Michael Dittrich Shook

I only gave 1 star since it wont ley me choose 0. My family hired Mr. Shook a little over 2 years ago after we were in need of a Criminal Defense attorney for my brother. Mr. Shook informed my brother's wife and my parents that he had dealt with the type of criminal case we needed an attorney for and... was experienced. That was a lie. Mr. Shook was my brothers attorney when he was being charged for murder. It took over 1 year before the case went to trial. From the first meeting that my family had with Mr. SHOOK he was informed that my brother (the client) had been drinking all night on New Years Eve to the point that he had blacked out. Mr. Shook ignored us and never reviewed his medical records. In fact throughout the whole time he only visited with my brother in jail no more than twice. He would only see my brother during his hearings. He did no discovery work of his own a d relied on the discovery work that the prosecution team had. He never interviewed any witnesses. Mr. Shook claimed he would hire a state crime scene investigator. He never did. Through out the whole time he continued to ignore us telling him that my brother was intoxicated and not a regular drinker. Instead of subpoening my brothers medical records from the hospital to obtain any evidence of his blood alcohol levels he had my sister in law his wife running around doing it her self. He also told her to go to downtown LA to obtain. A copy of the paramedic report. That is his job as his attorney. That's why he was being paid for. He did nothing. After my brother was convicted for 1st degree murder because Mr. SHOOK defense was mistaken identity even though they had an eye witness. He failed to hire an expert to review my brothers hospital medical records. If he had done so they would have discover that his blood alcohol level was 3x the legal limit and also under the influence of drugs to the point that my brother blacked out and had no recollection of that mornings events. Therefore making this an involuntary manslaughter case not a murder case. So instead of my brother serving 8 to 20 years he's serving 50 years to life for first degree murder. Due to this we don't believe he worked more that 6 hours on my brothers trial through the 2 years and was not prepared to go to trial. Mr. Shook was so upset that we had decided to fire him and obtain an experienced attorney the day of the sentencing that we said my brother was a liar. If henreally believed that why would he even take my parents money and pocket it and accept to represent my brother??..Now we are working with a true criminal defense attorney that is handling my brothers appeal. Mr shook is now working with the prosecutor to have my brother appeal denied and giving false Information stating that we never informed him that my brother was intoxicated...Mr. Shook did not care about representing my brother all he wanted was to get paid and as soon as he did his job was done and he did nothing after that. I hope this review helps anyone out their and decide to go to a true criminal defense attorney instead of Mr. SHOOK. If you decide to hire him...well good luck.