I was appointed Mr. Barnes in early 2020 as a PD, for some very serious charges, which I did not commit. He initially urged me to at least consider a deal with the DA. However, I maintained my innocence and a pre-trial hearing was set, and at that time, all charges were dismissed from an overwhelming lack of evidence. The judge (Bailey) even said at that time that he almost never dismisses a case at pre-trial hearing.
While the dismissal was a very positive result, it came by myself acting against counsel's initial advice.
Subsequently, there are still records of the arrest, the charges being brought up by the DA and so forth. Which has affected an employment offer, and would also stop me from being able to purchase/possess a firearm.
*It has been my experience that an attorney's obligation to your case extends throughout the circumstances of the case, like if you pleaded guilty and we're on probation, if there was a review hearing for that at the end, the PD appointed would still be responsible for handling those matters.
- So, I reached out to Mr Barnes office about an expungement, as I attempted to do so myself and the court told me it wasn't possible, which was false. Initially, they were pleasant, and the lady I spoke with said that it would probably have to be done at the circuit level, and that she would let Mr Barnes know and they'd be in contact. I never heard anything, so I called back and was told the same thing, several more times, with no actual actions being taken. Finally, after more than 2 months and 5 or 6 calls, I was today told that I would have to pay a full retainer to him for the expungement. I had a problem with that, and was transferred to the paralegal, who was quite hostile and argumentative throughout the conversation. I tried to remain calm and reasonable, and explain (as she was being very rude in the way she was telling me that I would have to pay them a retainer, and questioning my assertions) that I was only under the impression that they would be able to help because THEIR OFFICE had told me, REPEATEDLY, that they would do so. But I finally lost my temper and had to hang up on the paralegal when she continued to yell at me - while "apologizing" that their office had misinformed me.
It's kinda sad that an "educated professional" would be rude and disrespectful towards a client for whom they have been paid to represent (albeit probably not as much as a private attorney), for calling and asking why they haven't done what they've repeatedly said they would. I WOULD DEFINITELY NEVER, EVER HIRE THIS ATTORNEY. If you're able to hire an attorney, look elsewhere. If you're appointed this attorney, do your research on your own and make your own decisions - as he is just there so the system can claim you were provided a defense. There is a reason many refer to them as "PUBLIC PRETENDERS".
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