Users' questions

Is it illegal to talk to an attorney when you already have?

Is it illegal to talk to an attorney when you already have?

It is not illegal to speak to a different lawyer if you already have one (2nd opinions are okay and sometimes encouraged and required), the attorneys don’t want to be scene as interfering in an existing attorney client relationship.

Is it confidential to talk to your lawyer in jail?

Jailhouse conversations between defendants and their attorneys are considered confidential, as long as the discussion takes place in a private area of the jail and the attorney and defendant do not speak so loudly that jailers or other inmates can overhear what is said.

When to call a lawyer, reader’s digest?

When disputes arise, a person’s first inclination is often to call a lawyer, attorney Randolph Rice tells Reader’s Digest. But there are many situations in which hiring a lawyer is the last thing you should do.

How is your lawyer duty to keep things confidential?

Lawless spoke to Heidi in his capacity as an attorney, so their conversation is confidential even though Heidi decided to hire a different attorney. Example: Same case. Heidi tells her lawyer that the drugs belonged to her, and that she bought them for the first time during a period of great stress in her life, just after she lost her job.

What happens if you talk to your lawyer in public?

A defendant who talks to a lawyer in such a loud voice that others overhear what is said has no reasonable expectation of privacy and thus waives (gives up) the privilege. Similarly, people who talk about their cases on cellphones in public places risk losing confidentiality.

Jailhouse conversations between defendants and their attorneys are considered confidential, as long as the discussion takes place in a private area of the jail and the attorney and defendant do not speak so loudly that jailers or other inmates can overhear what is said.

Lawless spoke to Heidi in his capacity as an attorney, so their conversation is confidential even though Heidi decided to hire a different attorney. Example: Same case. Heidi tells her lawyer that the drugs belonged to her, and that she bought them for the first time during a period of great stress in her life, just after she lost her job.

Can a lawyer repeat a client’s confidences to anyone?

A lawyer who has received a client’s confidences cannot repeat them to anyone outside the legal team without the client’s consent. In that sense, the privilege is the client’s, not the lawyer’s—the client can decide to forfeit (or waive) the privilege, but the lawyer cannot.

What happens if I don’t pay my attorney?

Most people who seek the services of a lawyer expect to pay. A responsible client will not start litigation he can’t afford if he knows that you will have to stop work if he doesn’t pay the fee as agreed.

Where does the money go after paying a lawyer?

Where money has been advanced in anticipation of future services, the lawyer is usually required to keep the money in a client trust account. The trust account money is considered property of the client in most jurisdictions. The lawyer has a right to withdraw the money after the fees are “earned” by the lawyer.

What happens if you call your lawyer to discuss your bill?

For example, if you call your lawyer to discuss your bill, and you see that call reflected on your next bill; Bills that have not been itemized to reflect services rendered. If you are being billed by the hour, you have a right to a bill that shows what your lawyer was doing, and when he was doing it; Excessive time to complete a task.

What happens if you don’t pay your lawyer’s fees?

Failure to collect a large legal fee can endanger the lawyer’s standing in his firm and within the larger legal or client community. Fee collection claims often lead to ethical complaints, and counterclaims for malpractice, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, or breach of contract.

It is not illegal to speak to a different lawyer if you already have one (2nd opinions are okay and sometimes encouraged and required), the attorneys don’t want to be scene as interfering in an existing attorney client relationship.

Where money has been advanced in anticipation of future services, the lawyer is usually required to keep the money in a client trust account. The trust account money is considered property of the client in most jurisdictions. The lawyer has a right to withdraw the money after the fees are “earned” by the lawyer.

Can a lawyer pressure a client to pay a fee?

Moreover, a lawyer cannot use information learned during the course of the attorney-client relationship to apply pressure on a client for payment. Exceptions to this rule apply in attorney fee litigation and malpractice disputes, as the attorney can reveal information as necessary to defend himself or his fee.

Can you call a lawyer on Justia ask a lawyer?

Call a lawyer. It can be looked up. Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

Is it safe to ask a lawyer a question?

We’ll protect your privacy and keep your information safe. Thousands of questions have been answered by attorneys in our nationwide Rocket Lawyer On Call network. Who uses Rocket Lawyer?

Can a lawyer talk to a client who is not a client?

You technically aren’t the client. If your father or other relative is the actual client who signed a contingency fee agreement, you can’t talk to the lawyer on their behalf. That’s what attorney-client privilege is all about. You are not taking his advice. Sorry to break this one to you if that’s the case.

Call a lawyer. It can be looked up. Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

What are the best questions to ask a potential lawyer?

Not all conflicts automatically disqualify potential counsel, but you must be fully aware of and understand the nature of the conflict before deciding whether to hire a lawyer in spite of it. Ask a few questions about the lawyer’s view of your case or situation. Five: What are the likely outcomes in my case? Lawyers are not fortune tellers.

Can a lawyer ask you the same question at a deposition?

You then ask your attorney the same question as you step out into the hallway to talk. The short answer is that this is the ‘discovery’ process. Even though some questions may seem off the wall and unrelated to your claims, the defense lawyer is entitled to ask and is entitled to get an answer.

Are there any laws that protect bald eagles?

Federal Laws that Protect Bald and Golden Eagles Bald Eagles are no longer an endangered species, but bald and golden eagles are still protected by multiple federal laws, such as the Eagle Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Lacey Act, and other state and municipal protections.

Can a prosecutor talk to a non lawyer?

However, in most jurisdictions, the prosecutor will not call you and doesn’t want to talk to you. All lawyers have legal ethics that govern talking to non-lawyers about their cases.

What was the sentence for killing a bald eagle?

A West Virginia man was convicted in federal court for killing a bald eagle and sentenced to serve six days in federal prison, 11 months and 26 days of home confinement, and five years supervised probation; he must also forfeit the rifle used to kill the eagle and pay $3,301 in jail and court fees.

When is the best time to talk to a lawyer?

The old adage is that the best time to talk to a lawyer is when you don’t actually need one. Some of the reasons why you may want to speak to a lawyer include:

Why is my lawyer ignoring my interrogatories?

In that in-between time, your lawyer is waiting until he absolutely has to answer interrogatories or handle that request for documents. He’s attending to other cases on his docket. This ties into the previous point; if your attorney has other cases (which he does), he will likely deal with yours only when a deadline is coming up.

You technically aren’t the client. If your father or other relative is the actual client who signed a contingency fee agreement, you can’t talk to the lawyer on their behalf. That’s what attorney-client privilege is all about. You are not taking his advice. Sorry to break this one to you if that’s the case.

The old adage is that the best time to talk to a lawyer is when you don’t actually need one. Some of the reasons why you may want to speak to a lawyer include:

In that in-between time, your lawyer is waiting until he absolutely has to answer interrogatories or handle that request for documents. He’s attending to other cases on his docket. This ties into the previous point; if your attorney has other cases (which he does), he will likely deal with yours only when a deadline is coming up.

What happens when you become a public speaking lawyer?

By speaking to groups as a public speaking lawyer, small or large, you have the power to start relating. The audience can see you and you can see them. They will be able to see you as a person and not as an attorney. More importantly, it will allow you brand yourself. When someone asks you about your practice, how do you respond?

Are there any legal phrases that are plain English?

The language used in law is changing. Many lawyers are now adopting a plain English style. But there are still legal phrases that baffle non-lawyers. This guide is intended to help in two ways: • it should help non-lawyers understand legal phrases; and • it should give lawyers ideas for explaining the legal phrases that they use.

Can you fire your lawyer without a second opinion?

However, it really is impossible for a potential client to know if he should fire his lawyer without speaking to another for a second opinion. Normally, when someone calls me wanting to fire his lawyer, I listen to what he says and then encourage him to try to resolve…

Can a lawyer refuse to talk to you?

The attorney can indeed refuse to talk to you, although it is unusual and may not be the wisest thing for him or her to do. Indeed, your sister could direct your attorney to not talk to you, and the attorney would need to follow this direction.

How to talk to a lawyer when you need one?

How to Talk to a Lawyer (and When You Need One) Regardless of what you think about lawyers, when you need one, they’re your best friend. A good lawyer works with you, helps you understand the situation, and guides you to the best possible result. To do that, they need a client they can work with.

Is it good idea to get legal advice?

In certain matters, attorneys are required by law, whether you want one or not. In most cases, it’s a good idea to get some input from a lawyer regardless. The fact is, you don’t know what you don’t know, and that’s ok.

Is there such thing as a legal problem?

But, if they’re not breaking any laws, what you have is a personal matter, not a legal one. A legal problem is one that can be solved by using the law. It’s an issue that’s addressed within federal, state, or municipal laws and regulations.

Can You chat with a lawyer for free?

Welcome to the future of legal services. Always available and ready to help. Get legal assistance online. Chat with a lawyer for free!

What should I ask my small business attorney?

Meeting with a small business attorney is an important way to get your business off to a good start and minimize future risks. Here are questions to ask at your first meeting. New entrepreneurs have their hands full, making plans, developing products and services, and lining up financing.

Where can I go to talk to a lawyer?

Qualified individuals may post legal questions and have them answered by a volunteer lawyer. Speak to a lawyer through a locally televised phone bank or web chat.

Welcome to the future of legal services. Always available and ready to help. Get legal assistance online. Chat with a lawyer for free!

Where can I find a good lawyer for free?

Besides asking your friends and family for the name of a good lawyer or checking the phone book, you can find legal aid online. Legal Services Corporation (LSC) – Find legal aid for low-income individuals and families. Pro Bono and Free Legal Help – Locate free or low-income legal help.

Where can I get free legal questions answered?

Free Legal Answers – If you have a low income and qualify for the program, you can submit civil law questions to the American Bar Association. Volunteer lawyers will provide answers for free. They won’t discuss criminal proceedings.

Why is my lawyer not returning my calls?

Lawyers [like placers] never know where their next fee is coming from. So they tend to accept every case, hoping there’s time to figure it out later. The problem isn’t just that case. It’s the other cases in the office that also won’t receive the attention they deserve.

What happens if you send an urgent call to an attorney?

If anything, it slows down the ability to return calls promptly, since the attorney must wade through a message mess. “Urgent” messages are likely to result in an annoyed response, since they’re often returned when the attorney is preoccupied with another matter. Remember, you’re just trying to get your attorney’s attention, not to alienate her.

What to do if you have a problem with your attorney?

If you feel that your lawyer simply doesn’t understand your goals and aspirations, you are not obligated to continue to the relationship. If, upon reflection, you think you have a valid beef with your attorney, first talk to him or her about the problem.

However, in most jurisdictions, the prosecutor will not call you and doesn’t want to talk to you. All lawyers have legal ethics that govern talking to non-lawyers about their cases.

How to get rid of a court appointed lawyer?

If the court finds good cause to replace your court-appointed lawyer, your new lawyer will be given time to get up to speed. Talk to your current lawyer and express your concerns candidly. Give your lawyer a chance to explain their views and the reason for their strategic choices.

What should I do if I Cant get a response from my lawyer?

They should relay your question to your lawyer, and then relay the answer back to you if the lawyer doesn’t get back to you directly. Still, you should never feel like you’re being left in the lurch or that you can’t get a response from your lawyer.

When disputes arise, a person’s first inclination is often to call a lawyer, attorney Randolph Rice tells Reader’s Digest. But there are many situations in which hiring a lawyer is the last thing you should do.

What to do if you don’t agree with your lawyer?

If you do not agree with your lawyer’s advice, let them know, and listen to their explanation. If you aren’t satisfied with the answers, ask another lawyer for a second opinion. You may also consider hiring another lawyer, although that may delay the resolution of your case.

Can a lawyer refuse to help a client?

One of the few exceptions occurs when a client asks for a lawyer’s help in doing something illegal, such as lying in court or in a legal document. In these cases, the lawyer is required to inform the client of the legal effect of any planned wrongdoing and refuse to assist with it.

What do you need to know about being a lawyer?

A lawyer must be able to communicate effectively with a client. When a client asks for an explanation, the lawyer must provide it within a reasonable time. A lawyer must inform a client about changes in a case caused by time and circumstances.

What should I expect from a lemon law lawyer?

You should be able to talk easily with your Lemon Law lawyer and understand everything. Your lawyer should welcome your information and assistance. Winning your case depends as much on what you can do to help win, as it does on the ability of the lawyer to strategically use the law to argue your case.

Do You Really need Someone to talk to?

When you scroll through your feed and see everyone out with friends and posting about their gatherings, you start to feel like the only one who needs a listening ear. In reality, many people feel lonely and are searching for someone to talk to (you can find someone to talk to right now, at Supportiv ).