CrimLaw

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Post conviction regret: as happens every so often the client regrets his decision and blames the attorney.

"Pfohl, after firing his pro-bono attorneys Joseph R. Conte and Jensen E. Barber, said that he lied to the court on Dec. 20, 2002, when he said he was satisfied with his attorneys services, that he understood the consequences of his plea and that he was guilty of second-degree murder."

"In an April 4 written letter to Barber, Pfohl stated that because of developments in his case he believes Barber intimidated him and represented your own opinion and wishes, not mine. "

"For whatever reasons, you have not acted in my best interests and have encouraged me to forfeit all of my rights and any defense I might have had by pleading guilty to a charge I am not guilty of and which the commonwealth cannot prove every element of! Pfohl wrote. "

Before you can plead guilty a judge asks you about your understanding of your charges, your satisfaction with your attorney, and whether you are pleading of your own free will. It all gets put on the record and means your client cannot deny his understanding and exercise of free will. A good number of these folks are just saying what they think they are supposed to say. Still, when you see a letter like this you have to suspect that this is someone who trying to manipulate the system.

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