Important Steps to Take After Getting in a Car Accident – Guest Post

  

Car Accident

The steps you take after a car accident determines how everything will play out. It is essential to stay calm and assess the situation and make decisions fast. Car accidents claim many lives, and it is always important to know what to do if you fall victim and keep yourself safe.

If you’re a victim due to careless driving or negligence, you can always take legal action. However, that comes later after taking the necessary measures at the scene and checking out for yourself. That said, here are some vital steps to take after a road accident.

Get to Safety

A car accident is sudden, and you may never see it coming. It may leave you a bit hazy, light-headed, or injured. If you’re still conscious, try and get out of the car. You may be pretty disoriented, and it’s essential to focus and breathe.

If your car can move, pull your vehicle to the side away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights and check on other victims. If there was another occupant in your car, try to get them out. Move away from the scene immediately, especially if you can’t move your vehicle.

Get to a safe position and don’t leave the scene. Check for any injuries and ensure you call emergency services. Try to remain on the site for medical services to find you and avoid missing your insurance claim.

Call the Police

Call the police immediately after getting to safety and inform them you’ve been involved in a car accident. Tell them where you are and answer any questions they may have to help you. Once on-site, the police will take your statement and fill in an accident report.

The accident report may come in handy if you find you need a drunk driving accident lawyer for a DUI case. Try to keep a clear mind to give accurate details since the police will collect the story from both sides and you want to be as accurate as possible.

Collect Information

Gather the facts as you wait for the police or as they assess the accident scene. Collect the other driver’s name, phone number, car registration, driver’s license number, and address. Check around for any witnesses and take their contact information.

If you can, take pictures of the scene and the cars’ positions. Check the time, name of the street, and weather conditions. Get as many details as possible, since anything can be important and helpful in a legal case.

Your well-being is important, thus it’s important for you to stay as safe as possible even in times of emergency such as a car accident. If you are unlucky enough to become involved in a collision, it’s important that you first determine the state of your injuries and then seek immediate medical attention to check for internal injuries. No matter what, it’s important that you watch out for yourself and anyone else who may have been injured in the accident, and that you do everything you can to help in the aftermath. This includes collecting information and being available for the police to take your statement.

6 Tips To Build A Strong Criminal Defense Strategy – Guest Post

  

Being accused of a crime, whether you’re responsible or not, is perhaps a problematic experience. It’s a critical circumstance that demands undivided focus to achieve a great outcome. Also, given the possible legal repercussions of a judgment, the most successful way to beat your innocence is to plan and develop a criminal defense strategy.

DUI Attorneys Brisbane helps you in getting out of legal difficulties as quickly as possible.

Eight primary portions manage your excellent defense approach:

The defendant’s account of what happened, why it happened, and his believability.

  • Witness credibility and testimony
  • Facts and tangible proof that can be proven.
  • Police reports, inaccuracies, and reliability
  • Expert opinions, third-party reports, and testimony
  • The charge under the Penal Code and the components of the offense must be proven.
  • Strategy and history of criminal prosecutors
  • Judicial precedence and the judge’s background.
  • A criminal defense lawyer’s role is to determine the appropriate defense attorney techniques after evaluating the relevant facts.

Putting Together a Criminal Defense Strategy:

i) Maintain the Services of a Reliable Criminal Defense Attorney:

Being charged with a crime may be a frightening experience. And unless you’re a legal expert, you may require the services of a reliable criminal defense attorney to manage your case. They may thoroughly evaluate your case and give you significant legal advice on the best steps to pursue, especially in your criminal defense strategy, using their abilities, knowledge, and experience in criminal defense law.

As a result, it’s advisable to gather at least three possibilities before selecting one to identify and employ the correct lawyer for your scenario. To increase your chances of success, ensure that the legal practitioner hires specialists in situations similar to yours.

ii) Understand the charges against you:

It is critical to understand the charges against you to construct an excellent criminal defense plan properly. By familiarizing yourself with the situation, you and your criminal defense attorney will know what to do and what is at stake if you are convicted.

Consequently, you may be able to plan an effective defense strategy and collaborate with the correct individuals to prove your case.

iii) Ye have obtained an Alibi :

An alibi is any proof that tells a court that you were not there when the crime was committed and can be utilized to your advantage. You cannot be found guilty if you demonstrate that you were unable to be there at the crime site when it was committed.

iv) Showing insanity:

If you can show it to a judge, this kind of defense approach may be employed. The legal definition of insanity is “the incapacity to differentiate right from wrong,” but demonstrating it in court is more complicated than you might expect. You must submit proof from a psychiatrist or other healthcare expert to establish that your actions resulted from insanity, and you may face rehabilitation rather than treatment. So, filing an insanity plea doesn’t imply that you have discovered the fabled winning ticket.

v) Gather evidence:

In addition to learning the complete background of your case, it’s critical to collect the evidence that can be used to build a solid criminal defense. These types of evidence can be used to strengthen your defense scheme and ensure a favorable verdict in court.

So, to begin gathering evidence, locate a criminal defense attorney who understands how to attend the crime scene and secure any essential papers, including witness statements. That way, you can make most of whatever evidence available to you, bolstering your defense and increasing your chances of having your case dropped or your charges lowered.

vi) Do not reveal any information about your case to anybody else :

Creating a criminal defense plan is never a simple task. Working with a specialized attorney to assist you in defending your charges isn’t the only thing you need to do. However, it is also essential to do things that will not jeopardize your prospects of successfully defending yourself and obtaining a reasonable conclusion. This includes avoiding discussing your case with anybody other than your legal representative.

This might be accomplished by invoking your ability to reside quietly and retaining competent legal representation throughout the police inquiry. It’s also a good idea not to discuss your condition with your friends or post anything on social media. These might help you in developing an effective criminal defense plan.

A lawyer can teach you more about Legal Defenses: 

Due to the nature of your case and the specific circumstances, you may be able to pursue a variety of criminal defense techniques. Whether you intend to plead “truth” or entirely dispute the claims, a criminal defense attorney will be able to explain all of your alternatives and potential defenses in your case. Consult an expert Criminal Defense Lawyers in Brisbane immediately to discover further information.

Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Hire a Probate Attorney – Guest Post

  

Probate Attorney

It becomes highly difficult to handle things after the demise of your loved ones. Moreover, the overwhelming feeling after the tremendous loss can take months to recover. If you are the executor and wish to probate the estate, however, you have no will to do the same then you should seek professional help and guidance from a probate attorney.

They can assist you throughout this complicated process by preparing forms, meeting deadlines, keeping records, generating reports, and many more.

From minor estate issues to complex court requirements they can handle everything. In this article, we have covered some prominent reasons why hiring Probate Attorney Morton IL is beneficial for you and your estate.

Probate Specialist

Probate attorneys are considered experts who possess vast knowledge about estate laws and matters. They don’t generally negotiate injury claims or handle criminal matters. Their scope of services is limited to resolving probate and trust cases only. Furthermore, they can assist you with court rules, forms, procedures, court officials, and other complications.

Any attorney will be able to handle general matters related to your estate probate, however, a probate attorney will be able to give you an in-depth view of your case and help you determine the best possible outcomes.

 

Faster Results

If you overlook taking services from a probate attorney in your estate matters, you can add up several years to reach desired conclusions. The probate process involves a lot of detailing, filing required documents before deadlines, sending a notice to all necessary parties, and obtaining signatures of legal heirs and interested creditors. Therefore seeking guidance and help from probate attorneys can benefit you in achieving faster outcomes.

 

Minimal Disputes

When estate-related cases are handled in an unprofessional manner it generally triggers disputes that later end up in litigation. Moreover, the legal fees and other expenses associated can reduce the value of your estate. With the help of probate attorneys, you can minimize the chances of disputes and handle the matter in the most efficient and professional manner. They ensure the process is executed in an inexpensive manner for all parties involved.

 

Prevent Personal Liability

At times due to the lack of legal knowledge, you can get yourself stuck in many financial and personal liabilities. You often tend to make errors in marshaling assets, paying creditors and heirs, generating reports in proper order, and failing to obtain court authority before taking certain actions. On the other hand, a probate attorney is trained to do these tasks accurately and efficiently. Further, in case of any error, they take full responsibility for the same.

 

No Upfront Cost

One of the major advantages of seeking legal assistance from probate attorneys is that you need not worry about paying extra or upfront costs and budgeting for legal expenditure. The fees of probate attorneys are approved by the courts and done out of the proceeds of the estate. This way you have to pay only once the case is finalized.

We hope the above-mentioned information will help you find the best estate planning attorneys and make mindful decisions while selecting them.

The Role of Qualified Criminal Lawyers in Defense Proceedings – Guest Post

  

Criminal lawyer

Criminal law which is also popularly referred to as penal law is the body of law that relates to various criminal cases and punishment. When an act that omits public law is steered by someone, then this is referred to as a crime. The field of criminal law majorly regulates the social conduct & behavior of persons that are harmful, threatening or somehow endangering to the safety, health, moral welfare of property and people. Criminal law involves prosecution and then it is eventually tagged as a crime. Criminal law also includes the punishment of those individuals who tends to violate certain laws. The punishment can be in the form of imprisonment, property forfeiture, capital fine etc. A criminal lawyer usually deals with all types of criminal cases.

What is the role of criminal lawyers?

Criminal lawyers are also known as criminal defense lawyers who specialize in defending the individuals & companies that are charged with certain criminal activities. Most criminal lawyers usually practice privately or run a law firm. Several criminal lawyers are also being hired by corporate companies to manage certain legal affairs. Also, some criminal lawyers work for the government and non-profit agencies. The criminal lawyers have expertise in handling a large range of criminal cases that range from sex crimes, domestic violence crimes, theft, drug crimes, embezzlement and several other forms of crime. The criminal lawyers usually represent the defendants or accused who are facing criminal charges in the different types of trial courts & appellate courts.

The overall scope of a criminal lawyer extensively includes trial, bail hearings, revocation hearings, post-conviction resolutions and appeals. This also includes certain pleas representing the accused in a court of law. The work and responsibilities of a criminal lawyer are to build a very strong defence & develop an effective case strategy. He holds the responsibility of drafting, filing & arguing on the behalf of the accused. A criminal lawyer’s work also involves effectively negotiating with the opposition or prosecution to plea at lesser costs. A criminal lawyer is also responsible for representing the accused at the various appellate stages whenever required. The criminal lawyers have excellent written and oral advocacy skills for arguing with the opposition in front of the court for persuading a jury. Criminal lawyers also possess research & investigative skills which are all crucial in building the cases for the clients & establishing a very strong defence. A professional criminal lawyer is hired by an accused of protecting all his rights and if he does not engage one then the accused can unknowingly waive his rights against his own interests.

In a similar manner, there is a criminal lawyer or prosecutor who is responsible for bringing a case against an accused person in a criminal trial. The burden of proof initially rests on the prosecutor who must prove that the opposite party is guilty beyond a certain doubt. This is all because a particular criminal offender is always taken to be innocent unless proven guilty by the court of law. So, in brief, the job duties of a criminal lawyer also include meeting the clients, discussing the case with them, examining the complainants or witnesses, interacting with the public prosecutor or district attorney and the police team, researching the case law & appearing in the court of law on the client’s behalf.

criminal defence

Conclusion:

A criminal lawyer has a lot of responsibilities and plays an integral role in protecting the rights of their clients in a wide number of criminal cases. One should always preferably choose a qualified criminal lawyer with a proven track record.

Auto Injury Settlement Process – Guest Post

  

Auto Injury Settlement

So you’ve been in a car accident and now you’re wondering what the car accident settlement process is and how it works.

If you have physical or property damage following a car accident, you’re able to file a claim to receive compensation for your injuries, repairs, lost time, and pain and suffering.

Exactly how does the settlement process work? It may not be a quick or easy process, but it’s necessary in order to receive the compensation you deserve.

Filing an Insurance Claim After Your Car Accident

Many drivers carry car insurance to protect themselves and their vehicle in case of an auto accident. Sadly, if you find yourself dealing with the aftermath of being involved in a car crash, you might learn that not everyone carries insurance on themselves or their vehicles.

You also might learn that it’s not easy to have your car accident claim approved by an insurance provider to actually be paid. If the at-fault party doesn’t have insurance coverage, you’ll need to file a claim with your auto insurance.

To file a claim with an insurance company, you’ll need to prepare a few things to send with your demand letter so your claim can be reviewed:

  • The police report from the accident
  • Photos of your vehicle and the accident scene
  • Witness statements
  • Medical bills
  • Medical records
  • Other driver’s information

Once the information is provided to the insurance companies, they’ll do an investigation based on the information provided. They may also send an insurance claims adjuster as part of the information gathering and investigation process.

Understanding the general car accident settlement timeline can help you be prepared. Many insurance companies have a standard formula for a car accident settlement offer, but that doesn’t mean you need to accept their offer for your personal injury claim.

Filing a Lawsuit After Your Car Crash

Sometimes you’re unable to file a claim and reach a settlement directly with the insurance company and you need to move forward with litigation. This may be especially true if you were hit by a person driving under the influence.

Contact an experienced attorney who offers a free consultation so they can learn about your case. Let them tell you how they would handle your case and share what kind of settlement you could expect, along with other legal advice.

Your lawyer will contact the insurance provider on your behalf. They’ll also gather information necessary for your case, contact experts on your behalf, and use their legal knowledge and experience to get you the best settlement possible.

Settling Out of Court

With the help of your attorney, you may be able to settle with the insurance company without having to go to court. Your lawyer will be able to determine what would be fair and reasonable compensation for your case. They’ll negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and work to get you the best settlement possible.

Going to Trial

If you’re unable to settle your claim directly with the insurance company or out of court, you may need to go to trial. Your attorney will file a lawsuit on your behalf. They’ll also assist you with preparing what will be presented to the court and jury who will make the decision on your case.

 

Reaching a Settlement Agreement

Eventually, you’ll reach a settlement agreement in your personal injury claim. Car accident settlements may include compensation for:

  • Lost wages
  • Medical expenses
  • Ongoing medical treatment
  • Pain and suffering
  • Other damages related to your personal injury case

The settlement amount with the insurance company will vary case by case based on the specific details of your case. Contacting a car accident attorney will help you get a fair and reasonable settlement.

About the Author

Christian is a Tampa, Florida, Trial Lawyer with Denmon & Pearlman trial lawyers. A truly progressive firm offers fixed fee engagements, service guarantees and focuses on picking the right process to lead to a principled settlement for clients. He lives in St. Petersburg with his wife and two children.

New UK immigration rules 2021 for overseas – Guest Post

  

immigration rules

The Government has announced plans to tighten the rules for those wishing to join a spouse or partner in the UK from 2021. The new rules will include a minimum income threshold of £25,700 and a much stricter English language requirement. These proposals were contained in a consultation paper published by HM Government on 10 January 2018 entitled “Proposals for Reforming our Immigration System and Reducing Net Migration”, which also included proposals to reduce the number of non-EU workers entering the UK, as well as changes to settlement rights and eligibility for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). In addition, there are plans to end free movement from within the EU once Brexit is implemented.

A summary of current immigration routes to overseas spouses can be found here.

If implemented, the UK government says the new rules for overseas spouses will only apply to those who wish to enter or stay in the UK after 2021. It is expected that most of these changes would be brought into effect at the end of 2020 when the free movement ends following Brexit, however, it is possible that some aspects could come into effect earlier.

The Government also proposes introducing a minimum income threshold for all prospective migrants wishing to settle in the UK from 2021 onwards with no recourse to public funds (NRPF), similar to that already required by ‘points-based’ skilled migration routes. The current requirement for partners joining an EEA national in the UK are set out here. One important difference between this route and other points-based routes is that there is no requirement for the partner to be employed before they come to the UK.

This change, if implemented, would mean that only those with a minimum annual income of £25,700 (or higher where required by an increase in the Annual Immigration Threshold) will be able to apply for permission to join or remain with their partner in the UK. The changes are expected not to affect applications made under current rules by overseas spouses whose visa is current and who continue living together as partners with their sponsor. The Government intends that this route will largely mirror arrangements already in place for non-EEA nationals under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules.

If these proposals go ahead, it will allow British citizens and permanent residents to bring over a life partner from anywhere in the world without having to meet a minimum income threshold. However, British citizens or permanent residents with foreign spouses will require an income of at least £18,600 (plus higher for non-EEA National dependent children) to sponsor their spouse visa application.

The new rules will also introduce mandatory English language requirements for all partners coming to the UK from 2021 onwards; currently, only EEA nationals are required to prove they can speak English before they come to the UK if their main home and place of work is outside London. This change will therefore affect British citizens and permanent residents who wish to bring their non-EEA national life partner into the UK after 2021.

Currently, only those overseas spouses who are invited by the Home Office to apply under the accelerated ‘approved route’ are exempt from having to meet the English language requirement. The Government proposes that the same criteria will apply for overseas spouses invited to come into or remain in the UK under these new rules. This means that most overseas spouses will have to meet an English language requirement before coming to the UK except those who are invited by the Home Office directly, specifically because they speak English orally, listening, reading and writing at a level of B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

A concession has been made by Government however for those with complex health needs which need care which they cannot access in their home country. Where this is judged to be necessary, part of this care may take place outside England. Those in need of such care will in some cases be able to benefit from the new exemption to English language requirements and this may apply for example, where their ‘complex health needs’ meets UK Visas and Immigration own guidance on what constitutes “exceptional compassionate circumstances”.

The new changes also include extending the current 18-month probationary period when a life partner joins their spouse in the UK, during which time they cannot access public funds. The Government envisages that this extension could increase further to two years if both parties continue to meet the requirements for settlement at the end of the probationary period.

Currently, overseas spouses who join a British citizen or permanent resident in the UK under a marriage visa after they have been living together outside of the UK can apply for permission to settle in the UK after completing a period of 2 years. After this time, the overseas spouse may then be eligible for certain benefits including access to public funds if they can demonstrate that they are still living together as a married couple.

This new rule will also apply to overseas spouses who arrive in the UK without their British citizen or permanent resident spouse under these new rules, but who intend to live with them hereafter 2021. They will have to show that they are continuing to live together for at least two years before applying for leave to remain on the basis of being present and settled in the UK.

The government has advised that it is open-minded about how this probationary period could work in practice and whether checks should be carried out on a regular basis by the Home Office, making sure that British citizens and British permanent residents do not slip into having ‘settled’ status in the UK before their overseas spouse has had an opportunity to apply.

Do You Get Workers’ Compensation Benefits If You Lose Your Job? – Guest Post

   

Workers' Compensation Benefits

When it comes to workplace losses, you have lost your position with larger effects on your life and you want to get financial support to plan a better future, then there are a lot of legal complications to it that you may have to look out and to understand it better you may consider Workers compensation lawyer Charlotte to get better ideas and plan a perfect legal case for your better financial resolution. IN case you lost your job due to injury, you had strong evidence to support your fall or slip and other damages and you want to clear financial terms from your management legally, then you can consult from Workplace accident lawyer charlotte, settle your legal plan and they would defend you much better at court to arrange for your compensation from your management.

Before you start to tempt for such benefits, there are a few things that dictate work terms, and they may include:

  • Any injury while at work
  • Management promises on financial support
  • The main causes behind losing your job

And these are a few things that do affect the benefits and their possibilities which you need to check before considering the legal option around.

Consider work contract first

In such case where you lose your job as a worker, it may always come to contract you signed when you joined in, try to find out the actual details of work promises, what you were settled with when you came in as working personnel, and if there is a provision of work contract finances then you can opt for a legal way to arrange for your compensation and get such certain benefits.

Compensation on injury grounds the other factor that dictates terms at the workplace is related to injuries, there is the certain norm where the management becomes prepared to help any such worker even they have been dropped out to provide financial support and avail them such benefits, and if you did have to face certain injuries and you wish to prove them at court by legal support, then you can be arranged with compensation by your workplace to settle things.

Depends on the final decision

Lastly, compensation promises may be in different terms even if you lose the job at your place, but it is better you prove them at court, if you can arrange a legal person who can help you with proper evidence and better concerns, then it may prove more prudent and this way the last decision held at court would be more accountable to describe whether you may get such benefits or not.

To know more how things can be arranged legally, to have a better understanding to get benefits after losing a job and for proper legal ways to apply things in your favor, you can consult experts in form of Workers compensation lawyer Charlotte who would be able enough to plan for your case, help you clear legal doubts and would try best to arrange for your financial support.

However, if you have a more serious accident while at work, you had to drop out due to severe injury concerns and you want financial support, then you can come in touch with workplace accident lawyer Charlotte, discuss your injury and how it all occurred, and they would look at your workplace term, would prepare a strong case and may settle it all perfectly for you.

 

Your expert place to resolve matters related to compensation at work. Their proficient worker compensation lawyers Charlotte would be perfect to help you get benefits after losing your job as a worker.

4 Examples of When It’s A Good Idea to Hire An Attorney – Guest Post

  

Hire An Attorney

There are some minor legal issues out there that you may be able to resolve yourself. Whether this is by having a plan in place, having thoroughly read your contract, or from prior experience, you may feel well equipped to deal with a legal problem here or there. However, there are many other legal issues that require professional attention and should not be undertaken without someone there to advise you. Here is a list of reasons that you should hire an attorney.

You Have Tax Problems

Tax problems can cause you a lot of headaches, especially if you don’t really understand where you messed up. If you have tax problems, then you end up with levies put on your bank account until you get things cleared up. You can also end up at risk of losing your home or business. Fortunately, you have resources available to you long before things are at risk of getting to that point. An attorney can help you resolve the tax issues that you have by reviewing your taxes, your financial information, and whatever the initial mistake was. They can also advise you on how to avoid similar situations in the future.

You Want to Start a Business

It is in your best interest to call an attorney if you want to start a business. There are many legal hoops and hurdles involved with starting your own business that they can help you deal with. For example, you will have to decide how you are going to structure your business and your finances. You also have to make sure that you abide by all laws both federal and local. Your attorney can help you set up your business properly. They can also make sure that you are in compliance with federal and state laws.

Many people run into legal issues while they are running their business. However, most of those problems could have been avoided if the person would have hired an attorney.

You Have a DUI

If you are caught driving under the influence, then there are many negative consequences that you can face. You may not be able to drive for a long time because you can get your license suspended. Jail time, community service, and fines are other possible consequences. Your DUI attorney can help you avoid those consequences. In fact, it is possible to get the charges dropped completely.

You Have Family Issues

Divorce and child custody issues can take months to resolve. There are also many things that can complicate those cases. Your attorney can help you get family issues resolved. One of the many great things about hiring an attorney is that you may be able to get the family issues resolved without going to court. However, if you do have to go to court, then your attorney will represent you.

An attorney can make your life easier by helping you fix your legal issues. You need an attorney if you have tax problems. You should also hire an attorney if you are starting a new business. A DUI case warrants the need for an attorney. Furthermore, you should hire an attorney if you have family issues.

Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max. She can be found at @KaraMasterson.

6 Things About Criminal Law Everyone Needs to Know – Guest Post

   

Criminal Law

Yes, you’re a law-abiding citizen. Yes, you’re well aware of the actions that can get you into trouble with the police. Yes, you know you shouldn’t drink and drive, steal, cheat anyone, and pay your taxes on time. Even though you do steer clear of any wrongdoing, leave alone committing a crime, you can unwittingly get involved in a criminal charge without having done anything wrong. The charges can be dropped later if there’s no proof and the entire situation is an error.

However, the incident will remain on your permanent record and affect your future unless you get your felony expunged. Here’s some added information about criminal law that every citizen should know. Just in case you or a friend or family member is subjected to the legal justice system.

You Must Never Resist Arrest or Misbehave with a Law Officer

If a law enforcement officer ever stops you, never resist arrest or misbehave even if you’re absolutely certain you did not do anything wrong. Follow all the instructions the officer gives you and answer all questions as asked. Provide identification and vehicle registration papers on demand. Remember to be respectful and agreeable even if you’re taken to the station and processed.

You May Want to Refuse to Take the Field Sobriety Test

If you’re stopped on suspicion of drinking and driving or DUI charges, you have the right to refuse to take the balance test. However, in many states, on receiving a driver’s license, it is inferred consent that you’ll take a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) test whenever asked. Refusing to take one means that you stand to lose your driving privileges for up to 12 months. But, if the test registers a minimum of 0.8%, you could face even more serious consequences. Without the test results, the prosecutor will have to rely on other evidence to prove your guilt. Incidentally, most field sobriety or balance tests are designed to result in failure.

You Should Invoke Your Right to Remain Silent

The law entitles citizens to the right to remain silent. When facing arrest, do not answer questions or give out any information that can incriminate you or be used as evidence against you. You may only give out your name and identification, and then, request that you’re allowed to contact a lawyer. Even if the officers seem friendly and genuinely concerned about resolving the matter, waiting for a lawyer is advisable. An attorney will inquire into the exact nature of the charges against you and offer advice on what to do next. Most importantly, never try to explain your way out of a sticky situation and certainly not in court. Always rely on an experienced attorney to present arguments on your behalf.

You Need Not Permit Law Enforcement to Search Your Premises

You have the right to refuse law enforcement officers to search your house without a court order. You’ll shut the door and contact a lawyer immediately for directions on what to do next. If they do have a warrant, you must fully cooperate with them and offer whatever information they need.

You Should be Cautious About Social Media Postings

Before posting images and accounts of your activities on social media, you might want to consider if they can be used as evidence against you. Any activity and proof of location can be determined with the help of tools like time and date stamps, and IP addresses, to name a few. Innocent acts can be targeted in any courtrooms, from municipal to common courts.

Dismissed Charges May Not End of the Matter

Don’t assume that dismissed charges are the end of the issue. Criminal charges become a part of your permanent record. Any person conducting a background check can learn about the incident in your past. This can become a problem when you apply for a job or college admission, or wish to rent a home or get a mortgage. Several jobs may be denied to you because of the black mark. Further, your chances of adopting a child or getting custody of your kids can also be impacted.

No citizen intends to commit a crime, but if you do get involved in a brush with the law, here’s what you should know.

How Legal Sector is Implementing Virtual Operations to Gain Flexibility – Guest Post

  

Implementation of virtual operations

Introduction

Technology is dramatically transforming the way law is practiced and what being a lawyer means- whether at a law firm or in-house. A drastic change has taken place today if we look back 10 or 20 years ago at the traditional model. This shift is evident with the capability and luxury to now stay connected to the office irrespective of time and access data anywhere.

Powered by connectivity, long and tedious days at the workplace are increasingly paving the way for more flexible arrangements. In addition, remote work is now a real possibility in the corporate legal sector thanks to the digital transformation happening in other sectors has now proven to be highly successful.

Scalable & Flexible Practices

The increasing adoption of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other such technologies is a wide-spreading acceptance of non-traditional work practices in the legal sector. As a result, law firms and legal departments are observing an increment in the ability to upscale or downscale teams as per their need resulting in the creation of the best possible team of legal associates that can deliver high-quality work irrespective of time and location.

In a similar manner that cloud computing has now become a standard feature of numerous legal organizations, legal software of frameworks fueled by artificial intelligence and machine learning will eventually be established as a mainstay in the legal industry and will further assist in freeing lawyers from traditional work models. Hence, lawyers can take on more important matters.

In fact, law firms that adopt a forward-looking vision for their tech-enhanced workforce will acquire a significant competitive advantage in terms of hiring and retention. However, firms that shy away from adapting to the new, flexible work environment will witness their talent pool diminish.

Traditional vs. virtual law firms

Considering the day-to-day operations of a virtual law firm that utilizes cloud compared to that of a traditional law firm, it is no surprise why the former seems more appealing:

Overhead costs: Overhead costs- No more computers, rent, fax machines, printers, and filing cabinets, decreasing the overhead expenses cutting into your revenues. Instead, virtual lawyers utilize purpose-built practice management software that are cloud developed and can run an operating law firm from anywhere and on any device. In addition, it’s more cost-effective this way.

And unlike an in-house solution, cloud solutions are far away from associated IT/ maintenance costs. In fact, traditional firms often get tangled down by all such legacy costs, creating hindrance in their ability to change. On the other hand, for virtual law firms, implementing a lean operation means that they can try several fee structures while giving the same top-notch legal support services.

Client communication: One might develop an assumption that virtual lawyers no longer meet clients directly in person and only furnish services via an online portal. While it is true that clients cannot be hosted in an office by virtual lawyers, they are backed by comprehensive technology to provide services more efficiently than traditional law firms. In fact, they benefit from more time to interact with clients for optimum service representation.

It can be utterly challenging for a lawyer in the traditional landscape to take out time to interact with clients except than via email and phone calls. However, virtual lawyers are more flexible during their working hours to communicate with their clients in more familiar settings, as per their schedules, where they can develop better relationships. This leads to even better client service.

Project Management

Project management is comparatively a new concept in the legal industry. However, it is spreading like wildfire. Even for the law firms that still bill hourly, project management has become vital to ensure certainty and extra value that clients expect. Coming to larger firms or for more extensive litigation, it may not be possible to predict and charge a fixed fee accurately. Even in such a scenario, project management is a tool that combines cost containment and technology to provide a client-focused and frugal representation.

Bespoke Legal Services

Providing unique legal services from scratch is another option. This might include developing customized contracts or legal services for clients having special needs. Crafting such a type of niche practice might be the result of focused networking and marketing or simply fate, falling into a specialized area of practice. In any of the ways, it’s an option to under consideration when thinking about providing unique value to clients.

Another bespoke type of legal service provides customized client service supported by the kind of high-volume/high-touch made achievable by the successful implementation of technology. Hence, clients get face-to-face interaction with the lawyer, and lawyers balance these time-intensive interactions by minimizing redundant work. They leverage technology for process and document automation for this.

Top-notch customer experience

 Employing virtual legal assistants or paralegals makes it seamless to provide a top-notch customer experience to your clients. They assist you in delivering all the promises to the clients and make sure that not a single client is forgotten, which mostly happens in many law firms because lawyers focus primarily on legal matters. In addition, they stay in touch with your firm’s clients by sending them emails on birthdays and other occasions and more. As a result, these virtual paralegals remain one step ahead of all the aspects of their professionalism, right from addressing your clients to administrating their work. This is why major legal firms consider handing over their back-office tasks to firms that provide virtual paralegal services.

Final Thoughts 

The world out there is changing. However, despite some gloomy predictions, it isn’t the commencement of the end for legal associates. But lawyers must take a fresh look at the law practice and its changing methods of conduction to remain relevant.

Technology in the legal industry continues to develop at a rapid speed and to provide tools through which lawyers seeking to become flexible may reimagine and redesign their method of practice to be at par with the needs of their future clients.