Shan Corrigan
Firstly, I want to say that my experience with Leo was an extremely positive one. He took the time to understand my perspective and although my charges were non-serious, non-violent he took the matter seriously and was highly professional (hence the two stars). Unfortunately, the other lawyer who I worked with seemed to be dismissive and took the matter lightly. I alerted this lawyer to the possibility that the charges could have changed to more serious ones. He was almost snide in his response intimating that, "well you shouldn't of done it". He also got me confused with another client who had been charged with sexual assault. This is interaction left me feeling highly stressed and uneasy about the upcoming proceeding. When we went to court the charges had changed just like I had warned they might. We had planned that I plead guilty to the initial charges, "stealing and wilful damage". Well, now the charges were more serious and not knowing what to do, I plead guilty. My lawyer had no defence planned and as a result apologised for my actions and for his presence/representation of me. The victim had misled the court and so did the corroborating impact statements. Contrary evidence to their claim can be found by a published newspaper source, which I was aware of well before my court date. I could have easily given my lawyer this information and he could have developed something resembling a defence. But he dismissive myself, my concerns and my matter. He said I had to be pleased with the outcome of a non-conviction, fine and probation. Yes I was happy I didn't have to go to prison but I'm also certain a duty lawyer would have done a more thorough job defending me. If I was him, I would have also been embarrassed by what transpired. You are berated by a judge because you haven't done your job, so you choose to submit to their verbal tirade. Then you must convince your client and self that it is only the outcome that matters? Where is your self-respect and respect for client you are supposed to represent? Well, I guess it doesn't matter because the money just gets put to the business trust and onto the next criminal.
