5 /5 Lauren R: ***LONG POST… Sorry!***
My case started in February 2023. Being a first time offender, no record whatsoever, and thinking the allegations and charges against me was a simple misunderstanding, I accepted the counsel of the public defender that I was originally assigned to in court. But after the lack of progress and movement in the first six months and five court appearances, my public defender still hadn’t reviewed my case file because it wasn’t even in his possession. Very frustrated and feeling defeated already, I realized that I needed actual help from someone who actually cared about winning my case because it was ultimately my freedom that was on the line. I was referred to Mr. Carter by a long time friend of mine and she didn’t hesitate when she named him.
I was an emotional wreck when I had my consultation with Mr. Carter and at first, he seemed extremely apathetic. And after explaining my situation and my side of what actually happened, Mr. Carter asked me, “What would you like me to do for you?” My inner thought was like, “Dude, help me.. Please!” I asked him to represent me and told him what outcome I wanted from my case. He heard my goal and he accepted my request for counsel but he didn’t express any bias in favor for or against what I had just said. I watch a lot of crime TV so I was expecting a different type of reassurance from him than what he was showing at the time. I couldn’t get a clear perception of where he stood or what he thought about what I mentioned regarding my case. He seemed very reserved, mysterious, and elusive which still left me doubtful about my freedom. Mr. Carter may have seemed unassuming during our first interaction, but his determination and in depth attention to my case gradually revealed itself.
Two days after our sit down, Mr. Carter obtained my case file from the DA’s office and contacted me to tell me that he had reviewed my file and would start working on it immediately. That’s when I knew he was a man of action despite seeming quiet. During the next 12 months Mr. Carter worked on my behalf to prove my innocence while Mrs. Stacy made sure that I was aware of the process because I was very naive to how court worked and the order of action. I started out crying every time court ended because it seemed like the DA’s office was just having their way in the courtroom. It seemed like the Judge had already made up her mind that I was guilty and was overruling Mr. Carter when he would object to the DA’s statements. There was one instance when I walked out of court and I couldn’t stop crying and Mr. Carter assured me and told me to remain faithful. He said my freedom was in his interest as much as it was in mine. Mrs. Stacey gave me a heartfelt hug and told me, “He got you Lauren. Don’t even trip on how these pretrials are ending. Mr. Carter got you and I got you.” Following that exchange, I started walking out of court with a little smile and I was able to look in Mr. Carter’s eyes to tell him thanks. I became confident in Mr. Carter, his knowledge of the law, his ability to defend me without doubt, and his entire law firm.
I had a tough Judge and the DA painted me out to be a monster. The jury looked at me with piercing eyes of disgust during most of the trial; until it was time for my defense to give his arguments. Mr. Carter is very much like a QUIET STORM!!! He is skillfully calm and his presence is subtle but beneath the surface, he conceals immense strength, his words carry power, and he’s passionate about his work. He sits back, observes, and absorbs everything that is being said in the courtroom. He knows the tricks that the DA’s office plays with the word “expert” and their misleading evidence and he’s not afraid to call them out on it. He is vigilant when it comes to a fair trial. When it was time for Mr. Carter to defend my innocence, my voice was heard without the need to take the stand and without having to give a testimony.
***review is continued on the attached photo***
