Your Options For When You Can’t Afford a Lawyer

Attorneys are expensive. Depending on where you live, what the specific charge is, and the size of the law firm the lawyer represents, the hourly cost can range anywhere from $200 to $1,000. 

Everyday, many Americans face the dilemma of not being able to afford a lawyer. It’s a stressful, helpless, and overwhelming feeling. Luckily, there are services and legal aid models out there that allow for you to still have representation at your hearing or trial. 

So, if you are facing a trial and don’t have the funds for a private attorney, here are your options for when you can’t afford a lawyer. 

Public Defender

A public defender is what will be provided to you free of charge from the state when you don’t have the money necessary to pay for a private lawyer out of pocket. Public defenders are a great option for when you cannot pay for your own attorney, as they tend to be very experienced (however, their experience does come from being overworked, meaning they will have less time to spend on your case then your own personal attorney) 

Legal Clinics

If you’re involved with a civil case rather than a criminal case, a legal clinic is a strong option. However, legal clinics do use restrictions for income and resources, so if you don’t meet the qualifications (i.e. a household income under a certain number), you won’t qualify for their services.

These clinics are often funded by the Legal Service Corporations, which was created by congress in 1974. LCS works towards making legal care available to more people who cannot afford it. 

 LawHelpMN.com can help you find a legal clinic near you. 

Pro Bono Attorneys 

You may not know this, but the American Bar Association pushes that all lawyers in the United States should donate 50 hours of free services per year. Of course, not every lawyer meets this ‘quota,’ while other will go above and beyond the 50 hour mark. In fact, in some states, attorneys are actually required to meet a certain amount of pro bono hours. If you can find a pro bono attorney, they will donate their time and experience to a client who cannot afford it. 

Use this resource to find pro bono lawyers near you, or reach out to local firms and ask if they have any pro bono lawyers available. 

Represent Yourself

It’s often said that “He who acts as his own lawyer has a fool for a client.” However, depending on the severity of what you’re being charged with, representing yourself is a viable option for many. For traffic violations or other minor citations, you can easily attend your hearing and win your case by simply being present and contesting the ticket/citation. However, if you’re being tried for more severe crimes, it’s best to look for another option. Remember, we can’t all be like Will Hunting when it comes to defending ourself in court. 

What to Do When You Can’t Afford Bail? 

Not being able to afford bail is a stressful feeling as well. If you know someone who is in jail that can’t afford bail on their own, use Goldberg Bail Bonds to get them back in the comfort of their home before their trial. Everyone deserves a chance to pay their bail, and our services allow for just that. 

At Goldberg, a friend, relative, attorney, or the defendant will contact Goldberg Bail Bonds. During the initial conversation we will collect basic information. Once the paperwork is done and the bond is paid, we post the bail. 

Give us a call at 612-333-8111 or contact us through our website and tell us some basic information, the charge of the crime and any additional notes and we’ll get started on helping your loved one get out of jail.