Q: Does a lawyer have to file a notice of appearance before a court date?
Can someone just show up to court with a lawyer that they previously did not have?
A:
Basically you can hire counsel as long as you find one who will take your case. Occasionally counsel is brought in late in the proceedings and asks for a Continuance which the Court can allow. This may be the concern you have- delay of the proceedings. Occasionally counsel brought in may have a prior association with the Judge so that there could be a recusal and hence delay in obtaining another judge.
Also, if a Trial has already started, then the Court would need to agree to the substitution of counsel. This may also involve continuance requests.
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