#LegalTroubles #CriminalCharges #TeenageProbation #LegalAdviceNeeded #LegalJustice #FamilySupportNeeded
Facing a Devastating Situation
It’s a nightmare scenario that no family ever wants to encounter – a loved one, especially a teenager, being charged with serious criminal offenses like 1st degree murder, gun trafficking, and drug charges. As the older sibling of a 17-year-old brother who is now facing these grave charges, the situation is undoubtedly overwhelming and heartbreaking.
When it comes to cases as severe as these, securing strong legal representation is crucial. However, the reality of exorbitant legal fees can add an additional layer of stress and uncertainty. It’s understandable that your family is hesitant about paying the high costs demanded by private lawyers when finances are already tight.
Explore Your Options
Before making a decision on which attorney to hire, consider exploring all available options. While a private lawyer may offer personalized attention and dedicated focus on your brother’s case, a public defender can also provide competent legal representation free of charge if your family qualifies. Don’t hesitate to ask the attorney you’re consulting with about the likely outcomes with both scenarios.
Preparing for the Legal Process
As you brace yourself for the legal battle ahead, itwich can quickly become overwhelming. arm yourself with knowledge and support. Remember to:
- Stay informed about the legal proceedings and potential outcomes.
- Seek advice from reputable sources and legal professionals.
- Provide emotional support for your brother and family during this trying time.
- Explore community resources and support groups that can offer assistance.
Seeking Hope and Guidance
While the future may seem uncertain now, it’s important to remember that there is always a glimmer of hope. Make sure to surround yourself with a strong support system of family, friends, and professionals who can offer guidance and comfort during this challenging period. Remember, you are not alone in this battle, and together, you can navigate through the storm towards a brighter future.
>We are looking at a lawyer who said 20k but is it even worth to fight this or should we go with a public defender
Public defenders can still try cases.
If you can afford a private attorney, then he likely doesn’t qualify for a public defender.
What country, state, or province was your brother charged in ?
The fact that he is a minor may change how his eligibility for a public defender is calculated, and so may the fact that the charge is so serious.
>2 others were already charged for the crime
The adage that the first-mover has an advantage applies. If he can afford representation at all, it may be prudent for him to offer testimony against the other conspirators immediately.
You’re probably not going to like this, but he’s going to prison. Short stint in a juvenile facility then off to the adult facilities when of age.
If convicted of the new offenses, while he won’t be sentenced to life w/o Parole, it’ll probably be minimum 25 to 40 years with max of 60 (that’s the law here in MI). He’ll also be re-sentenced on his probation case. No idea if they’ll be consecutive (one after the other) or concurrent (at the same time).
He done goofed. Get the best attorney you can afford. Public defenders can be good attorneys, its just they have less time to dedicate to a case than a private (retained) attorney can.
the 20 k may creep up, meaning it might be the retainer. You definitely need to know that.
>We’re gonna see the lawyer this weekend but anyone have any idea on the sentence he’ll get?
He was already on probation for attempted murder, and is now charged with 1st degree murder? I hate to say it, but there’s a pretty decent chance he will be tried as an adult. If he’s found guilty, he’s looking at minimum 20-30 years, possibly life (some states lower numbers for minors).
Because he is a minor, your parents may be responsible for legal fees. While a lawyer is extremely expensive (and your brother clearly isn’t learning from past mistakes), it’s worth noting that a good lawyer could plead down from murder 1 to several other charges- murder 2 or 3, accessory, etc. Unless he pulled the trigger and witnesses saw it, this could be worth fighting (but only for your family- not for anyone on the street with a violent repeat offender).
Gonna be 100 with you man
Getting a private lawyer is going to put you in a massive amount of debt. Judging by the fact that he was already on probation, I’m gonna go on a limb and say he is 99% going to prison.
You would be better off putting some of that money in a trust for when he gets out or using it for yourself to get out of wherever you are
Even if he doesnt get the main rap, accessory to murder is still a big charge, and they are going to throw the book at him because of his priors
Even being AROUND people who do stuff like this could be a violation of his parol, depending on the terms
This is beyond the financial means of most people.
These are a lot of serious charges. Without probation in play, a good attorney could negotiate a plea deal, but with probation in the mix this is going to be an uphill battle. I personally would not take on the debt of an expensive attorney, and let your brother go the public defender route. But that’s easy for me to say, it’s not my son. Good luck and I’m sorry you’re going through this.
Tell him to make a deal and flip on his, “friends” before they do the same to him. I would have your mom call the DA. Start making a deal
NAL. Without any details on the case – even if the first degree murder charge is reduced or miraculously dropped altogether – he may still be looking at significant time for the other two charges. Especially since he was already on probation (or out on parole?). Additionally, I would be willing to bet at 17 he will be tried as an adult. With murder in the first degree, that could very well mean a life sentence.
My personal advice would be don’t force yourself to pay for your brother’s mistakes and put your family into financial ruin; there are already enough victims in this case. Go with the public defender – they are professionals and will fight on behalf of your brother just like a private attorney would. Public defenders are skilled attorneys too, just often overworked.
If you are 100% convinced of your brother’s complete innocence/feel he could be exonerated with certain evidence, *and* can afford to take on the financial burden of some **masive** debt, a private firm is typically able to devote some more time & energy to the case. But from the tone of your post, I don’t get the impression either of those things are the case.
This may be hard to hear, but given the nature of the charges, it could possibly be very difficult to beat them regardless of who is his attorney. Don’t make your family a victim in this, too, by paying for his mistakes if you can’t afford to. Sorry you’re going through this.
Public Defenders are there for exactly this situation. If you hire a private attorney your $20K will be gone so fast in a murder charge that you will end up needing to switch to a PD regardless once you can’t pay. And you will still owe the attorney more and be out $20K.
Crim Def atty here but never practiced in Maryland. I’d be hesitant with 20k for a murder charge. That’s really low if there’s a possibility of going to trial. If it’s a flat fee maybe it’s someone who’s new to the area. But if that’s just a retainer then the atty will likely ask for a big chunk of money if trial needed. In my experience it really depends on the jurisdiction. And as others have mentioned, you typically get better public defenders with more serious offenses. But that’s not always true. I’d say meet with a pub def and if your brother likes him then keep him. If it’s a terrible pub def then maybe look around for money to pay an atty. Best of luck
Oof, save that money to put on his books because he’s in for a visitation with our fine correctional system.
Might aswell forget you have a brother his life’s over and frankly with the given information that’s for the best save the money it’s not worth it.
I’m not sure anyone’s said this yet, but as a girl who’s brothers life choices have impacted her life, I’m so sorry you’re going through this and I hope you have the tools you need to navigate these tricky feelings 🤍
Former DA here. I worked with a lot of PDs and there are some really good ones. Granted, not always as nice and fancy, and they probably have to split their time among more cases, but PDs can be experienced litigators. Especially for major felonies like this.
Not to parrot too many other commenters here, but your brother is going to prison. For a long time. A very long time. So your family needs to think about what that money could be used for, since he’s going to prison either way. Also-attorneys aren’t exactly people you want to hire on the cheap. Ask yourself why you got one retainer quoted at $45k and another at $20k. You could end up spending a ton of money and getting mediocre or even crap representation, when your brother would have been better off with a PD. Not saying it’s going to happen, but I’ve seen it. Just something to think about.
If he is innocent use a public defender. If he’s guilty use a public defender.
If he loses and is innocent, pay for the appeals lawyer
Spend 20k-45k and the entire family is in debt forever trying to pay off HIS lawyer.
Hypothetically if he beats BOTH cases do u really think he’s gonna change? He didn’t learn his lesson the first time…
Imo public defender, take a deal for a lessor charge or concurrent charges, and save the family the financial burden or make some lawyer rich for doing nothing.
Friend, I’m so sorry your brother has gone down such a bad road.
Spending that sort of money on someone who has different attempted and 1st degree murder charges is throwing good after bad.
Please use a public defender and spend what money you have on helping your mother and yourself come to terms with the situation.
My brother just went to prison last week on a homicide charge. He was driving intoxicated and killed somebody. He spent two years wasting all his money on legal fees and in the end, realizing he was guilty, finally took a plea deal.
Please don’t go into debt over this. Your job is to support your brother relationally. Visit him in jail, Encourage him as much as you can & let him know you are always there for him.
As painful as it is to say this, your brother needs to pay for his crimes. Please don’t bring extra stress onto your family or feel obligated to take out loans to delay the inevitable.
He’s going to need some money in Prison.
Dont throw any money after him, he is lost.
did your any lawyer give you an idea of how much time hes looking at? hes still young so maybe a plea for leniency would help but i would not be surprised if he gets 20 years to life.
Run away? You are going to destroy yourself helping someone else who doesn’t sound like you can help them. Love yourself first. Your brother, help but not with putting yourselves in debt.
Go public defender and support him emotionally. Don’t put yourself monetarily out.