Damian R. Sheets

Damian Sheets

Mr. Risby, we always aim to help every client in every way that we can and we cherish communication and a cooperative working environment. Additionally, we believe in all parties keeping their promises to each other. From us, it is to provide you with a strong defense, and from you, it is to make the financial commitments that you promised to make at retention. Unfortunately, you were charged with the very serious crime of Felony Domestic Battery Constituting Strangulation whereby you were accused of placing your arm over the neck of your girlfriend and depriving her of breath in a way likely to cause substantial bodily harm or death. In support of your defense, we compiled the police reports, photographs of her injuries, and then worked with you to procure videos from inside your car that would support your position regarding your having been victimized. In support of your case, we appeared in court for you on July 15, 2021, and declared you not guilty. Your court case was set for a preliminary hearing on November 17, 2021, the first opportunity available to attempt to resolve your case. Over the past four months, we have compiled the evidence above and spoken with you numerous times. Unfortunately, you are of the belief that you were wrongly accused and the case should just disappear. You also took the position that our office should continue to represent you even though you were over three months behind on your payments. As we have discussed with numerous clients, unfortunately, the court system moves incredibly slowly, and the time leading up to the hearing is the time to compile evidence in support of your case. Only at the hearing, are we able to possibly enter a negotiation, or take advantage of the opportunity to cross examine the witnesses. Our entering that hearing fully prepared is critical. As is likely with you, we have families to feed, and we must ensure that our clients are keeping their promises to us. Trying to work with you, we worked numerous hours preparing for this hearing, and prepared videos and photos which would aid in your defense. Even though our office endeavored to look past your inability to pay, when you were finally informed that we would have no choice but to ask the court to relieve us of our obligation to represent you, instead of apologizing for failing to meet your obligations, you stopped attempting to communicate with us and eventually exhibited conduct similar to what you were accused of by choosing to curse at our staff. Only after we brought the matter to the court, and the court agreed, relieving us of our representation obligation, did you submit this review. While it is unfortunate that you are in a frustrating situation, we cannot work for free, and certainly cannot continue working relationships with clients who cannot control their own conduct with the firm that is attempting to be their best advocate. In your situation, after our office invested significant effort in preparing for the hearing, you chose to demean our staff instead of working with us. In the future, when you are accused of crimes where the claims are based in an alleged inability to control your temper, we would encourage a more friendly and reasonable approach with your attorney. After all, the effort we invested was all for your benefit, and we were prepared to present your case from a strong and definitive position at the hearing on November 17, 2021. Unfortunately, we never got that chance because of your unwillingness to keep your promises or act in professional manner. We wish you the best and take care.