if i am locked up how can i get an attorney

A qualified criminal defense attorney will help you arrange bail, advise you about your case, and start building your defense. Generally, if you face the possibility of time in jail for your conviction, then you have the right to an attorney. You should call an attorney from jail or request a public defender when you appear before the judge.

Full Answer

How do I find a lawyer outside of jail?

Ask your friends or family to call a lawyer. It is probably easier for your friends or family outside jail to find a lawyer on your behalf. They can make an unlimited number of calls and ask the attorney questions. If you trust the person you call, have them contact an attorney for you.

How do I find a good criminal lawyer?

Before resorting to less personal means of finding an attorney, ask those close to you about attorneys they know. Chances are, at least one of your friends or family members knows an attorney in town. Even if the attorney they know doesn't practice criminal law, that attorney may be able to refer you to someone who does.

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

Like any business, a law firm is successful only if its customers are happy! If it's difficult for you to tell whether the problem lies with the lawyer or with the nature of your case, asking another attorney for a one-time consultation is also an option.

Can I lock my ex-spouse out of my home?

Before you lock your ex- out of your home, you should consult a custody lawyer about the ramifications of your action. If you find yourself locked out of your home, with or without your children, it makes sense to promptly seek the assistance of a custody lawyer.

How to talk to a lawyer in jail?

How to find a criminal defense attorney?

What to do if you can't reach someone in jail?

What to do when you trust someone on the phone?

What to do if you are arrested for a crime?

What to do after being arrested?

How to determine if you are being charged with a state or federal crime?

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About this website

What is it called when you can't afford a lawyer?

If you cannot afford a lawyer, legal aid may be able to help you. There are legal aid offices (also called legal services) throughout the United States. Legal aid offices are not-for-profit agencies that provide free legal help to people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer.

How can I get free legal advice in NC?

Call 1-800-662-7660 or submit a request online. Legal Aid of North Carolina provides free advice and representation to low-income people in all 100 counties of North Carolina. Apply for help at your nearest Legal Aid of North Carolina office, call the HelpLine at 1-866-219-5262, or apply online.

What is a pro bono lawyer?

To qualify for free legal assistance, a person must comply with a 'means test' (a maximum monthly or no income) and have a legal problem with merit. You will be referred to an attorney by the Legal Practice Council who will assist you free of charge (pro bono).

What does free legal assistance group do?

The Free Legal Assistance Group is a human rights organisation that is committed to the protection and promotion of human rights and civil liberties. FLAG works to help excluded and vilified individuals secure legal documents pertaining to citizenship, land ownership, health, and communal development.

What are the different types of legal aid?

There are two types of legal aid: for civil and for criminal cases. All applications for legal aid for criminal cases are means tested. But some applications for legal aid for civil cases are not means tested, for example care cases and Mental Health Tribunal cases.

Does Legal Aid of NC help with child custody?

If you need help with child custody, contact your local Legal Aid of North Carolina office.

Where does legal aid money come from?

The Government provides money to help pay for your case. The money comes from the Community Legal Services Fund (CLS) and is administered by the Legal Aid Agency.

How do I get visitation rights in NC?

If two parents cannot agree, the non-custodial parent may file a visitation complaint with the court to request increased visitation time. In some North Carolina districts, the court requires mandatory mediation for parents before the court decides on visitation issues.

What happens if a power of attorney is incorrectly done?

If a power of attorney is done incorrectly, it might be rejected by the institutions being asked to accept it by the agent wishing to act on behalf of the inmate, which will cause delays. Always seek appropriate advice when preparing legal documents. References.

What is a power of attorney?

A power of attorney is a legal document by which a person gives someone else authority to make decisions on their behalf. If a friend or family member is incarcerated, a financial power of attorney would give you authority to manage his money and a parental power of attorney would allow you to make decisions about his children on his behalf.

Can a principal force a person to make a power of attorney?

Willing Principal. You cannot force someone to make a power of attorney. The principal must make the decision of his own free will. You can educate an incarcerated person about powers of attorney when you visit him, or you can send him information about powers of attorney to show the ways in which the legal document could help him and his family.

Do powers of attorney need to be signed by a notary?

Formalities. Most states require that powers of attorney be signed by the principal in the presence of witnesses or a notary. An incarcerated principal also must follow these rules. If the prisoner has an attorney, you can ask the attorney to prepare it or you can give her the document and ask her to arrange for signature.

How to choose a lawyer?

Choosing a lawyer is a crucial step in the resolution of your legal matter. Whether you are a plaintiff or a defendant, or merely a party looking for counsel, the right lawyer is key. But like all relationships, the lawyer-client relationship does not always last forever. Common problems that clients report with attorneys include: 1 Poor results. The lawyer is simply not achieving the results you were led to believe he or she could achieve. 2 Bad communication. The lawyer is not communicating about crucial legal matters and decisions, leaving you uncertain of where your matter is or what's expected of you. 3 Lack of professionalism. The lawyer perhaps arrives late to meetings, doesn't remember key facts about the case, cannot find documents already provided by the client, and even forgets to submit documents by key deadlines.

How to terminate an attorney?

Notify your attorney in writing that you have decided to terminate his or her services. Be sure to mention how you would like a copy of the contents of your case file (mailed to you, to your new attorney, or provided to you in person, for example).

Why do judges get annoyed with lawyer shopping?

Judges in particular might become annoyed at a client who is "lawyer shopping," because this delays the matter and clogs their dockets. It also suggests that you are a difficult client, or that your claims are not meritorious.

What happens if you believe your attorney violated your ethics?

If you believe that professional conduct was violated, you can report your attorney for ethics violation.

Why do lawyers arrive late to meetings?

Lack of professionalism. The lawyer perhaps arrives late to meetings, doesn't remember key facts about the case, cannot find documents already provided by the client, and even forgets to submit documents by key deadlines.

What are the bad things about lawyers?

Bad communication. The lawyer is not communicating about crucial legal matters and decisions, leaving you uncertain of where your matter is or what's expected of you. Lack of professionalism.

Why is it important to choose a lawyer?

Choosing a lawyer is a crucial step in the resolution of your legal matter. Whether you are a plaintiff or a defendant, or merely a party looking for counsel, the right lawyer is key. But like all relationships, the lawyer-client relationship does not always last forever.

What to do before locking your ex out of your home?

Before you lock your ex- out of your home, you should consult a custody lawyer about the ramifications of your action.

What happens if one partner locks out the other?

If one partner attempts to lock the other out, or even when the separation is agreeable but the partners cannot figure out how to divide their interest in or debt from the property, the matter may end up in court - and litigation over division of real estate is very often slow and costly, with the cost likely to consume or exceed the home equity that the parties might otherwise have divided.

What happens if an ex partner is found to have been a tenant?

If an ex-partner is found to have been a tenant, they have the potential to bring an action for wrongful eviction (sometimes called "wrongful detainer") and potentially to recover damages and attorney fees as part of that action.

What happens if you lock your ex out of your house?

Although the question of whether an unmarried couple has children does not directly affect their property rights, locking out your ex- can affect any child custody and child support litigation that follows the break-up. Before you lock your ex- out of your home, you should consult a custody lawyer about ...

How to convince your ex to collect your property?

You can attempt to convince your ex- to collect the property by indicating that if it is not recovered by a specified date and time, you'll be treating it as having been abandoned or will place it curbside for them to collect - but you may find yourself liable to your ex- if you carry out your threat and, as a result, their property is damaged, lost or stolen.

Why won't my ex move out of my house?

Help Your Ex- Find a New Home: Perhaps the most common reason why an ex-partner won't move out of the other partner's home at the end of their relationship is that they don't have another place to live. You may be able to help them find a new home.

Can an ex-partner be sued for wrongful eviction?

Although the eviction of an ex-domestic partner rarely actually results in a wrongful eviction lawsuit, it is a possibility that you should keep in mind. If you are living in a state that might recognize your partner as your tenant or subtenant, you need to be very cautious about locking your partner out of the home.

How to talk to a lawyer in jail?

Ask to make a phone call. Once you are booked, you should tell a jail guard that you want to talk to your attorney. You need to be explicit. Say, “I want to talk to a lawyer. Can I make a phone call?”

How to find a criminal defense attorney?

Depending on what you have been charged with, you may be able to find an attorney who works solely on your type of case. This specialization can be an incredible advantage for you as these attorneys will have a wealth of experience dealing with the particulars of your type of case. To find a specialist you can look through attorney websites and other resources. Additionally, some states offer specialization designations for attorneys who show competence in a particular area of the law.

What to do if you can't reach someone in jail?

If you can’t reach anyone on the first call, ask the guard if you can make another call. Generally, they will let you make as many calls as you need to arrange an attorney so long as you have been behaving yourself after getting arrested. Each jail has a different policy.

What to do when you trust someone on the phone?

If you trust the person you call, have them contact an attorney for you. Say nothing else to your friends or family. For example, don’t start talking about the crime. Often, the police record the conversations people have using the phone.

What to do if you are arrested for a crime?

Figure out if you need a criminal defense lawyer. If you have been arrested for allegedly committing a crime, you need to contact an attorney as soon as possible. Whether you were arrested for a minor criminal violation (e.g., state law possession of marijuana) or a serious felony (e.g., federal terrorism charges), a lawyer will help you negotiate with prosecutors, represent you in court, and ensure you receive a fair trial. Even if you do not end up hiring an attorney to represent you, they can still help you understand the charges against you.

What to do after being arrested?

A qualified criminal defense attorney will help you arrange bail, advise you about your case, and start building your defense. Generally, if you face the possibility of time in jail for your conviction, then you have the right to an attorney.

How to determine if you are being charged with a state or federal crime?

To determine whether you are being charged with a state or federal crime, ask for clarification. Additionally, if you have paperwork with information about your charges on it, look at that. If the legal citation is to the United States Code (e.g., U.S.C.), you are being charged with a federal crime.