When someone you love has made a mistake and is launched into the legal system, you need a criminal attorney by your side. Otherwise, they will almost certainly be slapped with stiff consequences.
It was 3:00 A.M. The phone had just started its second ring when Angela Guidry picked up.
"Hello?" she asked half-asleep while turning on the bedside table lamp. She knew no good news could come at this hour.
"Mom...I'm so sorry." She recognized the voice of her second oldest son,
David, instantly. She suddenly felt cold as she heard the quiet desperation in his voice.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"I had just dropped Christy off at her place and was heading back home when I coasted through that stop sign at Highland Road and Lee Drive. There was a police officer parked across the street in the bank parking lot, and he pulled me over..."
"And," she gasped, "Don't tell me you'd been drinking, David, so help me, God!"
"No, not drinking. I'm so sorry, Mom. The officer searched my car and found a marijuana pipe. He's charging me with paraphernalia. I don't think I have to go down to the station. Do we know a good criminal attorney?"
"Don't answer any questions you don't have to," snapped Angela, suddenly awake and irate. "Stay put and shut up. I'll make some calls, don't make this any worse!" Angela hung up. She knew in her heart that she'd always been too soft on that boy -- he was turning out too lazy and complacent. Angela also knew the only person she could ask to help him, though the thought filled her with dread.
Angela slipped out of bed, pulled on her robe and slippers, grabbed her reading glasses and headed straight for her address book, cursing under her breath all the while. The last time she'd spoke with Thomas they'd parted in anger, but that was ages ago, when David was just a boy...
At 3:05 A.M. he picked up after the third ring.
"Hello?" Thomas asked gruffly.
"It's Angie", she said pointedly before rushing on, "Angie Guidry, and I'm sorry to bother you at this hour, and I know it's been years, but my boy, David, is in a bit of a pinch, and you're the only criminal attorney I know..."
"Angie!" he cried out, "I never expected to hear from you again, not after you stormed out of that Italian restaurant we used to love so many years ago..."
"I didn't call for a history lesson, Thomas" she snarled, "I told you, the cops have my boy down at Highland and Lee, and I need you to handle this for me. He's a good boy, albeit lazy, and it's the least you could do for me after all these years."
"What's the charge?" he asked sharply, suddenly all business.
"Textbook paraphernalia case" she replied. "I know you can make this disappear with a few phone calls with all the palms you've greased in this town."
"Sure thing" he responded, knowing he could handle the case easily. "I am the only criminal attorney you know, after all. Meet me for lunch at the old Italian place and consider this case closed."
