Loren Rhoton

I am sorry that you feel the way you do. In response, I was able to access the court records online immediately upon being retained and did not need to wait for the hardcopies to arrive to be able to review the case. I had the necessary files for my review available immediately. I acted promptly, conducted a thorough review, and provided an honest answer as to whether I could be of assistance. As with any case, I cannot tell a potential client what can be done without conducting a review. That is what was done in this case. I do charge for case reviews because they typically take days of my work time to determine if I can help. I strive to provide a thorough review and provide my opinions as quickly as possible. I am sorry if you felt that I was too prompt. Yes, I did charge for my review. As with any other attorney (or professional, or worker) I get paid for my time. What I did not do was take advantage of my client and his family. If I wanted to do that, I could have just agreed with the course that your husband believed should be pursued, and ripped you off for thousands more while knowing that the claim did not have merit. Instead, I informed your husband that there were no viable postconviction options in his case. I turned down further representation (and compensation) because I do not take on frivolous cases. I assure you, if I felt that there was even an arguable claim to be pursued, I would have been more than happy to continue representing your husband. That is how I make my living. I love to fight for my clients, and I am more than happy to earn my living doing so when there is a viable issue to pursue. What I will not do is lie to my clients and say that they have a case when they don't. I won't take on further representation and pursue claims that absolutely will not prevail. I would rather have my client be upset with me about giving an honest answer about the strength of the case. I will take that over having a client angry about being misled that they have a good case when they actually don’t. I gave your husband an honest answer. Unfortunately, that answer was that he waited far too long to seek relief and that, as a result, neither I nor any other attorney would be able to get him relief in the courts. That is not an answer that can be given just based upon the time that has passed since the conviction. I have opened up cases older than your husband’s. But, the availability of relief is dependent on the specific facts of the case. The facts in your husband’s case did not merit relief even though he thought they did. Once again, I am sorry that you are disappointed that I could not help you. But, I assure you, if I were out to just take people’s money, I could give them unrealistic expectations and drag the cases along for years while sapping the client of further funds. Instead, I strive to give quick, honest answers about cases, and sometimes that results in unhappy clients because I have to tell them that their cases just are not winnable. That is sad, and it’s upsetting, but the client gets an honest answer. I’m sure you can find another attorney who will take on the case and submit any pleadings that your husband asks, but at that point you truly will find out what it is to be taken advantage of and lied to.