WCBC Law

Being charged with a DUI can be an extremely stressful situation. Even if you were barely over the legal limit there can be some serious consequences. This is especially true if you do not have the right representation when you go through the court process. Knowing when it is time to hire an attorney can save you from a great deal of hardship in the future.

Were you Charged with Driving Under the Influence?

Essentially, if you have been charged with a DUI, you definitely need the help of a lawyer that deals with these types of situations regularly. They know the law to a degree that can ensure that they have the ability to seek the best possible outcome possible. Just about every part of the country has worked hard to increase the penalties that can come with this type of charge. In some cases you can have consequences even if the prosecutor is not able to convict on other parts of the charge. The best representation can reduce the total impact of the charges on your life.

The best lawyers understand the limitations of the technology used to determine the level of intoxication. While they are promoted as being fool proof, that really is not the case. There are a number of factors that can lead to a breathalizer indicating false results. Having someone on your side that knows the law as well as these implication can actually save you thousands of dollars in the end.

They also know exactly how a traffic stop must be performed. If you were pulled over without actual cause your case could be dismissed. It is up to the prosecution to prove that the stop was reasonable under the law. Many jurisdictions require cameras on law enforcement vehicles. If you were simply pulled over because you were on the roads late at night there is a good chance that charges could be dropped. Too many officers have pulled over vehicles simply because they were out at a certain time at night. It is important to remember that you are innocent until you have been proven guilty.

One of the biggest reasons that people do not seek the help of a DUI lawyer is the belief that they will be wasting money. That simply is not true. A great attorney has the expertise to actually save you a great deal when it comes to the financial costs of the situation. The best choice you can make is to find the best lawyer available to you so that you can get back to your life. Without the help of the best it could take years to be able to drive and be the person you were before the charge.

Essentially, if you have been charged with a DUI, you definitely need the help of a lawyer. They know the law inside and out. Going it alone will only ensure that you will be facing the highest consequences prescribed by law. Investing in your situation will greatly reduce your costs and improve your overall quality of life.

When facing the situation of having to go through a divorce it can be confusing as to whether or not you are in need of a lawyer. Ideally, it would be wonderful if it were never necessary, but unfortunately that is not the case. In order to protect yourself, it is more likely than not that you definitely do need the assistance of an attorney that specializes in this field.

The one situation in which a lawyer is not necessary is if the divorce is completely amicable. This is most often the case when both parties agree shortly after the wedding that they have made a mistake. It typically also involves each party having their own property in which they solely invested in. Due to the nature of the progress of relationships this is rarely the case, but if it is, then going without a lawyer could be suitable.

However, if there is property in common, it is almost always best to seek legal help. Even if there does not seem to be a disagreement regarding how property should be distributed, legal counsel can help to ensure that all of the proper documentation is done. This protects both parties from any future dispute and can help the divorce to progress quickly.

If children are involved, then it absolutely necessary to secure a quality lawyer. Of course it would be ideal if both parties could fully agree on what is in the best interest of the children, but that is rarely the case. Even if there is agreement, it is best to have everything in writing before the divorce goes in front of a judge. Having any mistakes in the paperwork can lead to delays and problems in the future. Having legal representation on your side will ensure that your rights are fully protected. There is no room for error when it comes to issues involving the future of your children and the extent that you will be involved in their lives.

Even if you are facing the most amicable of divorces, it really is in your best interest to hire an attorney. Simply having them on your side as you navigate through the process can reduce your stress level. They have the knowledge and expertise necessary to ensure that you properly complete each step of the process. While it is possible to handle a divorce without the help of an expert, many people find that they make mistakes that hold up the process. You can save yourself a lot of time and money by having a professional by your side each step of the way.

It can be confusing as to whether or not hiring a lawyer is really necessary when you are going through a divorce. The key is to consider what is at stake. If you have shared property, children or any interests that could be at risk, then it is definitely best to hire a lawyer. Even if you do not believe it is necessary you should at least consult with one to best understand your legal situation.

I was at the courthouse killing time between hearings. I stuck my head in to watch a friend’s trial. Opposing counsel had just called his “expert” witnesses. What I watched next was painful. 

For the next hour or so, the attorney asked the expert a question and the expert answered. At first, this expert was good and obviously knew his stuff. But after the first 10 minutes everything started to fall apart. And here’s why… 

There is nothing, and I mean nothing, more boring and ineffective during trial than to listen to an expert talk, in a monotone voice, to a jury for an hour straight. Remember how you use to feel in college or law school when some self-centered high browed professor would talk non-stop during class or lecture? Remember how you couldn’t wait to get out of the room? 

Well, guess what. A jury feels the same way when listening to expert testimony. If not done correctly, it’s ineffective, a waste of your client’s money, and probably also a waste of your time. 

The ineffective expert testimony I watched wasn’t the expert’s fault. He didn’t know any better. But it was the trial lawyers fault for not getting him ready to offer effective testimony. With a little tweaking, this expert could have really helped the defendant’s case. Instead, I think he ended up flushing it down the toilet. 

Now here’s a little tip that can make an otherwise boring expert effective and entertaining during direct examination. Modify it slightly and you can also use this approach with most lay witnesses. 

Shake things up every 5-8 minutes by using exhibits, charts, and photographs

Plan your direct examination so that every 5-8 minutes, your witness will use a photograph, chart or exhibit to help explain his testimony. Specifically design your direct so that your expert can get up and walk over to a chart and continue with answering your questions while pointing to or describing items on the diagram. After a couple of minutes, have your expert walk back to witness stand. 

Ask questions during direct that require the expert to handle a model or exhibit and physically show the jury what he’s talking about. Have the expert use overheads and blowups to restate, in a slightly different fashion, important facts or issues he earlier testified to from the witness stand. 

Discuss the above approach with your expert before trial. Most experts will quickly appreciate the fact that you are trying to make them look better to the jury. My experience has shown that they’ll understand your goal and eagerly look forward to helping any way they can. 

Then, when it’s time for direct, engage your expert and complement his testimony by having him directly interact with the evidence and indirectly, interact with your jury. 

Do this and at the end of next expert direct examination, not only will you have shared all your expert’s opinions with the jury, but you’ll have done so in a way that will have captured their attention and hammered home your issues.