May 2, 2022 by matadoradmin Leave a Comment

Can a DUI Ruin the Rest of Your Life?

DUI Lawyer

If you are on the fence about working with a lawyer and fighting against your DUI charges, it is a good time to re-think your situation. There are many people who do not understand the impact that a DUI will have on their lives or they may believe that they already have traffic tickets on their record and that a DUI will simply be another thing to add to their driving record. It is extremely important to understand that a DUI is not merely a traffic ticket and when you go to court you will not be treated as if you got a traffic ticket. Instead, you will be facing serious criminal offenses that could impact where you are now and impact you for the rest of your life. When this is the case, it is a prudent decision to seek help from a law firm to see what your options are.

What if this is my first offense?

Many people who have never had a DUI on their records believe that a first offense is not that big of a deal. In fact, they may have more confidence to go to court and try to fight against these charges on their own. Whether this is your first offense or your second or third, it is wise to work with a lawyer, like a DUI lawyer from a law firm like the Morales Law Firm. If you choose not to work with a lawyer, you are more likely to get misdemeanor charges that lead you to have:

Your vehicle impounded
Your licenses suspended
Your car insurance rates going up
To take alcohol-related driving courses
To switch careers or lose your job
To spend time in jail

These are just a few of the ways that a DUI can affect you. Long-term, there are many downsides to having a DUI on your record. If you are hoping to go back to school (or if you need to go back to school to switch careers because a DUI on your record got you fired), then you may quickly find out that some schools do not accept students with a DUI on their record or that you do not have the opportunity for financial aid.

Being charged with a DUI can be scary and not knowing whether your life will permanently change forever can make this situation even worse. This is why one of the best things you can do when you are charged with a DUI is reach out to a legal team you rely on. If you have any questions or would like to speak with a lawyer who specializes in DUI cases, reach out to a local law firm now.

March 2, 2022 by matadoradmin Leave a Comment

Hidden Consequences of a DWI

DWI Lawyer

Most people know that a DWI conviction can result in jail time and fines. However, the consequences of this conviction can affect your life long after you’ve served your sentence. Here are some of the hidden consequences of a DWI that you might not be aware about.

Difficulty Going to College

If you were looking to attend college to improve your career prospects, a DWI conviction could derail your plans. Colleges ask many questions on their applications and want to know about your work history, extracurricular activities and community involvement. Some schools may even conduct a criminal background check and reject students who have committed certain crimes.

Trouble Getting into the Military

Have you always wanted to serve your country by joining the military? Unfortunately, having a DWI conviction on your record could stand in your way. The military currently doesn’t individuals with DWI convictions. People with criminal records have difficulty obtaining security clearances and obtaining a license, which can make it difficult to serve in the armed forces. However, you may be able to get a DWI waived if it wasn’t a felony and nobody got injured.

Hurt Your Chances of Getting Child Custody

If you’re currently in the middle of a child custody battle with your ex-spouse, getting convicted of a DWI can make it more difficult to obtain custody. Your ex may argue that the conviction makes you an irresponsible parent. The family judge may frown upon the conviction and grant the other parent custody.

Lose Your Commercial Driving License

If you drive a commercial vehicle for a living, getting convicted of a DWI can impact your livelihood. The judge may suspend your CDL license, so you won’t be able to earn a living from that. You will have to get another type of job and reapply for your CDL license after you’ve completed your sentence.

Pay Higher Car Insurance Rates

With a DWI conviction on your record, you can expect your car insurance rates to go up significantly. Insurance companies consider those with DWI convictions high risk and charge them higher premiums to protect themselves.

Damage Personal Relationships

Some of your friends and family members may view you in a negative light after you get convicted of a DWI. They may start talking to you less frequently and stop inviting you to gatherings. This can be very hurtful.

If you’re facing a DWI charge, contact a DWI lawyer, like one from May Law, LLP.

February 2, 2022 by matadoradmin Leave a Comment

Do I Have to Appear in Court for My Speeding Ticket?

If a law enforcement officer gives you a speeding ticket and tells you that you will have to appear in court, believe what he or she tells you. Many courts have what are called mandatory court appearances for various types of traffic offenses.

While speeding is not generally one of them, each state, county and municipality sets its own court rules. Your jurisdiction could be one of those that require you to make a court appearance for a speeding ticket. In all likelihood, the officer who gave you the ticket knew what he or she was talking about.

How to Tell if You Must Go to Court

As a drunk driving lawyer in New Jersey from a firm like Rispoli & Borneo P.C. can explain, the ticket itself should also indicate whether you must appear in court.

Check it carefully. Does it show a court location, date and time? Does it fail to state a fine amount? Both of these strongly imply that you must appear in court. Your ticket should also show a court phone number. When in doubt, always call the court to verify if, when and where you must appear.

Mandatory Court Appearances

In general, the following types of tickets require a court appearance:

DUI
Driving on a revoked or suspended license
Driving without proper proof of insurance
Any ticket issued as the result of your being involved in an accident

Failure to Appear

If you fail to appear in court when you’re supposed to, the judge may issue a bench warrant for your arrest. If this is the case, you now face a failure to appear charge in addition to the charge(s) listed on the ticket the officer gave you. It also means that police officers have the authority to arrest you whenever and wherever they find you. The most likely scenario is that they will pull you over and arrest you someday when you’re driving down the street, even if you’re not doing anything else illegal at the time.

Keep in mind that the court’s computer system is linked with those of the city, county, sheriff’s department(s) and other municipalities in the area. When the judge issues the bench warrant, this information goes into the computer system, along with your license plate number. Consequently, a great number of officers are on the lookout for you and your vehicle.

Contacting an Attorney

Even if your ticket lists a fine amount that you can pay online or by mail without going to court, you should not do this without first consulting a local traffic ticket lawyer. If you pay your ticket, it’s the same thing as pleading guilty to the charges – and that’s not always the truth.

December 14, 2021 by matadoradmin Leave a Comment

The Basic Classifications of Criminal Charges

Criminal Charges

There are three primary classifications of criminal offenses: infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies. Each of these offenses is categorized by the severity of the crime, with felonies being the most severe. While each state follows this basic classification system, the specific factors for each offense vary per state.

Infractions

Infractions are considered petty crimes, which means they are the most minor criminal offenses you can be charged with. Instead of receiving jail time for an infraction, you will typically receive a fine. In most states, you will never have to attend court if you are charged with an infraction. However, if you fail to pay the fine by the given deadline, you may receive a greater charge. If you have many infractions, you can be charged with a misdemeanor or face jail time.

You may receive an infraction for committing the following crimes:

Violating noise ordinances
Running a stop sign
Speeding
Littering
Violating building codes
Failing to wear a seatbelt

Misdemeanors

Misdemeanors are a step above infractions. States typically classify misdemeanors into subcategories, either Class 1-Class 4 or Class A-Class D.

All Class 1 misdemeanors are the most severe and carry the most significant penalties. If you receive a misdemeanor charge, you may have to pay a fine, engage in community service, serve time in jail, or be put on probation.

You may be charged with a misdemeanor for committing the following crimes:

Trespassing
Public intoxication
Vandalism
Harassment
Simple assault
Prostitution
Indecent exposure

Felonies

Felonies are serious criminal offenses and come with severe penalties, which almost always include time in prison. A typical felony prison sentence may be anything ranging from a year to a life sentence without parole. In some cases, a convicted felon may face execution.

Additionally, convicted felony offenders typically lose some of their civil rights, including the right to vote and to own a firearm. Felons are also not allowed to perform jury duty. Felony convictions are difficult to remove from your record, though they can be expunged in some cases.

You may be charged with a felony for committing the following crimes:

Drug violations
Rape
Aggravated assault
Arson
Murder

If you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, contact a criminal justice lawyer for help. A lawyer can offer professional legal advice and represent you in court. In some cases, a criminal defense lawyer, like the attorneys at Tuttle Law, P.A., can get you a reduced sentence or help you prove your innocence.

November 3, 2021 by matadoradmin Leave a Comment

Do I Need a Lawyer if Both Spouses Agree on Everything?

Divorce Lawyer

If you think you don’t need a lawyer even if you and your spouse have an amicable separation, think again. While both of you may think you agree on everything and are capable of splitting your assets equally, you may be missing important factors that you could argue about down the road. As divorce lawyers from a firm like the Law Office of Daniel J. Wright can explain, hiring a divorce lawyer comes with some benefits that will make your divorce fair and easy.

Drafting Divorce Agreements

Splitting assets can make divorce messy. Even if you agree to split everything equally, there are many things you might miss when drafting an agreement, such as:

Agreeing to the upkeep and sale of the family home, such as repairs, renovations, and bills still owed
Addressing life insurance and death benefits
Sharing retirement accounts
Fairly dividing debt
Scheduling joint custody of children

Seeking the help of a divorce lawyer may make your former spouse anxious that your lawyer will push you into an unfair deal. However, most lawyers are just as willing to write equitable divorce agreements as they are adversarial ones. By approaching your lawyer with an idea of how you want to split your assets, you not only save time and energy, but you also save money as the hardest part of the divorce can be agreed upon fairly quickly.

Just remember: you and your spouse cannot share the same lawyer. Even though you may agree on everything, you’re still considered adversaries in the eyes of the law. It would be a conflict of interest to represent you both.

Signing a Fair Agreement

While you are welcome to draft your own settlement agreement, it would be in your best interest to get a lawyer to review it for any mistakes. A single missed word in an agreement or an asset overlooked could be the difference between an equitable divorce and an adversarial one. They can also help you understand what the future will look like for you with the settlement you and your former spouse have proposed. A divorce lawyer can also make sure that your agreement gets in front of a judge and is finalized, a situation that can be difficult if you’re dealing with your divorce without representation.

Keep in mind that the decisions you make in your divorce agreement now will affect you for the rest of your life. Having a divorce lawyer on your side will help make sure both you and your ex-spouse get the best outcome. Reach out to one today to see how they can help make this one of the easiest transitions in your life.

May 17, 2021 by matadoradmin Leave a Comment

Who Can File a Lawsuit for a Brain Injury?

Your brain controls your entire body, from the way you think and move to the way you process your feelings and show your personality. If you or someone you love suffered a brain injury, you may experience a significant decline in quality of life. Medical bills, lack of income, and possible personality changes can all be quite overwhelming, but you may be able to get compensation.

Causes of a Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury occurs because of violent movement of the skull or a lack of oxygen to the brain. Many TBIs occur as the result of car accidents, medical malpractice, falls from heights, or accidents on construction jobs. Sports injuries and assault are also common culprits. Symptoms of sustaining a traumatic brain injury may be subtle or severe. They include headache, blurred vision, loss of balance and coordination, fatigue, or loss of consciousness. Over time, a TBI may lead to changes in memory, sensitivity to light, or changes in sleep patterns. Many times, an untreated TBI will lead to permanent mental, social, or physical impairment.

Filing a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawsuit

If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury that has changed your way of life, you may have ground for a lawsuit. You may also file a lawsuit on behalf of a family member who has suffered a severe TBI that led to permanent brain damage. Filing a lawsuit could help you receive compensation for medical expenses, lost income, cost of long-term care, and pain and suffering related to loss of quality of life.

Proving a Traumatic Brain Injury for a Lawsuit

For your case to be taken seriously in court, you will need to prove several things during a traumatic brain injury lawsuit. First, you’ll need proof that the TBI was not a result of the injured person’s own recklessness. It must be clear that another party is at fault. You must also be able to prove that the other party’s actions or lack thereof are the reason for the TBI. Sometimes, everybody does everything right and accidents still happen, so be sure to consider the reasons why. Finally, if you plan to sue for compensation, the defendant will need to have insurance or assets that will cover the damages related to the lawsuit.

If you decide that filing a traumatic brain injury lawsuit on behalf of yourself or a loved one is in your best interest, be sure to contact a lawyer first. An experienced brain injury lawyer like one from Ward & Ward Law Firm will know the best course of action to raise your chances of winning your case.