why is my lawyer asking 5m dollars to get police to find my son

Can a 15 year old be questioned by the police?

-If the police want to question a minor who is 15 years old or younger, and they are being charged with a murder or a sex offense, an attorney must be present. -If a minor, under the age of 18, is being questioned for any crime, they must be read a simplified version of their Miranda rights.

Can the police question a minor without a parent or lawyer?

If the crime that is being investigated is a violent offense, the police can hold the minor for questioning and investigation for up to 24 hours. Can the Police Question a Minor Without a Parent or Lawyer Present? Generally yes. However, the answer may change depending on the age of the minor and what they are being charged with.

How long can the police hold a minor for questioning?

If the crime that is being investigated is a violent offense, the police can hold the minor for questioning and investigation for up to 24 hours. Can the Police Question a Minor Without a Parent or Lawyer Present?

Do you have to speak to the police if you're innocent?

Chances are, the police will have some kind of evidence or proof before contacting someone for interrogation. Even if someone is convinced of his or her innocence, police may have eyewitness testimony or security camera footage suggesting otherwise. Anyone under suspicion of a crime has no obligation to speak to police.

What is the most common complaint against lawyers?

Perhaps the most common kinds of complaints against lawyers involve delay or neglect. This doesn't mean that occasionally you've had to wait for a phone call to be returned. It means there has been a pattern of the lawyer's failing to respond or to take action over a period of months.

How do I know if my lawyer is cheating on a settlement?

Dennis BeaverThe attorney does not return phone calls in a reasonable amount of time, and;In a meeting with the client, if the lawyer is being very short, taking phone calls, trying to re-schedule, not giving enough time to the client, does not listen, ignores what is asked or is not answering questions.

What are possible consequences for the attorney representing a client if deadlines are missed?

Failing to timely contest a will can result in you missing out on what you would have otherwise been entitled to from an estate had you successfully challenged the will. If your attorney failed to make you aware of the deadline to bring suit, then they could be liable for malpractice.

How long should it take for a lawyer to get back to you?

Even if your lawyer is working on another case, they should still get back to you within a day or two at the most. Your lawyer owes you responsive communication, even if you're not their only client. There's no excuse for an attorney who takes weeks to return calls or emails.

What should you not say to a lawyer?

Five things not to say to a lawyer (if you want them to take you..."The Judge is biased against me" Is it possible that the Judge is "biased" against you? ... "Everyone is out to get me" ... "It's the principle that counts" ... "I don't have the money to pay you" ... Waiting until after the fact.

How do you know if a lawyer is scamming you?

How To Avoid Legal Representation ScamsPayment needs to happen quickly. You can't ask questions or get clarification.It's an emergency. Someone may threaten you or your loved ones.Requests for money usually happen over text, email or phone.The person contacting you is not someone you recognize.

What happens if a lawyer loses a case?

If the attorney loses the case, the client is still responsible for legal fees as stipulated in the original retainer contract. Some attorneys may agree to withhold billing until the end of a case, but they will still expect payment regardless of how the case ends.

Why do lawyers ignore you?

If your attorney is not experienced or efficient, they may have missed a deadline or made another mistake and aren't willing to confess their error. There could also be some bad news that is entirely outside of the attorney's control.

Can you sue a lawyer for not doing their job?

A claim of malpractice may exist if your lawyer exhibited negligence in your representation. If your lawyer's negligence caused you to suffer harm or a less advantageous outcome or settlement in your case, you may have a claim to sue your lawyer for professional negligence.

How often should you hear from your lawyer?

There is no set formula for how often you will hear from your attorney. However, the key to a successful attorney client relationship is communication. Whenever there is an important occurrence in your case you will be contacted or notified.

What should you expect from a good lawyer?

What To Expect From A Good Workers' Compensation Lawyer in...Honesty. Any good relationship, including the relationship between a lawyer and a client, requires a foundation of trust. ... Personal Attention. ... Knowledge. ... Well Put Together Personal Presentation. ... Results.

Why do lawyers take so long to settle a case?

Personal injury cases usually take quite some time to settle or resolve. The reasons a case can progress slowly can be summed up into three general points: Your case is slowed down by legal or factual problems. Your case involves a lot of damages and substantial compensation.

What happens if a case is sent back to the appropriate law enforcement agency?

If the case is sent back for further investigation, charges must be filed by the prosecutor’s office within the applicable statute of limitations.

What to do if you are being accused of a crime?

If you are being accused of a crime, it is important for you to understand the process leading to charges being filed against you. This process can happen in one of two ways: 1. Pre-filing Investigation. An experienced Wallin & Klarich attorney may help you avoid facing any criminal charges.

What happens during a pre-filing investigation?

As is the case during a pre-filing investigation, the prosecutor (and the prosecutor alone) will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the formal filing of criminal charges. If so, he or she will file a formal complaint with the Court, and the prosecution commences.

What happens when a prosecutor decides there is enough evidence to proceed?

If the prosecutor determines that there is enough evidence to proceed, he or she will draft a formal complaint to file with the Court. Once these formal charges have been filed, the District Attorney’s office will do one of two things:

How long is the statute of limitations for a felony?

For felony offenses, the statute of limitations is three years; or. With certain felony offenses, there is a longer statute of limitations. There is usually a gap between the time the police officer generates the police report and the time the prosecutor makes their filing decision. It is during this gap in time that your attorney is able ...

What happens when a police officer arrests you?

After you are arrested, the police officer will draft a police report and forward that report to the proper prosecutor’s office. As is the case during a pre-filing investigation, the prosecutor (and the prosecutor alone) will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the formal filing of criminal charges. If so, he or she will file a formal complaint with the Court, and the prosecution commences.

What happens if you are arrested?

If you are arrested, or think you may be arrested, any delay in retaining an attorney to defend you will put you at a significant disadvantage. Oftentimes, your attorney can have the most impact on the outcome of your case before the decision to file has been made. You should hire a skilled defense attorney right away.

3 attorney answers

He cannot get the report while the investigation is still open. Once a charging decision is made by the prosecutor, he can get it then. This would happen either after he's arraigned if he gets charged or after the police otherwise "close" their investigation if he's not charged.

Andrew Charles Lapres

I always say "Talk to me before you talk to the police". Wether it is me or another attorney, hire one fast. Do not take the polygraph, do not talk to anyome without an attorney. Depending on the circumstances your son could be facing serious charges with extended prison time if convicted. Hire an attorney ASAP.

Michael A. Liquigli

You cannot get a copy of the police report (yourself or through the attorney) while the investigation is open. Once the charges go to the prosecutor requesting a warrant and let's say the warrant is issued then your son would either self-surrender or be arrested.

What to do if your lawyer doubts you?

Tell the Truth. If your lawyer doubts you in the consultation, or doesn't think you have a case, while that may change over time, getting over an initial disbelief is very hard. You have to prove your case. Your attorney is not your witness. They are your advocate - but you are responsible for coming up with proof.

What happens if you don't pay your lawyer?

If you don't pay your lawyer on the day of trial, or however you have agreed to, then while he or she may be obligated by other ethical duties to do his/her best, they won't be motivated by sympathy for you, and it will show in court.

Why do people hire lawyers?

Most people hired attorneys because they don't want to sit in court. Well, truth be told, neither do I. The difference between lawyer and client is that the lawyer expects it to take a long time and understands. The client typically thinks it's unjustified. So, your hard truth is that each case takes time. Be patient.

What to say when a judge can see your boobs?

If the judge can see your boobs, he's not listening to your story. If I can see your boobs, then I know you didn't care enough about yourself to talk to an attorney. Dress like you are going to church. Credibility is one of the most important things in this world - and most important in a courtroom.

What to do if no one can confirm a story is true?

If no one can confirm that the story is true, you will at least need something external, such as a hard copy document, to prove your case. Be prepared.

Can a lawyer take your money?

While lawyers can certainly take your money and your time and we can file a case that will be very hard to win, if you don't care enough about your life to get a contract, the judge is not very likely to be on your side. At least, not automatically. Oral contracts are extremely hard to prove. What are the terms.

Do lawyers need to take more cases?

Don' t forget that lawyers don't always need to take more cases. Yes, new clients are a great thing, but I don't want clients that will eat all my time and get no where fast. Your tip: keep your communication very simple and to the point.

How much does a lawyer charge per hour?

Most lawyers can charge for their services in a variety of ways: a flat fee, an hourly rate of typically $100 to $300 an hour, or a percentage of the award, usually billed at 30 or 40%. Which is best for you? If your case is simple, a flat fee is best. It gives the lawyer an incentive to solve the problem efficiently.

Who sued Maslon Edelman Borman and Brand?

Such a clause should be a warning for you to take your business elsewhere. Inventor Walter R. Fields says he didn't realize he was giving up his right to sue when he hired Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, a large Minneapolis law firm, to sue the builder of his mold-infested $1.2 million house. Disappointed when he lost his case, Fields tried ...

Why did Fields sue Edelman?

Disappointed when he lost his case, Fields tried to sue Maslon Edelman for malpractice, claim ing, among other things, that the firm had failed to submit evidence of the mold in time. But in 2001 a Minneapolis court refused to hear the case because of an arbitration clause in Fields's retainer agreement.

Do you have to pay federal taxes on an attorney?

You'll probably even have to pay federal taxes on the part that's earmarked for your attorney, unless you live in the one of the few regions, including Alabama, Michigan and Texas, where federal appeals courts have sided with taxpayers.

Is flat fee better than percentage?

If your case is simple, a flat fee is best. It gives the lawyer an incentive to solve the problem efficiently. When you're filing suit for, say, personal injury, employment discrimination or malpractice, you're generally better off paying a percentage .

Can a guy who settles always drive a hard bargain?

A guy who's known for always settling can't drive a hard bargain. "It certainly helps if the defendant knows (a lawyer) is ready to go to court," says Bert Braud, a Kansas City, Mo., litigator who takes at least one case through trial each year. 6. "I won't take your chump-change case.".

Is lawyer-client sex unethical?

Despite such scandals, the American Bar Association didn't rule on the issue until 2002, when it noted that lawyer-client sex is generally unethical but it is up to each state whether to adopt an outright ban on the practice.

What is the trouble with trying to help the police?

The trouble here is that, in the process of trying to help the police, you may be putting yourself into a situation that gives the police evidence against you. There are too many unknown factors for you.

What happens if you are not arrested and are being interviewed?

If you have not been arrested and are just being interviewed, the police are under no obligation to remind you that you have the right to remain silent, or that you have the right to an attorney.

Can you be charged with a crime if you refuse to talk to the police?

The fact that you refused to talk to the police cannot be used against you. In talking to the police, you could unwittingly say something that gives them reason to think you are guilty, or gives them additional evidence that they can use to officially charge you with a crime.

Is ignorance of the law an excuse for breaking the law?

We’ve often heard it said, and it is true, that “ignorance of the law is no excuse” for breaking the law. If the police are asking to talk to you, there is a good possibility that they believe you have broken a law, and they may have evidence to support their belief.

Do you have to talk to the police?

You do not have to, nor should you ever, talk to the police if you are a suspect or a possible suspect in the commission of a crime. Below are some of the objections I hear clients make when I advise them not to talk to the police, followed by how I would likely answer those objections.

Which amendment gives you the right to refuse to answer questions?

The first is your Sixth Amendment right to counsel; the second is your Fifth Amendment right to refuse to answer any questions. The Supreme Court has ruled that both rights must be clearly and unequivocally invoked in order for statements made later to be ruled inadmissible.

What happens if a judge finds you indigent?

If the judge found you to be indigent, he would appoint counsel for you. The judge, not the defendant, decides whether the defendant can afford to hire a lawyer. I've seen several cases where a defendant had resources, but didn't want to expend them on legal counsel.

What happens if you invoke the 6th amendment?

If someone were to invoke their Sixth Amendment right to counsel, but then continue to answer questions from the police willingly, they would run the risk of the court finding a waiver of their Fifth Amendment rights. There are two separate rights that you want to invoke when asking for a lawyer.

Is a policeman your friend?

All of this adds up to one fact: generally speaking, the policeman is not your friend. Although they pretend to be, to get you to admit to things that you may or may not have done. Google "why you shouldn't talk to police" and watch the YouTube videos, especially the second one, a lecture by a cop.

Can you be released if you have enough evidence?

There may be a couple variations to these options but these are basically what would occur. The short answer is that you would most likely be released, unless they have enough evidence to charge you with a crime. Either way, informing them you want a lawyer and choosing not to talk is ALWAYS your best bet.

Can Miranda be used in a trial?

That doesn’t mean the case can’t proceed. Rather, it can and often does proceed, minus the statements.

Can a police officer interrogate a person in custody?

As far as Miranda itself goes, briefly, the rule is that before a police officer can interrogate a subject who is in custody, the subject must be advised of his Miranda rights. Note the two concepts: interrogation ( viz ., questioning) and custody.

What happens if an officer has probable cause?

If an officer has probable cause, he or she can make an arrest. This obviously takes a situation beyond simple questioning. Even if someone being arrested is completely innocent of a crime, law enforcement will take action if they have a reason to believe evidence links him or her to a crime.

What does it mean when police call someone at work?

When police begin calling someone at home or work asking for answers to a few questions, it usually means they think the person is connected to a crime. A common initial response to these kind of inquiries is a desire to “clear the air” by voluntarily engaging in questioning.

What happens if you accidentally say one name instead of the other?

If you misspeak or accidentally say one name instead of the other, this can cause suspicion. Even if you immediately recognize and correct your error, it’s too late. The police have already made a note of it.

Can an attorney prevent a suspect from saying something incriminating?

At the very least, an attorney can prevent a suspect from saying something incriminating in front of police. Some people might be concerned that hiring an attorney before charges are filed will make law enforcement suspicious. Even if this is true, suspicion isn’t proof of anything.

Can a reasonable suspicion be grounds for arrest?

Even common behaviors can be grounds for reasonable suspicion. Courts will generally side with police on this issue, but sometimes this law prevents citizens from being detained based on nothing more than a hunch. If an officer has probable cause, he or she can make an arrest.

Does a temporary detention require a warrant?

This kind of questioning does not require proof or a warrant. A situation ceases to be “voluntary” any time police indicate that a suspect cannot leave. A temporary detention takes place when police have “reasonable suspicion” to believe an offense has been committed and the person being questioned was involved.

How long can a minor be held in a police station?

If the child is under the age of 12, the police can only hold the minor in the police station for up to 6 hours. If the minor is between the ages of 12 and 16, the police can only hold the minor child at the police station for up to 12 hours if the crime that is being investigated is a non-violent offense.

What is the cut off between being an adult and being a minor?

The same applies to what is commonly considered to be a minor and what is commonly considered to be an adult. In the real world, 18 years old is the cut-off between being a minor and being an adult.

Can a minor make a false confession?

Generally yes. However, the answer may change depending on the age of the minor and what they are being charged with. Several years ago, news organizations released several reports concerning false confessions by juveniles. These reports spurred a national discussion surrounding the issue of minors making confessions to the police.

Can a statement be videotaped in court?

If the statement is not videotaped, it will not be admissible in court. As you can tell, nothing in the law talks about parents. The only reference to parents is that Illinois law does require that the police make a “reasonable attempt” to contact a parent or a legal guardian before interrogating a minor.

Can police arrest minors?

Just like with any criminal suspect, the police can arrest a minor if they suspect that they committed a crime and can take them down to the station for investigation. Questioning may end up being part of the investigation.