The Next Immediate Step You Should Take When Facing a DUI Charge

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It’s no secret that driving drunk can have severe consequences for not only yourself but for those around you. Driving drunk puts everyone else on the road at risk too and in some cases, could land you in jail. Yet, thousands of people drive drunk — or tipsy — every year, thinking that they can “handle it.” It only takes one time to prove that theory wrong and it can have devastating consequences. If you’re arrested for a DUI, you may want to start trying to find a DUI attorney. If you find a DUI attorney, they can often help get you out of the fix you’re in, especially if it’s your first offense. And if it’s your second, third, or fourth time, they might be able to lessen the punishment you receive, with your full cooperation and commitment. However, driving under the influence is not something to be taken lightly, even if you do find a DUI attorney who can help you out.
What Does Driving Under the Influence Constitute?
DUI stands for “driving under the influence” and is often interchanged with DWI (“driving while intoxicated”) and OVI (operating a vehicle under the influence). The cut off point is having a blood alcohol count (BAC) of 0.08 if over the age of 21– you may have heard the expression, “0.08, don’t blow it” used. Enforcement varies from state to state and some have a zero tolerance policy for underage drinkers who are operating a motor vehicle as well. In any case, those under 21 who face a DUI charge have a much lower BAC threshold than those over 21. Some states also count driving under the influence of drugs under the DUI sphere and others draw a line between the act of driving while under the influence and operating a motor vehicle under the influence. Either way, driving under the influence of anything is subject to some kind of fine or penalty, no matter what state you’re in.
How Strict Are DUI Laws?
Again, since the enforcement tends to change based on the state, the strictness of DUI laws can change. However, they can be serious enough to give you a criminal record. That in turn, can have a negative influence on job opportunities, your ability to take out loans, and other opportunities that involve a background check of some kind. Other states may take away your license and then charge a reinstatement fee — Ohio, for example, charges a $450 reinstatement fee for just a first time DUI offender. You’ll certainly have points added to your license which rack up quickly. You could also face jail time for as long as six months for a first DUI offense. Fines are also steep — many states will often slap you with a fee that could go up to $1,000.In some cases, there may be a combination of all three, which can get pricey fast. You shouldn’t expect leniency if this is your first DUI offense — it’s taken very seriously by courts.
How Can Finding a Good Attorney Help Me?
If you find a DUI attorney who knows his or her stuff, you may be well on the road to lessening your charges. The best DUI attorney will know state DUI laws and new DUI laws backwards and forwards, which will help you in court. They’ll help protect your rights and make sure you’re being treated fairly. They’ll analyze evidence, like videos, getting in touch with witnesses, and challenging breathalyzer tests, blood tests and urine tests that may have been improperly administered. (If they were done wrong, their results can be found inadmissible in court.) Your attorney would be able to bring forth proof that something had gone wrong with those tests, for example, and get the tests re-examined. They’re well worth the price tag attached to help you perhaps avoid a criminal record or to lower the fines and penalties associated with your DUI.
Although a DUI attorney is not always necessary, it’s often a good idea to have them on your side, especially if it’s your first offense or if you’re an underage driver.

Police Misconduct is More Widespread Than Some People May Believe

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According to Argus Leader, the Flandreau Police Department has been rocked by scandal thanks to a 2013 Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) investigation into missing drug money that turned up unexpected findings into department wide police misconduct. Although one office was prosecuted for theft of drug money, it ended up triggering a larger look into just what was going on here.

The misconduct in question ranged from questionable judgment to outright crime. Items like alcohol were taken from the evidence locker and ingested by some officers; another admitted to breaking into a building. DCI also uncovered that a drug raid was used to cover up an officer discovered peeping through windows in one neighborhood.

After the guilty parties were punished, the event was largely buried without receiving much media coverage — until this past year, when someone with access to the investigation?s outcome ended up leaking parts of it to the public and the media.

It comes as no surprise to many people that police across the country are doing questionable things — even as they are requiring others to uphold the letter of the law. Unfortunately, as an institution police have of late become associated with corruption and other problems.

Many times over the past several years, police brutality has become a focus of the media and as a modern day civil rights issue. It?s no secret that police often protect their own. While this can feel heartening in a Law and Order episode, in real life it can be an attitude that ruins lives as defendants are often inadequately prepared to fight back against an entire institution that is supposed to be upholding the law and prosecuting offenders.

If you?re dealing with an issue of this magnitude, hiring a police misconduct attorney Minneapolis trusts might be your best bet. Why? An attorney can not only make sure your name is cleared, but they can also help to make sure their actions become widely known to prevent this happening again. A police misconduct attorney Minneapolis can also fight for you to receive a settlement to compensate for what you?ve had to go through, whether it?s lost wages from having to be in court or emotional trauma from being labeled a criminal for something the police did to you. Your legal rights are worth protecting.

Have you had to hire a police brutality lawyer, or would you consider doing so?

What are Court Reporting Services and How Can You Recieve Certification?

Court reporters

Being able to accurately transcribe spoken words is a highly valuable skill typically used in legal or business proceedings. Many who attend a trial may be amazed that an individual is able to type with such speed and accuracy to actually keep up with a conversation. There are a couple secrets that court reporting services use to keep up with the dialogue, but this is not to detract from the dedication and skill needed by professional court reporters.


Learning How to Type

Most of us use the typical alphanumeric keyboard often referred to as a “QWERTY” keyboard due to the layout of the upper-left letters that spell out the odd word. Court reporters instead use a stenotype machine. The stenotype keyboard was first invented by German inventor Karl Drais in 1830. The stenotype keyboard has far fewer keys than the familiar QWERTY keyboard, requiring the user to press multiple buttons at once to produce syllables; this shorthand typing method is what enables stenographers to type spoken words at speeds of up to 225 words per minute — the record according to the California Official Court Reporters Association was 375 words per minute.


Training as a Court Reporter

In order to become a court reporter, an individual must go through a court reporting education program and certification process. Court reporters in training typically spend up to 15 hours each week transcribing spoken words to develop the skills needed to become a professional court reporter as the individual must be able to type at least 225 testimony words per minute; there are other additional requirements that require a student to be able to transcribe 200 jury charge words per minute and 180 literary words per minute with a 95% accuracy rating. The time it takes for an individual to go through the court reporting education program and the entire certification process takes an average of 33.3 months with many factors varying based on each individual.


Getting Certified for Court Reporting Services

In the United States there are three court reporting associations that can certify a student: the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), the National Verbatim Reporters Association (NVRA), and the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT). Each association has different requirements for certification and different benefits for court reporting services. As of 2012 there were around 21,200 court reporters in the United States; employment for these positions is projected to grow by 10% over the next decade making it a fertile field for those with advanced typing skills. Court reporters ought to be keen listeners, experienced typists, and focused individuals — those who have these skills ought to consider contacting a certified court reporter program to get the certification needed to embark on this in-demand field.

Avoid Court With Arbitration and Mediation Services

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Unless you’re a fantastic lawyer, no one wakes up before a court date with a skip in their step and a sparkle in their eye. Frankly, no one wants to go to court if they can help it. Whether it’s a question of discrimination, an environmental law violation, or any other number of viable accusations, both the defendant and the plaintiff would benefit from a settlement that makes court unnecessary. This both nulls the need for lawyers fees and time wasted as lengthy trials and hearings.
But typically, both sides will likely have to settle in court unless a mediation or arbitaration process takes place. So what are arbitration and mediation services? Read on to find out.

Arbitration
Arbitration services allow two disputing parties to settle outside of court where an impartial or neutral third person mediates. This method of mediation has a long-standing history in the world of construction, labor, and securities, but is not being utilized in other business industry disputes.
When it comes to business disputes, arbitration is a preferred method of resolving the problem as it helps to avoid the expense, delay and acrimony of litigation. And most importantly, it helps the manner to remain compeltely private. This means that business records will be protected through these confidential proceedings.

Mediation
While mediation is similar to arbitration, there is one key difference. When it comes to arbitration, the neutral party considers the testimony and evidence and has the power to isse a formal arbitration award at the conclusion of the proceedings. This is like a verdict.
But in mediation, the neutral party does not make a verdict. Instead, they facilitate a resolution that works for both parties. By nature, mediation is considered a non-adversarial method of alternative dispute resolution, where the mediator does not have power to make any decision for instead helps the two disputing parties make decisions.

If you are experiencing a dispute and need arbitrations services or mediatioin services, don’t hesitate to call an alternative dispute resolution lawyer in your area. Court is expensive, time consuming, and generally just a drag. Avoid it if you can and resolve your disputes the confidential and peaceful way!

Pros and Cons of Workers’ Compensation

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Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that ensures wages and medical benefits to any employees that happen to get injured in the workplace or during employment with a particular company. In order for the worker to receive this compensation, however, he or she must give up any rights that they have to sue the company or the employer for negligence. There are different types of workers’ compensation plans and if a claim is filed, it will likely involve a workers compensation law firm and possibly a personal injury attorney in order to mediate the claim and the charges. Claims can differ as well ranging from anything from bodily harm to emotional affliction to general pain and suffering damage. However, not many plans include the latter reasons. Each case is slightly different than the last, so finding a trusted lawyer who can offer legal advice if this is the situation that you find yourself in, is a good idea.

Common Law
Workers compensation law firms enforce the common law obligations on to employers. There are specific things in place which actually protect the employer more than the employee. These laws include the following for employers:

  1. Ensure a safe workplace for employees
  2. Ensure safe work tools are available
  3. Provide adequate warning signs when danger is present.
  4. Provide assistance between co workers when needed.
  5. Enforce safe work place rules.

The reason for the above requirements is because common law also that if an employers adheres to the above statements the following is true:

  1. An employer will not be held liable if the injury was caused by a co worker or a peer.
  2. An employer will not be held liable if the injured employee failed to adhere to
  3. required precautions already set in place.
  4. An employer will not be held liable if the employee previously knew and accepted the possible risks that came with the job.

Workers compensation is not only to protect the worker, as you can see from the above statements regarding common law. Many employees mistakenly believe that no matter what happens, the law will be on their side. However, the law is very specific in making sure that a fair hearing takes place and then no one that is not at fault is held liable. If an employee is trying to get workers compensation for something that is not the employer’s fault, then the employer will be able to gather enough evidence, or the worker will not be able to gather enough evidence, to satisfy the laws of workers compensation. Workers must be very careful and truthful about any injury that happens in the workplace or there could actually be the opposite outcome for them than what they expected.

Pros and Cons of Workers’ Compensation
If you are working with a workers compensation law firm and considering the possibility of accepting a settlement, here are the pros and cons.

Pros

  1. Settlement amounts tend to be quite fair. If all your medical bills and costs and lost wages are covered, this may be the best deal you are going to get.

  2. You may be able to receive this sum quicker than you would another option, including if you wait for the workers’ compensation claim to go through.

  3. No stress of trial. Settlements are decided without the need to go to court.

  4. Trials do not always come out in your favor and pose some what of a risk if you turn down the settlement offered to you.

Cons

  1. You may end up needing more money further down the line that you were not aware of. Settlements are final and will not give you more once accepted. A trial will be drawn out longer and give you more of an idea how much your medical bills, etc. are going to cost you.

  2. There is no appealing a settlement but even if you lose at trial, you can appeal the outcome.

  3. A trial may end up offering you more money than a settlement did.

A workers compensation law firm will be able to help you make the right decision regarding whether to accept a settlement, go to trial or even file a workers compensation claim at all. There are many factors to consider before deciding whether or not to go through with something like this, so make sure that you take in account your legal team‘s advice before making any decisions.