Court Opinion

ID: 4520736
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-03-30 18:11:00.72332+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:24:13.536346
License: Public Domain

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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA               :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                               :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                               :
                v.                             :
                                               :
                                               :
    SAMUEL R CALABRIS, III                     :
                                               :
                                               :   No. 1585 WDA 2019
    APPEAL OF: DAVID F. POLLOCK                :

              Appeal from the Order Entered September 30, 2019
      In the Court of Common Pleas of Greene County Criminal Division at
                        No(s): CP-30-CR-0000211-2018

BEFORE:      BENDER, P.J.E., OLSON, J., and STEVENS, P.J.E.*

MEMORANDUM BY STEVENS, P.J.E.:                          FILED MARCH 30, 2020

        Appellant, David F. Pollock, Esquire, appeals from the order entered in

the Court of Common Pleas of Greene County, which denied his motion to

withdraw as criminal defense counsel for Samuel R. Calabris, III (“Mr.

Calabris”) due to the nonpayment of attorney’s fees.1 After a careful review,

we affirm.

        The relevant facts and procedural history are as follows: On June 22,

2018, Mr. Calabris, who was the owner of a car lot in Carmichaels,

____________________________________________

*   Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.

1 This Court has held that a trial court order denying a criminal defense
attorney’s motion to withdraw his representation due to nonpayment of fees
is appealable under the collateral order doctrine. See Commonwealth v.
Magee, 177 A.3d 315 (Pa.Super. 2017).
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Pennsylvania, was charged with “in excess of 1,000…counts ranging in degree

from summary offenses to felonies of the third degree” arising from his

deceptive    business     practices    in      connection   with    his   ownership   and

management of the car lot. Trial Court Order, filed 9/30/19, at 2. On July

23, 2018, Mr. Calabris and Attorney Pollock entered into a fee agreement

whereby Attorney Pollock would represent Mr. Calabris in the criminal matter

and, in exchange, Mr. Calabris would pay $200.00 per hour for Attorney

Pollock’s attorney’s fee.2 The agreement further provided that Mr. Calabris

would pay a $2,500.00 retainer to Attorney Pollock.

        Thereafter, on October 15, 2018, Attorney Pollock filed a motion for a

writ of habeas corpus on behalf of Mr. Calabris,3 and following a hearing, on

January 16, 2019, the trial court denied the motion without prejudice to the

defense’s right to renew the motion as the case developed. On January 28,

2019, the Commonwealth filed an amended Information against Mr. Calabris.

        On February 28, 2019, Attorney Pollock filed a second motion for a writ

of habeas corpus on behalf of Mr. Calabris. In response thereto, the trial court

filed an order on March 22, 2019, indicating that issues presented in the

second motion for a writ of habeas corpus would be addressed at the pre-trial

____________________________________________

2   The agreement also provided for a fee of $70.00 per hour for a paralegal.

3  Therein, Attorney Pollock set forth                various      arguments   regarding
inadequacies in the criminal Information.

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conference. In this order, the trial court acknowledged the complexity of the

criminal case related to Mr. Calabris.

      Thereafter, by order entered on April 10, 2019, the trial court

acknowledged there were outstanding pre-trial matters, but that Mr. Calabris’

jury trial was scheduled for September 4, 2019. On June 11, 2019, the trial

court held a pre-trial conference, as well as a hearing on the second motion

for a writ of habeas corpus, and on July 11, 2019, the trial court granted the

second motion     for   a   writ of   habeas corpus, thereby directing      the

Commonwealth to file a second amended Information. On July 26, 2019, the

Commonwealth filed a second amended Information.

      On July 30, 2019, the trial court held a second pre-trial conference. The

trial court indicated it was necessary to have the second pre-trial conference

due to the “sheer volume of accusations that have been filed against [Mr.

Calabris].” Trial Court Order, filed 8/1/18. On August 15, 2019, the trial court

set October 22, 2019, as the date for Mr. Calabris’ jury trial.      “[S]pecial

arrangements were made to alter the actual date for the October jury selection

to accommodate [Attorney] Pollock’s vacation plans.” Trial Court Order, filed

9/30/19, at 2.

      On September 3, 2019, Attorney Pollock filed a motion for the

continuance of Mr. Calabris’ jury trial, as well as a motion to withdraw his

representation. Therein, Attorney Pollock indicated that Mr. Calabris had not

paid for Attorney Pollock’s legal services and, accordingly, Mr. Calabris owed

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Attorney Pollock “several thousands of dollars.”     Motion to Withdraw, filed

9/3/19, at 3. Attorney Pollock asserted that Mr. Calabris’ jury trial “could take

as many as seven (7) days,” and his continued representation of Mr. Calabris

without payment would impose an unreasonable financial burden upon

Attorney Pollock. Id.

      He contended that Mr. Calabris “has no gainful employment and should

qualify for representation by the Public Defender’s Office.” Id. He posited

that he “never dreamed that the Commonwealth would not make a plea offer,

[thus] necessitating a trial.” Id. He argued that permitting his withdrawal

would not be materially adverse to Mr. Calabris at this juncture. Id.

      On September 4, 2019, the Commonwealth filed a motion in opposition

to   Attorney   Pollock’s   motion   for   continuance   and   to    withdraw   his

representation.   Relevantly, the Commonwealth asserted Mr. Calabris had

“advised the Court that he was employed.” Commonwealth’s Answer filed

9/4/19, at 4. The Commonwealth noted the allegations against Mr. Calabris

involve his “malfeasance against a number of victims.”              Id.   Also, the

Commonwealth noted that “abbreviated plea discussions established that the

parties would not be able to reach an agreement as to a disposition of the

charges.” Id.

      By order entered on September 6, 2019, the trial court continued Mr.

Calabris’ October jury trial, and on September 26, 2019, the trial court held a

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hearing   with    regard   to   Attorney   Pollock’s   motion   to   withdraw   his

representation.

      At the hearing, Mr. Calabris confirmed the Commonwealth filed a series

of charges against him, and on July 23, 2018, he consulted with Attorney

Pollock, who presented him with a fee agreement, which set forth the terms

of payment. N.T., 9/26/19, at 16. In accordance with the agreement, Mr.

Calabris paid the required $2,500.00 retainer to Attorney Pollock.              Id.

Moreover, Mr. Calabris confirmed that he periodically received statements

from Attorney Pollock, and he made “some payment on those” statements.

Id.   Mr. Calabris testified Attorney Pollock’s charges to date have been

reasonable. Id. at 18.

      Mr. Calabris denied he has been employed since his car lot closed;

however, when he sold the car lot property he received “20-some thousand

dollars.” Id. He indicated he is separated from his wife, and she took half of

the proceeds from the sale. Id. at 17. Mr. Calabris testified that, to support

himself, he goes to car swap meets and flea markets to buy/sell car parts, car

accessories, motorcycle parts, bar memorabilia, and collectible toys. Id. at

18. He indicated he also sells items online. Id.

      Mr. Calabris testified he does not believe he has the “wherewithal to

pay…the outstanding [attorney’s fee] balance, [or] an additional charge”

which will be required for Attorney Pollock’s representation at trial. Id. at 19.

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He noted the Commonwealth never presented him with a written or oral plea

offer. Id.

      On cross-examination, Mr. Calabris admitted the fee agreement

between him and Attorney Pollock was for the instant criminal case, as well

as another unrelated criminal matter. Id. at 20. In the latter, Mr. Calabris,

while represented by Attorney Pollock, pled guilty “at the last moment.” Id.

at 20-21.

      With regard to his separation from his wife, Mr. Calabris admitted he

does not pay either spousal support or alimony and, in fact, there is no

separation agreement between him and his wife. Id. at 23.         Further, he

admitted that, when he sold his car lot property on September 13, 2018, the

closing amount was for $87,000.00. Id. However, after the mortgage was

paid, he and his wife received just $43,000.00 collectively. Id. at 26. He

indicated he agreed to give his estranged wife half of the $43,000.00. Id.

      With regard to the instant criminal matter, Mr. Calabris admitted on

cross-examination that Attorney Pollock asked the Commonwealth for ARD;

however, the Commonwealth declined the offer. Id. at 29. With regard to

possible representation by the Public Defender’s Office in the event Attorney

Pollock is permitted to withdraw, Mr. Calabris admitted on cross-examination

that he has not recently made an application for that Office’s services, so he

does not know whether he would qualify. Id. at 30-31. He indicated that,

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when he signed the fee agreement, it was his understanding that Attorney

Pollock would represent him “through to and including trial.” Id. at 32.

      On redirect-examination, Mr. Calabris acknowledged that he knew the

initial $2,500.00 retainer would not cover Attorney Pollock’s attorney’s fees if

the criminal matter proceeded to trial. Id.

      By order entered on September 30, 2019, the trial court denied Attorney

Pollock’s motion to withdraw his representation of Mr. Calabris due to the

nonpayment of attorney’s fees. On October 21, 2019, Attorney Pollock filed

a notice of appeal. All Pa.R.A.P. 1925 requirements have been met.

      On appeal, Attorney Pollock contends the trial court erred in denying his

motion to withdraw as criminal defense counsel for Mr. Calabris due to Mr.

Calabris’ nonpayment of legal fees.

      “[W]e review a trial court’s denial of counsel’s motion to withdraw under

the abuse of discretion standard.” Magee, 177 A.3d at 322 (citations

omitted).

      The Rules of Criminal Procedure provide that an attorney for a defendant

may not withdraw without leave of court.        Pa.R.Crim.P. 120(B)(1).     The

Comment to the Rule explains:

            The court must make a determination of the status of a case
      before permitting counsel to withdraw. Although there are many
      factors considered by the court in determining whether there is
      good cause to permit the withdrawal of counsel, when granting
      leave, the court should determine whether new counsel will be
      stepping in or the defendant is proceeding without counsel, and
      that the change in attorneys will not delay the proceedings or
      prejudice the defendant, particularly concerning time limits. In

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      addition, case law suggests other factors the court should
      consider, such as whether (1) the defendant has failed to meet
      his or her financial obligations to pay for the attorney’s services
      and (2) there is a written contractual agreement between counsel
      and the defendant terminating representation at a specified stage
      in the proceedings such as sentencing….

Pa.R.Crim.P. 120, Cmt.

      This Court has held:

                   No brightline rules exist to determine whether a
            trial court has abused its discretion in denying a
            [motion] to [w]ithdraw as counsel. A balancing test
            must be utilized to weigh the interests of the client in
            a fair adjudication and the Commonwealth in the
            efficient administration of justice. Thus, a resolution
            of the problem turns upon a case by case analysis with
            particular attention to the reasons given by the trial
            court at the time the request for withdrawal is denied.
            The balancing test includes consideration of the interests of
      the attorney seeking withdrawal, i.e., factors including, but not
      limited to, the amount of time, money, and energy already
      expended on the case and whether counsel’s withdrawal would
      prejudice the client so as to amount to a “desertion” of the latter’s
      cause.

Magee, 177 A.3d at 323 (quotations and quotation marks omitted).

      In explaining the reasons it denied Attorney Pollock’s motion to

withdraw his representation, the trial court relevantly indicated the following:

           The Court has heard the testimony of Mr. Calabris
      and…recognizes that a fee agreement exists between [Mr.
      Calabris] and [Attorney] Pollock.
                                      ***
            The Court has reviewed a billing statement provided by
      [Attorney] Pollock which purports to be a statement of work
      performed by Mr. Calabris. It has been entered into evidence that
      a statement indicates that [Attorney] Pollock is owed in excess of
      $5,000.00.

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                                      ***
            The Commonwealth has charged Mr. Calabris with crimes
      which were alleged to have occurred from December 5, 2014,
      through May 14, 2018….[T]here are literally in excess of 1,000
      actual counts[.]
            Several hearings or arguments have been scheduled by the
      Court to include two separate writ of habeas corpus hearings. In
      addition, the matter has been set for jury selection on at least one
      occasion and trial dates were also selected and special
      arrangements were made to alter the actual date for the October
      jury selection to accommodate [Attorney] Pollock’s vacation
      plans.
            The Court recognizes that an attorney should not be
      required to work without compensation, and in that regard the
      Court has heard the testimony of Mr. Calabris, who indicates that
      in September of 2018 the real property of his business sold for
      $87,000.00[, and] after payment of a mortgage and dividing the
      proceeds with his wife, Mr. Calabris realized approximately
      $20,000 in gain.
            In addition, the Court recognizes that, [pursuant to] the
      testimony of Mr. Calabris, he is actively involved in buying, selling,
      and merchandising car parts, car accessories, motorcycle parts,
      and other memorabilia, toys, etc., primarily through his
      appearance at flea markets and his selling items online. [Mr.
      Calabris] describes himself as being self-employed and the Court’s
      determination is that he is active in his self-employment.
            In determining whether an attorney in a criminal case is
      permitted to withdraw the Court must consider many factors and
      a decision must be made on a case-by-case basis.
            The Court must look to the fairness to the defendant, the
      interests of justice, the needs of both the Commonwealth and the
      defendant to resolve the case by trial, and also to determine at
      what point counsel seeks to withdraw and whether in fact that
      would amount to essentially an abandonment.
            In considering all the factors to include [Mr. Calabris’]
      income and the late hour of [Attorney] Pollock’s request to
      withdraw, his request to withdraw as counsel [was properly]
      denied.

Trial Court Order, filed 9/30/19, at 1-4.

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      After a careful review, we conclude the trial court did not abuse its

discretion in denying Attorney Pollock’s motion to withdraw after weighing the

interests of all parties. While Attorney Pollock expressed financial concerns

with continuing his representation of Mr. Calabris, who has only partially paid

his attorney’s fees, this factor alone does not require the trial court to permit

Attorney Pollock to withdraw.

      This Court has held:

      [T]he interests of the attorney are but one factor to consider in
      assessing a motion to withdraw. Criminal Rule 120(B) makes
      clear that a trial court has discretion to deny a request by counsel
      for withdrawal, and there is no strict rule that counsel must always
      be permitted to withdraw in cases where counsel has not been
      paid. The trial court [is]…free to conclude that other factors
      outweigh[] the financial burden on counsel when it denie[s]
      [counsel’s] motion.

Magee, 177 A.3d at 325-26 (quotation and quotation marks omitted).

      Here, while Mr. Calabris did not oppose Attorney Pollock’s motion, Mr.

Calabris was placed in a position where, if Attorney Pollock’s motion was

granted, Mr. Calabris would be looking for new counsel in the month preceding

the start of trial, which was scheduled to accommodate Attorney Pollock. See

Magee, supra. At the time of the hearing to withdraw, Mr. Calabris had not

taken steps to retain new counsel, and he was unsure as to whether he would

qualify for assistance from the Public Defender’s Office.

      Further, Mr. Calabris’ criminal matter is “complex,” involves over 1,000

charges, and involved allegations of crimes against numerous victims. It was

reasonable for the trial court to assume that, in light of the nature of the case,

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“any replacement counsel…would require significant time to get up to speed.”

Magee, 177 A.3d at 326 (citation omitted).

      Moreover, the record supports the conclusion that Attorney Pollock did

not take steps to avoid the foreseeable prejudice of delaying the trial.

Attorney Pollock litigated several motions on behalf of Mr. Calabris and

attended pre-trial conferences; the October jury selection date was scheduled

to accommodate Attorney Pollock. However, Attorney Pollock did not notify

the trial court and the Commonwealth of his concerns regarding nonpayment

until after it was clear that there would be no plea agreement and Mr. Calabris’

criminal matter would be proceeding to trial.

      On these facts, we conclude the trial court had the discretion to grant

or deny Attorney Pollock’s request to withdraw. See Magee, supra. Thus,

having discerned no abuse of the trial court’s discretion, we affirm the trial

court’s order denying the motion to withdraw.

      Order affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 3/30/2020

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