can you hire an attorney who doesn't work in your county

by Clyde Quigley DDS 4 min read

What if my attorney is not doing his or her job?

Nov 14, 2015 · In all honesty, in 95% of the cases, the location of the attorney doesn’t matter. We don’t live in the 1800’s anymore where people had to hire an in town attorney, as there were no other options. In today’s legal market, it’s the lawyer that matters, not where they are.

Can I hire a lawyer from another state?

That’s thinking about your problem backwards. The action will be happening in court, not at the lawyer’s office. Hiring the lawyer who’s near you but far away from the court can hurt your case. If you’re going to hire a lawyer, make sure they’re local to the court in question.

Should you hire a lawyer?

Aug 11, 2021 · If you or someone you know is in need of legal advice, regarding their case in the Clearwater/St.Peterburg/Tampa Bay area, contact one of your Clearwater personal injury attorneys at Sibley Dolman Gipe Accident Injury Lawyers, PA. Our number is (727) 451-6900. Sibley Dolman Gipe Accident Injury Lawyers, PA.

Should I hire an out-of-state personal injury lawyer?

Sep 15, 2016 · Accidents can happen at any time and in any place. When one occurs in a different state than where you reside, it can complicate the claims process. The laws may be different than in your state, and you may want to hire an attorney who holds a license in the state where you are addressing the legal issue.

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Does your attorney need to be local?

Not exactly. Each state regulates the practice of law. Generally, only attorneys licensed in a particular state can practice law there.Mar 4, 2020

Can a lawyer work anywhere?

Attorneys generally can only practice law in the state where they took and passed the bar exam. ... Practicing federal law. Attorneys can appear in a federal court outside of the state where they took the bar. However, the attorney must first apply for admission to appear before each district court.Mar 6, 2015

How do you qualify for a court appointed attorney?

To qualify for a court-appointed attorney, you must not be able to afford your own private defense attorney. When you request a court-appointed attorney, you can expect that the judge will ask about your finances, and may even ask for evidence of financial hardship.

Is it better to hire a local attorney?

Local lawyers can more effectively judge the value of your case or the likelihood of success. A local attorney knows and can fairly judge the temperament in the community and the likelihood of a fair and reasonable verdict being returned in your particular matter.Nov 18, 2019

Can I hire a lawyer from another country?

You have a legal right to hire an attorney from any state. You are not restricted to only hiring an attorney from the state in which you are currently residing. ... You need to work with a personal injury lawyer who has both has the legal authority to represent you and who is in a position to best handle your legal case.Jan 30, 2018

Can lawyers work remotely?

Can lawyers work remotely? While the answer depends on your practice area and what a typical day looks like for you, the short answer is “yes.” It should be possible to complete some or all of your legal work remotely, and even provide an excellent client experience while not in the office.Oct 14, 2021

How much does a public defender cost?

The fee is not refundable and applies whether or not a Public Defender is actually appointed for you. However, if you do not have the money, you cannot be denied a Public Defender. The $50 fee can be paid (or payment plan arranged) at the County Clerk of Courts Office.

What are your Miranda rights?

After placing the suspect under arrest, the officer will say something similar to, “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have a right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.”

Which type of crime may not afford the defendant the right to a court appointed attorney?

In criminal cases where the charge is a misdemeanor or felony, if the defendant cannot afford a lawyer, the court will appoint one without cost to the defendant. In civil cases, if a party cannot afford a lawyer, they have to represent themselves. There is no right to a court-appointed lawyer in an infraction case.

What is a local attorney?

A local attorney is better versed in the rules and procedures for the court system in a given area. They should be counted on to give advice regarding local customs and regulations when the other lawyer is from a different area.

How much does a lawyer cost?

You can pay anywhere from $50 to thousands per hour. Smaller towns and cities generally cost less while heavily populated, urban areas are most expensive. The more complicated the case and the more experienced the attorney, the more you'll pay. Lawyer fees can range from $255 to $520 per hour.

How long does it take to be a lawyer?

Regardless of where you go to law school, it takes approximately six or seven years to become a lawyer. Many countries have slightly different requirements, including shorter law schools, studying law as an undergraduate, and practical course requirements.Jul 13, 2021

What are the rights of a lawyer?

Some basic rights that you are entitled to include proper and effective communication/correspondence between a client and his or her attorney, the competency of the attorney to know the core knowledge and expertise of a client’s legal issue, the work was completed ethically and the agreement of fees is followed. As a summary, you can and should expect your lawyer to do the following: 1 Give you guidance regarding your legal circumstance 2 Keep you up to date about your case 3 Tell you what he or she thinks will transpire in your case 4 Allow you to make vital judgments concerning your case 5 Give you an assessment about what your case ought to cost 6 Help you in any cost-benefit evaluation that you may need 7 Keep in communication with you 8 Inform you of any changes, delays, or setbacks 9 Give you the information you need to make educated decisions, and 10 Prepare you for your case, including disposition and trial preparation.

Why is it so hard to win a malpractice case?

It is very hard to win a malpractice case because of the amount of evidence you need to prove that the lawyer failed to use the ordinary skill and care that would be used by other lawyers in handling a similar problem or case under similar conditions.

What to do if you don't pay a bill?

If you believe the bill that you’ve received is outside of the context of your agreement, don’t pay it. Ask your lawyer about why the bill is the amount it is and—if you disagree, ask for a reduction. If the lawyer refuses to do so, consider filing for a nonbinding fee arbitration with a state or local bar association. Arbitration allows an outside party to become the neutral decision-maker when regarding bills and finances. It can be binding or nonbinding which allows you to reject the arbitrator’s assessment. Find out more from our local association.

Can you file a malpractice claim against a lawyer?

While it may be upsetting to not get the compensation you thought you deserved based on your attorney’s comments, you cannot file a malpractice claim against this fallacy. You can, however, get your file from the lawyer and get a second opinion on your case.

Can you settle a case without a lawyer?

Yes, you can. However, you would have to prove that your lawyer did so without your authorization because the settlement was far less than what you were truly owed and didn’t effectively represent your case or that the lack of communication was systematic.

What are the causes of malpractice?

These basic pieces of malpractice are all due to problems associated with troubled attorney-client relationships. They are normally set off by a lack of communication, dishonestly and incompetence, inadequate legal work, arbitration, and billings.

Do you need an attorney to represent you in an accident?

In general, an attorney must have admittance to the state bar in the state in which he or she wishes to represent a client. This is true for any kind of case, whether you need an attorney to represent you in a personal injury suit or a real estate transaction. If you need an attorney to represent you in the state in which an accident happened, the attorney must have a license in that particular state.

What happens when you live in a different state?

When one occurs in a different state than where you reside, it can complicate the claims process. The laws may be different than in your state, and you may want to hire an attorney who holds a license in the state where you are addressing the legal issue. For example: if you’ve been injured in a car accident in Dallas, ...

What Is A Court-Appointed Attorney?

If you’ve been arrested and can’t afford to hire a private criminal defense attorney, the court will assign an attorney to handle your case. These lawyers work in the public defender’s office and are mandated to defend anyone who has been charged with a crime and is not financially able to employ counsel.

Private vs Court-Appointed Attorneys

Before agreeing to work with a public defender, a defendant should be aware of the following differences between a private attorney and one appointed by the court:

Hire Your Own Lawyer Whenever Possible

Unless you simply cannot afford to hire a lawyer, working with a private criminal defense lawyer is always better than accepting a court-appointed attorney.

Neal Tully Feinerman

I agree with the prior responders who recommend that you find someone with whom you connect and who you trust. I do not put so much store on hiring someone in county, as most communications are done electronically these days (email, fax or phone) and many counties have electronic filing systems.

Leonard Roy Boyer

I concur with the recommendation of my distinguished colleague. The county of the attorney is irrelevant. You need the best attorney that you feel comfortable with that you can afford. Good luck.

Jonathan Moffitt

Most importantly, you should hire an attorney with whom you feel comfortable and who will effectively represent your interests. However, if the case is filed in the county in which your spouse resides, it will most likely be cheaper to hire an attorney in that county because less travel time equals less in attorney's fees.

How to do a legal consultation?

During the initial consultation, conduct yourself in a businesslike, courteous manner and have the following available: 1 a short, written summary of your legal issue or case. 2 a written list of questions. 3 all documents pertaining to your case. 4 names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of everyone connected to your case. 5 a notepad and pen to take notes.

What is a legal summary?

a short, written summary of your legal issue or case. a written list of questions. all documents pertaining to your case. names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of everyone connected to your case. a notepad and pen to take notes. Be prepared to discuss your goals or expected resolution.

Is bankruptcy a complex matter?

Many legal matters, such as a personal injury case or bankruptcy, are quite complex and should be handed only by an expert. Other, more straightforward matters, like collection of a debt, are easier to divide between a lawyer and client.

What is contingency in legal?

Contingency: This is commonly used in personal injury, medical malpractice, workers' compensation, and other cases involving law suits for money.

Why is it important to hire a lawyer?

When you hire a lawyer, it's important that your fee agreement is in writing and that you understand it. It's a simple way to avoid a common cause of contention with clients—the legal bills.

What happens if you don't communicate with your lawyer?

Communication problems create problems in all types of relationships—including between an attorney and client. If you don't know what's going on in your lawsuit, you might assume you have a bad lawyer. To the contrary, your attorney could be doing a great job. Either way, a lawyer who doesn't communicate case progress is invariably increasing, not decreasing, your stress.

Is there a guarantee that a lawyer will do a good job?

It's a big shock to most people that there is no guarantee that your lawyer will do a good job. Bar associations tasked with monitoring attorneys go after lawyers who steal or violate specific ethical rules—not lawyers who just aren't very good.

What happens if you fire a lawyer?

First, the lawyer that you fire is likely entitled to be paid for work already done.

Can I change my lawyer in the middle of a case?

Can I change lawyers in the middle of a case if I’m unhappy with the lawyer I’ve hired? Yes. You can replace your lawyer if you have lost faith or confidence in your lawyer to represent you, you have the right to change counsel. Ideally, it would be good to speak with your lawyer about what is making you unhappy or uncomfortable and give ...

Do I have to pay an hourly fee for a lawyer?

However, if your lawyer had been working on a contingency or percentage fee basis, you may be required to pay the lawyer’s hourly rate for time already spent on your case, plus any costs and expenses to date. There are also sometimes additional costs connected with hiring a new lawyer.

Can I switch lawyers?

In some cases, you may not be able to switch lawyers depending on how far along your case is already. Judges have the discretion to keep a lawyer on the case if the case is too far along in the court process to have a new person be able to step in and take over.

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The Initial Phone Call and Consultation

  • The initial consultation is your opportunity to determine if the lawyer is a good fit for your needs. Be prepared to discuss your goals or expected resolution. Ask the attorney for his or her professional opinion about your chances of achieving the desired outcome and what challenges you may face. Ask whether the attorney encourages mediation or arbitration when it is appropri…
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Fees

  • Ask the attorney how fees are charged. Be familiar with the terms below. The definitions provided are general. Ask the attorney for specific information pertaining to the way he or she bills, including when payment is due. In most cases, you will be charged for every phone call or email you send to the attorney’s office. Make sure you are clear about what you will be billed for befor…
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Limited Or Unbundled Legal Services

  • You Pay Less in Legal Fees if You Can Do Some of the Work. Handling your own legal needs without an attorney is called “pro se representation” or “pro per representation” depending on where you’re located. This means going to court without a lawyer or handling some other legal need, like a will or a contract, by yourself. If you feel uneasy about that, you should. But you reall…
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Payment

  1. Ask whether the attorney will accept a payment plan so you can pay over time.
  2. Ask the attorney what type of payment he or she will accept: credit cards (and what types), check, money order, or cash.
  3. Ask the attorney to provide an estimate of how long it will take to complete your case.
  4. Ask about any additional costs. For example, you are likely to be billed separately for items s…
  1. Ask whether the attorney will accept a payment plan so you can pay over time.
  2. Ask the attorney what type of payment he or she will accept: credit cards (and what types), check, money order, or cash.
  3. Ask the attorney to provide an estimate of how long it will take to complete your case.
  4. Ask about any additional costs. For example, you are likely to be billed separately for items such as emails, faxes, copies, postage, filing fees, expert witnesses, travel expenses, etc.

Experience

  1. Ask the attorney how long he or she has been practicing the type of law that your case concerns.
  2. Ask whether this is his or her primary practice area.
  3. Ask what percentage of the attorney's cases have settled out of court and the percentage that have gone to trial.
  1. Ask the attorney how long he or she has been practicing the type of law that your case concerns.
  2. Ask whether this is his or her primary practice area.
  3. Ask what percentage of the attorney's cases have settled out of court and the percentage that have gone to trial.
  4. Ask whether the attorney will be handling the work himself or herself, or whether the case will be given to an associate.

Other Considerations

  • You want to feel confident about the attorney you hire. Is he or she courteous, organized, and knowledgeable? Is he or she forthright with information? Be sure you are comfortable with and understand the lawyer's working style. Your relationship may last several months or more. You are likely to be asked to disclose information about yourself or your case about which no one else i…
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