What is the % of people who can afford lawyers versus the % of those who can't?
350076
I'm not sure about an exact percentage, but I do know more people use public defenders than "real lawyers."  I went with my boyfriend when he had court, and I was there for about two hours before his case was called.  I would say there was maybe 5 people who wasn't using a public defender.  It really amazed me.
471842
The US judicial system functions in such a way that allowed the legal profession to become a lucative career. There is no regulation of legal fees and law firms can charge whatever they think you can pay. \n\nThough a common complaint, I think it is a major generalization to say that all lawyers are out to screw people because I know quite a few who aren't.\n\nJustice in the US is like anything else. You need to be white, male, well-connected and wealthy to have it work your way. Otherwise you need to know your rights (which is more than most Americans will ever manage) do a lot of work and spend a lot of money in hopes that your lawyer is not a bottom feeder in someone else's pocket.
110335
Compared to the majority of what?
474058
HAHAHA, as a law student I think irdll's answer is hilarious... Sure if you believe in ridiculous stereotypes, yeah, we all want money.  But there are lots of lawyers who take public interest jobs, work with the ACLU, etc.  Lawyers are the ones who make sure your rights aren't trampled on on a daily basis, products are safe for you to use on the shelf, and keeps us from all getting out phones wiretapped.\n\nOk, there's a few things increasing the numbers of applications to law school.  The economy is one of them... it is harder to get a good job and make money unless you have a higher degree - graduate school is expensive, you are gathering debt while you are going, and you aren't bringing any income in during that time.  Doctors can make a lot of money when they graduate, but they're in school, residency, etc for 5 or more years after their bachelor's.  Lawyers have 3 years of school, then they can go out and pay off their debt, and be more comfortable. Also, I live in SoCal, where to have a "middle class" household you need a house that will cost you at least $500k in this market, and both parents need to work and earn at least $60k a year, if not more, just to get by comfortably.  Most lawyers aren't rich, they have more money than others, yes, but they also work twice as hard.\n\nAlso, lawyers are always in demand.  Everyone is always suing everyone, and with current issues like living wills (think Terri Schiavo), abortion, the increase in e-commerce, technology and the need for new patents, there are plenty of exciting areas to explore.\n\nIf you are asking why law school became important in order to work in a legal field (your question is a bit vague), you can check out the history of the legal field on wiki, etc.  However, some schools used to offer legal degrees without a bachelors many years ago (it wasn't the same Juris Doctorate you get at law school today).  But since the legal field is so increasingly important, and states have the need to license and endorse attorneys (American Bar Association, various state bars) there needs to be an approved type of institution to regulate the minumum educatiional guidelines.\n\nI'm not sure if I have answered your question, but hopefully I've given you something to think about.
27425
Lawyer pay is all over the map. Right out of law school some graduates make six figures at their very first jobs. Those people graduate from top tier law schools and they ranked at the top of their class. They also had good clerkships with big firms during law school.  $100,000 is the benchmark starting salary in the large firms under those conditions. That's really only a small percentage of attorneys - for everyone else the ranges are much lower. Many attorneys start by working as a governmental attorney (for a municipality, a state or federal agency, etc.) Those folks might start in the low 40s. Of course you have to start somewhere.\n\nThis is question that is frequently asked.  A lot of people assume that what a lawyer charges is what he makes.  Wrong!  Revenue is not income, in any business.  An attorney's hourly rates certainly drive his / her income - but you have to consider that lawyers have business overhead as well - rents, computers, staff, etc.  Most law firms are happy with a profit margin of 50%.  Super litigation firms with big contingency matters do much better when they win big.  \n\nNow, as time goes on attorneys make more money, and possibly a lot more money. The goal of private practice attorneys is to become am equity partner, which means they share a piece of the firm’s total income. The bigger the firm, the bigger the slice of pie, the bigger the income possibilities. It’s not uncommon from a partner in a good law firm to make $250,000 or more. Every firm has a different compensation system that generally tries to pay people while promoting certain aspects (client development, professional development, etc.)  Compensation is one of the biggest gripes in any law partnership.  There is no perfect system and everyone does it a little different.\n\nIn law the heavy hitters make much more, some hit a million a year. Litigation is an area with a lot of upside, so partners in litigation firms can make more than partners who practice in a less profitable practice, like family law or traffic tickets.  There is also a big downside.  If you work on contingency and you lose, you make nothing!  That's why being part of firm is good, you get more protection than if you are a solo.\n\nBottom line - the legal industry is huge and so is the variance in pay from attorney to attorney.  Some make a mint, others make pennies.  Don't buy the television view of lawyers.  Many lawyers spend all day pouring over contracts or leases.  Not too exciting, and not a million bucks a year.\n\nThere are a lot of legal publications and legal consultants who do annual surveys.  Check out Altman Weil - I run a large firm and I buy their reports every year.
335657
The true answer (which nobody wants to hear) is Less than you think!  How much a prosecutor earns varies from state to state, so I'd need more information.  In California where wages tend to be high?  About 75K +/- depending on how long they've been there.  Maybe as much as 100K for a real senior career guy.\n\nNow a lawyer at a big law firm that charges $350 an hour?  he probably makes about 80K-120K depending on experience.  Considering those types of lawyers typically work 2500-2800 hour work years figure an experienced lawyer really earns about $35-40 an hour.  They may charge $350, but they have a lot of expenses, and a lot of hours they need to work that they can't bill for.  \n\nIf you want to deduct what they need to pay on the average 80K in student loans they needed to take out to get their law degree...\n\n100K a year is still a lot of money, don't get me wrong.. but not as much as you'd think considering the hours and the education required.
948876
Birds of a feather flock together.  A lot of the politicians are lawyers.  Lawyers believe in the rule of law.  If it is not illegal, then it is OK to do it.  Most of believe that the law does not cover everything.  Just because it isn't illegal does not make it moral.  Remember, only criminals have rights.
314989
Unfortunately the poor are usually less educated than the upper class(not  saying all upper class's are smarter than the poor but) people tend to live by example, if the parents are poor and they are raised poor they just seem to find it easier to follow than to fight.
391208
b/c the more "stuff" they do, the more they can charge you..remember they work by the hour.  I will be a lawyer in a year or so, and completely agree with you.  Those who take people in a vulnerable emotional situation and bend it to meet their financial desires should be disbarred.  They give the whole profession a bad name.  \n\nThey can get the job done...you need to tell them to stop doing all the filing they are doing, or to get your permission first...they can't do stuff you haven't authorized, remember, they work for you.
1184368
There are many people studing law as compared to passed old days. This has really helped in justice in many countries. To be a lawyer , you need to be very craft and swift and very creative at all time.
473762
Hmmm, hell no!  Canada in general doesn't have a large crime rate so first of all the jobs are not in high demand.  Most areas looking for people are the RCMP, and they work in a profession that makes them move around quite a bit and they make no more money than say computer techs or doctors, and such.\n\nAs far as lawyers go, I'm not entirely sure- I don't see them being in high demand and I can't say I know any lawyers doing really well for themselves, but who knows... there's a chance.
816686
Everyone can afford a lawyer now go to www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/rebeccahldavis, I have been a member for 8 years and now know the power of having my own personal lawyers for only 26.00 a month have him start this right now they can help.
473674
the gap between the rich and the poor...
834919
Probably between 6-8 percent, just like the general population. I don't know where you got the 1% from, but it's wrong.
548728
The courts figure it based on both people's income.  Then they decide a percentage of each parent's income.  The noncustodial parent pays that to the custodial parent, usually.  You don't ask for the amount.  It's predetermined.  You don't get to ask for a certain amount if you go thru the courts.  If you are not going thru the courts, then ask for a percentage of the person's income, like maybe 25%.\n\nThere's also alimony which you can ask for if you are getting a divorce.  You do have input on how much to ask for that.  But if you've never been married that doesn't apply.
118726
The cost of living has gone up tremendously. The living wage has not. So, overall, I would say most are really struggling to afford to live A very elite few are getting by, actually paying their way without using credit. Very few!
427192
10 per cent in my state. but ive heard 6 per cent in others. so i guess it depends on where you live.