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| How do you feel about lawyers?; What about the US legal system? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jul 28 2005, 09:39 AM (1,163 Views) | |
| who | Jul 30 2005, 11:05 AM Post #46 |
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Have light saber. Will travel.
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I suspect that that lawyers have the same spectrum of ethical behaviour as the rest of society. In addition, they represent their clients who have a range of ethics. I think there is something wrong with the legal system in the US. I am not sure what the problems are or how to fix them. I do not have the data but I expect the US spends in proportion to GDP, FAR more than any other country in the legal area. I think his affects our society in a negative way. I think one problem is in class action lawsuits. They can destroy a company with little benefit to the people suing while the lawyer gets a HUGE reward. I think another problem is in medical malpractice. It does not make sense to me that if a doctor performs a perfect operation they may get $1000. If they make a mistake, a lawyer may get millions for the same operation. We are supposted to be equal before the law. If a rich person sues a poor person they are not treated equally. For example, if a poor neighbor builds a legal privacy fence and is sued to remove it by his rich neighbor, the poor neighbor is not on equal terms because he cannot afford to defend himself. This seems like a form of legal extortion. Perhaps the system would be much more fair if all trial and defense lawyers were put on public salaries. The cost could be paid for by a portion of the awards granted. Instead of juries, it would make more sense to me to have trials decided by the judge or three judges in an appeal. |
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| Dr. Noah | Aug 1 2005, 11:56 AM Post #47 |
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Sistertrek's Asian Correspondant
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I agree that there are many problems with our legal system, just as there are many problems with our governement and health care system. Having problems is part of having a system. It all comes down to human error. Sure, there are lots of people who sue when they really shouldn't, and there are judges who should throw ridiculous cases out when they see them. However, that said, our legal system is the only recourse for the average person who has been wronged by a large organization such as the US Military in "A Few Good Men" for example, or the workers of PG&E in "Erin Brokovich". There are hundreds of real similar cases I could bring up, but I use these examples because of their widespread noteriety. It's not a perfect system, but it's the best one we got. Otherwise corporations and large organizations including the government would walk all over the average joe. |
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| Admiralbill_gomec | Aug 1 2005, 01:29 PM Post #48 |
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UberAdmiral
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Um, A Few Good Men was a movie. Yeah, yeah, it was supposed to have been based on a Sorkin play based on an actual case, but considering the swill the West Wing is, I doubt it had much basis in fact aside from belittling the military. It just lacks believeablility. |
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| who | Aug 1 2005, 02:00 PM Post #49 |
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Have light saber. Will travel.
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Noah I just think the system could be improved. I did have to file a lawsuit once because a large corporation owed me some money but would not pay it. After years of frustration there was a settlement where the company paid what they originally owed me. Unfortunately the lawyer got 40% of it. I suppose 60% is better than nothing but it still seems unfair. I do not hear of the same kind of problems with the legal system in other countries like Canada. I think a big reason for the high cost of medications in the US are the lawsuits. |
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| gvok | Aug 1 2005, 02:04 PM Post #50 |
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40% is a bit high. The standard contingency fee is 1/3 unless there are extenuating circumstances specific to the case. |
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| Dr. Noah | Aug 1 2005, 02:15 PM Post #51 |
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Sistertrek's Asian Correspondant
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As I understand it 1/3 has always been standard. |
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| WayneSTOSfan | Aug 1 2005, 02:16 PM Post #52 |
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Lieutenant
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Lawyers do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to guarantee rights.. The fact that most members of congress are lawyers should tell you SOMETHING. The law is made for lawyers NOT the average joe.. Lawyers make the law so complicated ON purpose so ONLY they will understand it!! They have become VERY similar to the STONE age SHAMAN or witch doctor throwing bones to determine the WILL of the gods...Merely some secret society running around controlling us all...convincing us we need them... GOOD law would be written in a language everyone could understand.. The fact it is not only PROVES its main function is to employ lawyers AND yes, Swidden, I have had lawyers working for me like the one you talked about...That made me respect THE PERSON..NOT THE profession!! HERos??? defenders of rights, of the downtrodden??only in their dreams..NOT mine!! |
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| Dr. Noah | Aug 1 2005, 02:16 PM Post #53 |
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Sistertrek's Asian Correspondant
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The high cost of medications is due to the enforced 10 year monopoly drug companies have over thier products. |
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| gvok | Aug 1 2005, 02:23 PM Post #54 |
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Unregistered
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Napoleon attempted to write a legal code so that the average French housewife could comprehend the law. It didn't work. Life is too complicated to have specific rules for every situation much less put them in a language that most people without a legal education could understand. |
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| who | Aug 1 2005, 02:24 PM Post #55 |
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Have light saber. Will travel.
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1/3 plus fees = 40% |
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| Dr. Noah | Aug 1 2005, 02:26 PM Post #56 |
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Sistertrek's Asian Correspondant
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I love how people can equate all the problems of society to one profession. Tell me Wayne, who would you go to if a doctor amputated your good leg? Or what if a drunk driver hit and run you and your family? What if you found out the factory down the road has been drumping crap in your water that gave you lymphoma? Who do you turn to? You think it's the lawyer's fault the law is so complicated? You think lawyers MAKE the law? |
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| Dr. Noah | Aug 1 2005, 02:27 PM Post #57 |
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Sistertrek's Asian Correspondant
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who, that may have been the case in your experience, but usually fees don't run that high. It depends on the nature of the case of course. Remember too if you loose, so does your attorney. |
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| gvok | Aug 1 2005, 02:44 PM Post #58 |
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Who would you go to if your civil rights were infringed upon? |
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| Dr. Noah | Aug 1 2005, 02:46 PM Post #59 |
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Sistertrek's Asian Correspondant
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As I mentioned to AB, but just to be perfectly clear, I KNOW "All Good Men" is a movie, a movie based on a popularized case, which is why I used it as an example. Sheesh. :rolleyes: |
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| Admiralbill_gomec | Aug 1 2005, 04:19 PM Post #60 |
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UberAdmiral
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No, that's called the law. |
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