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And even beyond that... You're supposed to refuse to talk until "your lawyer" is present. Now, I've used a lawyer's services for making a will, and my boss's w

And even beyond that... You're supposed to refuse to talk until "your lawyer" is present. Now, I've used a lawyer's services for making a will, and my boss's wife is a lawyer specializing in environmental matters. But I don't have any sort of connection with a lawyer that would handle criminal matters. Should one make contact with a potential lawyer today, before anything happens, and carry the lawyer's card in your pocket? Should you just call any lawyer you know at the point you need it, and ask for a referral?

TomOfTTB 16y ago
This seems obvious to me. Put it this way, if you're ever accused of a serious crime your life will hang in the balance. So how much research would you be willing to do to save your own life? Now if you get arrested for a serious crime you'll have one phone call and no time to do research. So yeah, I'd at least ask around and find out who the best criminal lawyer in my area is (and make sure I have his number handy)
- CWuestefeld 16y ago
  That much makes sense. But do you think I should just find out who he is and store his name and number in my phone? Or is there some standard process with a lawyer, where you contact him ahead of time and ask if you can keep him on file just in case?
  - dotBen 16y ago
    It would be wise to find out rates at the very least! Some lawyers might charge more than you can afford. You might also want to ask the receptionist/assistant who answers calls to the office how you contact the lawyer outside of office hours and whether they need a retainer on file in order to service clients in these kinds of circumstances (ie call them out cos you have been arrested at 3am on a Saturday night).
ErrantX 16y ago
No, don't bother. The chance of you being able to get that specific person in all situations is low anyway. Don't ask for "your" lawyer. Ask for "a" lawyer. Unless you're in a serious mess (in which case you will need proper, expensive, legal counsel) anyone will do. Usually the rote lawyers provided by the tax payer (here in the UK that is a right, Im not sure if it is elsewhere) are fine for these situations. Lawyers can get expensive fast - especially if the Police decide to play awkward.

TomOfTTB 16y ago

This seems obvious to me. Put it this way, if you're ever accused of a serious crime your life will hang in the balance. So how much research would you be willing to do to save your own life? Now if you get arrested for a serious crime you'll have one phone call and no time to do research. So yeah, I'd at least ask around and find out who the best criminal lawyer in my area is (and make sure I have his number handy)

CWuestefeld 16y ago
That much makes sense. But do you think I should just find out who he is and store his name and number in my phone? Or is there some standard process with a lawyer, where you contact him ahead of time and ask if you can keep him on file just in case?
- dotBen 16y ago
  It would be wise to find out rates at the very least! Some lawyers might charge more than you can afford. You might also want to ask the receptionist/assistant who answers calls to the office how you contact the lawyer outside of office hours and whether they need a retainer on file in order to service clients in these kinds of circumstances (ie call them out cos you have been arrested at 3am on a Saturday night).

ErrantX 16y ago

No, don't bother. The chance of you being able to get that specific person in all situations is low anyway. Don't ask for "your" lawyer. Ask for "a" lawyer. Unless you're in a serious mess (in which case you will need proper, expensive, legal counsel) anyone will do. Usually the rote lawyers provided by the tax payer (here in the UK that is a right, Im not sure if it is elsewhere) are fine for these situations. Lawyers can get expensive fast - especially if the Police decide to play awkward.