So, what drives the US Legal System?

Without getting wrapped up in politics or the argument over who the federal government works for there is really only one answer: MONEY.

If you haven’t noticed the odds seem to be stacked in favor of those who can afford to retain the better attorneys. I am not saying that guarantees an automatic win, but at the very least it will greatly reduce the sentence.

Why is it that white collar crime does not carry the same judicial penalties as bue collar crime?

Without getting wrapped up in politics or the argument over who the federal government works for there is really only one answer: MONEY.

Even though those who are at the top of the food chain embezzel millions of dollars, for example, and ruin the lives of thousands of people they, when compared to someone who steals food to feed a family because they can’t find a job that pays enough to purchase it, walk away with a slap on the wrist. To top it off, when their sentence is over do you think they will have a problem finding another job?

OK, well, maybe it isn’t exactly money that makes the difference. It is more likely what money can do for the person that has it. There is the saying “Money is the root of all evil.” Money is no such thing. Money is like a hammer – it is a tool that is used for a purpose. It allows a person to acquire that which they cannot make, don’t have the time to make or don’t have the desire to make. That also applies to doing things as well. Put it ths way: more money allows you to aquire more (and better) goods and services.

Now for those who say it goes against the bible, the torah, the koran, the whatever I challenge you to find the exact reference. I know for a fact that “money is the root of all evil” is not in the bible. Greed is however. Greed is “excessive or rapacious desire.” In otherwords acquiring for the sake of acquiring. If I am not mistaken in the major religions tithing (basically giving 10% of your income to those less fortunate) is expected. So, in effect the more you can earn the more you can give.

Now in any occupation there are those who will not do so well, those who are mediocre and those who excell, right? In the world of attorneys it is no different. It would be pretty reasonable to expect that those who are the best deserve the right (not all will do it) to charge more for their services. That is one way to increase your income.

Everyone knows that there are a limited number of hours in a day (only 24) and the more hours you work the more money you receive in compensation. That is another way to increase your income.

When you work for someone else your pay rate is pretty much fixed. So how do you earn more and advance in rank? You work harder, put in more hours and/or find ways to increase income from your customers or clients. When it comes to law firms it boils down to one thing: billable hours (how many hours they bill their clients). If they are out playing golf and think of something to help one of their clients it gets added onto the bill. The more hours an attorney can bill for, the further they advance in the firm and the more they receive in compensation. Simple.

The more you do something, generally, the better you get. So, as attorneys advance in the firm the better they are and the more they charge. The further they go up the chain in the firm the further away (financially) they go from the average American’s ability to afford quality legal advice and services.

There is a saying that “there is power in numbers.” If you have ever been a member of a purchasing club you have seen this in action. By guaranteeing a certain volume of purchasing the club can generally negotiate a lower cost for a product or service which saves the members money. These kinds of clubs usually charge its members a fee to cover administration costs. It tends to be a reasonable fee for the target market.

PrePaid Legal Services, Inc. has brought this concept to the average American for when they need legal assitance. However, just as purchasing clubs cannot provide everthing a person needs, the “Life Event Plans” offered by PrePaid Legal Services does not cover everything under the membership fee, however, you would be suprised at what is covered.

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I am not an attorney, therefore, do not take anything in any of my posts as legal advice. In any legal situation, as in a medical situation, always consult a professional.

The posts on this blog are only intended to provide the reader with information on how and in what circumstances they may use their Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. membership.

I am not an employee of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. I am an Independent Associate.