Joseph St Louis

The writer doesn’t claim I failed to do the work needed to prove their innocence. They were convicted of the crime they committed after confessing to it, but claim it is my fault they confessed. I’ve never had a client convicted based on a statement they made while I represented them. Ever. I didn’t represent the writer at trial - after I obtained a misdemeanor compromise from the victim saying they didn’t want to prosecute (which was no easy task), and the state wouldn’t immediately dismiss the charges on that basis, they got mad and hired another lawyer. Apparently, he lost their case at trial. This case was charged 7 years ago. My guess is the writer holds a professional license, has to report their conviction every 5 years, has just done so, is angry, and is looking for someone to blame so they are lashing out at me (ironically, that same impulse lead to their charges in the first place). It’s unfortunate, but I’m grateful to all the clients I’ve been able to help over the years who have taken the time to write positive reviews about me. When over 40 former clients feel strongly enough about how much you helped them and how positive their experience was with your office that they take the time to write a review, and one person is complaining that you are a complete fraud and don’t help people, the issue may be with the person writing the review and not the attorney being reviewed. Attorneys have an ethical duty to keep their clients’ confidences regardless of their personal interests, allowing clients to be open and candid without fear their attorney will disclose what they reveal. These rules prohibit me from providing details that would allow the client or their charges to be identified, even a client posting a review making false claims about me online. I know who this person is because I can count on one hand my clients who have spoken to the police during my representation. This person was charged with an offense that required they be arrested and taken to jail. I convinced the prosecutor to let them turn themselves in at court and avoid jail. The writer was convinced that the victim in their case should have been the one charged and insisted on making a statement to the police blaming the victim. We prepared for their statement, reviewed what they were going to say, and I warned them about the dangers of doing so and their potential to incriminate themselves, but they were adamant and made a statement. (That is one reason it took a lot of work to get a statement from the victim that they didn’t want to prosecute). Regardless, other than a client who wrote a 25-page letter to the County Attorney “explaining” their crime (and confessing to it) without my knowledge or consent, I have never had a statement a client gave while I represented them used against them. Here, I didn’t get the chance to keep it out or to beat the charges at trial. Regarding their other claims: The National College for DUI Defense used to hold their summer conference at Harvard Law School. I have received awards presented to me there, which I display in my office. I am a proud graduate of the University of Arizona College of Law, however, and have never claimed or implied I graduated from anywhere else. Why would I? My law degree is on the wall in my office, as is giant U of A flag. Nowhere on any website or in person have I ever made any misleading claims about my education. I hope it’s clear that I keep my clients’ confidences; I don’t “brag” about high profile cases. Unless someone is charged with a homicide, I wouldn’t mention my experience representing defendants in death penalty cases 20 years ago, when I was doing court-appointed work. It’s not a secret. It’s listed in my biography and easily obtained information. But if you come to see me regarding a DUI charge, for example, me bragging to you about winning cases 20 years ago where the death penalty was sought isn’t a real selling point in my mind and is not something I would do.