Paying for Legal Help

How often do you think, “I need a lawyer?” If you’re lucky, it’s not too often. But for people who do need legal counsel, their next thought is probably something along the lines of, “But how will I afford it?” In most cases, lawyers aren’t known for being cheap. They generally provide valuable expertise, but how can you obtain that if you’re low on money? It helps to get creative, look at all your options, and think about the price of not having a lawyer in certain situations.

To Obtain Certain Benefits

If you were involved in an accident, then you may already be dealing with bills for things like medical care even as you struggle to face the loss of income from being unable to work for a period of time. In British Columbia, Canada, certain accidents qualify you to receive help from ICBC. These are known as Part 7 benefits, and they provide medical benefits, rehabilitation benefits, income loss benefits, and even death benefits in cases where a family member was killed. You can’t file to receive these benefits anytime you feel like, though; there are certain timelines in place that you’re expected to adhere to. An icbc lawyer Vancouver can guide you through all the requirements and help make a sometimes-overwhelming process feel much more doable. You also have certain rights that you may not be aware of, and it’s best to talk to a lawyer about those rights before accidentally forfeiting any of them when you’re dealing with ICBC matters. To avoid money concerns, find a lawyer who won’t seek to collect any fees unless you win your case. That means a lawyer won’t take your case unless they think you have a very good chance of prevailing.

To Avoid Stiff Penalties

Generally speaking, we need a lawyer for either a civil case or a criminal case. In a civil case, we could lose a lot of money, but we won’t typically be at risk of going to jail unless we somehow really aggravate a court official. In criminal cases, we’re facing fines, probation, and worst of all, the loss of our freedom. One study from a think tank found that jail sentences have gotten longer, with time served increasing by about five years between 2000 and 2014.

There is some good news, though: A judge will typically assign a public defender to represent criminal defendants who do not make enough money to hire a personal lawyer. Indeed, the Supreme Court long ago held that people charged with serious crimes have the constitutional right to legal counsel. However, that doesn’t mean public defenders’ offices are being properly funded, as many cities and states are struggling with budget issues. A public defender is likely to be a good lawyer who is incredibly overworked. This leads many defendants to take drastic measures so they can hire a private attorney. Don’t get too drastic, since robbing a bank is just going to add to your legal problems, but do look at your budget and see if there’s any fat at all that can be trimmed. For instance, if you smoke, now’s a great time to stop smoking traditional cigarettes and start looking for vape deals instead. If a family member or friend will lend you the money, accept their generosity and do everything possible to pay them back once your court case is over. They’re doing you a huge favor, after all, and you should let them know how much you appreciate it as often as possible. Sometimes, the difference between going to jail or getting probation can come down to the attorney you choose to represent you.

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