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Riverside Law Firms

A brief guide to Riverside law firms

There are many different circumstances which seem to call for the help of private legal counsel. Not every aspect of the law requires you to retain the services of a Riverside law firm. While no two cases are the same, here are some general guidelines to keep in mind if you are thinking of hiring an attorney.

What Riverside law firms do

Some attorneys choose to work by themselves and are known as “solo practitioners.” There is no minimum or maximum number to determine how many attorneys can work at one Riverside law firm. These businesses tend to specialize in particular areas of practice and offer more resources to clients than one attorney may be capable of providing.

On the business side, Riverside law firms are composed of two types of attorneys:

• Partners own a share of the business and divide any profits among themselves after all salaried employees have been paid.

• Associates are attorneys who work for a fixed salary.

Partners and associates perform one of two kinds of functions:

• Transactional attorneys review and create legal documents

• Litigation attorneys argue cases in court on behalf of clients

Riverside law firms generally have both kinds of attorneys as part of their staff. 

When to hire an attorney

Not all legal problems require a lawyer to be resolved. For example, couples who are planning on getting a divorce can complete all the necessary paperwork without the input of a Riverside law firm if they can cooperate in drafting a separation agreement detailing how they plan to handle:

• Alimony payments
• Child custody arrangements
• The non-custodial parent’s visitation rights
• Making medical decisions on behalf of a minor child
• Child support payments
• Paying off jointly incurred debts
• Dividing jointly owned property

Couples who can successfully come to terms on all these issues will not need the additional expense of a Riverside law firm unless they are especially concerned about the phrasing of their agreement.

In some cases, a lawyer is obviously unnecessary. While immigrants or resident aliens whose status is in jeopardy may wish to consult a Riverside law firm with specialized epxerience handling those kinds of cases, most immigration paperwork can easily be completed without an attorney’s assistance. 

Other processes do not technically require legal representation but will vastly benefit from an attorney’s input. For example, anyone who plans on filing for bankruptcy should consult with a Riverside law firm prior to filing any paperwork. This is a highly complicated and technical procedure which allows little room for error.

Criminal court

Anyone who is charged with a felony or misdemeanor by the police or a government agency is entitled to legal counsel at all times. Should you not be able to afford private representation from a Riverside law firm, a judge will appoint an attorney to represent you for free. Adults of sound mental health are not required to have an attorney represent them in court and may override their counsel’s decision at any time. However, because serious consequences such as a large fine or jail time can result if you are convicted, it is always a good idea to consult with a Riverside law firm before making any decisions about how to handle your case.

Regardless of the charges, the criminal prosecution process always follows the same basic steps:

• At an arraignment hearing, the prosecution formally presents the charges against the defendant. If a plea bargain is offered in exchange for a response of “guilty” or “no contest,” a representative of a Riverside law firm can help you evaluate whether it is desirable to do so. 

• During the pretrial process, both sides are required to exchange any evidence they plan on presenting in court. After evaluating the prosecution’s case, a Riverside law firm may file a motion to dismiss the charges against you because of procedural errors committed in collecting evidence against you. An attorney will also be present during the jury selection process to make sure no potentially biased jurors are chosen.

• In court, attorneys from a Riverside law firm will make the strongest possible case on your behalf. It may also be possible to create a mutually acceptable plea bargain with the prosecution for a judge’s approval before a verdict is returned.

• Should you be found guilty, a member of a Riverside law firm will attend your sentencing hearing to argue for leniency.

Civil court

In civil court, neither party is entitled to free legal representation. Whether you are filing a complaint against another person or defending yourself, you must either represent yourself or hire a Riverside law firm to act on your behalf. Some common grounds for civil litigation include:

• Underpaid wages
• Landlord-tenant disputes
• Personal injuries caused by another person or a defective product
• Violations of a contract between two businesses

Unless instructed to pursue a court date, Riverside law firms representing both parties will negotiate extensively throughout the pretrial process to craft a mutually agreeable financial settlement.

Finding an attorney

If you find yourself in need of legal counsel, you must first clarify what you are hoping to achieve through the legal process and how much money, time and attention you can commit to it. Ask friends, family and business associates if they can refer you to any Riverside law firms with specialized experience with your kind of case that they have successfully worked with. 

To get the most out of any consultation with an attorney, arrive with all the documentation they need to examine to understand the basics of your case. Afterwards, you may have to answer many questions for Riverside law firms to be able to give an appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses of your case. During this initial consultation, it is important to make sure that you receive a detailed, written estimate of all costs you will be liable for. Riverside law firms must explain any expenses you do not understand. 

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