Client feedback & FAQ
Outstanding
“Having used numerous attorneys in the past I know that it is hard to find a good one that does not want to retire on you. I have used D. A’Hern for several different cases with myself and my family and I will continue to use him in the future as well as refer family and friends. He took the time to explain the process that I was going through and at each step explained what was happening, what I could expect, and how we were going to achieve the desired result. I found that he was very knowledgeable and responded in a timely manner when I asked questions about the probate process and how to proceed. This process has been very difficult to deal with since there are several family members involved and he has continued to help focus on the task at hand even when your personal character is attacked for trying to fulfill the last wishes of a loved one. He has provided several avenues to proceed with each situation and allowed us the time to think about them before making a decision and not pushing us in one way or the other.”
– James
Excellent Attorney
“Douglas A’Hern is an outstanding attorney. He is able to handle all kinds of cases. He searches to understand what his client’s needs are and works towards a fair resolution. He is honest and works hard for his clients and is always accessible. Douglas is an excellent attorney.”
– Donna
Best lawyer ever!
“Douglas A’Hern is a fantastic lawyer. He gave 110% when it came to my legal needs. He was very compassionate and attentive. I appreciate all he did for my family and me.”
– Angela
Will not back down
“Douglas A’Hern is the type of lawyer that will not back down. He will fight to the end for his clients.”
– Shelby
Highly Professional
“I endorse this lawyer. We have worked together as opposing counsel on family law matters in the past, and I found him to be highly professional, competent and an effective communicator. Since then, Mr. A’Hern has helped some of my clients with immigration matters, and I would not hesitate to send future immigration clients to Mr. A’Hern. With his extensive background in customs and immigration enforcement, he has a great knowledge base and high integrity.”
– Eric
You gave me my life back
“I’ll never forget you.”
– Derrick
From My Students
Professor A’Hern is probably my favorite adjunct professor
“I really liked how he posted videos because it felt more personal and I felt like I got to know him and his personality a bit more than if he only communicated through text. His announcement posts were helpful. I would love to have him as a professor in the future.”
“Dr. A’Hern is by far the most engaged and helpful instructor I have had. He has been so helpful in communicating with students, and myself specifically. This was a challenging course for me, and he was helpful and an excellent guide every step of the way.”
Absolutely incredible instructor
“He provided helpful feedback, asked thoughtful questions of his students, provided guidance and brought an element of fun to the course. He was very motivating and positive even when I had anxiety or was nervous about the curriculum I had to understand.”
“Professor A’Hern has been the best instructor I have had so far here at SNHU. He cares about his students’ success and enjoys what he does!”
Effective Communicator
“Dr. A’Hern’s teaching style is truly remarkable. He has a way of making complex topics easy to understand, and he always keeps his lectures interesting with engaging examples and thought-provoking questions. His enthusiasm for the subject matter is contagious, which makes learning enjoyable rather than intimidating or overwhelming. I really appreciate Dr. A’Hern’s ability to effectively communicate difficult concepts in an accessible manner that allows students to learn at their own pace while still providing meaningful guidance along the way.”
“Dr. A’Hern, by far the best instructor I have had so far. Best feedback. He is very involved and cares about what he teaches. No favoritism is shown.”
Results and Expectations
The vast majority of our cases end in favorable outcomes for our clients.
You’ll find a number of those results on our homepage. Still, not everyone is happy with their outcome, because no outcome is guaranteed. Here are a few examples, with the full story.
An immigration case
Someone recently posted on Facebook that they paid me $3,000 and we did nothing. She even filed a complaint.
What the post leaves out: her family member was deported after several convictions that disqualified her from multiple forms of relief. The best possible outcome was voluntary departure, which lets her reapply for admission without a formal removal.
I was paid only for an immigration bond hearing. All the other work we did on the case was free. The family doesn’t appreciate that this was the best possible outcome, at a seriously reduced rate. We know we served the client very well.
A criminal case
Another recent post says I was paid $1,500 and did nothing for the client.
In fact, before the very first court date, we spent a lot of time working with witnesses to get statements and video evidence to the District Attorney’s office. After multiple conversations, the District Attorney dismissed the case because of our efforts. That’s a great outcome for the client.
Afterward, he had a dispute with his bonding company and wanted our help. Unless the attorney is also the bonding company, that is a separate contract, and we could not assist. That issue overshadowed the fact that the criminal case we were hired to defend was dismissed without ever going to court.
Asylum bond cases
We routinely handle bond cases for asylum seekers, who have no right to an attorney in this process. We prepare the client for the credible fear interview. Around 25% pass that interview nationwide; for my office, it’s 75-80%. After the interview, the client can seek bond and transfer the case to wherever they are going.
We had a client with a really strong case. We fully prepared him for the interview, and somehow he failed the credible fear determination. His family blames our office for not doing enough. I’m not sure what more we could have done.
A car accident claim and a bar reprimand
A while back, I handled a car accident claim for a client in Louisiana. After the consultation, we settled for the policy maximum, $15,000. I took no money and tried to contact him repeatedly.
He later had a separate legal issue and demanded that I pay him before paying any medical providers, which an attorney cannot ethically do. He complained to the State Bar of Texas, which felt I should have done more to communicate with him. Fair enough. I accepted a public reprimand, which is available for review online, with each page initialed by me. Lesson learned.
I hope current, past and future clients will work with us and focus on the results and outcome of their case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between federal criminal charges and state criminal charges?
In state cases, police usually see a crime or get called about one. They respond, make an arrest, and then investigate.
Federal cases usually work differently. When the federal government begins investigating you, you probably won’t know it for weeks, months or longer. I have seen FBI cases take years to develop.
By then, agents may have:
- Drafted court orders for wiretaps or GPS monitoring
- Helped debrief cooperating sources
- Obtained and reviewed financial records
- Obtained communication records, such as webmail contents, cellphone location data or social media accounts
Once they believe they have enough, they indict you, often through secret grand jury proceedings. An arrest warrant may sit sealed for a while until they decide to unseal it and execute it. So by the time you are arrested, the federal government already knows about 85% of the case.
Remember: If you know or believe you are involved in something that has become part of a federal investigation, be proactive. Find out how exposed you are to possible criminal or civil prosecution. Hire an attorney as soon as you believe you are exposed.
What are my options if I am arrested by the federal government?
The process moves very quickly. Within a few days, you will usually plead not guilty before a federal magistrate judge. That judge sets a trial date and deadlines for legal matters, normally about six weeks after your hearing.
That means you have about six weeks to prepare for a trial that could result in decades in prison. Your options:
Option A: Get ready for trial.
Before you do, you must run a parallel investigation with your legal counsel and analyze all the evidence to judge whether the government can convict you.
Option B: Seek a plea agreement that minimizes your time in prison.
Few federal cases end in probation. Most result in a sentence measured in months, and there is no parole. Most sentences are determined under a complicated scheme set by the United States Sentencing Commission.
For most federal narcotics cases, there is a mandatory minimum of 5 years, or more often 10 years. No matter what you put in front of the court, you will not receive less than 5 years (60 months) or 10 years (120 months).
Option C: Cooperate and seek a reduction.
Under Section 5K1.1 of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, you can request a sentence below the guidelines based on substantial assistance to the government (known as a “5K”). You can also seek relief under Rule 35(b): on the government’s motion made within one year of sentencing, the court may reduce your sentence if you provided substantial assistance in investigating or prosecuting another person.