Expert Advice: Bizymoms expert advice center!

Title\|Newest\|Oldest
The Implied Consent Law And Declining Chemical Testing By : Michael Del Mar If you decide to refuse chemical testing when pulled over for DWI, there are more severe penalties that will be imposed on you. Familiarize yourself with the Implied Consent Law so you can make an informed decision. Attorney Fees and the Pitfalls of Representing Yourself By : Illinois Attorney Michael Helfand I’d guess that the main reason people choose to not hire an attorney for their legal matter is because of the cost. Attorney fees can be high, especially if there’s litigation and fighting in court. First, let’s talk about the types of fees attorneys charge. Then, we’ll talk about the decision to hire one or represent yourself. Some Good Tips On How To Avoid Needing A DWI Attorney By : Michael Del Mar Here are some useful suggestions on what you can do to avoid the need to hire a DWI attorney. The best suggestion is to just not drink, but if you must drink, here are some others. DWI Attorney El Paso Can Help You Comprehend The Total Expenses Associated Having A DWI By : Michael Del Mar Most people have no idea what their DWI arrest will end up costing them in the long run. There are direct costs and indirect costs. This is a summary of the total costs you are facing with your DWI arrest. The Added Benefits Of Having A DWI Defense By : Michael Del Mar Here is a summary of the reasons why hiring a private DWI attorney is a wise choice when faced with DWI charges. An expert DWI defense will increase your chances of a successful outcome. How To Choose a Good Personal Injury Lawyer By : Adil Sauh No matter how careful you are accidents due to negligence of a third party are bound to happen and possibly hurt you physically, financially or emotionally. It could be anything traffic accidents, product liability, animal bites, medical malpractice and so on. Tips to win personal injury claims By : Adil Sauh Here are some of the best tips to get through the personal injury claims and win the complete compensation you deserve. Law enforcement gone bad: Police officer has sex on hood of car, now terminated By : Hollycraw Police officials have been investigating the case for a couple of weeks since the surveillance camera video came to the attention of the police and sheriff's departments. The officer had been temporarily on paid administrative leave during the investigtion. Earlier this week, the tape of Lopez and the unidentified woman, which was taken at a remote county-owned ranch south of Santa Fe, New Mexico, caused quite a stir and virally exploded across the internet. Trafficking Victims Protection Act needs reauthorization: National Call-in Day By : Hollycraw Perhaps your call will help save the life of one more sex or labor trafficking victim or help put one more violent exploiter of women and children behind bars. Perhaps that call has the potential for helping thousands of survivors around the world have a better life. Thursday, September 8, 2011 is National Call-in Day to urge your congressmen to vote for the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA), which expires September 30 of this year. Estate Planning Overview By : Illinois Attorney Michael Helfand Basic estate planning is fairly simple, although it may include more documents than you think. A will is the most common tool that people think of when they hear the term “estate planning,” but there are a few others to consider, as well. A couple of these documents are simple forms for which you don’t necessarily need an attorney, such as routine powers of attorney and a living will. Five Tips for Testifying in Court By : Illinois Attorney Michael Helfand Whether you’re a witness in another case or a party in your own case, the idea of testifying in court can be unnerving. Here are five things to keep in mind and hopefully help you relax and get your point across without too much stress. Finding the Right Lawyer (Part 2) By : Laurie A. Gray, JD Finding the right lawyer to represent you is a five-step process. Finding the Right Lawyer (Part 1) deals with the first two steps: Identifying your pool of possibilities and separating advertisement from experience. This article addresses the remaining three steps: Initial consultation; Fees, Retainers, and Costs; and Trusting your Gut. Finding the Right Lawyer (Part 1) By : Laurie A. Gray, JD Finding the right lawyer to represent you is a five-step process. This article deals with the first two steps: Identifying your pool of possibilities and separating advertisement from experience. Finding the Right Lawyer (Part 2) addresses the remaining three steps: Initial consultation; Fees, Retainers, and Costs; and Trusting your Gut. Overview of legal malpractice lawsuits By : Illinois Attorney Michael Helfand When a lawsuit is lost, it’s sometimes the fault of the attorney – a deadline is missed, a witness isn’t called, an argument is overlooked. However, not all mistakes rise to the level of legal malpractice. There is a difference between an error that’s allowed (legally speaking) and one that is considered negligent. Know the Law before Recording a Conversation in Illinois By : Illinois Attorney Michael Helfand Illinois has strong privacy laws when it comes to recording conversations. The law says you can’t record a conversation – over the phone or in person – without the consent of the other people who are part of the conversation. Illinois is in the minority. The majority of states do allow conversations to be recorded without telling the other person, as long as you are a party to the conversation. Professional License Investigations By : Illinois Attorney Michael Helfand If you are a licensed professional in Illinois – nurse, accountant, dentist, mortgage broker, etc. – you can be investigated and even have your license suspended or revoked based on a complaint. Legal advice early on can be key in protecting your license and your career. Fatal Deer-Related Accidents Are On the Rise By : Richard Hastings Find out what you can do to avoid these deadly collisions. Estate Planning for Children with Special Needs By : Rania Combs Estate planning is important for all families, but especially so for families who have children with special needs. If you leave assets directly to your special needs child the inheritance your child receives can jeopardize his or her ability to receive benefits under government programs such as Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. Texas attorney Rania Combs explains how a special needs trust can help you provide for your child without jeopardizing his or her eligibility for benefits. Why Estate Planning is Essential for Families with Young Children By : Rania Combs Estate planning puts parents in control of many important decisions that they are in the best position to make, such as who will take care of their children and manage their assets if tragedy strikes. Texas attorney Rania Combs explains why estate planning is essential for families with young children. Driving With Your Unrestrained Pet By : Richard Hastings Statistically, driving with a pet is as potentially dangerous as driving under the influence. An unrestrained pet may hinder rescue efforts and place you, your passengers, and others at increased risk for injury. Child support for college By : Illinois Attorney Michael Helfand Technically, child support ends at age 18, or when an 18-year-old child graduates from high school. However, post-majority child support is available in some situations, such as when a child attends college or other post-secondary education. What to do after an accident: 10 tips By : Illinois Attorney Michael Helfand If you or someone in your family has been injured, whether it was a vehicle accident, a slip and fall, or anything else, there are some things to consider. Children can’t choose who to live with after divorce By : Illinois Attorney Michael Helfand When it comes to child custody, there is a myth that children can choose who they want to live with. It doesn’t really work that way. While children may be mature enough to express a preference, they do not have authority to make the decision. It’s up to the parents, if they can agree. If not, it’s up to a judge. Sexting: What Every Parent Should Know By : Illinois Attorney Michael Helfand One would be hard pressed in today’s society to not notice that cell phones have become mere extensions of a teenager’s hand (and pre-teens more and more)- there has even been an entirely new language invented to go along with this age of electronic communication. However, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is not the only worry parents today should have when it comes to their children and cell phones. No, parents today need to worry about something far more lifechanging than CTS- “Sexting” is defined as sending sexually explicit photographs to someone else electronically, often from one cell phone to another.It’s basically a text message that includes a nude or semi-nude photograph. It’s a fairly recent phenomenon and one that more and more teenagers are engaging in- and some are facing prison time for it. Yes, I said face prison time. They might also face a lifetime of being labeled as a sex offender. Choosing the Right Life Insurance to Protect Your Family By : Rania Combs Insurance is essential to families with young children. However determining which type of policy is right for you, how much insurance you should have, and which insurance companies are highly rated can get a bit overwhelming. This article provides information about some objective sources you can turn to for help in choosing the right policy at the best price. Five Myths About Mediation By : Adam Bowman For many, mediation is an unknown process. Many do not understand what it is and, most importantly, how it may help them resolve disputes effectively and with little cost. Therefore, there are many myths and assumptions as to mediation's benefits and process. Are they in good hands? What to do when your child is injured at school. By : Illinois Attorney Michael Helfand Schools are not required to protect your child from all harm, but they do have a responsibility to keep the school grounds safe and supervise students. Here are a few examples: Five Steps For Preparing For Mediation By : Adam Bowman How well one prepares for mediation directly influences the success of the mediation's resolution. This article discusses five steps for parties to follow to successfully prepare for mediation. What Happens If You Die Without A Will In Texas By : Rania Combs Texas attorney Rania Combs explains the Texas intestate distribution scheme for those dying without a will in Texas. Wills, Trusts and Probate Terms Defined By : Rania Combs Texas attorney Rania Combs defines commonly used words related to wills, trusts and probate. Privatized Criminal Justice By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law For at least a couple of centuries, enforcement of criminal laws has been a government function. The public pays for the police officers who arrest suspects.... Texting and Driving = Prison By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law Whether or not you live in a state that makes it illegal to talk on a cell phone or text message while driving, you and anyone you care about should be aware of a recent English prosecution Jury Duty Fraud By : Diane Ness Expert in Business and Finance The Federal Bureau of Investigation is warning the public about an ongoing scheme involving jury duty. Drunk Driving Informants By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law Assume that you are driving down a road when you see a red car being driven by what you believe to be an alcohol-impaired driver. Criminal Justice in Scotland - Guilty, Not Guilty and Not Proven By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law Scotland has found a way around the ambiguity of not guilty verdicts. Eyewitness Identification By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law Eyewitness identification procedures continue to change. Scores of movies and television shows have undoubtedly familiarized you with mug shots and lineups, the two methods that the police have most commonly used to identify crime suspects. Cyber Bullying By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law In October 2006, a 13 year old Missouri girl named Megan Meier committed suicide by hanging herself. Megan was a victim of “cyber bullying.” Prison Labor - Pregnant Women in Prison By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law The decision in the case of Nelson v. Correctional Medical Services gives new meaning to the term “Bizymoms.” Jury Duty 1 By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law Having recently completed jury duty, I thought an article or two discussing this very important right and responsibility of citizenship... Jury Duty 2 : Voir Dire By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law During the Middle Ages, jurors in England were selected to decide courtroom disputes based on their independent knowledge. Statutory Rape Laws By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law Statutory rape laws generally make it a crime for adults to have sexual intercourse with minors. When Juveniles Commit Crimes By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law Many parents have experienced the shock of finding out that their children have been arrested and charged with committing a crime. The Second Amendment and Gun Control By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law The amendment’s awkward phrasing produced decades of disputes over whether it applied to individuals, or only to government-organized militia. Should Parents be forced to Testify against their Children By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law As a parent, do you have a right not to reveal to the government what Jeff said to you on the night of the crime? Expunging Criminal Records By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law Criminal records can create difficult downstream consequences. Expanding the DNA Pool By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law As depicted in countless movies and TV shows, suspects are traditionally fingerprinted and photographed when they are booked into jail. Sexual Predator Laws By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law This article summarizes state and federal “sexual predator” laws. Marijuana Laws By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law Marijuana is an illegal drug that is subject to inconsistent state and federal laws. Paralegal Careers By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law Though I generally write about topics related to criminal law, I want to remind Bizymoms visitors who might be reviewing (or re-reviewing) career options to explore the possibility of becoming a paralegal. Murder Charges for DUI Related Deaths By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law Under most definitions of murder, however, people behave intentionally if their behavior demonstrates “extreme reckless disregard for human life.” Rape Shield Laws By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law Rape Shield laws have been in effect in most U.S. jurisdictions since the late 1970’s. Domestic Violence - Part 2 By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law My initial article on domestic violence pointed out that even though police and prosecutors now regard domestic violence as a serious crime, only a small percentage of domestic abusers are convicted and punished. This article addresses this distressing paradox. Domestic Violence By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law This article addresses domestic violence. Domestic violence generally consists of violence between people who are living together, whether or not they are married or of the same or different genders. Traffic Stop Do's or Don't's By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law Many drivers have experienced the sinking feeling that results from being pulled over by a police officer. An Overview of Drunk Driving Laws and Procedures By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law Laws in every state make it illegal to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Shorthand terms for these laws include DUI (Driving Under the Influence) and DWI (Driving While Intoxicated). How Can Criminal Defense Lawyers Represent Guilty Clients? By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law Perhaps the question most commonly put to criminal defense lawyers goes something like, “How can you represent criminals who you know are guilty?” Finding the Right Criminal Defense Attorney By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law “Do I need a lawyer?” “How do I find a good one?” These are likely to be among the first concerns of people placed under arrest. This article addresses these questions. Jail and Bail By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law Here are a few thoughts on how you might react if you get an unnerving call like this from a family member or close friend. What Are Your Rights If You Are Questioned by the Police? By : Paul Bergman Expert in Criminal Law Regardless of whether they have anything to hide, people who are stopped and questioned by a police officer are often nervous and uncertain of their rights.