how to reach a lawyer when youre in jail

1. Meet initially with the attorney. Once contacted, your attorney may visit you in jail. ...
2. Compile a list of other questions. You probably have a lot of other questions you want to ask the attorney.
3. Find out how you will pay for the attorney. Unless you have a public defender, you shouldn’t expect the attorney to work for free.
4. Read your retainer agreement. You have to agree to hire an attorney. ...
5. Sign the agreement. You will have a formal attorney-client relationship when you sign the agreement and return it to the attorney.

Full Answer

How do I find a lawyer outside of jail?

Ask your friends or family to call a lawyer. It is probably easier for your friends or family outside jail to find a lawyer on your behalf. They can make an unlimited number of calls and ask the attorney questions. If you trust the person you call, have them contact an attorney for you.

How do I get a lawyer if I have been arrested?

As soon as you are arrested, you need to start requesting the ability to contact an attorney. If you have to call from jail, you should be given the opportunity to do so. If you are out on your own recognizance or you have posted bail, set up meetings and contact possible attorneys as soon as possible.

Do you have to hire an attorney to go to jail?

You have to agree to hire an attorney. Although your family might call someone to go see you in jail, that person isn’t your attorney until you hire him or her. The attorney should send you a “retainer agreement” or “engagement letter” for you to read and sign. The agreement should identify the following:

How do I find a good criminal lawyer?

Before resorting to less personal means of finding an attorney, ask those close to you about attorneys they know. Chances are, at least one of your friends or family members knows an attorney in town. Even if the attorney they know doesn't practice criminal law, that attorney may be able to refer you to someone who does.

How Does an Attorney Help with Bail?

We know all the legal procedures and who to call to get you out of jail. This knowledge speeds up the process considerably. Judges may also be more likely to release a person who has hired an attorney.

What is bail in court?

Bail is designed to motivate you to attend your court hearings. The judge sets bail and chooses an amount based on a few factors:

What are the factors that determine bail?

Bail is designed to motivate you to attend your court hearings. The judge sets bail and chooses an amount based on a few factors: 1 The seriousness of the crime 2 The defendant’s criminal history, as well as previous flight attempts 3 The defendant’s financial situation

Can an attorney appear in court?

Your attorney can appear in court on your behalf and argue to reduce your charges and , subsequently, your bail, so it’s easier for you or your family to pay.

Can you be released on your own?

In many cases, you can be released on your own recognizance, which is a signed promise that you will appear in court at the designated time for your hearing. This doesn’t cost any money and is the fastest way to be released.

Do you have to post bail to be released?

Not everyone will qualify for that kind of release, though, and depending on the crime you or your loved one have been charged with, you may be required to post bail in order to be released.

How to get your attorney dismissed?

Write a letter to the court asking for your current attorney to be dismissed and replaced.

How to change attorney in court?

Write a letter to the judge and then the court will ahve a hearing to see if the attorney should be changed.

How to fire a court appointed lawyer?

You cannot fire or dismiss your court appointed lawyer. You may ask the Judge to replace your court appointed lawyer. You can write the public defender a letter requesting that she ask the judge the next time you are in Court to allow her to withdraw from the case and to appoint a new lawyer. In the alternative you can write out a Motion for the Appointment of New Counsel yourself and present it to the judge the next time you are in court. The Judge will question you on your reasons for wanting a new court appointed lawyer. If the Judge finds that your reasons are frivolous or for the purpose of seeking delay then the Judge will deny your request. On the other hand if your reasons are valid then the Judge will appoint a new lawyer to represent you. You are entitled to effective and zealous legal advocacy. Good Luck.

How to replace an attorney in a court case?

Write a letter to the judge and tell him or her that you want to replace your attorney.

What to do when you are in front of a judge?

Next time you are in front of a Judge you need to let them know you are unhappy with your attorney's services, and you also need to notify your attorney that you wish to hire a new attorney or to have a new attorney appointed. Best of luck with your case.

How to replace a lawyer on a complaint?

The only way you can replace your lawyer is by hiring someone to substitute in on your case. It is very unlikely that your judge will replace your lawyer on your complaint. Instead, you should continue in your efforts to work with your lawyer without being a pest, if you know what I mean. Provide relevant information, witness names and contact information, etc. When your lawyer does with you, be prepared with your questions and information.

What to do after writing to public defender?

After writing to public defender you can file a motion for new counsel with court listing reasons you desire new attorney. You include that you wrote to public defender and whatever response you received.

Where is the defendant taken to?

The defendant is taken to the police station and booked.

What happens if a defendant accepts bail?

After booking, the defendant may be offered to option to pay bail based on a schedule of common crimes—for example, $500 for a nonviolent misdemeanor. If the defendant accepts this option and pays bail, the defendant is released.

Are There Any Dangers in Posting Bail for Someone Else?

Yes, if the defendant fails to show up for the scheduled trial date or hearing, bail is forfeited and whatever was paid (or "posted") will be subject to forfeiture—that is, it will become the property of the court. There are additional financial costs and risks if you use a bail bond service (see below). If you post bail for someone, you might also have to answer questions in court as to the source of the money used to pay bail.

What Is a Bail Bond Service?

A bail bond service is similar to a loan company. In return for paying a non-refundable fee (known as a "premium" and typically ten percent of the bond amount), a bail bond company agrees to pay the full amount of the bond. You will not get the premium back even if the charges against the defendant are dismissed the next day. Like a loan company, the bail bond service company requires that you secure the arrangement with some collateral, such as a car, house, or other property. Again, if the defendant fails to appear when required, the bail bonds company can go after you for the collateral to repay its payment to the court.

What is bail in court?

Bail is security (money or property) that a defendant posts with a court . The payment does two things: It grants the defendant freedom (at least until the date of trial); and it discourages the defendant from skipping town (or the trial).

What happens if you can't afford an attorney?

In these situations, if the defendant cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one. ( Read more about criminal defense counsel .) The advantage of retaining an attorney at the time of arrest is that the attorney may be able to get the bail reduced or get charges reduced (resulting in lower bail).

What happens if you post bail?

There are additional financial costs and risks if you use a bail bond service (see below). If you post bail for someone, you might also have to answer questions in court as to the source of the money used to pay bail.

What is an attorney responsible for?

An attorney is responsible for not only the defense of the client's case, but keeping the client and his family fully informed on the criminal process and procedures. There is no fixed amount of time an attorney should spend with a client or a fixed amount of meetings at the jail or anywhere else for an attorney to meet with the client.

Do defense attorneys go to jail?

In typical fashion, attorneys do visit the jail if that happens to be where their clients are located. However, attorneys are not "required" to go to one place or the other; our goal is to do the best job possible for our clients. I suppose it is possible that your brother's...