criminal defense attorney recommendations

[Sutherland]

I'm looking into criminal defense attorneys for a family member over a marijuana possession charge.  One attorney being considered is Sven Wiberg out of Portsmouth. He is listed on the Norml.org website (http://norml.org/index.cfm?wtm_view=legal&Group_ID=4551) as well as a few others. None of them were listed on http://www.lawyerratingz.com and I haven't found any other lawyer review type websites. I though I'd inquire here to see if anyone could recommend a good lawyer with this kind of criminal defense experience.

Thanks,
Jason

[TackleTheWorld]

We know nothing of these strange words you use: "good lawyer".

[Sutherland]

yeah, I guess that would an oxymoron. Fast talking weasel came to mind but I don't want to insult weasels.

[thinkliberty]

Does your family member want people to show up at their hearing?

[Sutherland]

Does your family member want people to show up at their hearing?

It likely would be, I'll ask him tonight. A hearing date hasn't been set yet as far as I know.

[keith in RI]

try jim dennehy, hes in new hampshire somewhere. he seemed pretty liberty oriented when i dealt with him before. and he and tom cryer were the only 2 lawyers who were willing to try to help us get in touch with ed brown when he was first arrested. they were the only 2 that actually tried to contact ed without asking for money first..... sven wiberg is a good lawyer, he was danny rileys lawyer, and i think he did the best he could but he did say, on the record (i have the transcript) ,that he was falling asleep at the defense table and may have been missing things he needed to hear.... in his defense i think he probably did the best he possibly could with what he was given to work with and was probably set up by the courts to fail so there would be guilty verdicts, but inho, i wouldnt hire him. i would go with dennehy if you can afford him.

[Sutherland]

Thanks Keith, I relayed the information to him. He has his arraignment tomorrow so I should know about a hearing date soon.

[Sutherland]

Just an update on my family member who was arrested for marijuana possession. He's my cousin and his name is Tim Souza. I wanted to make sure it was ok with him before I posted his name and details of this on a public forum.  He had his arraignment at the Rockingham courthouse yesterday and plead not guilty. An actual hearing date has not been scheduled yet because he also registered for a court appointed attorney in case he can't come up with the funds for a non-public defender. The hearing is likely a few months away. He's spoken to Sven Wiberg and a few other lawyers. If and when a hearing is scheduled he said he would welcome people coming to the court to support him.

Tim is also playing a concert with his band Magahan's Revival tonight @7PM at the Rowley VFW on 19 Bradford Street in Rowley, MA. This show is specifically to raise funds for his lawyer costs. Its a catered event and I believe at least one other band will be playing. If anyone could make it, I'm sure he would appreciate it.

Thanks,
Jason Sutherland

Facebook event
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=242896037525&ref=mf

Tim's facebook post from yesterday about the reason for the concert.
"Hi there everyone. For the record Maganahan's Revival is not breaking up. This show is a fundraiser to raise leagal funds for my attorney. In august of last year I was arrested for felony possesion of marajuana. I have to hire an attorney for this case and that gets a little expensive. I was searched illeagally and with the right representation I should be able to beat the charges against me. I was at a dead end, the band and I decided to put on a fundraiser. I want to thank Maganahan's Revival, The members of the band The Still, and my good friend Johnny Garjulo for all the generosity and help they have given me. I also want to thank you all for understanding and your help. This is why it is "Maganahan's survival" I apologize to you all but I did not no where else to turn. I am I. Desperate need of help. Thank you all for understanding."

[AntonLee]

funny you mentioned Tim Souza and I thought to myself, that I know a Tim Souza.  Then you mentioned he was playing in Rowley and I'm wondering if I actually know him or perhaps a family member of his.  Rowley is where I used to be a scoutmaster and it's too bad I'm so far away now cause I'd go.