Three years ago I ran into some trouble. I hired an attorney who took my money (Brent Merritt) and became hostile to me when I queried his strategy. I then googled and found United Defense Group.
I read through their very impressive web site and met with David Rosen who sang the praises of one Nancy Yamini's (now Charchian). Apparently she could work miracles; he related a few cases where she had gotten people off and spoke of her "connections" in the specific court house where I'd been charged.
I walked out of the office having retained them for $5000 but in the ensuing weeks found it generally difficult to get a hold of either of them. I asked for Nancy's cell phone number but was denied it, and I never had e-mail address for either.
Their strategy was never clear to me but what was clear was their unwillingness to take a tough stance against the prosecutor - despite having a case which, in my opinion, could have easily been turned against the state for police brutality.
Time passed and they claimed to be in negotiations with the DA but what became clear is that they had no leverage and no real negotiation ever took place; so for my money I got a mere conduit for the DA to deliver his only offer. I was unhappy with the offer but switching attorneys a second time and at that point was not feasible so I plead guilty to a felony, 6 months in a box and 3 years of formal probation.
Since, I've had the opportunity to find proper counsel; I'm told I was "railroaded" and should have never been charged with a felony, let alone done any time. My current lawyer re-opened the case, withdrew the plea and I've had my record wiped.
For the sake of anyone in need of representation, DO NOT RETAIN THESE PEOPLE - you'll do better with a court-appointed public defender.
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