How do lawyers get paid if the client is sent to prison?

Question

Ok, after all their work, if the client goes to jail, how does the lawyer gets paid? I mean, once in jail, no work... no money...??

Answer 1

Lawyers who handle criminal cases typically request payment up front before defense can begin.

Think about it, if you were to be convicted of murder, how likely would you be to make good on your attorney's bill?

And no, attorneys do not do a bad job just because they are paid up front as suggested by another answer. Attorneys have an ethical duty to defend their client regardless of guilt or innocence.

Anything less than zealous representation is grounds for malpractice, sactions, and possible disbarrment.

Answer 2

Attorneys get paid up front this is why they often do bad work. There should be a third party escrow service and no attorney should be able to receive any money from any client. They should all have to use escrow to make sure the proper work was done. Also, if the client goes to jail and its the fault of the attorney, escrow does not pay. On the flip side, if a good job was done, escrow pays. The only problem is, who determines a good job? This cannot fall into the client's hands alone as some decisions are made that seem contrary to good judgement, but are actually in the clients best interests.

Attorneys aren't even disbarred if they knowlingly let an innocent client die because of improper defense. Once convicted the burden of proof is gone and the client must prove innocence or bad procedure. Very hard to do compared to making the prosecutor prove guilt in the first place.

Answer 3

It depends on the type of case. Some cases are done on a flat fee and payable in advance. In contingent fee cases, the lawyer gets paid based on what they recover and being in jail doesn't necessarily stop the lawsuit from settling. The lawyer might have gotten a nice retainer before the client went to jail.

If the lawyer does have a client in jail, you are right in that sometimes the lawyer might not get paid. It just depends on circumstances.

Answer 4

In some cases the convict has money and a lien can be attached to pay for legal expenses, lawyers have the right to take real property, houses, cars, yacht's. In the other case a person without money might be using a court appointed atty, the city pays for that. And in other cases a lawfirm may take the case pro bono.

Answer 5

The lawyer in criminal cases receives a retainer unless working pro borna or in the public defender office.

Answer 6

All lawyers get the money up front before court on ANYTHING!

It's always a win win situation for them even if they loose or do a lousy job or co-operate with the prosecution. Why do you think they are despised my many! If the trial runs longer than expected or costs go over the up front money they seize your assests (house car etc.) to cover costs.

Answer 7

The client pays them up front before they go to court.

Answer 8

maximum legal experts ask for a retainer fee and expenditures to be paid in the previous court docket. In different situations, legal experts artwork professional bono, which skill they are doing charity artwork and should no longer be paid. (they supply their centers for loose and from the get-bypass, they do no longer assume to be paid.)

Answer 9

This usually only happens to lawyers once.

After that, they tend to demand payment up front.

Answer 10

they ask for a large retainer, then will go after any property or possessions you might have if your family cannot pay. Sad.