What if you threw your life away instead of picking up the phone?
When you’re in serious trouble, an attorney can help save your case. Unfortunately, many people don’t know whether to hire an attorney or not until it’s too late.
Will you know when to pick up the phone and call an attorney before it’s too late? Keep reading to learn about the times when you absolutely must make that call.
You’re Freaking Out
Below, we have a series of special circumstances where you should always call a lawyer. However, there is a golden rule above them all: you should make the call if you are freaking out.
In most legal cases, getting in over your head is a surefire way to lose. And even if you could theoretically handle it on your own, the fact that you’re freaking out means it’s not going to happen.
A lawyer on your side is like playing a safety. It’s better to have one and not need one than need one and not have one.
With that being said, here are a few situations where you should call an attorney right away.
Ugly Divorce
Contrary to popular belief, not every divorce requires lawyers. If the two sides amicably split up and willingly divide their possessions, then no attorneys are necessary.
However, divorce is sometimes more like a knockdown, drag-out fight over who gets what. At that point, getting a lawyer is absolutely necessary to hold onto your money.
An attorney can help you fight for important things such as child custody arrangements and alimony arrangements. And good attorneys are usually what determines who gets the house when the smoke clears!
Jail is on the Line
There are a few hard rules when it comes to the law. Here’s one of them: if you’re facing jail time, you should lawyer up.
For many legal matters, the primary issue is money. This is why you don’t need a lawyer for things like speeding tickets: even if they helped you avoid a ticket, you might spend as much hiring a professional as you’d spend paying the fine.
But what if it was something like reckless driving instead of simple speeding? At this point, you might be looking at a few months in jail and a permanent stain on your record. When jail is on the line, you should always make the call.
Workplace Discrimination
Have you faced discrimination in the workplace during pregnancy,
maybe even losing your job in the process? In that case, you
definitely need a pregnancy discrimination attorney on your side.
Many states are “at will” states, meaning that employers can fire employees for a wide range of reasons. You will likely need a lawyer’s help to prove that you were discriminated due to factors such as race, sex, and so on.
The other reason you’ll need a lawyer? Because your employer (or former employer) will have their own legal representation. And that brings us to the next big scenario where you’ll need legal help.
The Other Side Lawyered Up
Want another simple rule of thumb for calling a lawyer? If the other side has lawyered up, then you need to as well.
A divorce is amicable right up until someone hires a lawyer. This is an indication that they anticipate a serious dispute and are ready to fight.
Your workplace or other businesses will likely hire a lawyer right away. This is understandable: if they don’t assertively fight against legal challenges, then they may lose that business altogether.
If nothing else, hiring your own lawyer brings peace of mind that you won’t be at a disadvantage in this case.
DUI Charge
Earlier, we talked about some traffic situations that usually don’t require an attorney. But if you’ve been charged with a DUI, you need to contact a lawyer right away.
A DUI charge can negatively transform your entire life. The consequences may include paying major fines, losing your license, and even going to jail.
And even if you “only” end up paying fines, a DUI conviction may cause you to lose your job. The only solution, then, is to fight back.
A good lawyer can help you avoid conviction or, if convicted, reduce the penalties you face.
Car Accident
One common question is whether a car accident requires legal representation. The honest answer is that it depends on what happened and who was at fault.
A simple fender-bender typically doesn’t require a lawyer. Who is at fault is typically clear, and you can work things out with each other (and your respective insurance companies) quite easily.
What if someone was hurt in the accident, though? In that case, a lawyer is basically mandatory.
When someone is hurt in a car accident, it can lead to major payments from the other person’s insurance company. The amount must cover things like medical bills, lost wages, and even pain and suffering.
Whether you are the injured party or someone else, it’s worth having a lawyer on your side. They can help you navigate the complex world of insurance and injury and help determine who was truly at fault during the accident.
Drug Charges
As noted before, a DUI charge is serious and requires legal representation. If you are facing any other kinds of drug charges, then you need to hire a good attorney right away.
For example, many people face charges of prescription possession. You may see this as a way of dealing with pain and depression. But without a lawyer, you may serious fines and potential jail time.
Drug charges are doubly complex because the legal status of drugs such as medical marijuana are changing from state to state. It’s best to have a professional on your side to help argue your case.
When to Hire an Attorney: What’s Next?
Now you know when to hire an attorney. This information can be invaluable if you are ever in trouble.
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