[Note: Though I am a licensed practicing attorney, I do not solicit cases over the internet for numerous ethical reasons, even then the person in question probably isn't even in my jurisdiction. If you live in the Untied States, I might be able to refer you to a public defender's office, or other comparable legal assistance, though I can truthfully promise you no results, I might be able to refer you. I fear this is the best I can do].
In response to the above and below quoted posts:
Fuckin' great.
Our Attorney decided to back out on our case, because we didn't pay their (law firm) fees. First off, they agreed to our deal of paying them ala installment plan, since we're barely scraping money off our backs. But we weren't able to pay on time, and that attorney being a greedy bastard, decided not to wait for a little bit longer until we can pay. The kicker? They didn't respond to our text messages, asking whether the case was greenlit or halted. They also were disrespectful, having us go around to file the papers to where it needs to be, instead of them doing it themselves. They were practically slacking off on their asses waiting until someone showed the cash before doing anything. They didn't do anything, aside from making an affidavit, and that's just that.
The real kicker? We probably can't get the 15kphp we just spent on the bastards, because of them making the aforementioned affidavit. They told us to grab our papers there and go, since they're not going to handle the case because we weren't able to pay.
I must mention that the case hasn't actually started yet, and there are still no reports from the fiscal whether they'll take the case or call it a false one. And those bastard attorneys, they're also trying to use scare tactics to make us reconsider paying them. They don't believe we don't have the cash, and even then, those bastards barely move without waving a bunch of $doughy$ treats right in-front of their faces.
Also, their rates totally rip people off. 5k per attorney, even if you didn't hire the other attorney.
Seriously, those greedy bastards... I want to exact revenge against them... if only I knew of a way that doesn't involve killing or doing something that's illegal...
Weren't there cheaper attorneys?
We didn't have a choice. My mom, at the start of the whold fiasco, was illegally detained in a local police station, so we had to ask others (namely my brother's girlfriend's family) for help and find us an attorney to free our mom from prison. Illegal or not, she was detained, and we needed someone with power to release her there, namely an attorney.
We planned to change attorneys before the deadline arrived, but the attorney we were looking for was going to america for some kind of business meet up, and he would return way past the deadline, or simply put, the time when we couldn't submit our side of the story to the court. We were forced to go through, we practically went bankrupt within a few days of that fiasco.
For a time, mom was jobless, and she's the only source of income we have, so no income. We were struggling until she got another job. It didn't help much, though, since her workplace, for whatever reason, was somewhere about 1 hour's drive from home. She doesn't use any other transport, aside from a taxi, for fear of her belongings being snatched from her by thieves, being held at gun point, etc. Her transport fees from here to there, and back? At least 500php, or a whole day's worth of pay.
We're stuck in a rut, right now... but I think we'll be able to go on. Mom said there are free voluntary attorneys in an organization somewhere.
Doesn't lessen my hatred against those greedy bastards...
Does your country have a public defender option?
Well, I guess so, but they probably are inexperienced, and/or are not dedicated to their clients. Not that we have much choice about that anyway...
I just hope everything will be smooth sailing, but I might get Murphy's Law'd if I keep my hopes up.
For what it's worth, I really do feel bad for you as an attorney who practices criminal defense (who is far from rich). I see this every day, both in criminal and civil cases, and I hate it. I stopped counting the times I've had to stand down because of costs. What people, through no fault of their own, fail to realize is that the system of paying for attorneys in the United States itself is broken and harming not only clients, but attorneys themselves. I've been saying this for years here.
The issue is people can't afford to buy and I can't afford to sell legal representation as it stands at a reasonable price. There's no justice in denying you justice, but my student loan debts from law school and college are more than a house and the payments more than a mortgage. (And I did things rather economically at a state law school. Could've cost more). Nevermind paying the secretary, the office rent, copier costs, and time I don't get paid for "marketing," or chasing cases, etc. It's a crapshoot and we're too busy trying to cover costs to actually practice law most of the time.
A lot of people "make too much money" to get an appointed public defender, who are poor as hell. Moreover, given these costs, the "inexpensive" lawyers around here charge $200/hour. Think about that, 8 hours in court a day plus an hour or two beforehand to prepare, you're looking at $1600 (8 x $200) to $2000 (10 x 200) per day in court plus about a day or two beforehand to research and write motions and probably more.... How the hell are people making $10/hour supposed to pay that. (note: no question mark). Practically, that means they have to work 20 hours to pay for one of mine (before taxes). It's clearly unsustainable for everyone involved.
This is why I someday really truly do wanna start that plan of mine to charge people approximately $50/month for all the attorneys fees, legal advice tax preparation, and record keeping they need. (jack shit I can do about court costs and expert witness (medical) fees, but still...). I'd probably have to do something to keep people from ripping ME off (a la, signing up for this for a year, dumping their problems on me and then bolting). The idea of a 300 family per lawyer "insurance risk pool" (actually "True Retainer," but meh) would just work better for everyone. There was a time when I could've commanded a huge salary at a large firm, but I was the one who believed, "liberty and justice for all." I saw abuses of the system and railed against them. I haven't forgotten why I went to law school. This is why it's somewhat saddening when people hear about my idea to make legal representations affordable and call me a crook when I'm talking about charging people in a year what other lawyers (in attorney fees alone, not court costs) would charge in a couple hours.
Compare this to:
5k per attorney, even if you didn't hire the other attorney.
I can't tell you how furious, sad, and utterly depressed I feel when I have a good case and opposing counsel knows it. He also knows I can't afford to fight him and he wins on that basis alone.
If Justice is only a luxury for the rich, then is it still Justice? Can you be poor but virtuous, or is the mere fact of being poor a vice? .... I fear we've given the wrong answers to these questions in the U.S.
P.S. If you are in the United States, please feel free to instant message me for a referral to a county public defender's office. Again, I'm sorry that this is the best I can do. If you are not in the United States, then I'm afraid I know very little if anything about the laws of other nations....
Edit: I'm guessing from your using "500php" you're from the Philippines. I'm sorry. I know nothing about Filipino Law....