Substance abuse disorders are a serious issue in modern society. Drunk people cause car crashes, while those struggling with addiction to pain relievers and narcotics may not be able to maintain gainful employment.
Functional alcoholics are another serious concern. There are those who go about their daily lives while chemically impaired. If you believe that your lawyer showed up to meetings with you or the courthouse while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, your suspicions could give you ground for an appeal.
Someone under the influence can’t give you adequate counsel
You have the legal right to representation when facing criminal charges, and you trust in the lawyer representing you in a civil matter to act in your best interests. When a lawyer isn’t sober, they won’t have access to their full faculties to help them recall precedence or code that could help your case.
They could make errors in judgment. They may also have a hard time remaining focused or presenting themselves in a professional manner. The judge presiding over your case or the jury hearing your lawyer speak might think poorly of you because of how your attorney presents themselves.
Substance abuse disorders like alcoholism are a significant health issue, and professionals struggling with addiction may not be able to provide the services that their clients require. If you have documentation to help you support your claims of your lawyer showing up to meetings or hearings while under the influence of alcohol, you might be in a position to take legal action.
A legal malpractice claim could compensate you for the losses you suffered and may also force the attorney who so poorly represented you to address their issue and get help. Understanding when a lawyer’s poor job performance might constitute legal malpractice can help those who received substandard representation.