What To Do If Your Lawyer Quits

There are really 4 different types of people who represent themselves:

1) People who choose to proceed without a lawyer

These people believe that they can represent themselves as good as an attorney or make the economic decision that the attorney will cost them more than they will win or lose. The decision is made after carefully and rationally weighing the pros and cons of self representation. This type of person takes the time and makes the effort to educate themselves using real law and real facts and usually is at least somewhat happy with the result in a case. These are the people for whom we write the Guerrilla Guides. You won't find members of this first category trying silly tactics like objecting that they haven't consented to be a citizen, that the court doesn't have jurisdiction because the flag has a yellow fringe, or arguing that they aren't natural people.

2) People who have no real training, won't educate themselves, believe they are as good as a lawyer, and have some trick that they read about that guarantees them a win.

These people don't understand the law, won't understand the law, and believe all the silly things put out on the internet by people with no legal training and no common sense. They rely on obscure, never used tactics like the ones in the last sentence  above, and when they win it is a fluke and usually because the other side doesn't show up at the trial.

3) People who can't find a lawyer or can't afford to hire a lawyer.

If you belong to category #3 then you have an option. Follow the course of #1 or #2. #1 gives you the best chance of winning but requires some planning and work.  #2 makes you look like an idiot but has the benefit of allowing you not to study or prepare. It's your choice.

4) People who lose their lawyer can can't find another one. 

Like #3, you have choices as well. You can make the effort to represent yourself, you can join the dumb group, or you can just quit and let the other side win.

Of course, we think the first group is the most reasonable whether you buy the Guerrilla Guides or some other books so that you are informed about what you are doing. 

However, even if you have a lawyer you should still educate yourself as much as possible from the very first day because no one who loses their lawyer right before trial thinks that scenario is likely to happen and then they are scrambling at the last minute. You can request that your lawyer file a Motion for Continuance before he withdraws, and most will be willing to do that, so it will buy you a little extra time to prepare.

Even if you have a lawyer, you should educate yourself from the beginning about the law as it pertains to your case, the procedures, and what the lawyer is doing. Don't buy the books and then hassle the lawyer about what is in them, just ask questions, read a lot, and be prepared in the event that you suddenly find yourself without representation.

You can represent yourself. Many people appear pro se or pro per every day, it really is an growing trend, but the more you know from the beginning then the better off you will be. 

Even if you have a great lawyer, consider The Guerrilla Guide to the Law, just to help you understand what is going on and to be prepared if you lose your lawyer.