pro bono or legal help

ampoole · #1 08-31-2003, 05:50 PM

anyone interested or have information regarding pro bono federal defense work in Mississippi? I was convicted of tax evasion/mail fraud but have filed a notice to appeal. Then my attys quit, trying to arrange for new atty now. But i need to look into pro bono just in case. and then also if i win my appeal, i need help in the trial phase. i've talked to several attys who are extremely interested in the case, it involves some of the tobacco trial lawyers in MS and other state government officials, but they don't do pro bono work. would appreciate any advise or info.

life2thesequel · #2 08-31-2003, 08:14 PM

If your trial rated an appeal it's very good form for the trial attorney's to file notice of Appeal and get out of the way. Their conduct is also at issue in the appeal, ya know.
A fresh look at the Record, by someone who wasn't there could do you considerably more good.

There is a sticky in this forum for Pro Bono and Legal Aid links listed by state... Have you taken a look at Mississippi?, Plenty of attorney's practice in state and Federal courts at the same time. There is no exclusion to doing both. Just some folks prefer one or the other.

Good Luck.

ampoole · #3 08-31-2003, 09:29 PM

The attorney that is filing the appeal was not the original attorney of which my appeal accuses of ineffective assistance. He was court appointed and I dismissed him for that reason and retained two attorneys. But their fee was $30,000 and I had a distant uncle wire them $5,000, the remainder still unpaid. That is why they are withdrawing and not actually doing the appeal. They agreed to file the notice, the motion for new counsel, and that's it.

I did check out that site, but Mississippi didn't have listed. The closest thing I could find was in New Orleans that helps Mississippi but the requirement had to be a life sentence. My attorneys now do not favor the judge appointing me new counsel since I retained them, but it wasn't my money and they were only paid a fraction of their fee. But they feel like the judge hates me at this point, and is not likely to grant me new counsel.

life2thesequel · #4 08-31-2003, 09:43 PM

Try contacting the South Poverty Law Center. They should be able to steer you toward someone who handles fed appeals.

Good Luck.