2007-01-17 17:53:40 · 9 answers · asked by Stephanie M 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
No, as a lawyer, we don't have to although many firms do require it as a public service. It would be nice if all lawyers did if they could, though. You should contact your local bar association and ask for volunteer lawyers associations. Good luck!
2007-01-17 17:58:50 · answer #1 · answered by Laura P 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, that is not true. They generally take pro bono cases when they feel that the case will give them alot of publicity. Also, it helps when they think the case could end up being a Land Mark case. Every lawyers wants to put their name in the history books. If you don't have a situation much like this, I don't really know how to get a lawyer to take a case for free. Pro bono cases generally leads to the lawyer getting a higher clientel. And that means they can charge alot more money. Warren Brown is a very good example of this.
2007-01-18 02:01:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you qualify for legal assistance in a case you may be allowed to get the court to assign you a Pro Bono lawyer. But you do not get to pick your own lawyer. You must meet strict financial requirements to get a free lawyer and your case must qualify as well. You must request this during your arraignment for trial, the judge decides if you qualify.
Do not expect to meet the attorney prior to you case going to trial, Most often the first time you will ever meet the attorney will be on the day of your trial. They do not get paid a whole lot by the court so don't expect to much from them.
You can try to get you local Legal Aid office to help you but again you must qualify for the program and they will not work for free if you are suing someone else for money, in that case you must either pay for your own attorney upfront or find a lawyer who will take your case on a contingency fee basis, in which case they take 33% (normally) right off the top as well as expenses.
Laws may differ in different states but I believe that this is true pretty much everywhere in the US.
Bottom line if the court thinks you have enough money or assets to pay for your own atty then that is what you will need to do.
2007-01-18 02:10:11 · answer #3 · answered by Kdude 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, the answer is no. There is no such law that mandates an attorney to take pro bono work.
There is a common misconception that everyone is entitled to a free attorney, even when they cannot afford one. The right to legal counsel only applies when a person faces criminal charges and does not extend to civil matters such as divorces, child custody disputes, or landlord/tenant issues.
If you are looking for pro bono legal services I would suggest contacting the American Bar Association. Depending on where in the country you live, I might also suggest contacting your local Bar Association. For example, the San Francisco Bar Association serves the City and County of San Francisco.
2007-01-18 02:05:59 · answer #4 · answered by Davey-D 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes and no. while in law school, many schools require that students perform pro bono work. once out of school, a judge may order an attorney to act as someones council, but it is usually a paid position, which the state picks up, and not the one he represents. most legal aide groups do pro bono work to some degree but most pro bono is done by attorneys in large law firms who are willing to do so. also, most pro bono is in criminal law, almost never any other kind, except by special law services such as the aclu and some other groups.
2007-01-18 02:02:41 · answer #5 · answered by de bossy one 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it is not true, though some law firms do pro-bono work! You can get info for pro-bono work usually at a bar association, or sometimes a private web site, that will give you a referral! It is usually hard to get one!
2007-01-18 02:01:17 · answer #6 · answered by cantcu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Attorneys are under no obligation to offers their services free of charge to anyone. If you are trying to find an attorney who does pro bono work, contact your local Bar Association. They can direct you to a lawyer that will help you.
2007-01-18 01:59:01 · answer #7 · answered by dh1977 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can check with your state BAR Association to find out which lawyers are accepting pro bono cases to satisfy their charity obligations.
2007-01-18 01:58:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are charged in a criminal case, they have to appoint you an attorney.
2007-01-18 01:59:26 · answer #9 · answered by Mother of flute player 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋