You’ve been charged with a felony. You’re scared and confused, but here are some things you need to know:

First, here’s the good news. There is a way out of this situation, starting with a consultation with Rose Legal Services. They can review the evidence, negotiate with prosecutors and challenge the charges against you.

Second, don’t panic. You mustn’t let the stress of the situation make matters worse by acting rashly. Their lawyers will guide you through every step of this process—and they’ll answer any questions that come up along the way.

So whether it’s drug charges, assault, or something else entirely, their attorneys will be there to provide unwavering criminal defense on your behalf.

What Are the Most Common Felony Charges?

Felony charges are serious crimes punishable by a year or more in prison. The top ten felony convictions in the state: 

1. Possession of a controlled substance <25 gm
2. Manufacturing/delivering or possession with the intent to deliver marijuana < 5 kg
3. Operating a vehicle while intoxicated (third offense)
4. Manufacturing/delivering or possession with the intent to deliver controlled substance < 50 gm
5. Assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer
6. Larceny in a building
7. Home invasion, second degree
8. Uttering and publishing a forgery
9. Breaking and entering a building
10. Concealed weapons offenses

At Rose Legal Services, they don’t believe that a criminal charge should define your future. As a criminal defense firm, they fight for their clients to help them protect their reputations.

Not Hiring a Defense Attorney Can Cost You  

It wouldn’t be the American criminal justice system if it didn’t come with a catch.

A felony conviction bears collateral consequences that make reentry into society incredibly difficult. Here are some other ways that a felony criminal conviction can haunt you.

Your Family

A felony conviction is traumatizing for the offender and their loved ones. Simply put, it can rip families apart. Your children will have to grow up without your guidance. Your spouse will bear the emotional and financial stress of your absence.

And depending on the type of crime, you could lose parental rights to your children altogether, severing that relationship entirely.

Your Freedom

As a convicted felon, you’ll be stripped of civil liberties like:

• The right to vote
• The right to bear arms
• The right to serve on a jury
• The right to serve in the military

Future Opportunities

It’s no secret that people pass judgment on felons. You may get passed up for jobs, denied housing, and other meaningful opportunities because of your criminal record.

You will lose the right to federal aid like student loans, food benefits, and other federal programs that might benefit you.

Contact a Felony Lawyer Near You

If you’ve been charged with a felony—whether it’s criminal sexual conduct, drug crimes, violent crimes, or something else—there’s no time to waste. You need a knowledgeable felony defense attorney who won’t drop the ball in your case.

Contact a criminal defense law expert  today for your free consultation.

You were in a car accident. Now your car is damaged. The good news is that your vehicle is insured. All you have to do is figure out how to work with the insurance company to have the repair work done so you can get your car up and running again.

The even better news is that in most cases, the insurance companies aren’t difficult to work with, and after most accidents, they’re reasonable about handling claims.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Your insurance agent isn’t sitting beside a police scanner, waiting to hear if one of their clients has gotten into a traffic accident. It’s your responsibility to alert them to the situation. The sooner you do this, the better. If possible, consult a car accident attorney before you make the call.

While you are responsible for letting the insurance company know about the accident, you should also limit the amount of information you provide. While your agent needs to know some details about the case, providing too much information could hurt your claim.

During the initial discussion with your insurance agent, the information you should provide includes:

• The time and date of the accident
• The location of the accident
• The type of accident (was it a car vs car, car vs pedestrian, car vs wildlife, etc)
• How many vehicles were involved in the accident

It’s important to understand that everything you say to your insurance agent is a piece of evidence they’ll use when trying to determine if they’ll honor your claim. The greater the damages, the more they’ll pay attention when you speak. The less you say, the better. The best thing you can do when talking to your insurance agent about a claim is to limit your responses to yes and no whenever possible. If you’re not sure how to respond to a specific question, your best course of action is to decide not to answer at all.

Collect Repair Estimates

One of the things that vary from one insurance company to the next is estimates. Most agencies will want to inspect the car before making a decision about how they want to handle the claim. Others may request that you have a very specific body shop inspect the vehicle. Still, other insurance companies will ask that you collect a few different estimates.

Pay careful attention to what the insurance company says and follow their instructions to the letter. Since this is the point where everyone finds out how much it will cost to repair, do not authorize any body shop to start work on your vehicle. You’re simply after an estimate.

Have Your Car Repaired

Once the insurance company has approved the estimate, it’s time to have your vehicle repaired. Stay in touch with the mechanic/body shop that is handling the repair work. It’s not unusual for a mechanic to start working on a vehicle and find additional damage that wasn’t considered in the original estimate. When this happens, the insurance company will have to be notified about the changes. Provided they are connected to the original accident, the additional cost should be approved.

A Few Things to Consider

Getting your car repaired following an accident is always your first priority, but don’t get so wrapped up in the repairs that you fail to consider the other things your insurance company may pay for. Many people also pay a little extra each month for towing and rental insurance. 

Check your policy. If you do carry this type of insurance and also require one or both of these things, make sure you submit the invoices to your insurance company.

The other thing to keep in mind is your deductible. When the accident isn’t your fault, the deductible isn’t much of a concern, however, if you are at fault, you will have to pay the deductible. If the repairs your car requires are less than the deductible, it’s probably in your best interest to pay for the repairs out of your pocket and leave the insurance company out of the equation.

Having Trouble With Your Insurance Company? Contact a Colorado Accident Lawyer Today!

In a perfect world, your car insurance company would not give you any trouble when you file a claim. Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world, and sometimes insurance companies don’t do what’s expected. Sometimes they take forever to pay a claim. Other times they refuse to honor the claim.

When this happens, you need to take legal action, and that means utilizing the services of a reputable Colorado accident attorney from Springs Law Group. In many cases, just finding out that you’ve hired an accident lawyer is enough to convince the insurance company that they should honor your auto repair claim. In other cases, your attorney will actually have to take legal action and file a civil case against the insurance company.

A good accident attorney in Colorado handles all the details of your claim against the insurance agent, which allows you to focus all your attention on putting your life back together.

Over and over again, we’ve been warned about the dangers of using mobile devices while we’re behind the wheel. Yet, despite all the warnings, we can’t help wondering, are they really as dangerous as the media makes them out to be?

How Many Car Accidents are Caused by Cell Phone Use

Simply Insurance collected a large amount of data and came up with some horrible stats regarding the connection between using a mobile device and the likelihood of you getting into an accident. The data was collected from auto accident information that the Department of Transportation compiled of traffic accidents that occurred in 2018.

• 385 auto accident fatalities during 2018 were directly linked to texting while driving
• An estimated 1.6 million auto accidents are the result of someone simultaneously driving and using a mobile device
• Approximately 14% of the fatal auto crashes in the United States are linked to cell phone use while driving
• Cell phones are linked to 390,000 personal injuries sustained in accidents that occurred because a driver was distracted by their cell phone.
• Texting while driving increases the likelihood of getting into a car accident 24 times.

Insurance companies are feeling the pressure of drivers getting distracted by their mobile devices. Allegedly, the sheer number of accidents that have been caused by a driver paying more attention to their mobile device than on the road has prompted the insurance companies to raise premiums by 10,000%

What Happens if Your Caught Using a Mobile Device While Driving 

Anyone caught using a mobile device while operating a vehicle faces some serious consequences.

The first time a mobile device is the root of your distracted driving, you will get a ticket plus any additional infractions and costs. Since this is a driving offense that has more serious consequences each time you’re caught, every other time you’re ticketed for using a mobile device while driving, the cost of the ticket increases, plus additional fees.

Getting a ticket for using a mobile device while driving hurts your monthly budget, but that’s nothing compared to what will happen if your distracted driving results in an accident where someone is injured or killed. At this stage, you should consider reaching out to an experienced personal injury attorney.

A driver whose distracted driving results in an accident that includes a serious personal injury or death will face Class 1 misdemeanor charges. If convicted, the consequences include:

• Up to a 6-month jail sentence
• A yearlong suspension of their driver’s license
• A fine that could be as large as $1000

Are There Any Exceptions

While the best way to make sure you remain focused on driving is to turn your mobile device completely off until you reach your destination, some states don’t actually have any laws requiring you to do that. The truth is that if you simply can’t bear to be out of touch while you’re behind the wheel, there are a few ways you can continue to communicate during your commute.

The safest choice when you want to use a mobile device while you’re traveling is to pull over and park your car until you’re done calling or texting. Make sure you have your hazard lights on, pull all the way out of traffic, and use your blinkers to signal that you’re ready to rejoin the traffic flow once you’ve completed your call/text.

These days most cars have interfaces built right into them that allow the driver to use Bluetooth to stay in touch while they’re driving. You’re also legally allowed to use an earpiece, headphones, or watch. Just remember that you are still expected to pay attention so if the conversation is too distracting, end the call until your car is parked.

You’re allowed to use your phone’s hands-free option, which allows you to listen to calls and use the phone’s navigation features.

Drivers are allowed to use their mobile devices when they need to call for help in an emergency or if they’ve witnessed a crime.

Enlist the Aid of a Good Personal Injury Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a distracted driving accident, it’s likely you need a reliable personal injury lawyer who will stand in your corner. When you contact Miley Legal, they’ll handle all the details of your claim so you can focus on making a complete recovery.

If you’ve been arrested for a DWII, you’re probably wondering what the odds of getting DWI charges dropped are. The answer depends on the circumstances of your case, but having an experienced DWI lawyer and strong evidence in your favor can increase the chances that a prosecutor may drop or reduce your charge.

What is a DWI Charge?

A DWI charge is a criminal charge imposed on individuals driving or in control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In most states, this includes driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or higher.

A DWI can either be a misdemeanor or felony charge, depending on the severity of the offense and whether there are prior DWI offenses. You’ll be charged with a felony if any of the following happens while you’re under the influence:

• You’ve been convicted of DWI before
• You caused an accident that resulted in serious bodily injury or death
• There were any minors under the age of 14 in the vehicle.
• You broke other laws like driving under a restricted, suspended, or revoked license
• You have an elevated high blood alcohol level

Irrespective of the charges, a DWI conviction is a serious offense – even for first-time offenders – that can have long-term consequences, including license suspension or revocation, fines, probation, and even jail time.

What are the Consequences of a DWI Charge?

A DWI conviction has both short- and long-term consequences. In the short term, you may face jail time, fines and fees, license suspension or revocation, probation, community service hours, and installing an ignition interlock device. In addition to these criminal penalties, a DWI conviction can also have long-term consequences, including higher insurance rates, difficulty finding or keeping a job, and the inability to rent a car or even travel abroad. One may also lose gun rights, professional licenses, immigration status, and child custody.

Tips to Improve Your Chances of Getting DWI Charges Dropped

Your chances of getting a DWI charge dropped will depend on your situation. But there are some steps you can take that may work to your advantage:

Remain Silent

Your right to remain silent is critical in any criminal defense case. While the police, prosecutor, and judge have a job to do, it’s best to leave it up to your attorney to provide relevant evidence and answer any questions on your behalf.

Hire an Experienced Attorney

Hiring a criminal defense attorney who understands DWI law is essential to get the best possible outcome. An experienced lawyer will explore all the facts of your case, look for flaws in the prosecution’s evidence and aggressively fight for a favorable outcome. For example, they may look for reasons like:

• No probable cause
• Residual alcohol
• Faulty breath tests
• Medical conditions
• Police misconduct

Note Down Everything

Make sure to note down everything that happened when you were arrested, including the exact time and place of your arrest. It’s also helpful to record your experience with the police following the arrest and whether they forced you to do anything. If there are any witnesses present, make sure to get their contact information. You should also get a copy of the police report for inconsistencies and errors. Your lawyer may be able to use this information to challenge the prosecutor’s case or cast doubt on the evidence they present.

Provide Relevant Evidence

If you have any evidence that can be used to build your case, make sure to provide it to your attorney. This includes photos, witness statements, or video recordings. Having strong evidence in your favor can help reduce or dismiss the charges against you.

How Can I Get my DWI Charges Dropped?

Getting your DWI charges dropped is possible, but it depends on the circumstances of your case. Generally speaking, having a solid defense and convincing evidence in your favor will increase the chances of a prosecutor dropping or reducing your charge. In some cases, prosecutors may be willing to negotiate an agreement that involves pleading guilty to a lesser charge, such as reckless driving.

A lawyer will from Graystar Legal can evaluate your case and develop the most effective defense strategy to help you get the best possible outcome. They can also negotiate with prosecutors on your behalf for a plea bargain or even dismissal if there is sufficient evidence to support your case.

In addition, your lawyer may be able to challenge the accuracy and validity of evidence used against you, such as the results of blood or breath tests. If these tests were conducted improperly or violated your rights in any way, then they may be inadmissible in court, and your charges could be dropped.

Overall, it’s difficult to predict the odds of getting a DWI charge dropped in any given case, but having an experienced lawyer and strong evidence in your favor will greatly increase the chances of a favorable outcome. If you’ve been charged with a DWI, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately to help you build the best possible defense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the local courthouse information and departments?

Your local courthouse can provide information on its departments and court dates. You can find the address of your local courthouse online or call your county’s clerk of court office. Additionally, most court websites will provide information on their departments and their services.

What happens when you get a DWI for the first time?

For a first DWI offense, the penalties depend on several factors, such as the severity of the offense, your blood alcohol concentration at the time of your arrest, and any aggravating or mitigating factors. Generally, penalties may include fines, license suspension, community service, probation, and a possible jail sentence. Your lawyer will be able to provide more information on the potential consequences of a first-time DWI offense.

What are Aggravating or Mitigating Factors?

In criminal cases, aggravating factors can increase the severity of the punishment imposed. Examples of common aggravating factors include prior convictions, excessive speed, underage driving, and high blood alcohol levels. On the other hand, mitigating factors can reduce a sentence or eliminate it. Mitigating factors may include a lack of criminal record or evidence of remorse. An experienced lawyer can help you determine if any aggravating or mitigating factors apply to your case.

Estate planning is an important part of any individual or family’s future. It involves creating a plan for how your assets and finances will be handled after you are gone. But estate planning can seem overwhelming, especially if you’re just starting out. No worries, as long as you have a reliable estate planning lawyer by your side, the process will be a breeze. So, let’s take a look at the basics of estate planning to help get you started on the right foot. 

What is Estate Planning? 

Estate planning is the process of determining how your assets and finances will be handled upon your death or in cases of incapacitation due to illness or injury. This includes decisions about who will receive what assets, how taxes will be paid, and what responsibilities each person has during the transition period. An estate plan also outlines who should manage your affairs if you become incapacitated due to illness or injury. 

Why Should I Have an Estate Plan? 

Having an estate plan ensures that your wishes are carried out according to your preferences, not someone else’s. It also helps protect your assets from creditors, lawsuits, and taxes. Additionally, having an estate plan in place can make it easier for family members to make decisions about your care if you become incapacitated due to illness or injury, as well as provide peace of mind that everything will be taken care of according to your wishes when the time comes. 

What Does an Estate Plan Include?            

An estate plan typically includes two key elements: a will and trust documents. A will outlines how you want your property and possessions divided among heirs upon your death while trust documents establish a legal entity that holds title to certain property on behalf of another person or persons (ie beneficiaries). Other components may include powers of attorney (for healthcare decisions), guardianship appointments for minor children, life insurance policies, tax-planning documents such as irrevocable trusts and gifting strategies for reducing gift and estate taxes upon death. Ultimately, what goes into an estate plan depends on each individual’s circumstances and goals for their financial future after they pass away. 

With so many aspects involved in creating an effective estate plan, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the details involved in putting together one yourself—but it doesn’t have to be complicated! Working with a qualified estate planning lawyer can help simplify the process by providing insight into potential strategies that could benefit both you and your beneficiaries now and in the future. Taking steps now towards creating an effective estate plan can ensure that all parties involved are taken care of according to their wishes when the time comes–so don’t hesitate to contact an experienced attorney at Cary Estate Planning and start planning today!