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3 Tips for Picking a Law Firm.

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alexitillo
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Here are the three top tips you need to know when choosing a lawyer or law firm.

  1. Area of expertise

You should start by looking at the area of expertise. There are some lawyers practicing in only one area of law, while there are those who practice in different areas. Those who have specialized are the better option because they are up to date on applicable laws, relevant cases, and how judges respond to certain claims. It is a good idea to choose a lawyer who has specialized because you can expect better legal services and it also increases your chances of winning the case. If it’s a criminal case then choose one versed in such cases or if it’s an auto accident then choose a personal injury lawyer.

A good lawyer is one who is well-versed in their field and knows current laws and any upcoming changes. This can be through reading new decisions and discussions with other lawyers. Choosing such a lawyer is going to save you on costs because they already know the basics. Your file is also going to be settled more quickly and answer any questions you might have.

  1. Fees

There are different factors that determine how a lawyer charges for their services. They differ from firm to firm. The type of case also determines the fees. The most common models include flat rate/block fee, hourly rate, and contingency.

  1. a) Hourly rate

Most lawyers are going to charge an hourly rate for their services. The rate varies from one lawyer to another. It is mainly based on the year of call (when a person became a lawyer). The longer they have been a lawyer, the higher their hourly rate. This is because people who have more experienced are believed to have more knowledge of the law and more experience in the field. Because of this, they can do the work faster compared to a junior lawyer. The time the lawyer spends on the file, like drafting documents, researching, email correspondence, and phone calls to both you and the opposing party counsel are all going to count towards the hourly rate. Law firms can choose the hourly rate for their lawyers, and this is why it can vary even if the lawyers have the same year of call.  The rate can also vary within the same firm, depending on the area of expertise.

  1. b) Flat rate/block fee

There are times where you are charged a block fee or a flat rate for a given product. If this is the case, then no matter how long the work takes or who is doing it, you know how much you are going to pay for those services. Some specific situations where a block fee is common in real estate transactions and drawing a will.

  1. c) Contingency

A contingency file is where you are going to pay for disbursement that has been charged; this is the cost the firm has incurred on your behalf on things such as couriers, photocopies, court filing fees, etc. You are not charged for the time lawyers have spent on your case (they are still going to keep track of hours they have worked on the file).

The payment is going to depend on the outcome of the case, which is why it is known as contingency. If the case is not ruled in your favor, you are only going to be charged for the disbursement listed above. If you succeed with the case or settle out of court, you are going to pay the lawyer fees. You are also going to be charged a premium on the fees because they had accepted the risk of not getting paid anything. This type of model is most common in personal injury cases.

Before you choose or hire a lawyer or law firm, make sure you find out the model they use. Understand how they bill their clients so you can choose a law firm billing a way you feel comfortable with.

  1. The right fit

You should choose a lawyer who you like or respect at the very least because you will be working with them a lot. Just like any other relationship, you should think again if you don’t get a good feeling about them (if they seem angry with you, they don’t respond to you, they don’t listen to you, or ask something unethical). If you are in such a situation, the best course of action is to look for another lawyer you feel comfortable with. This is your choice to make.

You need to trust your gut when it comes to choosing a lawyer because you are going to spend a lot of time with them. There is no need to create more stress for yourself by working with a lawyer you are not comfortable with.

 

 

Laws that Protect You From Employment Discrimination

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alexitillo
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If you think you have experienced discrimination in the scope of employment, it is important to know where to look for answers. Before calling a lawyer or abruptly filing an EEOC application, research the federal regulations that are in place to prohibit employment discrimination.

We spoke with an employment attorney from Temecula Consumer Attorneys to get some answers. Below are some resources to consult to help you understand if what you experienced constitutes discrimination and is protected.

  • The Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees that each person receives equal protection of the laws. The Fourteenth Amendment prohibits states from violating an individual’s rights to due process and equal protection. Due process protection requires that employees receive a fair process before the termination if the termination relates to a “liberty”.
  • Section 1981 of the U.S. Code provides additional federal remedies to deter harassment and intentional discrimination in the workplace.
  • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 applies to most employers engaged in interstate commerce with more than 15 employees, labor organizations, and employment agencies. The Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions) or national origin. It is illegal for employers to discriminate in hiring, discharging, compensating, or providing the terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. Employment agencies may not discriminate when hiring or referring applicants. The Act also prohibits labor organizations from basing membership or union classifications on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
  • The Equal Pay Act prohibits employers and unions from paying different wages based on the employee’s sex, and does not prohibit other discriminatory hiring practices. It provides that if workers perform equal work in jobs requiring “equal skill, effort, and responsibility . . . performed under similar working conditions,” the workers must receive equal pay.
  • The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) prohibits employers from discriminating due to age and outlines plans for benefits, pensions, and retirements.
  • Congress enacted the American with Disabilities Act to eliminate discrimination against those with handicaps. It prohibits discrimination based on a physical or mental handicap by employers engaged in interstate commerce and state governments.
  • The Family and Medical Leave Act allows an employee to take leave from their job in certain situations, while maintaining security of their employment. Employees of covered employers may take unpaid time off for family or medical reasons, including childbirth, adoption, or serious health conditions of the employee or their child, spouse, or parent.

Final Word

The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate employees. The EEOC has the authority to investigate charges of discrimination against employers who are covered by the law. The EEOC interprets and enforces the Equal Pay Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act, and sections of the Rehabilitation Act. The Commission was established by Title VII, and Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 1614 contains its regulations and guidelines. Visit http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/index.cfm to learn about the types of discrimination prohibited by the laws enforced by EEOC, as well as links to the relevant laws, regulations and policy guidance, and also fact sheets, Q&As, best practices, and other information.

Choosing A Reputable Personal Injury Lawyer

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alexitillo
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Working with a reputable and experienced personal injury lawyer is crucial to obtaining the rightful compensation for your injuries. There are many things to look for when choosing the right injury attorney in town. Here are five tips to help you pick the right personal injury lawyer.

  1. Experience

Assessing and investigating a personal injury claim requires extensive experience in the industry. Hiring an experienced lawyer can be the difference between winning and losing your case. In fact, an experienced lawyer knows what to look for and where to look for it when preparing to present your case in courts. For example, every state has different laws relating to negligence, limitations, causation, assumption of the risk, and contributory negligence.

Part of the expertise involves choosing the proper venue to file your case. This can affect the amount of compensation you receive. Even though it’s clear that a slip and fall accident needs to be filed where the accident occurred, all personal injury cases are not that clear cut. For example, if you have been injured in your home by using a product that is manufactured in another state, knowing where to file the lawsuit can be confusing and complicated. A good lawyer knows how to present the case so that your interests are always protected.

You shouldn’t take the chance of working with a personal injury lawyer without much experience because it can backfire on you. Ask the attorney about similar cases he or she has handled in the past before you decide to hire the lawyer. Check their success rate and ask if he/she is prepared to take your case to trial if needed.

  1. Focus

The focus of the chosen attorney can make a big difference in the outcome of your lawsuit. The lawyer should have unique skills when it comes to determining issues of liability such as causation or negligence of the other party. They should be better equipped with the knowledge that’s required to accurately value the compensation you are entitled to.

More than 95% of injury cases usually settle before trial. The lawyer should know how to negotiate a fair and reasonable settlement. This isn’t the best time to use the services of your real estate lawyer – no matter how good he or she is in real estate law.

  1. Reputation

The lawyer’s reputation plays an important part when it comes to resolving your case quickly and fairly. The right lawyer should have extensive experience in dealing with insurance companies and be familiar with the court system they practice. The reputation of the attorney provides an added value since it will precede him/her from the plaintiff’s perspective as well as the defendant’s and court’s perspectives. It will place the client in a better position to recover the compensation that he or she rightly deserves for his or her injuries. ListaLegal attorney reviews will help you see other individual’s experiences when working with personal injury attorneys.

  1. Objectivity

Objectivity plays an important part when you are being compensated for your injuries. The right attorney should be objective and not look to settle the case too quickly in order to move to the next client.

  1. Personality

Personality is the most overlooked part of choosing a reliable attorney for your case. When you are injured due to someone else’s fault, the last thing you need is an injury lawyer who isn’t going to be there to answer your questions. The right personal injury lawyer should promptly return your calls and give you a status on your case.

 

A Legal Guide to Cohabitating

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alexitillo
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Today, more than ever before, many couples are preferring to live together in an unmarried relationship in lieu of marrying or remarrying.

As of November 2017, According to the Office for National Statistics, cohabitating couples were the fastest-growing types of families in the last 20 years. This number is doubled since 1995 and went from 1.5 million in 1996 to 3.3 million in 2017.

Top 5 Tips For Cohabitating

 

  1. Enter into a cohabiting agreement. Many of the couples assume that they’re protected by “common-law marriages”, this can lead to a huge shock of the relationship disintegrates or if one party passes away. In order to protect their rights, we strongly suggest that couples who aren’t married enter into some form of a cohabitating agreement. This is a legal agreement that can help cover a variety of issues including daily finances, child support, division of assets, and even death if one party passes away.

 

  1. Declaration of Trust. This is a binding agreement that outlines what portion of joint property is owned by each party. This can also hold the property in one name leaving the other party with no interest in the property. It’s enforceable, however, it’s not usually used if the relationship falls apart or if either party passes away. It doesn’t set forth a method of use should either party pass away.

 

  1. It’s important to understand the difference between the terms “joint tenant” and “tenants in common”. These two terms aren’t interchangeable. If a property is purchased, the conveyance will ask if they wish for the property to be Joint tenants or Tenants in Common. If it’s held as Joint Tenants, if one party passes away, their share automatically passes to the partner. With Tenants in Common, each partner has a specific share and if they pass away the property passes to their designated beneficiary.

 

  1. Make a Will. In a marriage, if one partner passes away the other partner typically gets everything. This isn’t automatic in a cohabitation setting. Without a Will, the property will pass to relatives that are in line with the rules of the particular area wherein they reside. The cohabitant may receive nothing at all. It’s vital that both parties make a Will to ensure that their will is fulfilled properly and the estate is distributed as they desire. This is especially true if there are children involved between the two parties. One party may make less money and not be able to provide for the children if this isn’t done.

 

  1. Set up pension provisions. Unmarried couples don’t typically get anything of their partners pension should they pass away. It’s imperative, especially if they have children, that they have the unmarried partner as the beneficiary under such situations. If you wish for your partner to be able to provide for the children you’ll want to make sure that this is done regardless of how things sit now between the two fo you. Should you pass away suddenly you’ll want to ensure that your children are provided for.

New Bail Law – So far, Not So Good!

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alexitillo
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Prison populations in Connecticut have been falling at a considerable rate.

The state’s incarcerated population is on track to drop below 10,000 for the first time in nearly 30 years, a milestone accelerated by the global Coronavirus pandemic. The percentage of arrested defendants going into the prison system has been dropping virtually every month since 2018. The decline in incarceration rate has accelerated since the COVID-19 pandemic hit Connecticut in March 2020.

More defendants in Connecticut are being released on their own recognizance. Some released defendants return to committing crimes shortly after being released. Although being released on one’s own recognizance usually comes with certain caveats, the restrictions aren’t as effective as intended.  Among the most abused caveats are GPS ankle bracelets. Law enforcement considers them almost infallible but that is not the case; the public knows it; victims know it and the defendants know it. “Defendants aren’t just cutting off ankle monitors; they’re letting the batteries die”, said a 2019 report from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police in North Carolina.

“It’s a big problem,” Char-Meck Court Watch spokesperson Marcus Philemon said. “The taxpayers are paying the price for it. The criminals know the system now better than their attorneys do.”

In their study period during 2019, 1 in every 4 people wearing an ankle monitor was charged with a violent crime. Of the more than 400 defendants taking part in the program in one month, on a given day, more than 20 of them faced murder charges.

“Most of the time we can simply resolve it with a phone call and say, ‘Hey, your battery’s going dead. You need to charge it,'” he said.  Of course, these devices can only be effective if they’re turned on.

The increasing lack of adherence to using these devices have escalated at a time when bail policies have been becoming more lenient.  This gives people charged with more violent crimes a better chance of being released from jail with electronic monitoring while they await their trials. GPS ankle bracelets have been controversial for years, butwhile they can be a beneficial supplement in many pretrial cases, there remain fundamental flaws which fail victims, those awaiting trial and the wider-public. According to Andrew Bloom of 3-D Bail Bonds in Connecticut listed the issues succinctly –

“GPS monitoring from the victim’s point of view:
The person who assaulted me is let go with guarantee that they will not come near me other than if they do they will be violated next time they appear in court.
Court dates are being continued for a ridiculously long period of time and cases are not moving along.

GPS monitoring from the accused’s point of view:
I have not been found guilty of anything, yet I must wear a tag, like an animal, that allows my every movement to be tracked. If it malfunctions, which many of them do, I will be violated and put back in jail. I must charge it multiple times a day and am told I need to sit perfectly still while charging or the charge will not take.

GPS monitoring from the public’s point of view:
There is a magic police squad dedicated to enforcement of the GPS. If the accused violates the restraining order, these magic police squad will swoop in and arrest the violator prior to them harming or terrorizing the victim. If they tamper with the GPS bracelet, the magic police squad will be able to find them before they take the bracelet off and get away”.

As a victim in Charlotte-Mecklenburg put it: “The system is failing people,” “It’s disheartening. It’s nothing for them to either let their battery die as you see them doing or cut them off.”

If ankle GPS devices and more lenient bail policies are the problem, what is the solution? The solution is what it has always been. A fair and honest cash bail system carried out by licensed bail agents. Cash bail has always been the most fair and effective means for ensuring defendants meet their pre-trial commitments and responsibilities. A movement has taken root recently contending the current cash bail system is unfair to the most vulnerable in the population. They claim cash bail is unaffordable to many. Bloom disagrees. “It’s not a policy issue, it’s an education issue. We have numerous programs to help defendants of any income class”. He adds “The court system is complicated and confusing for many people. We guide our clients through the entire process, so they won’t get in trouble due to inexperience with the system or an oversight caused by other issues people deal with on a daily basis.” Human error, not malicious intent is the most common reason why defendants miss court dates We make sure errors are not the cause our clients are remanded to custody.”.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

By
alexitillo
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Before you retain a personal injury attorney to help you with your accident, you should thoroughly investigate the lawyer and, at the very least, ask the following questions.

1. Who is going to handle my case?

This is probably the most important question that a prospective client can ask an attorney on a personal injury case. Many clients make the mistake of hiring an attorney who does not do work on the file but delegates it to a less experienced attorney for handling. While the top attorney may “supervise” the case, who does the day-to-day work matters! In other words, you really didn’t get the attorney you thought you were getting for your case. 

2. How many cases do you currently have open?

Probably the biggest single complaint that personal injury clients have is that they cannot get their attorney on the phone and cannot get a reasonable response when inquiring about the status of their case. Attorneys and law firms who sign up hundreds of cases, do not have the time to give great service to each individual client. If you hire a law firm that handles a high volume of cases, the odds of you being satisfied with the representation go down significantly.

3. Who will respond to my calls?

You need to make sure you know who your contact person is for your case. If you can’t get the attorney you hired on the phone, you may have a problem. However, many times paralegals are sufficient to address questions. Think of it like seeing a doctor; do you really need the doctor to tell you the tests are not back yet or will talking to the nurse work?

4. What expenses do you get paid out of the file?

Sometimes hidden in the fine print of an attorney employment agreement is a provision for expenses that are generally not part of a file. Some attorneys may charge an “expense” for maintaining a file. Some may charge for copies, postage, fax charges, and things like mileage for travel to and from depositions in the courthouse. 

Other attorneys will charge only for out-of-pocket expenses such as court costs, deposition transcripts, expert witnesses, and filing fees. Don’t get “expensed” to the poor house in your personal injury case. Learning how expenses are calculated can avoid misunderstandings later.

5. Can you give me the telephone number of a recent client you represented with a case like mine?

While the attorney may need to get permission to give you a client’s phone number, there is no doubt that actual clients are the best referral source for what to expect with an attorney or law firm. Reading recent client reviews is also an excellent method to evaluate a lawyer. One of the most important factors in a personal injury case is the reputation of the attorney you choose. Finding a local attorney who is a leading personal injury law firm is a smart choice.

Other Information

A lot of important information can be gathered from the Internet. Most State Bar Associations maintain a website with listings on all attorneys that includes such things as grievances. Other sources of authority can be important in the attorney’s peer review rating who you are considering for your personal injury claim.

Generally, the more serious the injury, the more influential the choice of an attorney is for you and your family’s future.

How to Fight a DUI Charge in California

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alexitillo
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If you have just come under the radar for a DUI charge in California, the chances of severe consequences to follow are high. Thankfully, we have some strategic ways to help you fight your charges and save your driving privileges, prevent imprisonments, and also escape paying a humungous fine.

The process, however, is not easy. In addition to complying with court restrictions, you could suffer massive loss by the negative consequences if you don’t play your cards right. It would be best to appoint a competent and experienced DUI attorney and lodge a viable defense with him/her.

You must also note that the applicability of your defense entirely depends on the circumstances that had unfolded. If you are faultless in your place or want to escape neatly, then here is how you can fight the DUI charge in California. 

  • Claim Heartburn or GERD

GERD is short for gastroesophageal reflux disease. This, along with heartburn, acid reflux, and others, can trick the DUI breath machines. It is too familiar for these conditions to show an inaccurate and high reading of your blood’s alcohol level. 

Your deep lung tissue sends the alcohol measurement into the breath machine. We also refer to this tissue as alveoli. Often, GERD sends the alcohol from the stomach back to your throat and mouth. So what happens here is that the DU suspect breathes the mouth alcohol rather than the alveoli into the machine. 

Chronic gastro problems may not be the only causes; even heavy, greasy, and spicy meals can cause heartburn and reflux. Therefore, it is best not to consume these when going for a DUI breath test to avoid giving an erroneously high reading. 

  • The Officer Stopped You Unprecedentedly

The law specifies that an Office may only stop a driver after noticing signs of intoxication or other legal trespassing. Officers may also stop drivers for infractions, including missing tail lights, missing headlights, expired tags, etc.  

Therefore, if an officer stopped you or a farce, then the charges that followed upon you are inadmissible. Your attorney can challenge your stop’s validity in the court and prove that your behavior throughout was innocent. Approximately 35% of the cases include innocent actions such as fiddling with the vehicle’s audio system, using the GPS, etc. 

  • Failure to Read Miranda Rights

You must be extremely vigilant in this regard. If ever police stop an individual in a DUI case, they must first read the Miranda Rights to the individual. If the officer has you in custody and interrogates you for incriminating responses, your defense lawyer has a winning point without reading your Miranda Rights first. 

Your attorney can argue that the police did not obtain a waiver after reading your Miranda rights. Therefore, the law enforcing authorities must exclude your comments post-custody from the evidence. 

  • Your attorney can Object to Intoxication Signs.

When a law enforcement officer pulls you over, his/her primary objective will be to look for justifications to detain you further. For this end, they will look for telltale signs of intoxication if they suspect you are a drunk driver.

The potential signs of impairment they will look for include bloodshot or red eyes, slurred speech, steady walk, flushed face, alcohol fumes, and other objective signs. At the same time, it is a fact that not all of these relate to drunkenness only. 

You could have bloodshot eyes, flushed face, and even slurry speech under the influence of certain medications. Even allergies, fatigue, and eye infections or irritations could look like that. This is a strong point of defense in your case, and medical history or a prescription would work wonders here, 

  • The Office did Not Follow the 15-Minutes Observation Before Your Breath Test.

The California laws mandate the officer’s observation of 15 continuous minutes before they can test your breath for alcohol. Under this rule, the officer must observe their DUI suspect for fifteen consistent minutes, ensuring that the suspect does not burp, belch, regurgitate, or hiccup meanwhile.

If the suspect does any of these, it will cause the alcohol from their stomach to travel to the mouth and show an inaccurately high BAC reading. In most cases, the officers disregard this protocol and instead spend that specific time performing paperwork, setting up the machine, talking to their partners, preparing reports, etc. 

Suppose the officer neglected this essential protocol in your DUI charge. In that case, your attorney can cast doubts on your test result’s validity and even get the court to dismiss the test altogether. 

  • ERRONEOUS TESTS OF FIELD SOBRIETY

Upon detecting signs of intoxication, officers may request a field sobriety test. This test can occur in a variety and generally measure your concentration, your balance, how well you follow instructions, etc. 

The standardized tests of sobriety have three stages, and each takes a couple of minutes to complete. The law has been using a combination of these three tests as scientific and valid evidence of demonstrating intoxication. 

Californian law officers have permission to use a non-standardized sobriety test. In this, you have to undergo the Rhomberg balance, finger count, numbers backward, hand pat, and finger-to-nose tests. Officers then use these results as evidence against you in the court. 

However, your defense attorney can object to this tunnel vision and claim that the officer did not consider vital factors. For example, your attorney could argue that your poor performance resulted from wearing heels or inappropriate boots, suffering a foot injury or a muscle spasm, and similar conditions that can cause anyone to perform poorly in coordination tests. 

Environmental factors can also cause instability, such as slick roadways, lousy weather, uneven pavements. The officer may have also not had adequate training to appropriately conduct the test, skipped vital steps in the process, and ended up with accurate results. 

Based on officers’ capacity for erroneous judgments in sobriety tests, the Californian Law gives drivers the right to refuse to give a sobriety test. 

  • No Compliance with California’s Regulations under Title 17

If you look up title 17 of the Californian code of regulations, you will see the implementation of officers’ procedures to observe during breath alcohol or DUI blood tests. If the officer broke those regulations during your DUI charge, your attorney can your BAC test results lead to their exclusion altogether or attacking the evidence. 

  • Inappropriate Police Conduct

In a DUI charge, officers tend to be inappropriate in their conduct or questioning the suspect. Your attorney could argue that the officer on duty subject you to improper handling, and the investigation process was offensive in specific ways. 

Your attorney has the right to explore the officer’s conduct and actions in the past and prove that perhaps this reason contributed to your DUI charges and findings.

  • Necessity

Your defense attorney can argue your case based on the necessity to drive under intoxication. In this instance, the law can excuse DUI charges if:

  • An emergency compelled you to act under intoxication to avoid bodily harm to yourself or another under your care
  • You had no legal alternative
  • Your DUI did not give rise to danger more significant than the one you avoided
  • Your DUI did not contribute to any emergency

Final Thoughts

There are endless defenses you can raise in the event of a DUI charge in California. From extenuating circumstances, improper questioning, and investigative conduct to law negligence, you can base your success on multiple strategic ways. 

Drunk Driving Car Accident. Important Things to Remember in the Aftermath

By
alexitillo
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If you have been involved in an accident that involves a drunk driver, there are some important things you must remember at the scene of the accident as well as after you have left. By taking the following steps and pointers into consideration you will have a better chance of preserving your rights and obtaining the compensation you rightfully deserve.

Remain at the scene until help arrives.

After the accident has occurred it is important to stay at the scene until the emergency services arrive. If you are not seriously injured, take a note or picture of the license plate of the other driver, just in case they attempt to flee the scene of the accident. Then call the police and emergency services to the scene and check to see if the other people in your car and involved in the accident are injured.

If you are physically capable of doing so, administer first aid to anyone who needs this including yourself. You will also need the information of the other driver including their insurance information, name, contact information and registration number. Also take notes of anything they may have said or done or any other details that lead you to believe they were driving under the influence of alcohol.

Take pictures and videotapes.

There are many things that can indicate drunk driving and it will be important to make note of them all. If the driver is slurring, stumbling or you see empty bottles or cans of beer falling from the cab. Take some time to photograph any evidence of drunk driving. You should also take videos and pictures of the scene of the accident and the damage sustained to both vehicles.

Take a picture of all traffic signals, speed limit signs, road debris, and skid marks that can provide clues as to what happened. In addition to pictures, video evidence can contain many more clues to the occurrence and it is good to capture video content as well. Be sure to take pictures of any injuries that you or anyone else has suffered in the accident.

Talk to the officer and any witnesses.

When the police arrive to make the report be sure to tell them everything you have observed in the accident. Be sure to mention all the details you notice that may lead you to believe that the other driver was operating their vehicle under the influence of alcohol. For example, if their movements seem unsteady or staggered, speech was slurred or their eyes were bloodshot, mention this to the officers making the report.

There are many instances that the officers at the scene of the accident may not detect any of the signs that the driver is drunk and you should point them out. With this information, they can request that the other driver take the BAC test.

Make sure you speak with the other people who have witnessed the accident as well. You will want to get their contact information, email address, full names, etc. You should also request that these witnesses stay at the scene of the accident until the police arrive. You may need to hire an auto accident attorney.

Get medical attention.

After you have spoken to the police you will want to make sure to have any injuries you have sustained examined by medical professionals. Even if you think the injuries you have sustained are relatively minor, the adrenaline rush and excitement of the situation may be concealing more serious injuries and a medical examination will be important to avoiding serious problems, even life-threatening problems.

Make sure that you follow the recommendations provided by the medical professionals examining your injuries. Failure to do so could result in questions about the severity of your injuries and affect your rights to compensation. Be sure to keep careful records of your process or recovery treatments received, medications prescribed, medical appointments, and everything else.

Attend the drunk driver’s court hearings.

You should also make it a point to attend the court hearing for the drunk driver. You can be a help to the prosecution by providing your testimony. If the drunk driver is convicted of their crimes this will add heft to your civil case against them.

The Legality of CBD

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alexitillo
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It’s likely that you’re familiar with CBD. If you’ve shopped in the right places, you may have even seen it on store shelves. However, how much do you know about it? Are you familiar with the range of CBD products on the market? You can find CBD in all kinds of products, including food, beverages, and even skincare products! Here’s a quick overview.

CBD, which is short for cannabidiol, is a compound derived from cannabis. Unlike marijuana, however, it won’t give you a high. Even though THC and CBD can both be found in cannabis, these compounds have different effects.

When CBD is extracted, it only contains trace amounts of THC, which means it doesn’t have the same psychoactive properties. Thankfully, it does still have the calming effects that are associated with marijuana.

Typically, CBD is extracted from hemp rather than marijuana plants. These plants are bred to contain higher amounts of CBD and lower amounts of THC. Even though hemp and marijuana are different plants, they’re frequently associated with each other. It’s important to keep in mind that even though these plants are in the same family, there are key differences.

What does all this mean? CBD is an excellent, natural alternative to marijuana that can aid with depression, anxiety, insomnia, and many other health conditions. While there is positive research on CBD, more evidence is needed before definitive declarations can be made. Currently, there is one drug that contains CBD that is approved by the FDA. This medication is designed for people that suffer from epilepsy.

CBD can be used in all kinds of ways. In fact, CBD oil can even be used for cooking. It can be added to all kinds of foods and beverages, from desserts to smoothies to coffee. However, it isn’t the best oil to use for sautéing. The oil will evaporate at higher temperatures, which means you’ll lose your CBD. You should determine the appropriate dosage for you before you add CBD oil into the brownie mix.

Even though cannabis is illegal under federal law, CBD is legal provided that it’s extracted from hemp. State laws on CBD can vary. Iowa, Idaho, and South Dakota have not legalized CBD in any form. However, there are other states that have restrictions on how it is used and produced.

Even though the laws regarding CBD have varied over time, recent documents like the Agricultural Act of 2014 and the 2018 Farm Bill have lifted restrictions and made laws clearer, allowing hemp to be grown and CBD to be produced at a wider level. This has lead to incredible growth in the CBD industry.

Dosage can vary from one product to the next, so it’s best to do research and find the appropriate dosage for you. Even though there’s not a record of a CBD overdose, people vary, and you’ll have to find the dosage that will give you the results you want. The right dosage for you will vary based on several factors, such as your height and weight.

It’s also becoming increasingly common to see CBD in the food and beverage industry. In fact, it’s common to see CBD menus at restaurants. It’s likely that CBD products will start showing up at mass retailers and grocery stores too. CBD has hit the mainstream, and for the time being, it’s as close as we can get to having marijuana legalized at the federal level. If you want to enjoy the perks of CBD, now is a great time to jump on the bandwagon and check some of these products out.

Tips For Selecting A Criminal Defense Attorney in Texas

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alexitillo
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With well over a million available lawyers across the country, it can be difficult to know how to go about choosing one when you are in need of legal representation. How will you know which ones offer quality services, and which ones may not?

Selecting your criminal defense attorney in Texas is a very serious undertaking. Below you will find some useful advice from Rosenthal Kalabus & Therrian on making this decision at a most important time in your life.

  1. Locating The Right Defense Attorney For Your Criminal Case

Selecting an attorney involves more than just finding someone who knows the law. While you certainly want someone with a strong record of success, you also need to find someone who will meet the unique needs of your circumstances and have a complete grasp of your requirements.

It is best to find counsel that speaks to you in plain language and who provides you with the facts you need to make informed decisions about your future. Try to find someone with whom you connect on a personal level so that you will be able to work collaboratively as your case progresses. You also need someone who has a comprehensive understanding of all available legal defense strategies relevant to the time of offense with which you have been charged.

  1. Seeking An Experienced Professional

Lawyers can differ in a number of key ways, and it is crucial that you grasp the distinctions when making a hiring decision. Some tend to focus on civil personal injury claims, while others spend most of their time handling criminal cases. It is best to find someone with vast experience in criminal defense as well as someone who knows the ins and outs of your specific type of case.

For instance, if you are facing an assault charge, it may not be wise to select an advocate who primarily works on drunk driving cases. Take a close look at each prospective attorney’s website to determine where there interest and experience truly lies.

  1. Resources Matter

Taking a criminal case to trial is not something that should be attempted alone. The fact is that even the finest defense attorneys require a strong support team in the form of paralegals, administrative assistants, and others who can work together to build the strongest possible client defense.

You may also want to look for a firm that employs multiple practitioners who would be able to step into the shoes of their colleagues to handle a case in pinch. The reputation of these other attorneys is something else you ought to research prior to making your selection. A solid team typically makes for a stronger defense strategy.

  1. Verify References

Always seek personal references from friends, family members, and others in your realm who have been through similar situations and have retained legal counsel. The best Texas criminal defense lawyers are likely well-known in the community for their skills and track records, so be sure to ask around, and you will surely get some strong referrals.

Confidence matters, so try to find a lawyer who feels strongly in their ability to advocate on your behalf, but who will also be entirely candid with you about the situation in which you find yourself. Any lawyer who promises a particular outcome is likely not the attorney for you.

With a bit of due diligence, it is possible to narrow down the field of criminal defense attorneys to find one who suits your needs and will work hard to protect your rights.

 

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