What should I do after I hire a lawyer? Communication is very important to a successful lawyer-client relationship. If there are changes or developments that might affect the legal issue your lawyer is working on, you should tell him or her about it. On the other hand, you have the right to know the status of your case, and your lawyer should be willing to spend a reasonable amount of time informing you about any developments in your case. Even with the best preparation, misunderstandings and disagreements can develop between clients and lawyers. If you don't understand something your lawyer has done, or you feel that he or she has not acted in your best interests, you should talk about this with him or her as soon as possible.
Do I Have to Use a Lawyer? Many people handle legal issues by themselves, without a lawyer. But the law is complicated, and one legal matter can affect another legal issue. For example, a divorce or child custody issue might affect your taxes. Lawyers are able to tell you about how one legal action or decision might affect others. If you want to proceed without a lawyer, it is worth finding a good information source that can alert you about the issues you should be aware of.
Who else qualifies for a free lawyer? In non-criminal or "civil" cases, you do not have the right to a free lawyer. But there are many legal aid and pro bono programs that provide legal help for the poor in civil cases. People whose income is low (below the federal poverty guidelines - see below) are generally eligible for free legal help through these programs. In addition, people who are elderly, disabled, the victims of domestic violence, enlisted in the military or in other special circumstances may be eligible for help even if their income is a little higher. Because these community-based programs often operate with very small budgets and don't have enough resources to serve all eligible people, they handle only certain types of cases and must turn away many people who ask for help.
Dui lawyer monterey
