retaining counsel

[Guest]

Have a couple questions:

Would retaining counsel be advantageous during nastiness? Particularly with aiding in the prompt release of innocent bystanders (ie wife).

Has anyone actually done this? Had to use it?

Can anyone give me a brief overview of the attorney retainership relationship? Any experience you have that you could share I'm sure would be of value to me.

Thanks in advance.

sgt.

 

[NiteTiger]

If you mean keeping an attorney on retainer, then yes, it would help with speed issues.

Basically it means that he was hired in advance. You've signed a retainer agreement, and paid him a retainer. He is then your lawyer on call. You call him up when you have a legal issue, and he works until your money runs out. Then it's time to renegotiate.

Retaining a lawyer means hiring one, at any time. Having one 'on retainer' means you've already hired one, and he's just waiting for your call.

Yes, it would help to have one on retainer if a bust were to go down. You pick up your phone, call him up, and (if you got a decent one) he'll come swooping in immediately. Usually chewing up cops and ADAs on the way in

If he's a criminal attorney, then he's probably got a bail bondsmen already lined up. If you're looking to be clear of the station in under 2 hours, having an attorney on retainer is the ticket.

Buddy of mine had an attorney on retainer, and he called him the minute he got to a phone. Everybody was on the way home within 45 minutes of the call. Case was dismissed too.

Here's the thing though, on retainer or no - SHUT THE FUCK UP! Don't even fart without your attorney present. Don't scream about how your girl didn't know squat, it was all yours, etc. That's a confession, and all you've managed to do was to do the cops job for them. Their still gonna take your girl. You may have managed to get her charges dropped - eventually - but all that does is free her up to find another guy that's NOT in the state pen.

 

[badboyg]

interesting idea... how do you hire a good weed lawyer.. without tipping your hand....??

do you really trust fully all the lawyers you speak to (while shopping) not to drop a dime,, (oh sorry its more like two quarters now)....

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your posts. Good input, anyone know whether or not your typical retainer agreement would expire? I'd imagine it would.

 

[Guest]

great info, so it's a good thing to have a lawyer on retainer and the $$$ drain does not start till you need him or her?

 

[NiteTiger]

Exactly.

When shopping for a lawyer, you need to go in with the right mind set. So many people go to hire a professional (Dr, Lawyer, Lawyer, Broker, etc) with the idea they are buying something. Wrong.

You are hiring an employee. This person will work for you, so you handle it as such. Prepare a list of questions, and get references. Check 'em out.

One of the things you should try to do is exactly what you mentioned. Say 'Well let me tell you what my issue is...'

A good attorney will stop you and let you know that no privilege applies until you actually hire him.

Remember, you get what you pay for.

 

[Guest]

I've got several questions I might ask written down, can anyone provide some input on what I should include on my list.

Top of my list: jury trial experience? what were the outcomes?

I use and grow marijuana religiously. I believe the creator put it on this earth for me and everyone, and I am compelled to use and grow the plant. There is nothing medical about it. It's my religion and connects me to god.

While all of the above is true, there are no medical laws in my state, however a tiny bird whispered into my ear that I have some sort of right to practice my religion as I see fit without interference from the state. Ahhh oh well. I just want to have someone ready to spring my wife.

 

[badboyg]

ok this all gets back to my first comment.. how do you ask those importened questions without tipping your hand,, just because he maybe a good lawyer in some areas does not mean he is good with a weed bust or worse maybe hates weed and would do a shitty job,,

can you please tell me how you all would get around this issue??

 

[Guest]

Well I plan on interviewing on behalf of a friend

 

[NiteTiger]

ok this all gets back to my first comment.. how do you ask those importened questions without tipping your hand,, just because he maybe a good lawyer in some areas does not mean he is good with a weed bust or worse maybe hates weed and would do a shitty job,,

can you please tell me how you all would get around this issue??

One of the things you should try to do is exactly what you mentioned. Say 'Well let me tell you what my issue is...'

A good attorney will stop you and let you know that no privilege applies until you actually hire him.

Oh, I thought I'd already done that :wink: :smile:

 

[badboyg]

shit I must be too sober,,., I missed that great reply...

all I saw is do not tell him what your retaining them for,, what good is that.. like I already asked, (and agian) IF you can not ask direct questions,, how do you know he is what you want,..

 

[NiteTiger]

If nothing else, check the NORML site for MJ Attorneys by state.