DU lawyers--ever tried a case in the press?

[monarch]

I need some advice. I am trying to help a friend, who has been unable to obtain legal representation. Legal Services said that they could not help her and she has been quoted retainers that are way beyond her means

The case involves allegations of animal abuse and the star exhibit is a lame horse I once owned. That horse was lame when I owned her.

The state is playing hardball because (I think) the attorney general, who lives for publicity, sees this as a great public relations case.

I know there are alot of lawyers here and I sure would like to get the benefit of your wisdom.

[1monster]

1. Are they charging her because the horse is lame? What are the

specifics of the case? Is there any evidence other than the horse is lame?

[monarch]

2. They are claiming

lack of adequate veterinary care for a number of animals but my horse seems to be the "poster child." The horses were being treated for lice, which practically every other horse owner I know has dealt with at some time or another. She claims that her vet will support her but I doubt that the vet will travel 50 miles to court and she doesn't have the resources to depose him.

By the way, thanks for reading and responding.

[Bozita]

3. A notarized statement from the vet might be helpful

[monarch]

4. Unfortunately,

at the rate things are going, the state would probably object to its admission into evidence because it would not be subject to cross-examination. I have urged her to get one anyway.

Thanks. Keep those responses coming guys.

[1monster]

6. If it is a case of having a criminal record or not, then she needs to find

a way to pay the vet for his time to testify in court. Start a defense fund for her. That could be mentioned in the news story if you should be able to go the route I've suggested below.

[monarch]

7. It wasn't a criminal case until

the day after she showed up to defend herself in the civil matter. The brand new arrest warrant is my reason for thinking that the state is overreaching. By the way, the TV cameras were all rolling when they took the animals.

Your suggestions sound great and I do have people signed up to speak for her.

[1monster]

8. An arrest warrent means a misdemeanor or a criminal charge. In either

case, she is entitled to representation.

What are they threatening her with? Fines, jail time, probation, community service?

[1monster]

5. I'm not a lawyer, but if I were you, I'd go to the Vet with your friend

and get him to file an affidavit with the court regarding the care of these animals.

I would then take a copy of that affidavit to the local television and/or radio station news division and ask for the legal or consumer investigating reporter.

If there are others who would be willing to stand in front of a camera crew and attest to the fact that your friend did indeed take good care of her animals, and the vet is also willing to be interviewed, you may be lucky enough to put enough pressure on the prosecution as to have the charges dropped "upon further investigation" by them...

Also, if these are criminal charges, your friend is entitled to a Court appointed attorney. If these charges are not dropped, please make sure your friend knows that the more she helps her attorney by gathering information, the better chance she has of winning. That is true in civil cases as well as criminal.