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Re:Ask HN: Are there any online lawyer services? by jawns on Tuesday January 29, 2019 @09:49AM (#19026704)
Typically "charges" means that it's a criminal offense, and if so, you absolutely should not go with an online service. Get the best lawyer you can afford, and deal with the inconvenience of phone calls. Especially if you're facing jail time, do you really want to run the risk of being inadequately represented?

If it's a civil suit, you should still should weigh whether the inconvenience of phone calls is worth risking a judgment against you.

As for credit cards, some (perhaps most) attorneys accept credit cards, and my assumption is that nearly every online service will accept them.

Update: You commented elsewhere that it's a traffic offense. Assuming that you're not facing jail time, this might be a case where you can do most of your communication with a lawyer by email and still feel reasonably assured that you're being adequately represented. But you may still need to make an initial phone call. Or rather, being willing to make an initial phone call will give you more (and potentially better) options.

Re:Ask HN: Are there any online lawyer services? by throwaway4353 on Tuesday January 29, 2019 @10:13AM (#19026913)
Thanks for the extensive reply and recommendations! Yea, I guess I was hoping I could skip the step of calling a bunch of lawyer firms to find someone good.

I'm probably not facing jail time, but probably weekend work program for 6 days or so. I'm hoping to find a lawyer to do as much as possible in place in U.S. so I can just travel there and pay any fines and do my sentence.

Re:Ask HN: Are there any online lawyer services? by alistairSH on Tuesday January 29, 2019 @11:22AM (#19027550)
The sibling thread said traffic/criminal, which typically means one of two things... reckless driving (excessive speed or other dangerous driving) OR DUI/drunk-driving.

Reckless can often be pled down to a non-criminal, or if not, is usually a punishment as you describe.

DUI is quite a bit more serious.

Either way, typically a legal practice that handles one will handle the other. And in both cases, you will need legal counsel, as failure to do so can result in jail time.

Re:Ask HN: Are there any online lawyer services? by charlesdm on Tuesday January 29, 2019 @10:20AM (#19026975)
If you're living abroad with no intention of returning to the US, it's highly unlikely you're going to get weekend work. A fine perhaps, sure.
Re:Ask HN: Are there any online lawyer services? by cheez on Tuesday January 29, 2019 @10:33AM (#19027102)
Can confirm. Accidentally broke the law while visiting, no conviction.