what to do when i cant find a lawyer

• Contact the city courthouse.
• Seek free lawyer consultations.
• Look to legal aid societies.
• Visit a law school.
• Contact your county or state bar association.
• Go to small claims court.

What do I do if I don't have a lawyer?

Still, whether it's a divorce or you're being taken to court for something else, if you don't have a lawyer, a logical move would be to call the courthouse and ask who they would suggest going to. You think you're the first person who couldn't afford a lawyer?

How do I find a good lawyer?

Most communities have referral services to help people find lawyers. You might be able to find them under “Lawyer Referral Service” or something similar in your yellow pages. These services usually recommend a lawyer in the area to evaluate a situation.

How can I get a lawyer to refer me to someone?

You may want to seek out a lawyer referral service that participates in the American Bar Association-sponsored certification program, which uses a logo to identify lawyer referral programs that comply with certain quality standards developed by the ABA. My new job offers a prepaid legal services plan.

Where can I find legal help if I can't afford a lawyer?

Here's how to find legal help if you can't afford a lawyer: Contact the city courthouse. Seek free lawyer consultations. Look to legal aid societies.

What is it called when you can't afford a lawyer?

When a court decides someone is "indigent" - with few assets and no funds to pay an attorney - generally either a private lawyer will be appointed by the court and paid with county funds, or a public defender program will be appointed to represent the person.

What do lawyers do when lost?

A: Some of my colleagues, who are very fine trial lawyers, tell me when they lose a case they set a finite time frame — perhaps 48 hours — to “mourn.” Then they have to get back up and at it. There might be a basis to seek a new trial, or a modification of the decision, and an appeal could be viable.

How can I defend myself in court without a lawyer?

0:188:40And judges are used to hearing that quote unquote pleading your innocence. And arguing with theMoreAnd judges are used to hearing that quote unquote pleading your innocence. And arguing with the prosecutor. Whether or not in front of a jury regarding your guilt or innocence.

Can you represent yourself in court without being a lawyer?

In criminal cases, if you cannot afford a lawyer, the court will appoint a lawyer for you, like a public defender. But in civil cases, you do not have the right to a court-appointed lawyer so, if you cannot afford your own lawyer, you have to represent yourself.

What is the first qualification for a lawyer?

The lawyer will be helping you solve your problems, so the first qualification is that you must feel comfortable enough to tell him or her, honestly and completely, all the facts necessary to resolve your problem. No one you listen to and nothing you read will be able to guarantee that a particular lawyer will be the best for you; you must judge that for yourself.

How long can you be in jail for a crime?

Constitution guarantees you the right to be represented by a lawyer in any case in which you could be incarcerated for six months or more. State constitutions may guarantee your right to a lawyer for lesser crimes.

Do legal aid offices have their own lawyers?

Some legal aid offices have their own staff lawyers, and others operate with volunteer lawyers. Note that people do not have a right to a free lawyer in civil legal matters. I have been accused of a crime, and I cannot afford a lawyer.

Is there a free legal aid program?

Several legal assistance programs offer inexpensive or free legal services to those in need. Look in the yellow pages under topics such as “legal clinics,” “legal aid,” or “legal advice,” or search online. Most legal aid programs have special guidelines for eligibility, often based on where you live, the size of your family, and your income. Some legal aid offices have their own staff lawyers, and others operate with volunteer lawyers. Note that people do not have a right to a free lawyer in civil legal matters.

Do lawyers use ads?

In some ways, yes, ads are useful. However, always be careful about believing everything you read and hear — and nowhere is this truer than with advertisements. Newspaper, telephone directory, radio, television, and Internet ads, along with direct mail, can make you familiar with the names of lawyers who may be appropriate for your legal needs. Some ads also will help you determine a lawyer’s area of expertise. Other ads will quote a fee or price range for handling a specific type of “simple” case. Keep in mind that your case may not have a simple solution. If a lawyer quotes a fee, be certain you know exactly what services and expenses the charge does and does not include.

Christian K. Lassen II

I would recommend calling a couple more lawyers, and if they feel the case is a nonstarter, take their advice.

Christian K. Lassen II

I would recommend calling a couple more lawyers, and if they feel the case is a nonstarter, take their advice.

Christian K. Lassen II

I would recommend calling a couple more lawyers, and if they feel the case is a nonstarter, take their advice.

Raymond Scott Costantino

The attorneys you are dealing with would be in the best position to explain why they are not responding the way you want them to. However, I will share the reality of medical malpractice law which generally applies all over the country. The medical and insurance lobby have spent years and millions of dollars to...

Timothy Lawrence Van Eman

Your experience is usually a sign that the case is not worth pursuing. Alternatively, you've been talking to inexperienced lawyers. If you really feel you have a case, keep trying.

Clifford Michael Farrell

Reposted under Medical Malpractice practice area to have a better chance of a helpful answer as this is not as much about ethics.

What to do if you don't have a lawyer?

Still, whether it's a divorce or you're being taken to court for something else, if you don't have a lawyer, a logical move would be to call the courthouse and ask who they would suggest going to. You think you're the first person who couldn't afford a lawyer? Hardly.

How to get free legal consultation?

Some attorneys will offer free consultations – usually by phone or videoconference. You aren't likely to come away feeling like you're ready to try your first case, but even if it's just a 15-minute call, you may at least get enough information to have a better sense of what legal morass you're in for. You might also be able to get some direction as to who can help you for free or a bargain basement price.

What happens if you lose a pro bono case?

That is, if you lose your case, you won't pay money, but if you win, the law firm will take a portion of the money awarded to you.

What law schools offer free legal advice?

Many law schools have pro bono programs in which law students can offer free legal advice. Some of the schools that have such programs include American University, Appalachian School of Law, Arizona State University, Howard University, Tulane University and many others.

What is lawhelp.org?

You can find more ideas at LawHelp.org, a nonprofit aimed at connecting people with low and moderate incomes to free legal aid programs in their communities.

What is legal aid?

Legal aid societies are nonprofit organizations found in almost every corner of the country that provide free legal services to low-income people. While this is certainly worth exploring, the problem for many households is that the individual or couple makes too much money to qualify for help.

What happens if you can't afford legal assistance?

In a criminal proceeding, if you can't afford legal assistance, a court will appoint an attorney for you. In a civil case, generally described as a dispute between two private parties, to get legal representation, you have to get creative.

How to find a good lawyer?

First, narrow your attorney search to the specific area of law that your case involves. Look under that category in all the common places, yellow pages, internet sites, etc. Call or set an appointment to meet & discuss your case. If you're have trouble determining exactly what type of lawyer to meet with, call your local County Bar Association, State Bar Association, or inquire at any local Legal Assistance agencies or groups in your area for help. If there is a law school near you, many will have a community legal assistance office. These are good places to inquire to get you pointed in the right direction.

Why won't my lawyer take my case?

If the case is one which is charged by the hour or on a flat fee. There are three basic reasons lawyers won’t take the case. You are the plaintiff, and you don’t have a legitimate claim. You are the plaintiff and the lawyer knows that the legal fees will cost substantially more than you have a chance of winning.

What does "no lawyer will take my case" mean?

When I hear someone lament (as I often hear) that “no lawyer will take my case,” this is usually coming from someone who believes they are a victim of some injustice, who wants to sue somebody to right that perceived wrong. In other words, they are a potential plaintiff in a lawsuit for money damages. In the USA, and perhaps in some other jurisdictions (which I am not familiar with), the law allows a lawyer to take on a plaintiff client’s case on a “contingency” basis, meaning (A) the client doesn’t have to pay anything up front, (B) the client doesn’t owe the lawyer any fee unless the lawyer wins the case (or negotiates an agreeable settlement before trial), and (C) the lawyer’s fee is based on a pre-agreed percentage of however much money the lawyer ultimately recovers for that client. The expenses of the lawsuit, as well as the lawyer’s percentage fee, are deducted from the recovered fund, as are any other liens against the fund (such as, medical bills related to the injury) before the remaining funds are disbursed to the client. Lawyers who routinely take contingency cases are happy to offer a free initial consultation, during which they decide whether their firm wants to take on your case. For them, that initial consultation (and getting people to call in and set up an appointment for one) is their primary marketing tool.

What happens if you have insurance and are sued?

If you have insurance but are being sued for more than your coverage limit, you are on your own as far as paying for your personal lawyer as to the excess amount. The insurance company will still pay for your defense, but they may be less willing to make an early settlement if they realize they are going to lose the whole coverage amount if they lose, whether or not they have to go to trial, and thus your insurer may be willing to roll the dice — with your risk of personal financial exposure as the ante — in hopes of winning a defense verdict. After all, they have nothing to lose by going to trial (they’ve already written off your coverage amount as a loss reserve), even though that puts you at risk. Or, they may put up their policy limits early on but, if that offer is not accepted, the insurer may then instruct the lawyer they hired to do the bare minimum the law allows him to do ethically, to protect you against a higher judgment. In either of those cases, it is a good idea to have your own independent lawyer to keep your insurance company from throwing you under the bus; your personal lawyer is not beholden to the insurance company for continued defense business (new defense case referrals), and can forcefully insist your insurance company try harder to settle the case within your policy limits, so you will not have to pesonally pay an excess judgment that may be entered against you. Frankly, though, if you did have insurance, the lawyers you consulted would have found this out, and would have told you the same thing I just did — report this to your insurance company, and let them handle it, while offering to stay in as your personal “excess” counsel if your assets required such protection.

What does it mean when someone says no lawyer will take your case?

When I hear someone lament (as I often hear) that “no lawyer will take my case,” this is usually coming from someone who believes they are a victim of some injustice, who wants to sue somebody to right that perceived wrong. In other words, they are a potentia

What happens if you are in a car accident without insurance?

If it was a traffic collision, your auto insurance ought to cover this, and you should report the crash to your own insurance company immediately if you haven’t already done so, and you should also report to them immediately that you have been sued for your involvement in the crash. Your insurance company will take it from there, and will hire a lawyer to defend you in the case, as well as pay any damages (up to your coverage limit). If you were driving without auto liability insurance (a very bad idea, but legal in some states), then of course you are on your own as far as both paying for a lawyer, and paying a settlement or judgment if one is entered against you.

Why do attorneys refuse to take cases?

Maybe it’s because they are too busy. Maybe it’s because they don’t specialize in that area of the law.

Public Defenders

A public defender is a lawyer who works for the benefit of the public. Their role is to uphold people who have been criminally charged or require aid with civil affairs when incapable of paying their legal representation.

Programs Supported by The Federal Government

Low-income people can get free legal representation in civil lawsuits thanks to federal funds. Separation, landlord-tenant, discounted housing, public assistance, Social Security, and unemployment disputes are among the issues that our staff attorneys and competent paralegals can help with.

Charitable Groups that Help Specific Groups

You might be able to identify a nonprofit (charitable) group with attorneys or legal assistants on staff devoted to offering low-cost legal services to specific demographics, based on what is accessible in your area.

Bar Associations and Pro Bono Programs

Lawyers’ bar organizations can be found at the state and municipal levels, and they frequently offer cheaper or no-cost legal services to plaintiffs. Some bar organizations have pro bono initiatives manned by lawyers who have committed to volunteering a portion of their time to provide free legal counsel to deserving clients.

What happens if you assume your lawyer doesn't need your money?

If you assume based on your lawyer's office or suit or shoes or watch or car (or one of the many alleged signifiers of wealth) that they don't need your money, you will probably be wrong. You may also anger your attorney.

How often do lawyers take fees?

Many attorneys will take fees in weekly or monthly payments . If you can agree to make small, incremental contributions to your fee, both you and your lawyer will be pleased. Try to have an amount in mind before the big talk -- figure out what you can do easily, and then try to do just a little better. Get started paying down what you owe.