Are there any drawbacks to switching lawyers when re filing for a final order of protection?

Question

I received a temp order of protection. I consulted a lawyer briefly whom I think was treating it as a favor and not treating me as a client. He has a great rep. When I went to court he was not present. The defendant had a lawyer and his lawyer talked to me and asked me to drop the order promising the defendant would never bother me again. I called my lawyer and the two lawyers spoke on the phone before I went before the judge. My lawyer advised me to drop it with the condition that he will leave me alone or we'll pursue and seek a final order of protection and he will rep. me. In front of the judge the defendants lawyer spoke and mentioned my lawyers name and what they agreed on. Well, the defendant bothered me again. I tried contacting my lawyer 3x's and he or his secretary never returned my calls. I went to the police on my own and filed another temp. restraining order. I called my lawyer and the secretary said "oh the lawyer never called you back?" She said he said to file another harassment complaint. I told her I already did and then expressed that I was prepared to PAY for legal assistance and that I need him to represent me in court. She said fax the info to her and she'll get back to me whether he would be avail. or if he will appoint someone else because he's going away. The next day I faxed the info and didn't hear back so I once again called her. She said she received the info and will get back to me on Monday with a quote. I said fine.

Is it ok if I get another lawyer at this point who has the time to represent me? I'm not happy that his office never returned my calls and the defendant bothered me for 2 weeks until I took it upon myself to return to the police. Will the new lawyer be able to obtain all the info. from the first court appearance? Is this wise to do? Will it matter if it's not the original lawyer who sort of rep. me?

Answer 1

If your lawyer is not doing his or her job, it would do you well to seek out someone that will work for you. If he is not returning your call he is letting you know that he has no interest in your case. For him to drop the order showed that your safety did not come first.  

Answer 2

Get yourself another lawyer this one is not treating your ccase professionally, your new lawyer will be able to get the paperwork and transcripts from the first time you went to court and copies of the police report.  This lawyer will not give his best that should be obvious by the way that they are acting right now, it won't hurt your case if you get a new lawyer before you go back to court.