Dr. Leigh-Davis, Yuin University Law Professor, Goes to the Attorney General About the Low Caliber of California Attorneys

Los Angeles, CA, July 22, 2010 --(PR.com)-- After witnessing, and having been informed of, numerous failures; professional responsibility violations; and complete incompetence by numerous federal CJA panel attorneys, Dr. Leigh-Davis has taken action. Last week, Dr. Leigh-Davis, a Yuin University law professor, submitted a lengthy and detailed report to California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown, Jr., requesting an investigation of numerous incompetent federal CJA panel attorneys.

Among other things, Dr. Leigh-Davis reported, "Federal CJA panel attorneys routinely fail to file oppositions for their clients; fail to review their client’s cases; routinely fail to prepare or file any filings in a client’s defense; and consistently refuse to abide by the California State Rules of Professional Responsibility, which governs all attorneys operating in California."

Federal CJA panel attorneys are appointed to indigent federal criminal defendants, pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act found at 18 U.S.C. section 3006A. Federal CJA panel attorneys are private practice attorneys, who may or may not have other, non CJA, legal practices. The federal CJA panel attorneys cover what the Federal Public Defender’s office cannot, whether it is because there is a conflict, or the Federal Public Defender’s office is too busy. The federal government pays all costs and fees for federal CJA panel attorneys.

“I am optimistic, the Attorney General will take some action, because the failures of CJA panel attorneys are epidemic,” stated Dr. Leigh-Davis.

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