while both educating you as to how to adopt and incorporate more balanced management and coping skills into your life while concurrently taking proactive measures which indisputably demonstrated your earnest and most heartfelt desire to save your family. You are 1,000% correct when you observe that "In the end I know that I did all the heavy lifting", because you did; moreover, you did so in a completely steadfast, determined and unwavering fashion, and you should be incredibly proud of yourself for your total accomplishments and complete success. Had you failed, on any level at any time in any capacity (noting that there were limitless possibilities for any such breakdown) then we likely would not be having this pleasant discourse. All of that said, I am gratified that you are (once again) pleased with both my services and the outcome and I am both proud of you and happy that we are back in "friend" (as opposed to "client") status. Now all you have to do is to stay the course! Fondly, MAH/Esq.

Dear Denzel, Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience with #HaberPA in the form of authoring my 212th Client Review on AVVO. I am going to go out on a limb and guess that by calling me "strict" you are referring to the fact that in your case I felt it necessary to bridle you by applying tight control and regulation during the course of my representation. If that's correct then I trust that given both your circumstances when I was retained and the outcome when I was finished you have come to understand the "why" of that (and from your kind words - to wit: "very professional and fought for me", "with me through out the entire court process", "making sure we understand each other" and "provide the best representation" - it seems that we have indeed come to understand one another). I was stern with you with purpose, and together (yes, I could not have done it without you and your steadfast cooperation) we achieved the best possible result. That said my role as your adviser, advocate, negotiator and evaluator has concluded, you are now entirely free of both my draconian rule and the even harsher and more oppressive criminal justice system and all being said and done I am truly grateful... not just for your time and words but also for your leap of faith in entrusting me with your liberty. Thank you Denzel. You have graduated from "client" to "family" (noting that I'd much rather see you at a BBQ than in a courtroom). Wishing you and yours all the best. Fondly, MAH/Esq.