Complaint Review: Mathias G. Chaplin Esq.

 On August 24, 2011, I was arrested on two charges of Harassment 2nd degree for allegedly threatening four Fifth Circuit Court judges in Richland County, South Carolina. After the Fifth Circuit Public Defender's Office recused itself due to a conflict of interest, the Fifth Circuit Court of General Sessions, by it's Order, filed January 3, 2012, appointed attorney Mathias G. Chaplin to represent me. (The Fifth Circuit Solicitor's Office subsequently recused itself due to the same conflict of interest.) On January 13, 2012, attorney Mathias Chaplin filed his Motion for Discovery. On February 8, 2013, attorney Mathias Chaplin filed his Motion to be Relieved as my Counsel. (That was the extent of Mathias Chaplin's representation of me.) On February 9, 2013, Assistant Attorney General, Amy McMahan, had me personally served with notice that my presence was required at a hearing to be held on February 13, 2013 before Fifth Circuit Judge Diane S. Goodstein. During the hearing, Judge Goodstein advised that she would take the matter under advisement, and have me notified of my substitute counsel. No such notification or contact by substitute counsel was forthcoming. On April 8, 2014, I received written notice from Assistant Attorney General, Amy McMahan that my presence was required at a hearing to be held on April 17, 2014 before Fifth Circuit Judge Brooks P. Goldsmith. While in the courtroom, Assistant Attorney General, Amy McMahan called my name, then ushered me out of the courtroom. Ms. McMahan then advised me that I had been appointed counsel and she introduced me to a Joshua Koger, Jr., who confirmed that he was in fact my appointed counsel. (Review of the court file disclosed that attorney Joshua Koger, Jr. had been appointed by Order of the court filed March 28, 2013.) Why, then, did attorney Joshua Koger, Jr. fail to diligently notify and represent me as required by law or rule. And, why was it necessary for the prosecutor to introduce me to my appointed counsel over a year after his appointment? Shouldn't my counsel have done that in a timely manner? My advice is, don't hire prosecuting "defense" attorneys Mathias G. Chaplin or Joshua Koger, Jr. for any legal matters. And, for someone who teaches legal ethics at Claflin College, Mr. Koger needs a refresher course, or perhaps to lose his law license!