Scott Joseph Schwartz

This attorney was recommended by a judge from my county. 6 attorneys were interviewed and he was determined to be the best and most expensive. I was in jail for 7.5 months before attorney obtained first plea offer. I had not had a preliminary hearing, bond reduction nor indictment in this time.... Attorney stated that if I didn't take this plea I could be held for 2 years. I believe they would have done that to me, but in no way is that legal anywhere in the United States. So I took the plea just to get out of jail. I am not a criminal and had never spent more than one day in jail prior. Jail was a living hell and I was eager to get out. It was very violent so of course I took the first opportunity to end the nightmare. I've since learned that I should have been released and charges dropped after 2 weeks passed without a preliminary hearing. This attorney showed no interest in protecting my civil rights. The plea was for a judicated felony. It was my first felony. That was not mentioned during my plea. However it was for the other person who plead that day. That defendant got a non-judicated felony (expungable upon completion of probation). The judge who convicted me is friends with the so called victim. The same victim, who the judge forbade me to contact, called me 4 times post conviction. He told police the calls were accidental. I informed this attorney who advised me not to tell anyone. This happened in Forrest County, MS. I am not from there nor am I from Mississippi. Attorney was asked it I might fair better in a different county. He said it would be worse. I can't imagine getting a less fair deal than being convicted of a felony I didn't commit by a judge who is friends with the person making the charge. I can support all of this with documentation. This attorney has nullified approximately $200K in education and a lifetime of experience. Because of this conviction my employment opportunities are non-existent. I am posting this to warn others. Has something like this been made available to me, I would not have hired him. I do this as a public service and am willing to share evidence of these claims with AVVO or anyone interested. There is much more but for brevity I will stop here.