What to Do When Charged With Illegal Possesion of Marijuana

March 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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Have you been charged with illegal possession of marijuana? These next few months won’t be easy, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Expect a long, hard road ahead of you before this can be resolved.

Here’s your guide for what to do when charged with illegal possession of marijuana:

Get a Lawyer — Now

You will need a lawyer. Get one right away.

Don’t try to represent yourself in court. You may think you’ve watched enough Law & Order to be your own lawyer. You have not. Only four years of law school makes you qualified to represent a criminal case. If you can’t afford a lawyer, you can seek out legal aid or ask for a government-funded lawyer.

If you choose not to follow this advice and decide to represent yourself, you will need legal counsel. The attorney will advise you to hire a lawyer (and he’ll be right), but he’ll also give you valuable advice that you’ll need in the courtroom.

If you’re convicted of pot possession , you’ll face a world of consequences; drug-related offences are not taken lightly. If you were charged with a criminal offence and you are convicted, you will have a criminal record. Unfortunately, this criminal record will affect all aspects of your life: where you can travel, what jobs you can apply for, and what schools you can attend. This charge will affect your future.

We’ll say it again: Hire a lawyer.

Do Your Research

Each state has different laws regarding drug possession. For example, in New York, if you are caught with under 25 grams of marijuana, you will likely be charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. This charge is considered a violation, not a crime. It’s far easier to get your case dismissed in exchange for fines or community service with these charges.

Most states follow such structured hierarchies of crimes and violations, depending on how much marijuana you possessed when arrested. If you were carrying more than your state’s requirements for a violation, you’ll be charged with a misdemeanor crime (and jail time is usually unlikely). If you were carrying a larger amount, you may be charged with a felony. Felony cases are much more likely to end in jail time than misdemeanors.

Contact a lawyer. Find out the laws in your state. Prepare yourself for a long legal battle—unfortunately, this won’t be over quickly.

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Finding the Right Divorce Attorney

February 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Lawyers in Frederick Maryland (Photo credit: Frederick Md Publicity)

If you and your spouse have decided to divorce, you are probably already riding an emotional roller coaster. You may have experienced fights, struggles, attempts at reconciliation and more. You may be feeling depressed and confused.

What Type of Attorney Do You Need?

Now is the time to choose the right divorce attorney for your situation. For instance, if you have children, the specifics of your case may be completely different from couples who have no children. If the divorce is going to be amicable and you and your spouse agree on most property distribution and other issues, you probably don’t need a strong-arm type of attorney.

If you or your spouse is in the military, you may need to consult a Fairfax military divorce attorney or other such professional depending on your location. These professionals can guide you through the regulations of a military divorce.

Referrals

Ask family and friends for referrals. Your circle of friends and family may have experienced your situation and may have a professional they hired in the past. Also, conduct internet searches for the backgrounds and experiences of potential lawyers. You can also contact your local bar associations—some of these associations have referral programs that can help with your search.

If your case needs specialized services, look for attorneys who are certified in that area. This can include spousal and child support, or property division cases. These attorneys have added education and testing that makes them more qualified to handle these types of cases.

Interviews

Interview several attorneys. You will be able to see if a particular attorney suits your communication style. Perhaps you want someone who will speak in plain English, rather than legalese. On the other hand, you may need a lawyer who is concise and efficient and doesn’t mince words. Make sure that you are comfortable with your choice emotionally. After all this person is responsible for making sure your divorce proceeds smoothly for a satisfactory conclusion.

Fees

Make sure that you understand a potential attorney’s billing structure. Is it a one-time, flat fee or will you be charged a per hour rate? Are phone calls included, or will you be charged for each time you communicate with him or her? Will there be travel time charges? Knowing these fees ahead of time is important, because you don’t want to be surprised by unexpected costs.

Take a breath and find the best attorney for your needs. You’ll find yourself better prepared for the divorce proceedings.

 

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How to Find the Best Law Practitioners in Your Area

February 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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When you need a lawyer, you want to make sure you are making the best choice for your situation. In most cases, you will have many questions about the process in which you will go through, as well as what the results could likely be once you are in the court room. The first step in raising a good defense for yourself is to find the best lawyers in your area.

Experience

When it comes to mounting a defense to charges against you that could potentially change your life, you will likely want a White Plains lawyer that has lots of experience in the particular area in which you are dealing. These years of experience allow your lawyer to sharpen their defensive skills in the courtroom. This can only lead to better results for you when it is your turn before the judge.

Specialization

Just as you would not take your Porsche to your local Dodge dealership for service and maintenance, neither should you choose a lawyer that doesn’t specialize in the type of law you find yourself needing. If you need a defense lawyer to help you through a charge of driving while intoxicated, be sure you contact such a White Plains lawyer rather than a personal injury lawyer.

Friends and Family

In the past, it is likely that your friends and family have been a source of support for you through difficult times. This is one such time when it makes sense to turn to this same support system in your quest to find the best law practitioner in your area. They, of course, want only the best for you so your family and friends are likely to be very pleased to share their knowledge of the local White Plains lawyers.

Use the Internet

With the vast amount of information that can now be found on the internet, it is the perfect place to begin your search for the right White Plains lawyer for your needs. There are a number of highly respected websites that allow you to search for lawyers by state or by zip code. Or simply search for the particular type of lawyer you need by inputting that information, along with your zip code, into the search box of your favorite search engine. You will find lots of website results for lawyers in your area. By browsing through a few of the selections, you will be able to learn more about which areas each lawyer specializes in, as well as their experience and contact information.

 

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Loaning Online For Your Home

January 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Purchasing and owning a home is the American Dream. For some, it is a traditional home with a white picket fence. For others, the home may be a modern chrome-and-glass showpiece. The dream is still the same, but now it’s harder than ever to obtain. Whether you are a fledgling buyer or an old hand, understanding the process of purchasing a home—and how the Internet has improved that process—can be enormously beneficial.

How It Works

When shopping for a new home before the Internet, a potential buyer had to look at ads available in newspapers and magazines or drive around certain neighborhoods, maybe with a real estate agent. Now, you can be much more self-sufficient. Tools and websites on the Internet make buying and loaning online for your home a process that anyone can figure out.

Price Range

Although you probably have an idea of how much you can afford to pay per month on your home, it can be harder to translate that into mortgage payments. Fortunately, there are several online tools, including home buying guides and mortgage calculators, that can tell you where to set your mortgage bar in a matter of minutes.

Home Shopping

While being shown around by a real estate agent is still an option, many buyers prefer investigating potential houses by themselves. Online databases provide a huge selection of available homes. You can peruse homes available through multiple real estate agents and agencies all at once, instead of receiving the limited view one agent can provide.
Dealing with Unexpected Expenses

Getting a loan to purchase a home is a pretty big deal, involving lots of paperwork and intense negotiations. But even once all that’s over, you’re not immune from emergencies and economic problems that threaten your life.

Sometimes, the unexpected happens, and your situation may change drastically. Suppose you have a home repair emergency and need extra cash to pay for its unexpected expenses. It’s a pretty well-known story, and widespread, but when it’s happening to you it’s personal.

There are companies available on the Internet that provide loans during emergency situations, so you can get quick money to pay for that immediate home repair. Sometimes, one payment can make the difference between whether you’ll be sleeping in your own bed safely or worrying about the home repair. Look to online sites like www.greatplainslending.com to get a quick cash loan delivered right to your bank account, so you can deal with that emergency home repair as soon as you can.

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Fighting for Child Support After a Divorce

September 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Cash

If you are awarded custody of your children, after a divorce you still may need to fight for child support. Unfortunately, not all parents will stay current on their child support payments. Understanding the system will help you to fight for a decision that grants you child support, as well as fight when you aren’t getting your rightful payments.

Legal Options

If it all possible, look for a lawyer that can help you in your situation. The traditional option involves hiring an attorney who specializes in divorce laws and collecting child support. This kind of lawyer will be an expert on the problems you may face. Furthermore, a specialized lawyer is dedicated to the field and can be more effective than a lawyer who handles many different types of cases.

Keep in mind, though, that while your lawyer may be an expert at dealing with the legal ramifications of child support, he won’t be able to collect the child support for you. If you have a favorable judgment but aren’t receiving your mandated payments, try going through a child support collection agency. Since they are paid based on performance, they will make every effort collect for you. The downside is that they will take some of the money they collect in fees.

Stand Up For Yourself

It is undoubtedly disheartening when a former spouse or partner doesn’t keep up their end of the bargain. Getting legal help is a step in the right direction. Know your rights, and keep fighting.

Filed Under: Law

When and Why to Retain a Lawyer

August 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

In many cases, a lawyer is only required for a single case, and the client may never speak to them again after the case is closed. However, there are certain circumstances in which you should consider retaining a lawyer.

What Does Retaining a Lawyer Mean?

When you choose to retain a lawyer, basically you are hiring them for a longer-term relationship than one or two appearances. This typically involves paying them a certain flat flee with the rest of their estimated fee for your job put into a trust fund to continue to pay their salaries during your case. Retaining a lawyer ensures that they will have steady employment from you, and that they will continue to work on your case for at least the amount of time the retainer can pay for.

When Should I Retain a Lawyer?

There are many situations in which retaining a lawyer can help your case a great deal. Generally, the more there is at stake the more important it is to find and retain a skilled lawyer to help you sort the situation out to a satisfactory end.

You should seriously find yourself a lawyer to retain if you:

  1. Have been charged with a felony or other serious criminal offense.
  2. Are being sued by someone.
  3. Are sueing someone.
  4. Are involved in a case that has to do with breech of business contracts.
  5. If you are adopting a child.
  6. If you are writing or altering a will.
  7. If you are involved in a career that frequently involves disputed claims, such as insurence.
  8. If your opponent in a case, no matter what type, also has a lawyer.
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Things to Ask Before You Retain a Lawyer

August 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Retaining a lawyer is a beneficial relationship for all involved — it provides you with a professional representative, law expert and researcher throughout your case, and it provides your lawyer with steady paid employment. However, even a great lawyer and a great client can sometimes make a disastrous combination.

To ensure that a lawyer is the right one for you, be sure to ask these important questions before you agree to retain them.

  • “How many years have you specialized in this kind of case?” If you are hiring a specialty lawyer for a particular type of case, the idea is to get somebody with enough experience to count. Look for someone with at least three to five years in their particular law specialty.
  • “What are the possible ways that this case could end if I choose to pursue it?” This might seem like a consultation type of question that you shouldn’t ask someone you haven’t even hired yet, but consider your side. If pursuing the issue will only result in situations you won’t be happy with, you may decide not to pursue it at all, and that means you don’t need to retain the lawyer.
  • “Do you charge by the hour or have a flat rate? How much is your rate?” A flat rate is preferable, because then you can be more certain of how much you’ll end up paying total. Hourly rates could balloon if the case ends up taking much more research than expected.
  • “How long do you estimate it will take to resolve this matter?” This is especially important to know if you want a swift conclusion to your case, or if you are paying at an hourly rate.

You might also want to ask the lawyer about how some of their past cases were solved, especially ones similar to yours, to see if their style matches your case. Above all, you want a lawyer who will work with you to resolve your legal matter the way you aim to resolve it.

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Finding the Right Lawyer for Your Legal Needs

August 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When people hire lawyers, it’s usually a decision that they want to make quickly. However, choosing your lawyer is an important decision that warrants lots of research. There are several criteria that you should consider as you choose the best lawyer for your needs.

First, specify what reason you have for hiring a lawyer. If you are getting divorced, you can narrow your search down to family lawyers. If you are starting a business, business and employment lawyers are the people you need. While there are other factors that are important in your lawyer selection, this one is the most important. They must be skilled and educated in the field of law that suits your problem.

Second, look for a lawyer that is near you. Hiring a lawyer that works far away from you is not worth saving any amount of money. If an emergency arises, you need to meet with your lawyer promptly. A San Diego businessman establishing his trademark, for example, needs a California trademark dispute resolution attorney. This is the perfect match of proximity and ability.

Third, your intuition is a great guide. While you do not have to be best friends with your lawyer, you should feel comfortable speaking with him or her. They may be privy to some of your most personal issues as they work with you. Feeling uncomfortable around your lawyer is a sign that it is time to look elsewhere for your legal representation.

Choosing a lawyer is an important step in solving your legal problems, so give it the time and attention it deserves. Your care in selecting a lawyer will pay off.

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Finding a Local Trustworthy Attorney

August 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Abraham Lincoln

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Making an appearance in court is an intimidating prospect, whatever your role and the nature of the case. Unless you happen to have a law degree and/or some serious Abraham Lincoln-sized self-confidence, your primary concern should be your representation.

All the humor centered around lawyers may reveal a negative stereotype, but the truth is that there are many hard-working, honest lawyers who care about the law and the people appealing to it. Still, the fact remains that, as in any profession, some professionals are better and more trustworthy than others. How to find the best ones?

You’re likely to want to go local. For example, the sort of accident lawyer Michigan residents would be interested in is one practicing in Michigan, preferably down the street—you don’t go out of state unless your needs are serious indeed.

This can actually be an advantage.  Michigan residents can consult each other. There are likely to be neighbors who have experience working with that lawyer—or perhaps know him or her from the gym or grocery store—and can provide a personal recommendation.

As with auto mechanics, a personal recommendation is key. You want to know that someone whose opinion you value places trust in the individual whose services you seek. That is to say, if your friend has a good opinion of a particular attorney, you can probably go to that attorney with confidence.

Many websites offer people a chance to leave reviews of their experiences with various professionals, such as doctors and lawyers. You can also evaluate potential candidates that way. Whatever your methodology, try to find someone—independent of the law firm—who can testify to the character of the attorney. That’s a great start.

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Why Specialty Lawyers Strengthen Your Case

August 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Sometimes a case involves heavy research on a particular topic, or intricate and complicated terminology. Sometimes there’s just so much at stake that you need to be absolutely sure your lawyer understand the entire situation clearly so that they can work at full capacity. When you’re dealing with life-changing matters like keeping your home, child or citizenship, you need the best lawyer possible for your case. You need a specialty lawyer.

The Difference Between General Lawyers and Specialty Lawyers

Specialty lawyers are not superlawyers — general lawyers are still highly skilled professionals. However, if you have a specific kind of case, a lawyer with experience in cases just like it and expertise in the laws involved in such cases is clearly the better choice. Specialty lawyers choose a particular branch of law to specialize in, such as personal injury, fraud, or disputed insurance claims. They work only cases in their chosen specialized field, so they develop a lot of experience and skill at dealing with that particular kind of matter.

What a Specialty Lawyer Does For You

So, what does a specialty lawyer do for you that a general lawyer doesn’t? Well, it depends on their specialty! Different branches of law demand very different things from lawyers; yours might end up spending six hours per day researching in the library if they specialize in something like medical malpractice, or they could spend those same six hours talking on the telephone if they specialize in business contract breeches.

Whatever your specialty lawyer ends up spending most of their time doing, if they specialize in cases like yours then they will be doing the right thing. They’re professionals, after all — and that’s why you hire them instead of just any lawyer.

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