September 2022

A car accident can happen anytime, anywhere. We might get in a collision within a few minutes of leaving our house. Or, we might even get involved in an accident hours away from where we live.

What happens, though, if the car accident occurs while you’re in a different state from where you live? What should you do? Follow our quick guide to figure out what the next steps are.

Observe the Scene for Safety, and Call 911

When a car accident happens, it’s always critical to make sure both yourself, any passengers you have, and any the occupants of the other vehicle(s) involved are physically and emotionally well after the collision. A bit of first aid might be necessary in the case of any injuries or pain.

Calling 911 is the next critical step. Remain calm as you explain that there was a vehicle collision, where it has taken place, and report any injuries or potential injuries that occurred either against you or another individual. Continue any first aid until authorities arrive.

Document the Scene

For insurance and/or lawsuit purposes, any and all documentation you can get is important. For instance, it’s critical to get photo evidence of the collision. Get pictures of any physical injuries as well as the damages to all vehicles involved. Video footage is also a great idea to capture. Make sure license plates are included in the photos and/or video.

Take a Closer Look at Your Insurance Policy

While you might be worried that your auto insurance won’t cover you if you get in a collision in another state, first take a deep breath. Take the time to look over your policy to find out if it does. If you are still uncertain if your policy covers out-of-state collisions, you can always call up your insurance company for an answer.

Fortunately, most auto insurance policies do, in fact, cover out-of-state car accidents. After all, it isn’t uncommon for people to drive out of state. And insurance companies are well aware that accidents can take place anywhere.

Contact an Auto Accident Attorney

Sometimes car accidents can be tricky to address. It’s not always easy knowing who is at fault and who isn’t. And sometimes there are situations where the guilty party refuses to rightfully pay up to cover any damages or injuries they caused.

In the latter case, it’s a great idea to reach out to a  New Orleans Auto Accident Attorney. An expert like this can help you make better sense of the collision and tell you your rights. They can also assist you in the event that you are seeking payment from the guilty party to cover any emotional damages, vehicle damages, and/or physical injuries you or your family faced.

Conclusion

Getting in a car accident anywhere is a scary and stressful ordeal. However, the situation gets even more nerve wracking if the wreck happened in a different state. Considering our latter guide will help you navigate a situation like this with greater ease and control.…

Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys Can Help Clients Achieve the Best Outcome

Regardless of the severity of the accusation against you, seeking the legal advice of expert, highly experienced federal criminal defense attorneys is critical to achieve the best case outcome. His or her legal services can make a big difference in every phase of the litigation process, or in the steps to be taken to close the case through a settlement.

If legal representation is employed when a charge has been filed against you, you can rest assured that your lawyer will do everything in his or her power to lower your charges, if not totally drop it. The attorney may also work to verify the actual accusation made against you. This may involve interviewing the police, witnesses and other concerned parties to make sure that no exaggerations or utter lies are thrown at you.

If the case goes to court, the defense lawyer may also conduct a thorough investigation in preparation for trial. To help in gathering facts and evidence that may help in formulating an aggressive defense, the attorney may as well enlist the services of a private investigator, polygraphist or ballistics expert, among other law-related professionals. It is also possible to seek the testimony of an expert witness in a certain field, if the lawyer deems that this would strengthen your case.

Most importantly, if an offense was indeed committed, the lawyer can help in negotiating with prosecutors to keep the potential penalties as light as possible. In grave offenses, employing the legal aid of one of the most qualified federal criminal defense attorneys can help safeguard against overly steep penalties like extended jail time and heavy fines.…

What Happens After Juvenile Arrest?

What happens after the arrest of a minor? Is it the same as an adult? What does the law say? Do they go to prison? Many such questions come to mind if such a situation ever arises. If you were the unfortunate parent of a minor who is under arrest, the first thing to do is find a qualified and experienced criminal lawyer.

A police officer may apprehend a minor for violating a legal statute, thereby committing a criminal offense. What happens after the arrest of a juvenile? Each state has specifications with regard to this. The court intake officer evaluates the case against the juvenile. There are three possible consequences –

* The officer may dismiss the case with a warning to the offender (this happens if it is a minor offense)

* The officer may arrange for alternative care and counseling (at foster care homes, shelters, and so on)

* The officer may file a petition for a juvenile court to hear the matter

Note: In certain cases, involving felonies like rape or murder, the officer may refer the case to the county or district attorney general’s office for further legal proceeding. If this happens, the juvenile gets the same treatment as an adult offender.

If the case goes to the juvenile court, what may happen? To ensure proper representation of the minor, you need to get a criminal lawyer. Moreover, certain states also let the parents be present at the court hearing. Your lawyer could help you understand the rights of the minor and his/her parents regarding this.

Unlike adult criminal cases that the jury hears, a judge hears juvenile criminal cases. If the juvenile offender admits the charges, the judge may order a treatment. However, if he/she denies the charges, the hearing follows the same pattern as any criminal case. If there is not enough evidence to prove the allegations, the judge dismisses the case.

If the judge thinks that there is enough evidence to support the charges, he/she may decide to declare the offender as a delinquent or a status offender. The second hearing determines the disposition of the matter. A proficient criminal lawyer is necessary for proper representation at a juvenile court hearing.

Getting legal help for a juvenile criminal case is important. Without this, your child runs the risk of facing a legal proceeding that may lead to serious penalties, even a period of confinement at a correctional facility.…

Properly Exercise Your Rights Before Speaking to Your Criminal Defense Attorney

The Supreme Court of the United States has decided that you and I (and everyone else in the U.S.) have certain Constitutional rights that are interminable and cannot be violated – except in very rare circumstances. Included in those rights are the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. While we usually think of these rights as they are shown in the movies (i.e. cop arrests guy, cop reads guy Miranda warnings, guy says “talk to my attorney”), they apply in all sorts of situations. Additionally, you have rights even before Miranda is triggered, usually by an arrest.

I’ll give you three examples, involving very different facts:

1) Maryland criminal law example.

Let’s say you are arrested for some serious offense, attempted murder, near Annapolis. You are arrested and the police officer gives you the proper Miranda warnings. After you exercise your right to an attorney, you are placed in a holding cell. You ask for a phone call, and the officer obliges. You call your friend, who tells you that you are all over the local news. You have been arrested for attempted murder. You tell your friend that they have no proof. You hid the murder weapon in a car and drove the car over a cliff into the water.

The cops have you. You said something. Even though this isn’t the typical situation that we see in the movies, you still had a right not to say anything. When they said, “anything you say,” they meant anything you say. Jail phone calls are almost always monitored and recorded. You didn’t have to make that call, and you would have been exercising your right to remain silent.

2) Virginia criminal law example.

You are involved in an accident on I-66. An eighteen-wheeler taps you from behind, the driver blows the horn, and then speeds off. You call the police. When they arrive, you tell the officer that the truck driver cut you off and you veered into the jersey wall. You then proceeded to drive in front of the truck and slow down, in an attempt to get the driver to stop because he caused an accident. At least that was your thinking. The cop then gives you a ticket, because this kind of driving is considered reckless in some states.

Again, you didn’t have to say anything to the cop. Ignorance of the law (meaning you didn’t know that what you did is reckless driving) is not an excuse. Besides, what advantage are you gaining from saying anything to the police officer?

3) DC criminal law example.

Suppose you are driving home from happy hour near the Verizon Center and you get pulled over. The cop tells you that your taillight was out. He then proceeds to tell you that he smells a distinct odor of alcohol emanating from your breath. The magic words. He asks you if you’ve been drinking. Your answer to this question will dictate how this story unfolds.

The message is simple. It is not a criminal offense to exercise your rights, despite what the cops may say to trick you into believing it is. You also don’t have to wait until an officer lets you know what rights you may exercise. But people fail to keep informed and properly exercise their rights on a daily basis. It makes my job very difficult, and often decreases the chances of beating a criminal charge.…

Child Sex Abuse Defenses

You have to hand it to attorneys in Daly City, they really can divorce their personal feelings and prejudices from their professional and civic obligations even with such harrowing and painful issues such as child sex abuse cases.

The wilful harming of a child on any level is an abomination and an affront to the law, natural, moral, and divine and as such, thankfully, a person found guilty of such an offence will face a very severe penalty indeed. However, before we all ride high on our tall white horse, it is important to be aware that we have all the facts.

When you work with children in a professional setting, it is essential that you maintain a professional distance so as to protect yourself from potential allegations or upset. Even the most innocent of actions or comments can be totally misconstrued either by the child, or their guardians which can then land you in a whole load of trouble.

Irrespective of what attorneys you decide to rely upon, or what lawyers you hire, the defences that will be raised in regards to a charge of child sex abuse will invariably be the same.

That the gestures/actions in dispute were either innocent and or bereft of any sordidness, or that they were necessary. A child that is complaining of itching in their genitalia may need that part of their body to be examined by a health professional. A child who has fallen and needs assistance to get back up again, maybe needed to be lifted up by the arms.

That the child suffers from a mental disorder which makes them more vulnerable to lying, misconstrue or otherwise misinterpret the actions of others.

That the child is accusing the accused person, as a smokescreen for abuse inflicted by someone else (such as a family member).

That the child is attempting to punish the accused for some reason. Therefore, if a teacher faced allegations of sexually abusing a student when the student has repeatedly failed the same class despite the teacher’s best efforts to improve their work, then this maybe worth a mention to the jury.

If you are the victim of child sex abuse, or are the parent of a child who is/has been the victim of child sex abuse, and are considering the usage of legal action to cover monetary damages then it is vital that you execute the necessary due diligence.

In the first instance, you want to rely upon attorneys and lawyers who are ethical, professional, committed to their job and who have a spotless track record. The best way to get a good idea as is to check with the State Bar, and verify whether the attorney in question has ever been reprimanded or disciplined by the State Bar. If so, then it is strongly recommended that you approach them with caution.

Ask them for their case record, i.e. how much money were they able to secure for their clients and did the case get rejected on appeal.…

Trade Tools of Drug Offense Attorneys

Drug offense attorneys are criminal defense lawyers who specialize in handling drug crime cases. They are well-versed in the particular laws relating to the illegal distribution and use of dangerous, addictive substances. The best drug crime defense lawyers have extensive court experience, which encompasses most if not all types of drug offenses.

The possession of illegal drugs is far from the worst drug-related offense punishable by law. Individuals found cultivating or manufacturing drugs, as well as people involved in drug trafficking, also face harsh judgment in court. It follows that individuals who are caught possessing illegal drugs with the intention of distributing them face graver punishments than those who are found having a certain amount in their possession. The severity of the punishment also depends on whether or not the defendant has been convicted with similar charges before.

A drug crime conviction may result in imprisonment, paying hefty fines, compulsory probation, periodical drug testing, and even the loss of certain rights. Drug offense attorneys draw from a variety of resources to prevent their clients from meeting severe, unjust consequences.

To construct a solid defense, a defense lawyer tries to gather as much evidence as possible that can support their client’s case. This may include medical records, drug test results, and officially obtained polygraph interpretations. Testimonials from witnesses and trusted contacts of the defendant are also used to bolster the defense.

It is important that the defendant and his lawyer foster a bond of trust throughout the entire case. Only when all the facts are laid out accurately can a defense attorney make an effective defense case.…

Select Attorney With Care

There are many situations wherein people might be running in search of various criminal defense lawyers in the state to deal with majority of the cases. The reason behind the search can be vivid and most of the cases will be in accordance with the violation of the law and order imposed by the people in the country. Most of the people might feel that there is absolutely no requirement to go in search of an attorney as they have not done anything wrong with the case imposed on them. This fact is absolutely not correct and you should definitely have an attorney to deal with the situation in the correct way so that you can always remain confident about the situations and also this might help you to prevent the occurrence of any incidence in the future. It is natural that you might go to a state of confusion when you first encounter with any such situations and you should take out all the senses and must start thinking in the right manner in order to get rid of the charges in your name. You should first of all behave very politely without causing any unwanted noises and cry.

You must immediately start discussing this issue with any of your most trusted family members or friends who could give you useful piece of advice and this must also be relating to the ways by which to approach a reputed criminal defense lawyer Jacksonville who is having ample experience in dealing with these cases. You should definitely take the actions on time without wasting any minute as this can be considered as the situation wherein the time is really precious. It is better to make use of internet in order to short list all the attorneys who are active in your city with these charges. You must immediately start fixing an appointment with them and this meeting should be focused on dealing with the discussion of the issue you are facing straight away and as a result you must be able to judge the interest shown by the attorney to proceed with the case. If you find something awkward with the response from the attorney you should immediately switch with the next attorney in your list. Also you must equally determine the charge recommended by them for dealing with the issue as it must fall within your pockets.…

Why Having A Criminal Attorney Representing You Is Essential

There can be many reasons that a person should consider finding a good Houston criminal attorney. Most of these reasons have to do with the fact that a person cannot fully understand the law unless they have studied it to a great degree. This means that a person that has legal problems should consult with someone who understands the law.

Many people make the mistake of thinking that they can represent themselves in legal matters. The problem with this is that the other individual will be represented by legal counsel most of the time. When a person does not understand how to advocate for themselves properly they will usually get into legal trouble.

An attorney has years of experience most of the time arguing for the fair treatment of their clients. This means they will understand how to handle difficult situations in the courtroom and not do damage to the reputation of their client. Individuals that do not have a lot of money can apply for legal aid and other assistance.

It is also important to remember that a person with a legal background will understand the loopholes within the law. Legal battles are usually determined on technicalities. This means that a person has the knowledge of how to use a technicality to their advantage they can usually help their client receive a reduced sentence.

Failure to seek legal counsel will usually lead to a longer sentence for the client in question. Furthermore there are many intricate aspects of the law that most people do not understand because they have not studied it sufficiently. If a person needs mental health care for example a lawyer can advocate that this carries properly received.

Most judges do not want to see individuals representing themselves because they do not want to be answering questions during the preceding. This usually holds up the speed of the trial which is not in the best interest of the taxpayers. It should be relatively simple to understand reasons why judges want every legal matter to be settled as quickly as possible.

If a person does not understand the law they cannot help themselves to stay out of jail. The main focus of an attorney is to advocate for the fair treatment of their client in the best way possible. People without legal experience do not know how to do this in the proper fashion. Furthermore someone with legal experience will also have been exposed to the judges in the area.

It is very important to seek out the advice of a Houston criminal attorney for all legal matters. Failure to do so means that the possibility of a longer punishment than is necessary becomes possible. Most individuals do not want to spend any more time in jail than they absolutely have to. Jail is a very scary place and the majority of individuals try to avoid it at every possible turn. This can be accomplished with the help of a qualified legal professional. Sometimes people are concerned about the money that they are investing in this type of person. There is no price on freedom however.…

Accused of a Crime? – Criminal Arrest Questions & Answers

Being arrested is not a pleasant experience. However, stuff happens and if you are arrested and charged with a crime whether it be a DUI, shoplifting, domestic violence etc… will need to know what to do and how to act during and after the arrest to keep your rights intact and protected.

Question: What happens if I run or resist arrest?

Answer: You could receive more severe penalties if you run from the police or resist an arrest, which could result in you causing harm to one or more of the police officers. A slight misdemeanor such as shoplifting could snowball into a felony if you try to escape or hit an officer. The best thing to do is to calmly allow yourself to be taken into police custody and politely but assertively request the presence of a legal professional before anything else.

Question: Should I answer questions?

Answer: The Miranda rights that are read every time a suspect is arrested include the suspects right to keep silent. This means that you are not obliged to speak up if you do not want to. And keeping quiet is also in your best interests, since anything that comes from you can and will be used by the police to incriminate you. A judge gives more importance to anything that will prove a suspects guilt rather than his innocence, so it is better to not say anything that can give the police probable cause to believe you are guilty of the alleged charge.

Question: Can I convince the police of my innocence?

Answer: Technically, yes, you can convince the police that you are innocent with sheer logic and persuading skills. Practically, however, there’s nothing much you can do but leave the defending to your lawyer. A police officer does not need to know whether you are guilty or innocent, he only has to have probable cause to believe that you should be arrested for him to arrest you. It is the judge or the jury that you should aim your convincing powers to.

Question: When should I give permission for the police to search my car or house?

Answer: Never. The police only have the right to search your house, your car, or any of your properties if they hold a search warrant issued by a judge permitting them to search your home. If they cannot show a warrant and they ask your permission, it means they don’t have the right to search – and they know it. In some cases, such as when there are several armed police officers in front of your house, you may be forced to let them search. If this happens, you should loudly and clearly state that you do NOT give them permission. Any evidence against you found during this unauthorized search will be dismissed.

Question: What if I’m arrested outside my house?

Answer: Immediately follow the arresting officer to the station after the arrest and politely turn down any offers allowing you to go to your house, talk to your spouse, get dressed, or anything else that requires you to go to your house. Of course, the police will escort you and will take advantage of any situation where they can get inside your house and search for evidence against you.

Question: When they tell me, “Things will go easier if I talk” is it true?

Answer: Things will go easier, yes, for the police, but not for you. If you talk, it will be easier for them to collect an admission or infer an admission from your statements. Unfortunately, the law does not prohibit police officers from telling a lie to try to get the truth out of you. For instance, they may tell you that a companion has squealed on you so you might as well just start talking yourself. Any attempts aimed at having you start talking are all targeted towards making you admit to the crime.

Question: Will I spend the night in jail?

Answer: It depends upon the charges. If you are alleged to have committed, for instance, domestic violence, you will have to spend the night under police custody until a judge decides whether or not you can post a bond and how much it is going to be. The hearing is usually held the morning after the arrest. In several cases, the booking officer can set the amount, which you or a family member can pay directly to the officer. With crimes of violence, drug offenses with a penalty of more than 10 years of imprisonment, repeat offenders, or a crime with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment or death penalty, bonds are inapplicable.

Question: When should I hire a lawyer?

Answer: It is imperative that you have …