Shawanda MurryDecember 18, 2025
I fell for a bait-and-switch scam. My son was unconscious in the vehicle with a passenger. A good samaritan called 911. My son was given a DUI. I wanted to hire a firm outside of the Ocala area, with a great reputation. I saw the law firm's ad, stating that they are out of Orlando, Fl. After paying $3500, my son was assigned to an Ocala attorney, Mr. Evan Gardiner, who refused to speak with him. We had to make several calls to the Orlando office to set up the meeting. Finally, during the breif meeting, the attorney did not ask about the arrest. He only threatened my son with 180 days in jail if he did not accept a plea deal that had not been offered. He admitted that he did not know the Orlando attorney's. The attorney was changed to a Gainesville attorney. We reported that there were descrepencies in the police report, and discovery report. The Gainesville attorney said that it did not matter. While viewing the video with the attorney, We noticed that the EMT was attempting to assist my son. The police escorted my son out of the vehicle, towards a wooded area. The attorney stopped the video and refused to show it further. She then asked to speak with my son, alone. When he refused, she asked him if he was an idiot. She threatened him with the 180 days in jail, and left, upset. I continued to email the law firm about the situation, but I received no response. On 12/2/25 the Gainesville attorney called my son and told him that she would not be in court with him, but Mr. Gardener, the fired attorney would be in court with him to sign the plea agreement. I continued, unsuccessfully, to plead, via email, for a response from the Orlando law firm concerning this situation, I received no response. My son checked the docket and court was at 9 am. When we got there, Mr. Even Gardener, presented my son with the plea deal. When my son started signing it, I tore it up. The judge extended the court date to 12/16/2025. Mr. Garniner placed himself back on the docket as my son's attorney after I sent an email to the law firm, on 12/3/2025 stating that they were fired due to ineffective counsel. On 12/11/2025, my son was in court for the Motion to Withraw hearing with Mr. Gardiner. He was once again attempting to get him to sign the plea agreement, without addressing his concerns about the descepencies in the police, affidavit, report, video, etc. On 12/16/2025, my son was forced to sign the plea deal, 6 days before the court hearing. I could not afford to hire another attorney to review his concerns about the descrepencies in the police report. My son will owe over $3000 in court/probation fees, and Smith & Eulo Law firm refuse to refund my $3500. My son has been on non-paid FMLA due to psychological issues since 2023. I am forced to pay $6500 because I fell for a bait-and-switch scam, and ruined my son's life. How can the Smith & Eulo Law Firm in Orlando Florida be so HEARTLESS at Christmas? I know! Because they are rich...I am trying to pay my mortgage...
via Google
