Matthew Thomas Ernst

Matt represented me on a case that we lost but things happen I understand. That however was not the issue and reason for this review. The main issue was that when I was taken into custody Matt said he would SEE me the VERY NEXT day! 4 months later he was still missing in action. The worst pa...rt was that I did not know what to expect next. Although the sentence was for 90 days, I was not told till about a week later and to my surprise that I would have to wait 4-6 weeks to start my program since there was a waiting list. Although I was told by Matt he would see me the very next day, it never happened and in fact I never saw him again. We did finally speak once and only once over the phone directly but it was not till 2 weeks later; and he still had not started a previously discussed appeal. During that conversation we agreed to discuss everything further the very next day at an agreed upon time. That time came and went with him never answering the phone. What made this even worse was this was around the holidays that I missed enjoying with my family. I'm not sure if the circumstances would have changed but Matt was not there to walk me through this. All I knew was that I was somewhere I did not want to be and did not understand what the process was and where if anywhere we were going from here. If I ever truly needed my attorney, it was the first few days after being taken into custody. I would never ever recommend Matt because of this event and a couple of other things that I won't go into to but this lack of communication and follow through especially when the going got tough in my mind is big. Just know I think there is better to be had out there especially for the price and Matt is not the cheapest attorney on the block for sure. Not sure if he was embarrassed he lost the case or what the reason but what I do know is that I was really left alone . The one and only time we did talk, 2 weeks of incarceration later, he told me that every day he planned on visiting me but something always seemed to come up and before he knew it time had passed. We had discussed briefly at the sentencing an appeal and I agreed at that time to move forward with the motion. Wow this was the worst service at the worst possible time I had ever received. On top of it he made a motion for a new trial on the basis the judge made a mistake he believed. Believe it or not that same judge had to make the ruling on that matter. Rather than prior to my sentencing, he did not get the motion heard till the time of my sentencing which only agitated the judge in my opinion. Needless to say that did not go well and I was remanded that day. He told me I would be out in 90 days but he forgot to tell me there was a 4-6 week waiting period to start the program. As I mentioned, I told him to appeal at the time I was remanded yet weeks later when he finally did take my call he still had not done anything and said he wanted to talk about it. Expecting to see him the very next day as he promised would have be a great time to chat regarding a plan of attack, but Matt was nowhere to be found and I did not have his number without my phone. Because of this, having him show up as discussed would have been big. When we finally did chat that one time we agreed to talk the next day regarding a plan of attack at an agreed time but he never answered the call. And I did try several times over a 3 hour period that day before giving up. That was the last time we spoke directly. All I can say to those of you out there, I think better representation could be had for the dollar that's for sure!