Legal Question in Criminal Law in California
Lawyer Service
If I hired a Private Attorney, and I still continue to need his services, and unable to pay him the remainder of his monies, and he is also a part of the Lawyer Referral Service; can I petition the courts to pay the remainder of the fees in accordance with my attorney being with a referral service, that provides attorneys to those who need them?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Lawyer Service
Every County has it's own rules about how attorneys are assigned cases for indigent defendants. An attorney from a referral service may not be the same as an attorney on a panel of attorneys who are appointed by the courts to represent indigent defendants.
If you are indigent you have a right to have an attorney appointed, either the public defender or appointed by the court, however, you don't have the right to have the attorney of your choice.
I hope this answers your question.
Good luck,
Re: Lawyer Service
Dream on. You have a contract with him. If he wants to allow you to change the terms, and work for free, he can. Otherwise he can discharge you if you don't pay. If this is a criminal matter, and if you are now indigent and qualify, you could ask the court to appoint a public defender. If it is a civil matter, you'll have to hope you can find someone else to do it pro bono.
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