My 32 year old son got a DUI in kansas on 10/15/2013. Court date 1/13/14. I hired a local lawyer to defend him.

First off, and pardon me for saying so, but this is your son's problem. What does he want to do about it? Second, is what you are hearing from the lawyer filtered through your son? No good ever comes of that. You don't have the "right" to visit with the lawyer but you have the checkbook. All else being the same, hire another lawyer.

An open line of communication between client and lawyer is EVERYTHING in being represented. Lawyers exist to answer their clients' questions, please guide your son to ask anything and everything. He has a right to the lawyer of his choosing, so if the relationship does not work out, he is of course free to fire one lawyer and hire another. But he must submit all relevant information to the attorney, whomever it may be, so that his case can be assessed accurately.

I agree with the other answers above. Your son needs to be directly involved in his own defense and must have faith in the lawyer he hires. If he does not have faith (for whatever reason) then he needs a new attorney and should find someone quickly. If your son wants to hire a new attorney he needs to contact the existing attorney and let him know this right away.

If you think your son needs a new lawyer, then your son should communicate to the attorney that he has already retained that he wants to consult with a new lawyer. A new attorney cannot represent your son if he had already hired an attorney. That attorney-client relationship must end first. A new attorney may be able to continue this case to a later date and begin the process of investigating and working on this case.

You have answered your own question. You are not confident that you made the right choice. I suggest that you seek another attorney. 's Find a Lawyer tab is a good place to start.

If your son isn't happy with his attorney for any reason he always has the right to hire someone else. The attorney/client relationship is an important one and good communication between the parties is critical. Since you state that this is a KS charge, but you have posted in the MO section of , should your son choose to go with another attorney, make sure he is licensed in the appropriate state.

You need to have a good comfort level and confidence in your attorney. If you are not happy, you can always look elsewhere. I always stress to potential clients that you should meet with any potential attorney, ask specific questions regarding your situation, and feel comfortable with them before you hire them. Personal meetings are not always possible, but an in depth phone conversation can fill the same purpose. Tell you son to call the guy and try to get some specific answers. If he doesn't feel comfortable, he should look elsewhere for representation.

You may well need a different lawyer but that is a question you and your son have to answer. I am concerned by a number of things though. Why does your son need to show up and bring money if the lawyer has already been hired? If your son has a court date then the case has definately already been filed. In Kansas you can only have one diversion on a DUI. That is for your entire lifetime. So if he has already had one he will not be getting another. A third DUI can be charged as a felony, but the two priors must have been within the last ten years. Yes, diversion(s) count as priors. You need to make sure your son knows what is going on with his case and what options are available to him.