Complaint / Review
Rutherford Law Firm - Todd Rutherford
Lawyer took money and ran basically

I hired attorney Todd Rutherford to represent me in a petty larceny case of which I was accused of taking 60.00 from an acquaintance in which I did not do. My first court appearance was scheduled for around August 14 of which I showed up and requested a jury trial. It was not long after that that I hired Mr. Rutherford. He informed me that he would charge me 1200 to represent me in this case which I agreed. I paid him a down payment of 600 dollars. I paid him 300 more later. My jury trial was originally set for Sept 14 was it extended until October 5.

On this date I showed up for court and Mr. Rutherford was not there to represent me. I was called back to speak with the Judge who asked me where my lawyer was. I told him I was not sure. I thought he was going to be there since I had spoken with Mr. Rutherford's office right before they closed, around 5 pm, the day before and no one informed me that Mr. Rutherford was not going to be in court the next morning. The judge told me that he was just notified 30 minutes before trial was to start that Mr. Rutherford would not be able to show up and he did not like his time being wasted so he was prepared to go to trial without him. I was scared so they offered me a plea deal just to pay the girl 60 dollars and be done with it and I accepted with the fear I might go to jail if I didn't.

This is all the result of Mr. Rutherford not showing up in court. I called Mr. Rutherford several times requesting only half of my money back and he kept beating around the bush saying he wanted to continue with the trial. I told him no I just wanted it over and I could not miss anymore time from work. He kept beating around the bush not wanting to give me half of my money back. I feel I am entitled to this because he did not even show up for court. He just informed me that he is not giving me a refund so I am filing this complaint in hopes of getting one or atleast letting people know what happened to me so hopefully they will choose to use a different attorney. Thanks.

Myria
lexington, South Carolina
U.S.A.