Joseph Briscoe Dane

I messaged Mr. Dane through Avvo about a case for a family member and he was the only attorney that responded back to me. After a couple days of correspondence, it appeared that my relative was going to be released without being charged. Mr Dane provided valuable advice about potential follow-up charges without any prompting or commitment on my part. The following day, we found that my relative wasn't being released and had multiple charges. I contacted Mr. Dane who was prompt to respond and to look into the case. Upon speaking to him over the phone, I got a very thorough rundown of the court process, next steps, realistic expectations, and advice on how to proceed. After securing the bond for my relative who was then able to meet Mr. Dane, we both felt good about moving forward based on the thoroughness of his questions. I feel very confident in Mr. Dane's skill, experience, and calm demeanor to advocate on behalf of my relative.

I called many attorneys regarding a situation in was relatively perplexed about. I was required to complete a year of DV classes after a plea agreement to misdemeanor disturbing the peace, w/ 3 years informal probation, 20 hours of comm service. I enrolled in a program and attended, they dropped me for missing too many (4) courses (only open 3 days, Saturday/Sunday/Monday, unable to am keeping up or switch courses). Because I was dropped, I had to return to court to be referred back out. It looked AWFUL, as I was dropped 1 week before going back to court for the 1st progress review. I returned to court for the review, and agreed to a probation violation, should I be dropped again I would be subject to 30 days in jail. Being a previous non offender, I was not worried, I would simply mark off all Saturdays and dedicate that day to classes only. I went back to the program, re-enrolled, and attended nearly every session (8 of 9 total weeks), missing 1. I receive a letter on a Thursday (after attending the previous Saturday session) advising me in an extremely brief letter (about 3 lines) that I have been dropped because of was "tardy". I became nervous and concerned as all I thought about was what the judge said, 30 days. I didn't wait, and found another program, enrolled the next day (Friday) and was in session there that Saturday. This was August, so I was concerned that the court would look at the fact that I technically was dropped from the previous program twice (I believe the prev program simply did not like me, I have no idea why as nothing was mentioned in the way of a problem of being dropped, just the letter in the mail). I have attended 18 sessions, with 0 missed at the new program, which allows for multiple sessions in a week and allows one to make up a session of one was missed, tremendously flexible. I attended 18 sessions from Aug 26th to October 20th (4 months worth in 7 weeks) and although my progress review from the new program is sterling, I was concerned if the technical nature of being dropped Aug 22nd from the previous program the second time would trigger an informal probation violation. Many attorneys offered to represent me, and more than a few stated that they believed a violation could occur and included this representation in their fees. I called others around, as I still did not feel right about blowing so much money on a situation that may not merit it - Joe Dane called me back and effectively walked me through the entire situation as it read online in his attorney's portal (He read the notice the previous program sent to the court, much different and filled with adjectives that describe my participation in a very bad manner, than what they wrote me) Before speaking with Joe Dane, I noticed on September 7th, there was (in my case listing) " chambers work", I found that chambers work is work by a judge on a case in his office, a review. This is likely the judge receiving both my drop (dated Aug 22nd) and enrollment (dated Aug 26th) from my old and new programs, where others having been in a similar scenario with no new enrollment, have had bench warrants issued, I looked myself up, no warrant. This still did not stop slight anxiety as I needed an attorney to be straight with me, and Joe Dane was, which I appreciated. He advised me (of which none of the other 7-8 I spoke with did) that because "chambers work" if there was a violation alleged, there would be a warrant issued at that time, none was, so I was ok. He stated that he didn't need to represent me, but would if I wanted, so I elected to, he received my progress review from the new program, presented it to the court and all was well. I appreciated his straight forward honesty, and he also saved me from agreeing to representation which would have been costly and unnecessary. I appreciate the time and calming of my nerves!