3 Types of Attorneys You’ll Need After Getting Out of Prison
You probably served a few months or years in prison on a misdemeanor charge. After proper contemplation, you’ve now decided to change your life for the better. You want to leave the criminal life behind and start anew.
Tim Arnold had twenty-seven convictions when he was 18. He was deemed a failure, as he served six years in prison. However, with determination and a will to learn, he transformed his life. Today, he owns a nonprofit organization, LawnLife, that teaches incarcerated people business skills and ethics. Stories like this will surely inspire you to do better.
Unfortunately, life after incarceration won’t go easy on you, and you might require legal assistance. Attorneys do play a crucial role in helping ex-offenders transition back into society. They can help you safeguard your civil rights and advocate for them.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss a few types of attorneys you might need to deal with employment hurdles, civil rights, family disputes, etc.
#1. Personal Injury Lawyer
Reports suggest that 60% of people who leave prison remain unemployed for over a year. Job-seeking as an ex-offender in America is indeed very tough. In most cases, you’ll only be eligible for dangerous roles as a truck driver, construction worker, miner, etc.
These high-risk jobs can lead you to develop injuries that require extensive medical attention. Spending so much time on recovery and bills might cause financial strain. For example, you’ll be paid by the hour, and missing work for treatment will mean no payments.
That’s why you need to collaborate with a personal injury lawyer in your city. Let’s say you live in Chicago, Illinois. According to TorHoerman Law, attorneys from this city will help plaintiffs get the compensation they’re entitled to for the losses, property damage, injuries, etc. These legal representatives will do this by gathering evidence to determine liability and negotiate payouts.
When choosing a personal injury lawyer in Chicago, IL, remember to check their experience, success history, and payment structure. Doing so will help you hire an experienced attorney to get the right compensation for lost wages, medical bills, emotional distress, and more.
#2. Civil Rights Attorney
In Alabama, a correctional officer was sentenced to prison for using excessive force on an inmate and violating their civil rights. You might have been a victim of the same injustice in jail. You might think that you’d be free from such judgments upon release.
However, that won’t be the case. As an ex-offender, you’re bound to face discrimination at your workplace or housing. Examples include wage discrimination, differential treatment, etc. Sometimes, these can lead to a violation of your constitutional rights.
Thankfully, a civil rights lawyer can help protect you from such unfair treatment. For example, it’s possible for law enforcement to wrongfully convict you because of your past. These attorneys can help challenge such discriminatory practices in the criminal justice system. Similarly, they can help you file lawsuits against organizations that have shown systematic injustice towards you.
The American government is also trying to expand economic opportunities for formerly incarcerated people. They want to assist you in reclaiming your dignity in society by eradicating such discrimination.
#3. Family Law Practitioner
Being incarcerated for multiple months or years will mean estranged relationships. For example, your parents might remove you from the will, or your partner can seek full custody of your child.
Thankfully, a family law practitioner can help ex-offenders rebuild relationships. They specialize in addressing the following challenges:
- Custody battles
- Child support disputes
- Visitation rights
- Issues with inheritance
The lawyer will help you address these by offering proper guidance and representing you in court. They’ll understand the intricacies of your state’s family court proceedings to ensure your voices are heard. However, you’ll have to prove that you’re competent enough to take care of a child and that you’re financially stable enough to be part of your parent’s estate planning.
These family law practitioners can also facilitate reunification and advocate for your fair treatment in family matters.
In conclusion, your post-prison life will have both legal and emotional challenges. Thankfully, the right legal support can help you navigate these complexities.
For example, you might have to work in a high-risk industry where you can get injured. That’s why you’ll need a personal injury lawyer in your area. Similarly, you might need a family lawyer to battle custody and child support issues. Also, civil rights attorneys will help you deal with discrimination.
Forbes reports that these attorneys usually charge between USD 50 and USD 100 per hour. With this fee, you can access the advocacy required to protect your rights as you reintegrate into society. This way, you can pursue a fulfilling life beyond incarceration with dignity.
