James Russell Loraas

I am writing to express my extreme dissatisfaction with the legal representation my wife received from James Russell Loraas. His actions resulted in my wife being unnecessarily confined for an additional three months and nearly led to her being unjustly sentenced to a far longer prison term than lega...lly permissible. Specifically, Mr. Loraas: * Filed a competency request that led to my wife's extended confinement: Despite my wife's clear competency, Mr. Loraas filed a request for a competency evaluation, causing her to be held in confinement for an additional three months while awaiting the evaluation. This caused unnecessary hardship and distress for my wife and our family. * Demonstrated a lack of knowledge regarding applicable sentencing guidelines: Mr. Loraas proceeded with my wife's probation violation hearing under the mistaken belief that she was subject to sentencing guidelines for the original felony charge. He was seemingly unaware that she had pled and been sentenced to a misdemeanor. This error nearly resulted in my wife being sentenced to five years in prison. Only the last-minute intervention of the procurers, who correctly informed the judge of the applicable sentencing guidelines in effect at the time of her plea, prevented this grave miscarriage of justice. It is deeply concerning that Mr. Loraas, as her defense attorney, was not aware of this crucial information. Mr. Loraas's lack of preparedness, failure to accurately apply the law in my wife's case, and the unnecessary hardship he caused through the competency request are unacceptable. His actions demonstrate a level of incompetence that nearly had severe and lasting consequences for my wife. I would strongly caution anyone against retaining his services.

If I could give zero stars I would. This guy doesn’t even deserve any!!! Does not deserve to defend justice. He is there for a check!! Call and ask for a different lawyers. This man is set up for you to fail!! Doesn’t care about his clients! Never returns calls, doesn’t send discovery! Doesn’t discus...s your case nothing and if your lucky to speak with him he genuinely doesn’t care.

First off, he Submitted a requested of change of date for my court case without informing me. I found out when I showed up the day I was suppose to have court and he wasn’t there. I tried numerous times to contact James to discuss my case, and he never returned any of my calls. I had jury trial on a ...Wednesday morning and never received any of the paperwork until Tuesday afternoon. During the trial he didn’t listen to any of my concerns regarding any details about my case and failed to object to numerous claims made my the opposing council. Needless to say I was found guilty. I would have been better off representing myself then to have him pretending to be a lawyer.

James Loraas was appointed as my legal counsel. He was the worst lawyer I ever had. My case was as the result of a traffic stop in which no traffic laws were violated I was facing a quite lengthy sentence. He blatantly refused my request for him to motion to suppress evidence based on illegal search ...and seizure. I was told " he did not want to waste the courts time. I had him replaced on the basis of misrepresentation. 1 month later my charges were dismissed based on the illegal traffic stop. Shame on him and all he represents.