Action items 1 to 3 before cops arrive

...continued from yesterday...

Here's some ideas on this matter (for education and entertainment purposes, not intended as legal advice).

First and foremost, store up some cash to pay your lawyer. Criminal lawyers traditionally get cash up front before doing any work.

By the way, "criminal lawyer" refers to an attorney who practices criminal law, not a lawyer who’s a criminal. As such, they don't have the muscle to collect accounts receivable and that's why they have to be paid in advance.

Phone some criminal lawyers in your area to find out what they charge for getting people out of jail. Last time I checked, criminal lawyers charge more depending on the gravity of the criminal charges facing the client. For example, the legal fees for getting you out of jail will be less if you're charged with $100 million worth of insider trading rather than $100 billion.

Second, buy some real estate. Judges and prosecutors are favorably inclined to let you out of jail if you can put up real estate in addition to or instead of cash as "bail." Ideally, there should be equity in the real estate (as opposed to having it fully mortgaged). The theory is that you won't run away from your real estate equity and that your real estate can't run away period.

But even if there is little or no equity in your real estate, if you own and live in your home, that's a factor in your favor that could convince a judge you won't run away. Your lawyer might persuade the judge that you have "roots in the community" because you own a home there, especially if you lived in it for many years.

Third, join some organizations including local clubs (e.g. Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, Rotary Club), religious organizations, political parties, etc. You don't have to go to all or even any meetings, you just have to belong -- more evidence of "roots in the community." Clubs that have lawyers in them are especially good to join (since judges are ex-lawyers and the judge you appear before could be an ex-member of the club).

...continued tomorrow...

Copyright 2008 Raymond T. Lee. All rights reserved.
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