My Lawyer: How?

[imoldernu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meadbh I hope you are not planning to join the criminal element, imoldernu!

ummm...

[imoldernu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meadbh I hope you are not planning to join the criminal element, imoldernu!

Not yet...

[yakers]

What I would actually do? Call my sister. Attorney in a couple other states than where I live but she would be able to locate one better & faster than I. Also a family friend is a defense attorney, he would probably not take my case and he would be too expensive but would definitely know who to call.

The nature of the original questions calls out for a criminal defense attorney, not the civil kind, lots of time to locate civil specialists.

[heeyy_joe]

Jim Rockford always called his good lookin female attorney. You could get yourself one in advance so you can stop this nonsense. Seriously, if you call your son and he cannot figure things out you have got a whole different set of problems.

[imoldernu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by heeyy_joe Jim Rockford always called his good lookin female attorney. You could get yourself one in advance so you can stop this nonsense. Seriously, if you call your son and he cannot figure things out you have got a whole different set of problems.

So yeah... instead he calls you tomorrow A.AM ... whaddya do?

Good thing you're connected to that GLFA...

[jollystomper]

I am fortunate to have a number of lawyers in my family (sister, BIL, several nieces and nephews). In addition, two of DW's and I's good friends from college became lawyers, and we have lawyer friends in our church. Several times when we needed it we got good advice or good references to lawyers that worked out well. So we are sure to nurture these relationships.

It is a bit of a "barter" system as some of them have also sought me out for IT related assistance (both personal and for their business) for which I have been able to give them guidance.

[heeyy_joe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by imoldernu So yeah... instead he calls you tomorrow A.AM ... whaddya do? Good thing you're connected to that GLFA...

I'd tell him he has the wrong number and hang up.

[easysurfer]

Okay, I'll add a silly question. But do want a real answer I as I don't know.

So, if you get arrested with that one phone call, and you try calling a lifeline and end up reaching a voice mail does that count as the one call? Or does that not count as a call until you reach a live person?

The question is like in that episode on "Seinfeld" on whether only soup counts as a meal

[marko]

I"m sure some legal-eagles here would have a better answer, but what I'd do is:

1) get a bail bondsman (the arresting jurisdiction likely has someone to call) then,
2) call the attorney who drew up your will/deed/whatever and tell him/her what happened. If it's out of their area of expertise, they can recommend someone.

[calmloki]

Quote:

Originally Posted by haha Especially if you like it that way. Why not plan your strategy for when the Ruskis make an amphibious landing?

WHAT??!! The reds have landed and have a base in Pike's Place Market? Annie, git mah 32 40, we's a goin to war.

Fully unprepared here for arrest - total lack of get out of jail free card. Except...

my gal, who packs more effect per ounce than any person I know. If she can save my life she sure isn't going to let me waste it in a cell.

[aja8888]

Lawyers, or the lack of....or, how do I get an attorney?

Unless you are arrested for murder or some other heinous act, you will be thrown into the "pen" with all the others that were rounded up last night and into the wee hours of the morning. There is usually one phone in the pen. It only works for collect calls. Do your best. There will be a line.

The next morning, you will be hauled off to stand in front of a judge and read your charge, at which time the judge will give you your bond amount. You can either sit in the pen until you have spent enough time to work off the bail amount or just have someone pay a bail bondsman, which is usually the case. Then you are out.

At that time, you can call an attorney (your mailbox will be full of offers from them by now). They will also be calling you constantly. There are lots of lawyers, more than enough to go around. Especailly in this country.

If you have no way to pay an attorney, one will be provided for you by the court. Those generally are not that experienced and are "practicing" on your case and your life, so to say. This is not a good deal for you.

The best attorneys are ones that can make a deal for you (assuming you are guilty) with the case Prosecutor. He is the "main man" (or woman)....that's person that whispers in the judge's ear what you have agreed to for punishment, fines, community service, etc, so you won't waste the court's (and Judge's) time with a silly trial by jury.

All through this process you are facing attorneys...the judge(s), the Prosecutor, your attorney, the court's appointed attorney...and so on. Good luck, they are all in the same "career field".

Hope this helps, oh, follow Ha's advice and prepare for the invasion...make sure you have protection and lots of ammo.

[mystang52]

Ask a few people as a starting point to get some names for the specific situation. But one person's experience with an attorney may not be typical so it's something of a crapshoot. Or, do one of the two things that I did:
1) Have 2 children who are attorneys. They can find whatever specialty I need.
2) My j*b was insurance claims, so I was always involved with attorneys. Two great firms always gave me a run for my company's money. I used one of them to represent me against one of my former employers for a great result.

[Amethyst]

If arrested for something, why wouldn't you call your insurance agent?

Amethyst

[aja8888]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst If arrested for something, why wouldn't you call your insurance agent? Amethyst

I wouldn't...he may look to increasing your premiums..

[samclem]

If I were in jail and could make only one call, it would be to a friend/spouse/relative etc who I thought had enough interest and competence to help me out. They are on the "outside" and have the flexibility to make multiple calls to bailbondsmen, lawyers, the jail, etc. They can do the legwork that I can't do. If I use my one call to reach "my" preselected lawyer and he's in Bermuda for two weeks while his intern is answering the phone--now what?

[Amethyst]

That's going to happen anyway if there's liability involved. Seems to me, the chances of being arrested for a terrible incident involving your car (God Forbid that anything like that should happen) is more likely than for, say, shooting an off-duty cop in a bar fight.

I'm just thinking that the insurance company may be able to recommend a lawyer or even send one around, simply to protect their interests.

Amethyst

Quote:

Originally Posted by aja8888 I wouldn't...he may look to increasing your premiums..

[MRG]

Quote:

Originally Posted by easysurfer Okay, I'll add a silly question. But do want a real answer I as I don't know. So, if you get arrested with that one phone call, and you try calling a lifeline and end up reaching a voice mail does that count as the one call? Or does that not count as a call until you reach a live person? The question is like in that episode on "Seinfeld" on whether only soup counts as a meal

Aja8888s description remineded me of a personal experience that answers your question. You're not limited to one phone call, at least in this state/county.

When I w*rked as a manager I was required to discuss with the employee collect phone calls that had been accepted from their extension. This rule was partly in place for the cleaning crew. I received a report that one gal had taken three calls on two different days from the county jail, during core hours.

I asked the gal what happened as politely as I knew how. She was obviously embarrassed, a not so proud part of her personal life was being discussed. She explained her neice had been arrested and called her three times asking to be bailed out. She resused the first two times, the third sob story broke her heart and she gave in. The employee offered to pay the collect charges back, I let her know it was no big deal, just best to tell the neice not to call her collect at work.

So in this situation I know of 3 calls someone had made attempting to raise bail. There were probably more to other family members, we had no need to talk about that.

Glad to say the employee never received any other BS over the calls. She also joined the ER club last week at 58!

[aja8888]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRG Aja8888s description remineded me of a personal experience that answers your question. You're not limited to one phone call, at least in this state/county.

At least around here, county jails don't limit the number of call you can make, but they have to be all collect calls.

[aja8888]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst If arrested for something, why wouldn't you call your insurance agent? Amethyst

Agreed if you get in an auto accident and get arrested, but that is pretty rare. If you do get in an accident and the cops find drugs in your possession (not prescription ones), and get arrested for that , I would not bother to call my insurance man until after I was bonded out.

[Amethyst]

True, and then I would be calling a detective to find the rat who planted the non-prescription drugs in my car!

Amethyst

Quote:

Originally Posted by aja8888 Agreed if you get in an auto accident and get arrested, but that is pretty rare. If you do get in an accident and the cops find drugs in your possession (not prescription ones), and get arrested for that , I would not bother to call my insurance man until after I was bonded out.