If you are involved in a court case of any kind, you should have a personal injury lawyer in Philadelphia, PA from Wieand Law Firm, LLC representing you. This is such a universally recommended tip, even lawyers will usually find a lawyer to represent them. Even if you originally decided to represent yourself, and later changed your mind, you should still hire a lawyer. Many people are discouraged if they have already taken some steps on their own. It is important for you to know that hiring a lawyer is almost always an option, regardless of how far into the court case you are, and it is almost always beneficial. This guide will explain everything you need to know.
The Judge
There is only one thing you need to worry about when it comes to hiring a personal injury lawyer in Philadelphia, PA after taking steps on your own, and that is the judge. This means that if the case has not gone to court yet, there is literally nothing standing in your way. If it has gone to court already, however, you will need to ask the judge if you can stop representing yourself and hire an attorney.
In nearly all cases, the judge will allow it. This is because anyone representing themselves bogs down the process significantly. Judges greatly prefer for people, defendants and plaintiffs alike, not to represent themselves. That being said, getting a new lawyer caught up on the case so far is also a slow process. If the case is far enough along, chances are the judge will deny the request. This is why it is always to hire a lawyer sooner rather than later. In most cases, the lawsuit must be very near its end for the judge to deny the request to hire a lawyer, but it is dependent on the specific judge who proceeds over your case.
What To Do When Hiring a Lawyer
If you decide to hire a lawyer after taking some steps alone, there are a few things you should remember to do:
