Posts Tagged ‘criminal defense attorney’

Searching For A San Jose Defense Attorney

Saturday, March 6th, 2010

When we least expect it, we find ourselves facing problems we could never even imagine. Problems come in all forms in life, and sometimes trouble arises in the form of a legal matter. In the litigious society in which we live, any of us could one day need a defense attorney. Residents of San Jose can find a wealth of legal professionals to turn to when the need for a San Jose defense attorney arises.

It is common to see an advertisement for an attorney claiming to be a specialist in one type of law. Chances are the lawyer has made a legitimate claim, but anyone advertising in this way must have a certification by the State Bar of California. The Bar website offers a directly of practicing lawyers and also provides information about certification and specialization.

Even within the practice of defense law, attorneys can also offer further specialization. Some lawyers specialize in defending clients against DUI charges. Other attorneys specialize in defending people who have been charged with crimes related to drug possession. Immigrants facing charges related to immigration can hire an attorney who specializes in defending immigration charges.

When hiring a San Jose defense attorney, past experience is important. Finding a lawyer who has successfully defended clients with similar problems could be the determining factor in winning a case. Not only is it important for an attorney to be certified as a specialists, but the lawyer should also have specific experience within specific legal charges.

Finding a defense lawyer with courtroom experience is very important. Defense attorneys often have to appear in a court, and past courtroom experience can make or break a court case. A court trial means dealing with opposing attorneys, a judge and sometimes a jury. Finding an attorney who knows not only the law, but also how to conduct a case in open court, is vital.

Finding a San Jose defense attorney does not have to be difficult. Attorneys practicing in Northern California are among the best in the country.

If you have been arrested and are facing criminal charges, speaking to a San Jose defense law firm can make all the difference. With an experienced hand to guide you through the process, a San Jose criminal defense lawyer will help to bring resolution to your situation.

categories: san jose defense attorney,criminal defense attorney,defense attorney,defense lawyer,dui lawyer,drug lawyer,lawyer,attorney,law firm,legal,law criminal,dui


Your Rights When Approached By The Cops In Seattle

Friday, February 5th, 2010

Every day people are arrested by the cops for minor drug charges, minor offenses, and because they have outstanding warrants. Most of these people aren\’t bad people, they just make bad decisions. And many of these people (trust me on this, I\’m a Seattle DUI attorney) could have avoided the problem if they would have only known the proper way to interact with the cops. If you\’re here and interested, today is your lucky day, because I\’m going to tell you how to deal with the cops.

Here\’s the classic example that I see all the time. You are walking around in downtown Seattle. It\’s late. You are alone, and a cop car pulls up along side of you. They ask you if you are all right, ask you for your name, and ask you for your identification.

You comply with the cop and enter into a conversation. You\’re nervous, after all, because you have a small amount of marijuana on you that you use recreationally. You don\’t want the cop to know, so you go along with his questions. You give him your ID, even though you know you have a warrant for failing to appear for an illegal fishing charge. Cop see warrant, arrests you, finds drugs, and busts you.

After the arrest you do a little research on the internet and find out that you should be able to get the drugs suppressed because the officer didn\’t have a reasonable suspicion to stop you and check you out. But, you\’d be wrong, because the court\’s call this a \”social contact.\” The cop was simply trying to have some small talk and you complied. Sound dumb? Every Seattle criminal attorney thinks so too.

To get yourself out of this situation what are you supposed to do? Can you just walk away from the cop without talking to him? Won\’t he track you down and arrest you? If you don\’t talk to him, will he automatically assume you are guilty? The short answer is yes, you should just walk away. You could also tell the cop you don\’t want to talk.

The great thing about cops is that they have to have a reason for stopping you. If they don\’t then they can\’t. If they stop you when they aren\’t supposed to, all the evidence they find is suppressed.

Deciding to hold your ground and not talk to the cops is a tough thing to do. They intentionally try to be intimidating and demanding, even when they don\’t have the upper hand (like now). If you do what they say, you\’re going to be charged with a crime, so why not give exercising your rights a shot? What do you have to lose?

Looking to find a great Seattle DUI attorney? Then visit us to find the best advice on finding the right Seattle DUI defense attorney for you.

categories: police, crime, criminals, criminal defense attorney, DUI lawyer, fighting crime, lawyers, education


Seattle DUI Attorney Explains Navigating The Traffic Stop

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

Most times it starts out rather innocently. Maybe you have a couple of drinks after work with the fellas or you have a couple of drinks watching your alma mater clobber your arch rival, or maybe you just have a couple of drinks at dinner. But in any event, you feel fine until you see the flashing lights of the police cruiser in your rear view mirror and you realize you wish you were a Seattle DUI attorney.

If you don’t know a good criminal attorney or aren’t one yourself, there is no need to worry. Just memorizing a few basic rules (at least in the State of Washington) for navigating a DUI stop can make your next encounter with the cops almost enjoyable. Keep reading to learn what I’m talking about.

DUI stops for the most part take the same basic shape: (1) your opening conversation with the cop; (2) the point where the officer asks you to perform field sobriety tests; and (3) the point where the cops ask you to take a breath alcohol test. You can make precise decisions at each of these periods that will help you avoid a DUI charge.

You can take a proactive role in thwarting a DUI from the moment the cop comes up to your window. And you should, because the cop is doing the exact opposite. Most of the time the cops will say something like “I smell alcohol, what have you been drinking?” This is a question you don’t have to answer and shouldn’t answer. The correct response? “I’m not going to respond o your questions.”

If the cop feels like he has enough information to keep going with the DUI stop, he’ll probably next ask you to do some field sobriety tests. Like the first part of the investigation, your answer here is very easy to remember. “I refuse to do any field sobriety tests.” After you say those words just sit back and relax and wait for the next stage (maybe).

Third up is the question to take a breathalyzer test. This is probably the hardest decision of all. Thankfully, though, Washington State allows you to talk to a DUI defense attorney before you decide what you want to do. Don’t be too cool – talk to a lawyer. They will make sure you do the right thing.

Surviving a DUI investigation is no small task. Police officers are looking for DUI arrests, they pay attention to all of the bad things you do, and they may charge with DUI no matter what. If you do what you should, and exercise your rights properly, though, you can keep them from getting what they need, and have a good chance of beating a DUI charge.

Learn more about DUI stops at the Seattle DUI Attorney News Blog. Written by a Seattle DUI attorney so normal people can learn about their rights.


4 Tips To Consider When You’re Being Arrested

Friday, January 15th, 2010

If you have recently been arrested you may not be in a good position to deal with everything that is happening. There are some things you should keep in mind in order to avoid making mistakes.

4 Tips To Keep In Mind If You Are Arrested:

Sometimes an individual does things while they are under arrest that can damage the ability to mount an effective criminal defense. It’s a good idea to keep some things in mind while you are being arrested. Consider staying away from the following mistakes if you are in the situation:

1. Running Or Resisting Arrest – Resisting arrest or running from the police can lead to even more charges beyond the initial offense. You are better served cooperating with the police.

2. Exercise Your Right To Remain Silent – It is your right to remain silent during your arrest. In fact, the more you talk, the greater the likelihood that you can say something that will be used against you if your case goes to trial. If you attempt to talk your way out of trouble, you run the risk of hurting your criminal defense.

3. Talking Your Way Out Of The Issue Doesn’t Usually Work – Defendants that attempt to talk their way out of getting arrested rarely succeed. A defendant is better served going quietly with the police during an arrest. In some cases, the arresting officer will write in the report that a defendant was difficult and argumentative during the arrest if you talk too much. This can have negative consequences when it comes time for your criminal defense.

4. Getting Arrested Is A Serious Matter – If you are arrested, it’s important to remember that it is a very serious matter. It is a good idea to do the right things to get your problem taken care of.

After your arrest, don’t take risks with harming your case. Connect with a New Jersey criminal defense lawyer who can help you through the legal process.

Criminal charges can result in a tarnished record, heavy fines and even years in jail. If you have been arrested, seek the help of aNJ defense attorney for your case. A defense attorney NJ can be helpful with your legal issue.


Vancouver DUI Lawyer For You Defense

Sunday, January 10th, 2010

A Vancouver DUI lawyer will help you in your time of need. If you are charged with DUI you have to know this is a serious charge with a serious penalty. You give up your drivers license and even go to jail. Your auto insurance will double and might even triple in cost.

You will have to deal with your department of motor vehicles in a separate hearing about your license suspension. So will want to have a lawyer representing you not only in your time before the traffic court but also with the department of motor vehicles. This is a very trying time and you need someone who has been through all of this before.

The department of motor vehicles may choose to suspend your drivers license for one year. But you of course want the shortest time possible. You need to have a lawyer who will argue for the shortest suspension given your circumstances. You need someone representing you at this hearing who knows how to deal with the department of motor vehicles.

Also you might have to drive to and from work. Without a lawyers help you might have to find another way to get to work. An attorney experienced with the department of motor vehicles hearing may be able to get you the privilege to drive to and from work.

And in the traffic court your lawyer is experienced in defending people charged with drunk driving. He will ask the court for a trial. At the trial he will call witnesses to your drunk driving. These are namely the police officers who arrested you.

They will have to testify as to why they thought you were under the influence. If they say your eyes were red then your lawyer will explain to the court that it was late at night and that you had been at work since six that morning. These are ways your lawyer can disprove that you were actually driving under the influence.

If you had difficulty with the physical part of the field sobriety test then he will bring up the fact that you might have an injury that prevented you from doing the test to the satisfaction of the officer. If they used a device to check you blood level he will ask when the last time the device was properly calibrated.

These are only some of the arguments your lawyer can make on your behalf. If this is your second or third charge you most definitely need a lawyer because you can expect a jail sentence if found guilty.

The best defense to all of this of course is not to drink and drive. Have a designated driver take you home. Have a bus token in your pocket. Or call a cab. One method is not to drive to where you are drinking so that way you have to find a way to get home that does not involve you driving your car.

Call a Vancouver DUI lawyer if you have been charged with driving under the influence. This is a serious charge. Learn your legal rights and possible defences by talking to a Metro Vancouver drunk driving lawyer.