How a Misdemeanor Can Affect Your Future

While many people brush off a misdemeanor offense as a minor violation of the law, this serious crime can
have a lasting effect on your life and your criminal record. Continue reading to learn more about the effects of a misdemeanor conviction on your record.
If you have recently been accused of a crime, or possibly arrested, you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible. There is plenty of false information out there about misdemeanor and felony crimes, and taking in the wrong information about the offense you may be soon convicted of can have detrimental consequences. First and foremost, you should recognize that being charged with any type of violation, no matter how minor or major, can have a devastating effect on your future by hindering your criminal record. Even a moving violation, or a traffic ticket, that is simply an infraction of the law can hold consequences such as license suspension when too many of these violations occur.

While many people believe that a misdemeanor is the lightest offense a person can be charged with, they are sorely mistaken. A misdemeanor is a serious crime that is mainly categorized by up to a year in jail in most states – that’s a year in jail without the ability to work and provide for your family, go to school, care for your children, or enjoy the outside world. Not only will this type of conviction immediately affect you and your family, but it can hold consequences on your future due to the serious mark on your criminal record.

When a person is released from jail or has completed their sentence after a misdemeanor conviction, they will have a criminal record that follows them around. With a simple background check, a future employer or a university admissions center may be able to view your past criminal history and see that you have been convicted of a crime. No matter how serious this conviction may be, the employer or university may have a zero tolerance rule in regards to employing or schooling convicted criminals.

Lastly, this type of conviction is not one that will simply just disappear from your criminal record. In fact, it will remain on your record for all to see until further legal action is taken to remove it, if possible. Due to the serious nature of misdemeanor crimes and the effect they will have on your life and criminal record, it is important that you involve a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Your attorney will be able to investigate the case before a decision is made to convict you of a crime – before the prosecution has the chance to devastate your entire future. If you have been charged with any offense, misdemeanor or felony, contacting a criminal defense attorney should be the very first thing you do.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Fagan, Fagan & Davis
At Fagan, Fagan & Davis, the legal team has over 100 years of collective legal experience and defends clients in the area of criminal defense in Chicago. If you have been charged with any type of crime in the area, do not hesitate to involve a Chicago criminal defense lawyer at this law firm today. They can provide you with a comprehensive case evaluation in which you can discuss your options and the appropriate defense strategy to employ. From misdemeanor charges to felonious violent crimes, this law firm is ready to help you through any of life’s obstacles. When you have a pertinent criminal case that needs to be reviewed and aggressively defended, do not hesitate to contact a Chicago criminal lawyer from Fagan, Fagan & Davis.

Challenging Your DUI

If you or a loved one is facing accusations of driving under the influence, there are ways to fight against a conviction. Learn how you could get your case dismissed by challenging the evidence against you and the method by which it was obtained. In the U.S., it is illegal to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol concentration or content) of 0.08% or above.
If you are pulled over for suspected drunk driving and arrested, the first step you should take is to contact a legal representative with experience in DUI law. They will be able to determine if any errors or illegal practices took place in your case. If they did, evidence against you may be thrown out of court or your case could be dismissed. The first way that you may be able to challenge your DUI charge is if you were stopped illegally. If you were stopped at a roadblock or checkpoint, police are allowed to stop you if they use a neutral policy for picking out who to stop. If you believe you were discriminated against, it could help your defense. You may also be pulled over for driving erratically. Swerving, braking, and speeding up and slowing down may all be indicators that someone is under the influence of alcohol.

After being pulled over for suspected drunk driving, the law enforcement officer may ask you to perform a field sobriety test. These are designed to test skills that would be impaired if the individual was under the influence of alcohol. However, there are other reasons why an individual may fail these tests and are therefore not 100% accurate. For example, if the police officer did not clearly explain the instructions, the driver may have misunderstood what they were supposed to do. If you were arrested for DUI based on the results of your walk and turn test, one legal stand test, or horizontal gaze nystagmus test, an attorney could help you challenge the evidence against you.

Breath tests are also not completely foolproof. A breathalyzer device analyzes the driver’s breath and measures the amount of alcohol in their blood stream. Although this is an overall accurate way to determine if someone has been drinking, there are certain circumstances that could lead to an error. For example, if the device was not properly calibrated, it could lead to an inaccurate reading. If it was not in proper working order or had not been properly maintained, the evidence will not hold up in court. Police officers are responsible for following certain instructions for calibration and any deviation could result in a dropped case. Do not wait to get the help you need if you were arrested for driving under the influence and see if you could get your charges dropped.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Brown Law Firm
The Brown Law Firm is a criminal defense and DUI defense law firm serving clients in Bloomington, Illinois and the surrounding areas. They are dedicated to providing you with strong legal defense regarding DUI, drug offenses, domestic battery, and more. They understand that not everyone who is accused of a crime is guilty and so fight tirelessly to protect the freedom of each of their clients. A Bloomington criminal defense lawyer from their team will investigate your case and seek to determine how to create the most strategic defense for you. Their main priority to get your case dismissed, which is reflected in their success record in court. To learn more about how their team of professionals could help you, contact a Bloomington criminal defense attorney from their firm. Time is crucial so call today!

Types of Car Accidents that Can Occur

hen it comes to car accidents, there are various types that can occur depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident. Every year car accidents claim the lives of thousands. In 2009 alone, almost more than ten million motor accidents occurred and over 35,000 lives were lost as a direct effect. Throughout all of these incidents there are various types of car accidents that can happen as a result of unsafe roadway conditions, negligent drivers and other factors.

Getting behind the wheel always involves a great responsibility. Simple mistakes can lead to significant damage that costs those involved financially and physically.

One of the first types of car accidents that can occur is a single vehicle accident. This is an accident in which only one car is involved. Distractions while driving can be a big factor when it comes to the cause of car accidents. Texting or talking on the phone among other things can take away the focus of a driver, inhibiting them from giving their complete attention to the roadways. This is certainly true in many single vehicle accidents in which the driver took their focus from the road and hit a pole or other object.

There are other factors which can contribute to a single vehicle accident, making important to always pay close attention when driving. Another type of accident is a multi-vehicle accident, when more than one vehicle is involved in the accident. These can cause great damage depending on the size and speed of the cars involved. In accidents where high speeds were a factor, the damages can be catastrophic, leaving victims with lifelong injuries or even resulting in a death. It is important while driving to not only make sure you are driving safely but also keep an eye out for other drivers that may be demonstrating reckless behavior such as speeding or making unsafe lane changes.

Head-on collisions are a very dangerous type of car accident that are increased by the speed involved. In a head on collision the main force of the other vehicle is struck at the front of the car. Head-on collisions are known for being exceptionally damaging, through a direct collision of the two cars that can have devastating results. Rear-end accidents occur when one driver is struck from behind by another driver. If there is another car in front of the driver that is struck, the force of being hit from behind can sometimes propel them into the car in front, leading to further damage. To help prevent from rear-end accidents it is important to drive a safe distance behind cars, with the general guideline being the 3 second rule.

In drunk-driving accidents the mental ability of the driver who is under the influence of alcohol is impaired, leaving them unable to make the rational and quick decisions they would normally be able to make. A blood alcohol limit above the legal max of .08 is illegal because of the negative driving ability those with a higher BAC level have demonstrated. Those under the influence may often fail to obey traffic laws, speeding to excessive levels and in some cases even driving the wrong way on the road. Due to the compromised mental stability of a driver who is intoxicated, when a drunk-driving accident occurs it can have monumental effects. In a T-bone accident one driver is struck from the side by a car traveling directly towards them. The name of the accident comes from the shape made by both vehicles when the hit occurs. A common incident that can lead to T-bone accidents is when one driver runs a red light while another driver is already going through the intersection.

Due to the severity an accident can cause, it is always important to exercise caution when driving. Paying close attention to roadway regulations and observing other drivers located around you can greatly decrease your chances of an accident. If you have been injured in a car accident, it is important that you have a legal representative on your side to defend you against the individual responsible. Having a lawyer to help you handle your claim may be the factor that helps you recover the compensation you will need to handle the many expenses a car accident can result in.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Squires and Associates, P.C.
Squires and Associates, P.C. is a firm located in Portland, serving the needs of those injured in an accident or act of negligence. Their attorneys are experienced in handling a variety of injury claims, including those cases where serious damage was incurred. A compassionate Portland personal injury attorney can delicately handle cases in which a wrongful death occurred. They are exceptionally familiar with car accident claims and understand the various components that go into each type of case. If you have been the victim of an accident, their team can help develop a convincing case that demonstrates your innocents and the matter as well as seeking to earn you compensation for your injuries. When you are hurt by the reckless driving of another, the effects can not only be harmful but debilitating as well. It is challenging to deal with your injury and properly go about legal procedures in seeking justice for your case. Contact a Portland personal injury lawyer from their firm.

Looking to Clear Your Criminal Record?

ast? If you have been accused and convicted of a criminal

offense, your ability to secure work, housing, public benefits and financial aid in the future may be significantly impacted. The state of Washington has enacted laws that created a process for individuals who have a criminal record to clear misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors and felonies from their criminal record.
There are very limited circumstances that allow an individual to completely clear their criminal record and destroy all information about previous charges. Under Washington law, a court will consider how many and what kind of crimes you have been accused of committing, in addition to the result of each of your charges. For example, you are more likely to succeed with clearing your criminal record if you had a deferred prosecution as opposed to a conviction. The court will also take into consideration how long it has been since you were charged or convicted with a criminal offense.

Depending on the crime that you are trying to remove from your record, there may be other limitations as well. The only sure-fire way to know if you will be successful in clearing your criminal record is by consulting with an experienced criminal defense attorney. A legal expert can help you determine whether or not you can vacate your criminal record, and can explain the limitations that apply to your specific charges as well. After you determine the likeliness of clearing your charges, you need to apply to the right court or law enforcement agency.

First, check with the Washington State Patrol Identification and Criminal History Section for the record on where your arrests, detentions, charges or convictions took place within the state. You are legally entitled to inspect the criminal history and record information that they have on file. A lawyer can help you determine the jurisdiction where the crime happened in the state and also identify all of the agencies that have records on you. For example, if you were accused and convicted of a crime in Seattle, the local police agencies are required by law to forward your arrest cards and information to the Washington State Patrol. Your record may be on file with both state and local agencies as well as any courts that you appeared at.

Once you determine all of the places where your information or records are, a Seattle defense attorney can help you correct or delete your criminal records. In some cases, certain requests can only be made once in a lifetime so it is vitally important that all of the legal guidelines are in place before you begin the process of vacating your criminal conviction. Ultimately, the best way to achieve a positive outcome in clearing your record is by enlisting the help of a knowledgeable Seattle criminal defense lawyer who can represent you in court and help you through the complex paperwork and legal restrictions.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Baker, Lewis, Schwisow & Laws, PLLC
The criminal justice system can be harsh and unforgiving. At Baker, Lewis, Schwisow & Laws, PLLC, we are aggressive advocates for individuals who have been subjected to this harsh system after facing criminal charges. A Seattle defense attorney from our firm will provide vigorous legal defense against any type of criminal charges in order to obtain a positive outcome for your case. We realize the amount of stress that is involved with criminal charges, and we never underestimate the serious nature of your case. When you contact a Seattle defense lawyer at our firm, we will immediately begin working to compile evidence and build a strong defense case. No matter how minor or severe your charges may seem, we have the expertise and experience to provide you with high-quality legal representation.

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Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.