# How will Casey Anthony pay her lawyer's bill? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 28, 2013, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-casey-anthony-pay-her-lawyers-bill/648605 "2013-01-28T13:45:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-casey-anthony-pay-her-lawyers-bill/648605/21 "2013-01-29T04:49:16Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > But OJ did make money off of the case, in the form of books he’s written on it, so Anthony could, too. Heck, it wouldn’t surprise me if OJ actually eventually did some interviews. They may have just made people madder, but making people mad is good TV. To my knowledge he only wrote one book about it, and since he had a $30m+ judgment against him by the family of one of his victims the moment the book went through a publisher they successfully filed suit to take over the book and were then the beneficiaries of all of its profits (they also acquired editorial control over the work, and used it to change the title and add some stuff to make it much more condemnatory of OJ.) So OJ did not directly make any money off of his case, and in fact spent a lot of money on attorneys. The judgment against OJ in civil court effectively prevented him from doing much to earn income, because any income he earned in addition to what he already had could immediately be seized to pay toward the judgment. In many jurisdictions (including the one OJ’s home was in) your primary residence has special protections from legal judgments, as do retirement accounts. OJs NFL retirement earnings were around $400k/year and his home in Florida was fairly nice, so he lived a good, easy life. But any ability to get really wealthy was denied to him because the judgment basically gave the victim’s family the right to go after almost any other income he could dream up a way to earn. I was actually shocked he wrote the book, you’d think at some point in that process someone would have told him the proceeds could be seized to pay the civil judgment against him. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-casey-anthony-pay-her-lawyers-bill/648605/22 "2013-01-29T04:50:16Z")
> [@Death\_of\_Rats](#): > > Notariety Porn career Yep. Worked for octomom ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-casey-anthony-pay-her-lawyers-bill/648605/23 "2013-01-29T05:02:55Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > Yep. Worked for octomom And I’d glady approve of taxpayer money being spent to make sure she’s permantly sterilized. ---
**Author:** ![anson2995](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@anson2995](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anson2995)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-casey-anthony-pay-her-lawyers-bill/648605/24 "2013-01-29T13:45:23Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > So OJ did not directly make any money off of his case, and in fact spent a lot of money on attorneys. But Simpson was found liable in a civil trial, which is why the lien applied. That hasn’t happened to Anthony, and since she was acquitted in the criminal trial, the Son of Sam laws do not apply to her. She’s free to sell photos, do interviews, write a book, etc. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-casey-anthony-pay-her-lawyers-bill/648605/25 "2013-01-29T13:55:51Z")
> [@White SIFL](#): > > Maybe the lawyer can write off the loss? [seinfeld][You don’t even know what a write-off is.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEL65gywwHQ#t=23s)[/seinfeld] ---
**Author:** ![Minnie\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Minnie\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minnie_Luna)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-casey-anthony-pay-her-lawyers-bill/648605/26 "2013-01-29T14:42:11Z")
> [@anson2995](#): > > But Simpson was found liable in a civil trial, which is why the lien applied. That hasn’t happened to Anthony, and since she was acquitted in the criminal trial, the Son of Sam laws do not apply to her. She’s free to sell photos, do interviews, write a book, etc. Anthony is being sued by Zenaida Gonzalez for defamation of character, so I am thinking there might be a civil lien against her in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Sateryn76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-casey-anthony-pay-her-lawyers-bill/648605/27 "2013-01-29T15:24:26Z")
> [@Minnie\_Luna](#): > > Anthony is being sued by Zenaida Gonzalez for defamation of character, so I am thinking there might be a civil lien against her in the future. Nope - because the incident in question happened before the bankruptcy filing, the Discharge will cover that as well. It is not uncommon for people facing a large civil judgment to file bankruptcy to get rid of it. A drunk driving incident resulting in death is specifically not dischargable, along with fraud (but you must prove it in the BK court), but something like this should be covered by the Discharge. Plus, the automatic stay of proceeds kicks in as soon as you file, so this lawsuit will never get to the Judgment stage, so no lien will attach. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-casey-anthony-pay-her-lawyers-bill/648605/28 "2013-01-29T17:37:38Z")
She assigned her publishing rights to Baez to offset a portion of his fee. As far as he goes, he’ll do just fine even if he never recovers a dime of the fee owed to him. Before the Anthony trial he was an utterly unknown general practice attorney (and in fact was briefly disbarred). Now he has so much work coming in he was able to [hire an associate](http://www.baezlawfirm.com/Michelle_Medina.html). ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-casey-anthony-pay-her-lawyers-bill/648605/29 "2013-01-29T17:48:54Z")
> [@Sateryn76](#): > > A drunk driving incident resulting in death is specifically not dischargable, along with fraud (but you must prove it in the BK court), but something like this should be covered by the Discharge. Also excepted are judgments involving an “a wilful and malicious injury to person or property”. In Tinker v. Colwell (193 U.S. 473), the leading case, that was held to include adultery. Might include defamation, too; Florida’s defamation statute has a punitive damage provision. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-casey-anthony-pay-her-lawyers-bill/648605/30 "2013-01-29T21:51:25Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > She assigned her publishing rights to Baez to offset a portion of his fee. Wouldn’t that violate Rule 1.8(d)? > [@](#): > > (d) Acquiring Literary or Media Rights. > > Prior to the conclusion of representation of a client, a lawyer shall not make or negotiate an agreement giving the lawyer literary or media rights to a portrayal or account based in substantial part on information relating to the representation. ---
**Author:** ![manila](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@manila](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manila)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2013, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-casey-anthony-pay-her-lawyers-bill/648605/31 "2013-01-30T02:41:24Z")
Paralegal work? > **[Casey Anthony May Become a Paralegal, Attorney Says](https://abcnews.go.com/US/casey-anthony-paralegal-attorney/story?id=18336335)** > > Casey Anthony has become so experienced with the legal system since her daughter disappeared in 2008 that she may be considering a job as a paralegal, her attorney said today. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2013, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-casey-anthony-pay-her-lawyers-bill/648605/32 "2013-01-30T14:35:26Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > Wouldn’t that violate Rule 1.8(d)? Yes. I was using “publishing rights” as an (incorrect) shorthand. What she actually did was agree to waive privilege for matters relating to the representation for media purposes. Not sure if it covers all media, but since Baez is writing a book on the case I assume that was one of them. The deal was approved by Judge Perry after Anthony filed her indigency petition and asked the state to pay Baez’ fee. ---
**Author:** ![Robb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Robb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robb)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-casey-anthony-pay-her-lawyers-bill/648605/33 "2013-01-31T02:05:59Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Yes. I was using “publishing rights” as an (incorrect) shorthand. What she actually did was agree to waive privilege for matters relating to the representation for media purposes. Not sure if it covers all media, but since Baez is writing a book on the case I assume that was one of them. > > The deal was approved by Judge Perry after Anthony filed her indigency petition and asked the state to pay Baez’ fee. As an executory contract, Casey might be able to end the contract. Her story is now an asset of the bankruptcy estate. It would be funny if Baez loses this potential income stream as well. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-casey-anthony-pay-her-lawyers-bill/648605/34 "2013-01-31T02:51:21Z")
This thread had potential but you all ruined it with your internet arm chair lawyer routine. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-casey-anthony-pay-her-lawyers-bill/648605/35 "2013-01-31T14:14:27Z")
**Tom** is an actual lawyer. Not sure if he works from an armchair. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-casey-anthony-pay-her-lawyers-bill/648605/36 "2013-01-31T15:46:02Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > **Tom** is an actual lawyer. Not sure if he works from an armchair. Surely at least a fancy desk chair, you know the adjustable swivel kind with wheels! ---
**Author:** ![Guy\_Incognito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guy_incognito/32/3920_2.png) [@Guy\_Incognito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guy_Incognito)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2013, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-casey-anthony-pay-her-lawyers-bill/648605/37 "2013-02-02T03:26:12Z")
I guess she could work it off by babysitting for him. (Please don’t hurt me. ) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2013, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-casey-anthony-pay-her-lawyers-bill/648605/38 "2013-02-02T03:34:12Z")
I have wondered who is paying for Casey’s care. Somebody is feeding and housing her. Maybe even hiring security too. That can run up quite a bill. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-casey-anthony-pay-her-lawyers-bill/648605.md?page=1)