While these aren't as flashy as most of the stories told here, I see them from my clients almost every single day.
1. Criminal - Confess to police immediately following arrest. Every single day.
2. Civil - Pay me thousands in retainer and then refuse to do even miniscule things to further their case. It would amaze you the amount of times people have complained about their billing but have paid me hundreds of dollars an hour to fill out simple forms for them (i.e. simple name/address/social security forms and to go through credit card statements and bank statements to list the account numbers on a divorce property statement etc.) simply because they are unwilling to do it. I have to call and conference with them and go through each blank on the form because they simply won't do it and return it in a timely manner. In more involved divorces this can cost them thousands when all they need to do is sit down and list their assets/liabilities... You hire an attorney to do the legal work. You can save yourself a TON of money by taking care of everything that doesn't require legal expertise on your own.
1. Criminal - Confess to police immediately following arrest. Every single day.
2. Civil - Pay me thousands in retainer and then refuse to do even miniscule things to further their case. It would amaze you the amount of times people have complained about their billing but have paid me hundreds of dollars an hour to fill out simple forms for them (i.e. simple name/address/social security forms and to go through credit card statements and bank statements to list the account numbers on a divorce property statement etc.) simply because they are unwilling to do it. I have to call and conference with them and go through each blank on the form because they simply won't do it and return it in a timely manner. In more involved divorces this can cost them thousands when all they need to do is sit down and list their assets/liabilities... You hire an attorney to do the legal work. You can save yourself a TON of money by taking care of everything that doesn't require legal expertise on your own.