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I don't understand why people have to pay lawyers if they are found not guilty. At any time, I could be accused of anything at all, and regardless of being innocent, I lose boatloads of money from defending myself?

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Thats why most people plead guilty and don't go to court.

Why would your lawyer even try to prove you innocent if it meant not getting a paycheck?

I mean, have someone else pay for it. The accuser or the government.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_defender

Many countries provide the lawyer costs of the successful party, and only force the loosing side to pay. In civil suits, this mean that the loosing party pays the winning sides lawyers.

Of course, lawyers can only demand "reasonable" pay through that system. That means above average pay, but not 1000x.

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