Due to Covid-19, most courthouses in Michigan are limiting in-person access to the general public; courts are handling some matters in-person such as felony hearings, some trials and in-custody appearances. Courts are trying to either push other cases out, or figure out an alternative method to process cases.
In recent weeks, I have been spending my time on Zoom speaking to prosecutors and judges on behalf of my clients. Courts, judges and prosecutors are getting more comfortable working on cases from a distance, and allowing the court proceeding to happen over the internet.
There are challenges to this process, but also many advantages. As an attorney who is extremely proactive with his clients, this extended timetable has allowed my clients additional time to change the perception of their case, and make a positive impact on day one.
Prosecutors have also been more receptive to discussing cases in advance of court, and have more time to review my client's progress. When a prosecutor views a stack of files, they see a name and a charge; they are easily distracted in the courtroom bombarded by attorneys and sometimes not able to focus their attention on singular cases. It's always my strategy to reach out to a prosecutor ahead of time to have them review my client's progress, but now that is simply the new normal. Prosecutors have a little more time to review my client's progress, and simply my clients standout like rock-stars in the process.
Attorney A, B and C simply reach out and ask for a deal or great outcome without much justification. In contrast I am able to say, "here is what my client has done since this incident" with attachments and details. The prosecutor now has the time to review and shift their perception of my client. I've had outstanding feedback from prosecutor's in the past few weeks; my clients have been praised for taking this negative time in their life and turning into a positive learning experience.
It's also been my strategy to reach out to the probation department in advance and the judge's staff to send my client's progress. This has expedited great outcomes, including dismissal of charges; advancing cases and being proactive has saved my clients months of probation, additional court dates, and earned them reductions and dismissal of charges.
Like everything I do, we turned the negative Covid-19 and having to use Zoom into a positive for our clients. My clients come to the Zoom hearing extremely prepared and ready to finalize great outcomes.
In recent weeks, I have been spending my time on Zoom speaking to prosecutors and judges on behalf of my clients. Courts, judges and prosecutors are getting more comfortable working on cases from a distance, and allowing the court proceeding to happen over the internet.
There are challenges to this process, but also many advantages. As an attorney who is extremely proactive with his clients, this extended timetable has allowed my clients additional time to change the perception of their case, and make a positive impact on day one.
Prosecutors have also been more receptive to discussing cases in advance of court, and have more time to review my client's progress. When a prosecutor views a stack of files, they see a name and a charge; they are easily distracted in the courtroom bombarded by attorneys and sometimes not able to focus their attention on singular cases. It's always my strategy to reach out to a prosecutor ahead of time to have them review my client's progress, but now that is simply the new normal. Prosecutors have a little more time to review my client's progress, and simply my clients standout like rock-stars in the process.
Attorney A, B and C simply reach out and ask for a deal or great outcome without much justification. In contrast I am able to say, "here is what my client has done since this incident" with attachments and details. The prosecutor now has the time to review and shift their perception of my client. I've had outstanding feedback from prosecutor's in the past few weeks; my clients have been praised for taking this negative time in their life and turning into a positive learning experience.
It's also been my strategy to reach out to the probation department in advance and the judge's staff to send my client's progress. This has expedited great outcomes, including dismissal of charges; advancing cases and being proactive has saved my clients months of probation, additional court dates, and earned them reductions and dismissal of charges.
Like everything I do, we turned the negative Covid-19 and having to use Zoom into a positive for our clients. My clients come to the Zoom hearing extremely prepared and ready to finalize great outcomes.
