How To Find And Hire The Right Attorney For You

"SteveLehto" (stevelehto)
11/14/2014 at 13:00 • Filed to: None

Suppose you were in a car accident and you didn't know what you were entitled to. Or, you bought a defective car and the dealer wouldn't honor the warranty. Or you were accused of a crime you did not commit. How do you find the right attorney to help you? As an attorney, let me lend you some insight.

Attorneys, like doctors, have areas of expertise. Just as you would not ask an eye doctor to set your fractured leg, you would not ask a criminal defense attorney to draft your will. While this might seem like common sense, many people do not put much effort into finding an attorney. Often, they assume that attorneys are all alike. Sometimes, they know an attorney and ask him or her to handle their legal issue. Ask any attorney you meet about the times they have encountered another attorney completely out of their depth, handling a matter for a friend or relative. And, some people just call a phone number they saw on TV or in an ad somewhere.

First, figure out what kind of case you have. If you've been arrested, you might surmise that you need a criminal defense attorney. But you will notice there are a lot of those. Narrow the search. Arrested for drunk driving? There are attorneys who focus on that. Caught with a few million dollars of company funds in your offshore account? Again, there are attorneys who specialize in handling those kinds of accusations. Find the attorney whose practice area is what you need.

On the civil side – that is, lawsuits – you will also need to narrow your search. A car accident might need an attorney who does auto negligence. Crushed by a falling pallet at Home Depot? Premises liability. Attacked by dogs? Dog bite. This is where the internet will help you. Run searches to find out what the area of law is called. Then, search for an attorney in your area who handles those cases. I get a lot of phone calls at my office because people type "auto law" into a search engine when looking for help with a car accident. You'd get better results trying "car accident lawyer."

Next: do not believe it when someone claims they handle everything. They might try – but you want someone who handles one thing really well: the thing you need. Search for attorneys by area of practice and by the area you live in. "Michigan Lemon Law Attorney." "Nashville Auto Negligence Attorney." "Miami Drug Possession Attorney." Notice that I used a state for one of those. Some specialties will be too narrow to find more than one in a particular town. And attorneys routinely travel a little bit to handle cases.

After doing a few searches, you should be able to find three or four attorneys who handle what you need. As you go through this process, avoid referral sites. Those are the sites that pop up and claim they are nationwide and can direct you to what you need in your state. You do not need a middleman in this process nor do you want an attorney that needs a referral site to steer them clients. Good attorneys have websites and telephones . As quaint as that sounds, the next step involves picking up the old hoot-and-holler and talking to someone.

Call at least three of them. Ask to speak to the attorney. Some firms have call screeners and will not let you speak to an attorney on your first phone call. Handle that however you feel but I personally would be put off by it. Once an attorney is on the phone, introduce yourself, explain briefly what your case is about and ask a couple of questions. How long have you been practicing? What percentage of your practice is handling cases like mine? How much will it cost to handle this case? If it is a lawsuit you are looking to file, will they handle it on a contingency?

After telling the attorney about your case, ask for an initial "take" on what they think they can do for you. The attorney will, by necessity, have to couch this answer a bit since they only know what you have told them but they should be able to tell you something. They might be able to tell you results they have achieved in similar cases, for example. Then, after getting your questions answered, thank them and say you are going to think about it.

Call the next attorney on your list and repeat the process. After going through the list you might find that you had a better rapport with one attorney. Or an attorney might have not given you answers you were comfortable with. Something might have felt "off" about an attorney. Then, and only then, make an appointment to go and meet with the attorney you felt best about.

Keep in mind that in most fields, attorneys will meet with you without charging you for the "initial consultation." If you are unsure, ask during the first phone call – but most will state this on their website so you won't need to ask. Go to their office and talk to them for as long as you need to so that you feel comfortable enough to hire them (or not). If you want to hire them, great. If you are on the fence, tell them you need to think some more and leave. If necessary, make an appointment with the next attorney on the list and repeat the process.

One of the things to keep in mind is that you will have a relationship with this attorney for the length of your case. So ask them at the face-to-face how long they think this matter will take to resolve. Some types of cases are easy to predict and some are not. But it will be vital that you can work comfortably with your attorney during the whole process. Ask the attorney how accessible they will be – will they return your calls the same day you call with a question? Simply asking that question might get you a surprising response.

You might be wondering if all of the above is "enough." I have news for you: I suspect that 90% of the people looking for attorneys do not do even half of this. Too many people just hire the first attorney they run across who is willing to take their case. The good news is that there are a lot of attorneys out there. That's good news, you ask? Yes, it is a buyer's market. That gives you many to choose from. Take your time and choose carefully.

Follow me on Twitter: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Steve Lehto has been practicing law for 23 years, almost exclusively in consumer protection and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! He wrote !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . He also wrote !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . You can hear his podcast Lehto's Law on iTunes !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

This website may supply general information about the law but it is for informational purposes only. This does not create an attorney-client relationship and is not meant to constitute legal advice, so the good news is we're not billing you by the hour for reading this. The bad news is that you shouldn't act upon any of the information without consulting a qualified professional attorney who will, probably, bill you by the hour.

DISCUSSION (100)

thebigbossyboss > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:06

And when in a real pickle call Saul Goodman.

SteveLehto > thebigbossyboss
11/14/2014 at 13:07

Well, obviously.

For Sweden > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:11

I'll just go with the guy on the back of the bus.

SteveLehto > For Sweden
11/14/2014 at 13:12

I think the guy in the illustration (above) could whoop him though.

davedave1111 > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:13

But why would you need a lawyer in the first place? You should write some articles about that...

SteveLehto > davedave1111
11/14/2014 at 13:15

I think pretty much every article I've written so far has covered that in one way or another. A dealership wrecks your Corvette, screws up your oil change, steals your car back from you . . . . the insurance company wrongfully denies your claim, etc etc. It was after those ones where people asked me HOW you'd go about finding an attorney.

StevenG > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:17

Kinja'd!!!

I pick this dude right here, or any lawyer with a beard that awesome.

gearboxtrouble > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:17

Ads

David E. Davis > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:18

Kinja'd!!!

Step 1. Do not hire an attorney that abuses bailiffs with his cane.

David E. Davis > StevenG
11/14/2014 at 13:18

Those are muttonchops my friend.

Leadbull > thebigbossyboss
11/14/2014 at 13:19

"criminal lawyer new mexico"

[I'm Feeling Lucky]

smalleyxb122 > For Sweden
11/14/2014 at 13:19

I went with the guy I met in the back of the bus. His years of watching Law and Order turned out to be of little value.

Panhead > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:20

Better get Saul.

Slowdrivings2000 > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:20

Imma stick with what I know. http://www.bettercallsaul.com

SteveLehto > StevenG
11/14/2014 at 13:20

I agree. That is why I went with this illustration. I want THAT guy on my side in the courtroom.

Maxaxle > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:20

Kinja'd!!!

1. Don't hire an attorney who will beat the crap out of the bailiff.

jalop1991 > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:20

There's only one good way to find the right attorney: ask a lawyer. And don't go into great specifics, assuming you know what and who you need; give a general description of what your problem is. A decent lawyer will ASK QUESTIONS (that's what they do for a living) and guide you down the right path.

Maxaxle > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:20

Kinja'd!!!

"FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!"

Maxaxle > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:21

Kinja'd!!!

"GO FOR THE EYES!"

Maxaxle > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:21

Kinja'd!!!

"FIFTY BUCKS SAYS THE ATTORNEY WINS!"

SteveLehto > Maxaxle
11/14/2014 at 13:21

Are you sure? I admire how he knows his way around the courtroom.

FJ60GatewayDrug > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:21

I'm only hiring a lawyer who points at me.

(Also, I think he's a specialty in everything, based on the billboards, radio ads, TV ads, website ads, and bus ads I've seen.)

Kinja'd!!!

SteveLehto > FJ60GatewayDrug
11/14/2014 at 13:22

He specializes in ADVERTISING! (And pointing.)

davedave1111 > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:22

Long day, huh?

SteveLehto > davedave1111
11/14/2014 at 13:24

Eh, they're all about the same length. Give or take.

Ad_absurdum_per_aspera > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:24

This can be a very big deal indeed. Some years ago, someone I know got into serious financial trouble — if memory serves, he ended up losing his house and having to declare personal bankruptcy — because a friend of his who happened to be a tax attorney had done him a favor by incorporating his business, advising him on errors-and-omissions insurance, etc.

Or maybe it was the other way around, with the friend specializing in general business matters advising him on some intricacy of tax law and got it all wrong. Doesn't really matter; you don't want to have a triple bypass done by even the best brain surgeon or vice versa.

You'd think that attorneys would recognize when a problem is outside their realm of expertise and refer the would-be client to a colleague who actually knows something about it, but by no means does this always happen. Some lawyers are too greedy or desperate to turn down potential business for such highminded reasons; besides which, as the old joke holds, how does the worst student in a law school class sign his letters after eventually somehow passing the bar exam? "Esq."

StevenG > David E. Davis
11/14/2014 at 13:24

Good to know, I will make that a question during the phone interviews. "Do you have or can you grow muttonchops before this goes to court?"

FJ60GatewayDrug > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:26

The name recognition (and pointing abilities) that man has is fascinating.

SteveLehto > Ad_absurdum_per_aspera
11/14/2014 at 13:27

It happens far too often. Sometimes the cases look easy at first glance (and then get harder!) or, as you say, the attorney hates to turn down the work. Either way, it would have been better to go with an expert in the first place.

Ltd783 > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:28

"Good attorneys have websites and telephones ."

The number one bar complaint is lack of response to phone calls and emails. If you can't get a hold of an attorney easily when you're considering hiring them, think of how easy it'll be once they already have your money... I just tell my clients I can't guarantee I'll be available 24/7, but I will always return a call or message within 24 hours.

And I also always advise people to be weary of attorneys who say they can practice in too many different areas. I always like to say I'm as competent to be a civil lawyer as I am a doctor... Criminal defense is very specialized.

Also be weary of attorneys who will promise you a particular result on that initial phone call. After handling hundreds and hundreds of criminal cases, I can tell you confidently there will probably be at least few new facts or stories (or forgotten prior convictions...) that come up between that phone call and the first conversation I have with the district attorney.

hurtsdonut > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:28

Some firms have call screeners and will not let you speak to an attorney on your first phone call. Handle that however you feel but I personally would be put off by it.

Attorneys are often meeting with clients or actually in court, so not being able to speak with an attorney during an initial call should not necessarily elicit the reaction the author subscribes. Just my two cents.

SteveLehto > Ltd783
11/14/2014 at 13:29

Amen to all of that. Thanks for the note.

davedave1111 > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:32

That's what she said.

SteveLehto > hurtsdonut
11/14/2014 at 13:32

Clearly. And the attorney might be sick that day. I have, however, heard of attorneys who will not speak to the potential client AT ALL on the phone. They make the potential client jump through hoops, talk to clerks or paralegals on the phone and then say, "Come in and meet with the attorney." I am saying the first meeting should not have to be face to face (unless you are okay with that).

Ntovorni > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:41

I've tried this, however my issue is insurance related, and the only local insurance lawyers around me deal with bodily injury. No injury, no care basically. My issue, is that 4 months ago, a driveshaft fell out of a commercial box truck in front of me, puncturing my transmission. The truck's insurance company is Liberty Mutual, however, their commercial insurance side. I've been through 4 different claim agents, none of which answer emails, or phone calls, and leave both me and the garage trying to get information on when any payment will be issued, or the adjuster will be sent out. They cheaped out and got a junkyard trans (not easy for a mkV R32, not too many sitting around) and because of that the car had additional issues with speed and temp sensors. This lead to me now, waiting again, for an adjuster to go look at my car. I've filed a complaint with the AG's office, however when they ask Liberty for their response, they just get crap. honestly, part of it was a lie. They flat out said "we thought you were going through Geico", meanwhile I have an email a week after the accident, explicitly stating that I was not, and I was going to go through Liberty Mutual.

I don't know if I do have a case here, but I've contacted upwards of 12 attorneys in the area, and they either "don't do insurance" or if they do insurance, only do bodily harm. I'm just grasping at straws trying to find a way to get my car back (and at this point, I'd LOVE monetary compensation).

Sorry for the long read, but if anyone at all has any tips/hints/anything like that, I'm all ears (eyes?).

Future next gen S2000 owner > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:41

Kinja'd!!!

Lets GET IT ON!!!!!

thebigbossyboss > Ltd783
11/14/2014 at 13:44

Great advice thanks.

dopaz > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:45

Kinja'd!!!

This is the lawyer you want, the one willing to cane the sheriff .

thebigbossyboss > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:45

One thing I remember is in Ontario there actually is a bar run referral service which is probably a lot more legit than a paid middle man.

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > thebigbossyboss
11/14/2014 at 13:45

Tohru > thebigbossyboss
11/14/2014 at 13:50

No, you call Steve.

Kinja'd!!!

SteveLehto > Ntovorni
11/14/2014 at 13:53

What state are you in?

SteveLehto > dopaz
11/14/2014 at 13:53

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

Tohru > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:54

Kinja'd!!!

So, what kind of lawyer do you get after you've just given the bailiff a damn good hiding?

SteveLehto > thebigbossyboss
11/14/2014 at 13:54

Many bar organizations do that BUT they (the ones I have heard of) do not give any one attorney preference over another. As a result, the first year lawyer gets as many referrals as the expert with 30 years experience.

frankfan42x > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:55

Darn good advice and having the right attorney can make all the difference at times, as I found out sadly. Long story, but the takeaway is to follow this process to feel out the attorney. There are good ones, like any field you have to do some research to be sure of whom you are hiring.

SteveLehto > Tohru
11/14/2014 at 13:55

You don't need a lawyer. You are already the greatest lawyer ever.

SNL-LOL > Tohru
11/14/2014 at 13:57

Steve has a freakishly large head.

Also, someone may have snapped his neck.

thebigbossyboss > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 13:57

Good point. Thanks.

Nick Dina > For Sweden
11/14/2014 at 13:58

Reverse racism?

Tohru > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 14:00

Well, it's not like the cur didn't have it coming to him. You should have heard the indecorous comments he was making about the Lady Cavendish at last week's Fall Social.

So, what's your bailiff count then? 3, 4?

For Sweden > Nick Dina
11/14/2014 at 14:00

Is the bus in reverse?

wantafuncar > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 14:02

As an attorney, I completely disagree with this. This is highly specific to area of practice (and likely location). For example: while this may be true for personal injury, this is not true for divorce.

SteveLehto > Tohru
11/14/2014 at 14:02

(Actually, my favorite part of the image is that it appears the deputy has a knife of some sort. That, and how Huck Finn on the right has no shoes on. I'll admit, I have never had to remind a client to wear shoes to court.)

Tohru > SNL-LOL
11/14/2014 at 14:04

That's not very polite, he could sue you for libel.

Also, that's how big the source picture's (background, not Steve) head was before I started 'Shopping it.

SteveLehto > wantafuncar
11/14/2014 at 14:04

I meant that you should be able to speak to an attorney over the phone before you go in and meet with them. Are you unwilling to speak to a client before the first face-to-face meeting?

Ntovorni > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 14:04

Connecticut. Liberty Mutual reps I'm dealing with are in Texas.

SNL-LOL > Tohru
11/14/2014 at 14:06

To: Lehto, Steve, Esq.

From: E_I_A, P.E.

Re: Advertising

Please see attached for your reference.

Kinja'd!!!

SteveLehto > Ntovorni
11/14/2014 at 14:08

How much money is involved? That is often the problem as well. In MICH it is hard to get an attorney to handle a claim against an insurance company below a certain amount - not because the attorneys aren't qualified - but because it is not economically feasible for them to do it (the cost to the client makes it not worthwhile).

Ntovorni > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 14:10

I have gotten that impression as well. I'm not sure what total costs are, as Liberty Mutual has accepted fault. They're just really dragging their feet to an unbelievable amount. I'm going to say 7,000 for the transmission, labor I'm not sure on, and then they've paid for my rental car for nearly 4 months. However, even that was a struggle, as it took them forever to put the car on their account, so I kept getting hit with credit holds.

wantafuncar > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 14:13

In my experience, only the worst practitioners in some areas will do so. Divorce or family law is likely the best example of this, where any attorney worth his or her salt will charge for a consultation. Typically it is set up through an assistant or paralegal and the client will not speak to the attorney prior to the consultation.

For what it is worth: I practice divorce exclusively, but other attorneys in my firm handle other things such as worker's compensation, personal injury, medical malpractice, etc. In the other areas, they will handle it as you suggest, but divorce or family law is a different animal.

I believe the real reason for this is the sensitive and complicated nature of divorce & family law — my average consult lasts 1 to 1.5 hours, and good attorneys simply cannot commit that much time without compensation for a potential client. Also, simply by talking to them on the phone you would be conflicted out of the spouse's case. Lastly, most divorce lawyer's offices are innundated with calls from people who want free advice & never intend to hire a lawyer — taking direct calls would quickly eat up a large chunk of time that could be spent on paying clients.

Tohru > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 14:14

With the weird outfits and no shoes I thought they were a Hobbit version of the Hitler Youth Party.

SteveLehto > Ntovorni
11/14/2014 at 14:14

That's a tough one. I'd keep calling around and when attorneys tell you they can't help, ask if they know of anyone who can. Sometimes an attorney will know of another one who handles the odd stuff no one else wants to.

RedPir8Roberts > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 14:16

Good advice, I would like to point out for those who might not know that "on contingency" means that the lawyer does not get paid unless you do, and that his fees will come out of your recovery—usually on a percentage basis. In California, that fee is not set by statute, and it can typically be 33% to 40% of the total recovered. That will sound high to some (probably most) people, but the attorney is working for free / wasting his /her time if he loses through no fault of his (or her) own, and thust that risk has to be accounted for in a greater recovery because he'll be taking on some cases which are a dead loss. Taking a contingency case is a form of gambling, the attorney is betting he and you will win if he takes the case. If you think you have a slam-dunk case, for a lot of money, you might want to pay an attorney hourly if you can afford it (except for certain kinds of cases, hourly fees are not set by the courts, laws or bar either, but rather market forces and experience—another reason to compare attorneys). You'll have to cough up his fees yourself, and probably an up front retainer, but then you get the rest of the recovery free and clear. Also, even if a lawyer is taking your case on contingency, you might be asked to pay the hard costs like filing fees. Those can be significant also, and though some lawyers will also front those fees, they will also deduct them from your recovery at the end. In any case, you should keep regular tabs on what your attorney is doing and if he's incurring costs you'll have to pay one day. They won't want to be micromanaged, and should not be, but you could be paying for them to fly to Hawaii for a deposition when maybe a Skype call could do the same job.

Ntovorni > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 14:18

Hmm ok. Thanks though! I have gotten the feeling it's a weird case. My car is at a VW dealership now, as the initial garage didn't have the VAGCOM cable to finalize everything...so at least I have the help of a major dealership to push the insurance company.

One thing that really pissed me off, one of the claim agents asked if the garage my car was at "even existed". It made it sound to me like she was trying to poke around with insurance fraud.

SteveLehto > wantafuncar
11/14/2014 at 14:25

"taking direct calls would quickly eat up a large chunk of time that could be spent on paying clients."

I guess my point is that a potential client should do what they can to vet an attorney before they "become" a "paying client." If they can't speak to that attorney before that happens, then they have less to go on, that's all.

I know divorce attorneys who do it both ways (some do and some don't). I believe my advice here is still good for 99% of the readers and the legal issues they might encounter.

Scott Nixon > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 14:25

What if you are accused of a crime you did commit, but want to fight it out of righteous indignation or outright rejection of the criminal (in)justice system/prison industrial complex? Who do you call then?

Prophet of hoon > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 14:26

Years of experience and bar complaints (unless it's a divorce or criminal lawyer). There's lots of "specialists", but like surgeons, it's not how well they did in school but how many procedures they do... after all, if it's simple, the case is already settled.

That said, what chaps me the most is the people who hire an attorney then b*tch to their friends that their attorney is a crook because he got 30-50% of the proceeds from the settlement (or even worse, complain to me that their attorney is a crook). The newsflash is this: there's plenty of work, I don't need your case - and I won't take your case unless I can give you the come-to-Jesus talk about how screwed you were and how well you are doing now (this is outside the cases I bring because they should be brought... those simply suck).

SteveLehto > Scott Nixon
11/14/2014 at 14:27

Same advice follows. Every defendant is entitled to a defense - hire an attorney who handles those kinds of cases.

TennDumpsterOpposum > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 14:28

Crushed by a falling pallet at Home Depot? RES IPSA LOQUITUR baby! This is a very good article and one I would like for clients to read, now how to post a link on the webpage.

SteveLehto > TennDumpsterOpposum
11/14/2014 at 14:30

Thanks!

Just insert this wherever you like - > http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/crushed-by-a-f…

VashVashVash > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 14:34

How local is local? If you live outside of a major metropolitan area, there choices can be pretty slim if you don't spread your net wide.

SteveLehto > VashVashVash
11/14/2014 at 14:38

Yes, and that will be something you have to experiment with. There is no bright line here. But the key is to not give up when you find the one attorney who will take your case. Try to find a few more. All we can ask is that you try.

Adognamedbash > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 14:38

Ask an attorney! I probably give better and more knowledgeable references than the Internet. Also, unless the problem is mind numbingly simple or an area I practice in, I typically do not offer my services when an acquaintance asks me for a referral.

So for example, if an acquaintance (not a consult) asks me about a dwi lawyer, I'll probably say "well, I do practice dwi law and since I know you, I can probably give you the best price but don't feel any pressure to. In fact, were I to get a dwi, these are the two or three guys id go to."

SteveLehto > Adognamedbash
11/14/2014 at 14:40

If you know an attorney you trust. The reason I was hesitant to say that is you will still be limited by that attorney's realm of knowledge. What are the odds that the attorney you know also knows the best attorney to hire in every given field? It's possible - I'd say throw that into the mix but still do some of your own research.

wantafuncar > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 14:51

I never meant to suggest (or intended to suggest) that you were not giving good advice. I think you're advice is great as far as vetting and I was only saying the process is different depending on the area of practice.

I don't take direct calls for all the reasons listed above, and the simple fact that I can't prejudice my paying clients by spending too much time on potential clients.

Lawyers are like cars — most lawyers are Hondas, GM, Ford, Toyota, etc.... they get the job done with some level of reliability, and for about the same cost as everyone else, though each may have certain features that appeal to different folks; some lawyers succeed on the upsell like a BMW, Mercedes, etc. the ride may be nicer but really you are still going the same point A to point B; and some of them are the Yugo... almost nobody wants a Yugo. The only attorneys I know in my area who do free consultations or take direct calls from potential clients for divorce are the Yugo.

bubbajoe123456 > For Sweden
11/14/2014 at 14:54

You laugh, but the General Counsel of one of the Ivies told me once that, if she were ever accused of a serious crime, her choice for attorney, hands down, would be the guy who advertised on the back of the local yellow pages.

Arrivederci > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 14:54

Kinja'd!!!

This is clearly Steve.

SteveLehto > Arrivederci
11/14/2014 at 14:55

Yes. And that Constable had it coming.

bubbajoe123456 > Ad_absurdum_per_aspera
11/14/2014 at 14:56

Very true. Good friend of mine is a real estate attorney, and if you're trying to buy up 200 acres of brownfield property on the edge of a major city and get it rezoned to be a new power plant, she's the one you want to call. When she bought a condo, she hired an attorney to handle the transaction.

shitheelandtoe > For Sweden
11/14/2014 at 14:58

No, the race is.

Arrivederci > For Sweden
11/14/2014 at 14:59

Mustache Marshall?

Kinja'd!!!

SavingPrincess > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 15:02

Found it:

Kinja'd!!!

Zeniff > Ad_absurdum_per_aspera
11/14/2014 at 15:05

Agreed. I was a claims adjuster (mostly bodily injury claims) for several years, and you could tell when you had a lawyer who knew nothing about those types of cases. Then again, most of those were really nice people, which was NOT the norm when dealing with personal injury lawyers.

JohnnyFckinUtah > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 15:13

Kinja'd!!!

GreenN_Gold > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 15:16

Claim indigence, get your free attorney and your wrist slap, and go home. Heaven forbid you hire a lawyer and fight the state, they'll make you pay dearly for that.

the7thearlofgrey > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 15:22

Kinja'd!!!

you must aquit

the7thearlofgrey > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 15:25

Kinja'd!!!

you must go with a lawyer that's adaptable to the local customs

SteveLehto > JohnnyFckinUtah
11/14/2014 at 15:25

I would also have accepted this:

Kinja'd!!!

SteveLehto > GreenN_Gold
11/14/2014 at 15:27

"Free" attorneys are really not free. In some Michigan courts (for example) they make the defendant pay for them as part of the court costs.

mdzend88 > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 15:27

I called the find an attorney help line (in Ohio), was referred to a great attorney.Went all the way to the Ohio State Supreme Court,winning every court battle along the way with him.

mdzend88 > For Sweden
11/14/2014 at 15:28

Daahling,aren't they always?

SteveLehto > the7thearlofgrey
11/14/2014 at 15:28

But his suit rocked!

SteveLehto > mdzend88
11/14/2014 at 15:30

I'm not saying it wasn't possible. I'm just pointing the way with the best odds. How did it go to the Supreme Court? The other side kept appealing? What is the name of the case? Those cases are so rare I love to see them (when I've "met" one of the litigants).

Stradenko > StevenG
11/14/2014 at 15:37

That dude doesn't appear to have beard.

StevenG > Stradenko
11/14/2014 at 15:43

http://www.beards.org/mutton_chops.p…

Stradenko > StevenG
11/14/2014 at 16:16

With your reference and some Googling, I suppose the world is against me.

Does this count as a beard? I'd say that fits the hair on "lower cheeks" requirement I've seen in definitions, but I can't bring myself to say that mutton chops is a subcategory beard.

Kinja'd!!!

GreenN_Gold > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 16:18

Who pays the court costs? Typically not the indigent party, or they pay a greatly reduced portion of it. I'm sure it varies by state.

Please pardon my cynicism, I have to defer to anyone with infinitely more experience than me, but it's a fairly accurate representation of things that I've witnessed first hand. People should spend a few days in their local court houses and perhaps see some interesting things, if they can endure the boredom.

You_Wont_believe_the_picture_on_page_18 > SteveLehto
11/14/2014 at 16:22

"Better Call Saul"

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt303247…

SteveLehto > GreenN_Gold
11/14/2014 at 16:26

I agree with you but in many cases, the "indigent" person has to pay the fees out of the fines and costs that are assessed (if they plead or are found guilty). The only occasion where they would not be assessed would be if the defendant went to trial and was acquitted. THEN, the court (state) would eat the costs. At least that is how it is in many of the courts in MICH.

I would urge a cynic to hire a really good attorney to fight the system, and not bank on an over-worked, underpaid public defender. At least, in Michigan.