Monday, February 27, 2012

Criminal Record Expungement Can Mean A New Beginning

An arrest and conviction of a crime goes into the legal records, which could limit future employment opportunities. Even if you have served your time, a criminal record can easily cause you to fail a background check conducted by a potential employer. Ex-convicts are treated differently by the society. People are often hesitant to trust them, making it difficult to start over once released. For many people, a criminal background haunts them forever.

For this reason, legal expungement can be an important milestone in a released person's journey to starting back on a productive and law-abiding path. In this process, all legal records regarding arrests and convictions are erased in eyes of the law. There are certain eligibility requirements that need to be met in order for someone to have their criminal records expunged. Those offenders who are currently convicted of any crime cannot apply for their records to be expunged, for example. They have to wait until they have served their sentence before requesting expungement.

Criminal record expungement is much more common with those known as "first time offenders", rather than "seasoned criminals". Many crimes, such as sexual assault and crimes against those under 18 years old, are often ineligible for expungement; eligibility depends on the particular jurisdiction. For this reason, it is wise to consult with a criminal defense attorney who is experienced in these matters.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Are you in trouble for driving while intoxicated (DWI)?

If you have been taken into custody for drunk driving, then you should immediately contact a DWI lawyer for legal representation and advising. DWI, short for Driving While Intoxicated, is a serious offense with severe consequences. You might not only lose your driving privileges, you could also go to prison and be responsible for large fines. So if you ever find yourself facing these charges, make sure you contact a qualified DWI lawyer as soon as possible.

You may wonder whether a DWI lawyer brings much to the table and whether you might just as easily represent yourself. This usually a poor decision and often results in a much worse outcome than if you had hired an attorney. Lawyers that specialize in DWI can effectively deal such cases because they have extensive experience defending those in your exact situation. As it stands, you are up against a lot.

Beyond the prosecution, evidence, and testimony, you may also be facing large civil penalties. This is especially true in cases that include injuries or property damage. The legal process can be cause for great anxiety, but an experienced DWI lawyer is exactly who you need on your side to protect your rights and get through the ordeal.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Taking a Stand against Police Brutality

Police are supposed to be upholders of the law and protectors of human rights. However occasionally, in certain situations, police abuse their authority and act out of brutality. Most people are afraid to speak out against Police brutality. This is mainly because many feel that the law is heavily slanted in favor of the police, or that they could get into more trouble for making accusations, as true as the accusations may be. However, this is the wrong way of looking at the situation. Every citizen is considered equal in front of the law. Even if you are arrested for a valid reason, that does not give the arresting officer the right to abuse you.

If you believe you are the victim of unnecessary force by one or more police officers in the City of Philadelphia, you can meet with a police brutality lawyer in Philadelphia, who can provide legal representation and advising. Brutality can encompass a number of things, from exertion of force, physical assault, arresting on false charges, and illegal imprisonment, just to name a few. At the same time, this can be a tricky area of law because law enforcement is authorized to use some degree of force in certain situations. A qualified Philadelphia lawyer can provide you with the legal knowledge and perspective you need to weigh your options.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Defense of Identity Theft Charges

Many offenses constitute fraud, but one of the most common among them is identity theft. This is a very serious offense and can cause many problems for the victim. Credit can be damaged by thieves opening up lines of credit, draining bank accounts, and a variety of other fraudulent acts.

Social security numbers and other confidential information are obtained by criminals in a variety of ways. These include home robberies, mail theft, email phishing scams, and by exploiting the security vulnerabilities of companies that have your information. While it is impossible to prevent all risk of identity theft, you should take as many precautions as you can to reduce your risk.

Social security numbers and other confidential information are obtained by criminals in a variety of ways. These include home robberies, mail theft, email phishing scams, and by exploiting the security vulnerabilities of companies that have your information. While it is impossible to prevent all risk of identity theft, you should take as many precautions as you can to reduce your risk.

Sometimes, though, innocent people are wrongly charged in identity theft and other fraud cases. Identity theft lawyers specialize in defending these types of white collar crimes, which can not only carry jail time, but often ruin professional reputations as well.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Hiring a DUI Lawyer

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) can have serious consequences. Those convicted are heavily fined, incur higher insurance premiums, and often have their driving privileges suspended or revoked. If the offense also includes damage to public or private property, excessive speeding, or causes death/personal injury, sentencing can also include imprisonment. Cases that cause damage to another person's life or property are often followed by multimillion dollar lawsuits.

For this reason, if you are charged with driving under the influence, you need the assistance of a qualified DUI defense lawyer. After being arrested, you may experience a great deal of anxiety, especially if you have never been arrested before. Any situation like this is difficult to handle by yourself, which is why you need to get a good lawyer involved. No matter how serious the case is or how ashamed you may feel, you have a right to defend yourself. Do not let a bad situation become worse; hire a criminal defense lawyer you can rely on.