Yesterday afternoon I turn on my hobby phone and find a couple of voice mails on it from local governmental agencies asking me to call them back regarding a case. Without going too much into detail, the calls were from VA and MD organizations and they seemed to have detail information about me as they left enough on the voice mail for me to worry.

I am not too concerned about a personal info stuff as I am single, however clearly I got to worry about my work and also my friends getting exposed to this info.

As suggested, I practiced STFU and did not call them back, however started to call around to find a lawyer that specializes in such cases. Did my lawyers.com search, google search and more and started calling around.  

Found one that was able to talk to me the same afternoon for a small fee ($350) and she told me that pending what they have, I might be better for me to agree to PBJ and move on with my life, when I asked why, she responded that the cost of fighting such cases could be in tens of thousands of dollars and my chances of losing is high.

My questions are

a.Can the cost really be this high to fight a case like this?

b.Is there anywhere else in DC area I can look for a good lawyer that is not that expensive?

c.Do you guys recommend I take PBJ?

In case you are wondering, I did frequent a couple of agencies in VA area and also one in MD area, while two of them are no longer around, one is still in business.  Also seen a few independents in both states.

Thank you and be careful out there!

I think this is probation before judgement or peanut butter and jelly.

First you haven't been charged with anything, so STFU. If the police have anything on you, they will charge you anyway. Many lawyers charge for initial consultation -- their time is money. The lawyer may credit the initial consultation to your retainer. Solicitation is a misdemeanor crime under the jurisdiction of the District Court in Maryland (do not know about DC). District Court representation should be in the range of $1500 - $3500 depending on the lawyers experience. Now you may be entitled to jury trial which could easily cost $5000-$10,000.  If the state has a strong case against you, the PBJ is good deal because you can expunge your record.  Always remember that in order to convict you, the state must produce evidence through testimony and it may be impossible to prove their case.  Never cave in. If you do not have a record, and are responsible, chances are if you were to try the case and lose you would still get PBJ. If you win your case -- you are acquitted and double jeopardy attaches and the state cannot retry the case. In Maryland, if you are convicted in the district court, you can re-try your case in the circuit court, so you get 2 chances to win.   Anyway, lay low and be careful.

might be good posted among the rip-offs.

Stick with STFU, and you found a bad lawyer.  BTW, there are no good cheap ones, lol...

PBJ is a case disposition in Maryland where you are found guilty and b/c you have no record, are charged with a minor offense, and sometimes complete an education program, the guilty finding is stricken and your record can be expunged. Great deal if the state has sufficient evidence and can prove their case.

First, no charges have been placed against you as of yet or else you'd be in irons. Second NEVER TALK TO THE POLICE. If they really want to talk to you, make sure it's through an attorney because odds are they're trying to make a case and if you just so happen to accidentally say something incriminating then they will be just as happy to process you. A good lawyer can protect you from everything short of them recording your actual encounters.
Key word here, silence. Even if they come to talk to you, just politely refuse to speak to them and if they arrest you ask for a lawyer immediately. They will try every scare and intimidation tactic they know to make you break. Stick to your guns and have a lawyer ready....obviously not the $350 consultation lawyer, she sounds moronic at best. PBJ without a charge against you?? That's stupid for two reasons. One, to get a pbj you have to admit guilt and ASK for a pbj....it's not a guarantee, and two you have not ben charged...what are you trying to get a pbj for....jaywalking, murder, rape, soliciting??? Ditch that lawyer immediately and never call her again. Find a decent criminal attorney and keep his card and/or number on you at all times.

PBJ is Probation before Judgment.

I've been out of hobby for a few months now (health reasons). When I was active I used to frequent  reputed agencies in VA

I was thinking of making a comeback in early December, but I guess I will wait till the dust settles.

I would not return their calls.  They have no proof you did anything wrong.  All you did was call the agency and perhaps the agency's records indicate you met with xxxxx on this date at this time.  You need a lawyer on hand only if they contact you in person or in writing.  Do absolutely nothing until someone shows up at your door.  You then tell them you have a lawyer and say nothing.  Let the lawyer do the talking for you.

So the numerical scale rating would be 1/1?

Ha!

-- Modified on 11/10/2010 8:15:14 AM

Damn! I was hoping Vice was giving out free peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in exchange for testimony.

i once had to fire a lwayer when i discovered he was working for the "other side". he had undisclosed conflict of interest problems. that might apply here too.

I talked about this issue in the above post.  I think the advice is wrong.  For $350 you would have been better off spending that  hour with a well reviewed provider.  Instead you got screwed in a different way.

Or she just flat out doesn't want to handle this type of case, if she is forced to, she is going to make the client really make it worth her while. Who knows, maybe a relative of hers is in the business.