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Sat, 01 Dec 2007 11:28:00 +0100 For quite some time now, I have been looking to write articles in a new genre. Stories about the pathos of boxing and articles dealing with issues of individual freedom are great, but at some point there is a need to see if I can really be more versatile...to see if I can actualize that idea that has been ensconced in my brain for so long. Well, that time came and I decided to do a piece that either involved a spree killer or a mass murderer. Sooner or later, I'd work my way to a serial killer, but first things first. I reside in northern New Hampshire which is adjacent to central Maine so where else could rural poverty, unemployment, and despair engender enough rage and anger to trigger spur-of-the-moment murders? Maybe West Virginia or Mississippi, but for my fictional purposes, the northeast is just fine. Thusly prepared, I began to map out plots and fill in gaps. As a factual backdrop, there were two stories in particular that haunted me and, I believed, would provide a solid conceptual platform for my new fictional pursuits. One involved Andrew Cunanan, a real-life American Psycho who murdered five people, including famed fashion designer Gianni Versace, in a cross-country spree killing journey during a frightening 3-month period in 1997. Among other "colorful" things, he was called a crack head, brilliant child, male prostitute, clever cross dresser, aging kept boy, S&M porn star, and chameleon. The first murder of Cunanan's spree was that of his friend Jeffrey Trail on April 27, 1997 in Minneapolis. Trail was bludgeoned furiously with a claw hammer between 25 and 30 times, mostly on his head and face. The next was his former lover, architect David Madson, who was found outside Minneapolis two days later with gunshot wounds to the head. One bullet had pierce his back and another had grazed his cheek. But the one that killed him had entered through his eye at close range and had passed through his head. Police quickly recognized a link, as Trail's body had been found in Madson's loft apartment. They then began an intensive manhunt. Cunanan, meanwhile, drove to Chicago where he killed prominent real-estate developer Lee Miglin, 72, on May 4. It is believed he took pleasure in torturing Miglin. He reportedly wrapped his head in masking tape, leaving small holes for breathing and then plunged a pair of pruning shears into his chest and slit his throat with a gardener's bow saw. A report documented 49 separate injuries to Miglin, including 19 blows to his head and face. It demonstrated the unbridled rage Cunanan was experiencing, not to mention his pattern of disfiguring his victims' faces. Five days later, Cunanan, who escaped in Miglin's car, continued his killing in remote Pennsville, NJ, at a cemetery, where he killed his fourth victim, caretaker William Reese for his pick-up truck. A case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. As the manhunt focused on Reese's truck, Cunanan remained in hiding in Miami Beach Finally on July 15, he chose fashion designer Versace for his fifth and final murder. Versace was gunned down in cold blood outside his Miami Beach home. Eight days later Andrew Cunanan committed suicide with a shotgun blast to the head aboard a Miami houseboat. An autopsy showed that Cunanan had not contracted H.I.V., disproving speculation about what might have triggered his spree. No one will ever know his motives and after Versace's murder, the case was for all practical purposes closed. The facts giving rise to the second story occurred much closer to home and involved one Carl Drega, a man from northern N.H, who killed 2 NH state troopers, a judge and a newspaper editor and wounded three other law enforcement officers before being shot to death in a fierce fire fight with police in the small town of Colebrook (not far from the Canadian border). Drega used an optically sighted AR-15 to do his horrific damage. A search of his property following the rampage chillingly revealed hundreds of pounds of booby-trapped explosives. What made the Drega massacre intriguing involved the events leading up to the flash point. Drega had long battled with local government officials, starting with a dispute in the 70's over whether he could use tarpaper to side his house. Then in 1981, he claimed 80 feet of the riverbank along his property collapsed during a rainstorm. Drega decided to dump and pack enough dirt to repair the damage, saying this would restore his lot along the Connecticut River to its original size. But state officials accused him of trying to change the course of the river. A state conservation officer, Sergeant Eric Stohl, claimed to have spotted the project from the river while passing the Drega property on a fish-stocking operation. The state hauled Drega into court, attempting to block his tiny "project." This action was piled on top of earlier charges by the local town, some dating back more than 20 years, and starting when the town of Columbia hauled Drega into court and threatened him with liens, judgments and finally property seizure over a "zoning violation" which was comprised of his failure to finish a house covered with the aforementioned tarpaper within a certain time frame. Drega was barely literate and lacked legal assistance, and his self initiated legal filings became a laughing stock both in the courts and in the newspapers to which the obsessed man sent copies, asking for assistance. A keg of dynamite had been created and only awaited the "final straw" before it was ignited In 1995, the town selectman Vickie Bunnell, accompanied a town tax assessor to Drega's property in a dispute over an assessment. In what should have been a clear warning, Drega fired shots into the air to drive them away. He then bought an AR-15 rifle and Armour vest, and began equipping his property with early-warning electronic noise and motion detectors against what he sensed would be an inevitable government assault. It appeared Drega was running out of patience with governmental red tape and what he may have perceived, rightly or wrongly, to be a pattern of unrelenting harassment. The warnings were there but no one recognized them. Surely he was aware of the government tactics used to confront civilians at Waco and Ruby Ridge. On August 19, 1997, at about 2:30, two NH State Troopers, Scott Phillips and Les Lord, stopped Drega in the parking lot of LaPerle's IGA supermarket in neighboring Colebrook, for a "perception of defects" in his pickup truck. Arguably, this triggered the pent up rage and anger Drega had been harboring for so long. The keg of dynamite exploded and he shot and killed both troopers. Drega then commandeered their vehicle and drove to the office of former selectman, now lawyer and part-time judge, Vickie Bunnell. Fearful of Drega, Bunnell reportedly carried a handgun in her purse. She warned the staff in the building to get out before she herself left by the back door. Drega walked to the rear of the building and shot her in the back where she died. Dennis Joos, editor of the local Colebrook News and Sentinel, worked in the office next door. Unarmed, he ran out and tackled Drega. Drega walked about 15 feet with Joos still clutching him around the legs, then calmly shot him in the back, killing him as well. Drega then drove across the state line to Vermont where he fired at NH Fish and Game Warden Wayne Saunders, sending his car off the road. Saunders' injuries were not life-threatening. Police from various agencies soon spotted the abandoned police cruiser Drega had been driving. As they approached the vehicle, they began taking fire from a nearby hilltop where Drega had positioned himself, armed with the AR-15 and about 150 rounds of ammunition. He managed to wound two more troopers and a U.S. Border Patrol agent before he was killed by police gunfire. Carl Drega may have been pushed too hard by the government. The license plates on his rusty pickup bore the New Hampshire state motto, "Live Free or Die." Apparently he had made his choice, one that proved fatal for four innocent people. If the Cunanan case stands as a poster child for spree killings, the Drega rampage is reflective of those kinds of situations where the killer has been eulogized as a kind of folk hero and martyr among radical activists who see his death as evidence of a Federal government conspiracy to deny Americans their rights, notwithstanding the number of innocent victims slaughtered by their "hero." Another of this kind was Gordon Wendell Kahl, a 63 year old North Dakota farmer who was a tax protester best known for his involvement in two fatal shootouts with law enforcement officers in1983. During the 70's, Kahl organized the first Texas chapter of the notorious Posse Comitatus. In 1977, he was charged with tax evasion and placed on five years' probation. An arrest warrant was issued for him in March 1981 when he failed to report to a probation officer. Kahl was driving his family home from a church meeting in Medina, ND on the evening of February 13, 1983, when he hit a roadblock. Shots rang out, and he saw his son gunned down. He pulled a Mini-14 automatic rifle from his gun rack, and a fierce battle ensued with local and federal officials--a battle that some claim was fought because the government wanted to silence Kahl’s outspoken criticism of the income tax system. When the dust settled, Kahl, a highly decorated WWII veteran, had killed two officers and wounded three others. A series of events once again led to a flash point explosion with horrific results. In June 1983, he was discovered hiding out in an Arkansas farmhouse in the Ozarks and was killed in an ensuing shootout with law enforcement officers; a local sheriff was also killed in the exchange. Inexplicably, Kahl's body had been horrobly dismembered which gave rise to much speculation the nature of which could be the subject of separate articles. Well armed with these bloody flashbacks, I was now prepared for my task. It was time to brew some coffee, boot up the computer and begin working. As is my wont, I started the piece with a title to wit: "Savage killings In Rural Maine." My style has always been to nail down a title and then work around it. I then began to read it, "Over a period of four days, and in Maine's worse homicide case in more than a decade, a 31-year old cook with a spotty past and aimless future allegedly killed four people, cut three of them into pieces and set fire to the other. In between, he calmly reported to work at a nearby inn." The four-day rampage began at the start of the long Labor Day weekend and had the makings of a "macabre" movie rather than that of a frenzied spree. But the alleged violence didn't stop there. While in the holding tank, he attacked another inmate hitting him in the back of the head with a mop stick in an unprovoked attack that could have been serious had he not been restrained. And to add to the senseless rampage, the suspect, Christian Nielsen also killed three pet dogs. State Police Chief Col. Craig Poulin called it "a crime of horrific proportions." Nielsen, who had been living at the Black Bear Bed & Breakfast for a couple of months, told police his first victim on Friday was Jimmy Whitehurst, 50, of Batesville, Ark., whose remains were burned, dismembered and discarded in the nearby town of Upton. Inn owner Julie Bullard, 65, was killed Sunday. The following day, her daughter, Selby, and friend Cynthia Beatson, 43, were also killed when they arrived at the inn unexpectedly. Police say Selby, concerned for her asthmatic mother, came to Newry to check on her, leaving her two children at a friend’s house. Accompanied by Beatson, the pair apparently arrived as Nielsen was covering his tracks from the second murder. Police say he then shot them both and began trying to dismember and hide their bodies. Another terrible case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. All three women were horribly dismembered and initial, but unconfirmed, reports indicated the women’s bodies were chopped up with a Chainsaw. Whitehurst had split from his common law wife, a Maine resident, and returned south in May, leaving two of his four children behind, said his sister, Diana Whitehurst-Taylor, 52. But after a change of heart, he returned to Newry, his sister said. “He was just trying to get his two little ones and leave that place,” she said. He was described as a handyman who was helping out Julie Bullard and had been while he was in the area. In a chilling call, State police were alerted to the carnage Monday evening by Nielsen's father and stepmother who arrived at the inn, the Black Bear Bed and Breakfast (a remodeled seven-bedroom farmhouse in the rolling hills of western Maine), to find a woman's body and blood outside. Nielsen's father told troopers he thought his son had committed the killing. Nielsen then admitted killing all four people. Julie Bullard had purchased the building, which had been converted into a B&B after moving to Maine two years ago. She had operated a bed and breakfast in San Francisco that she sold prior to coming to the Newry. "Her daughter, Selby, had just lost her husband in a car crash and I think in some ways she and Selby were....getting a fresh start," said Robin Zinchuk, of the local Chamber of Commerce. Julie decided in February to close the Black Bear, Zinchuk said, and there was a "For Sale" sign out front. And Selby Bullard had a 12-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son. She had recently been working part-time with a real estate firm in nearby Bethel. The phone rang unanswered Tuesday at the Inn. As news spread, people in the community were shocked. Newry is near Maine's border with NH. The slayings unsettled people in the pastoral towns near the Sunday River resort, about 80 miles northwest of Portland. The days between Labor Day and the start of the foliage season are typically a quiet stretch when tourists canoe, fish and play golf at Sunday River. "The whole thing is surreal.. a shock to this small community," said Nancy White, co-owner of the Sudbury Inn, where Nielsen worked. White described him as a reliable employee, a good cook and "soft-spoken, quiet individual. He had a history of driving offenses that included an arrest for drunken driving, but nothing more serious. His license had been revoked a year ago. Authorities declined to discuss a motive for the killings. Sadly, Julie Bullard has four biological children, four stepchildren, 20 grandchildren and “not a single enemy.” “She was just an amazing woman,” said a daughter. “Loving and gracious.” Diane Whitehurst-Taylor said of her brother James: “Oh my God did he love his kids, he would do anything for them. I want to know why, just why, why, why did this have to happen to my brother?” she said through sobs. Nielsen was ordered held without bail. He appeared in court Tuesday wearing an orange jumpsuit. He uttered only two words in court: "I am," when the judge asked if he was present. He appeared calm and was smiling as he was brought into and left the courtroom. As he read about the happenings in a newspaper the next day, he seemed to enjoy his notoriety even laughing at times. Maine is a state known for its low crime rate, so the killings came as a brutal shock. Well there it was. The makings of my fictional Journey into a new genre. But there was one very big problem problem. The story involving Nielsen was not fictional and I didn't write it; it actually occurred during this past Labor Day weekend and local and national papers carried headlines like the following: "Cook held in Maine B&B murder spree." The above is a composite from different sources. The real scary part, however, is that I had scoped out a story but got only as as far my title, "Savage Killings In Rural Maine." How was I to know that Christian Nielsen would be the one to work around it and fill in the gaps. The story already had been completed, albeit in tragic and horrible fashion. The entire experience was chilling. Well, I'm back at it again and it's Wednesday, September 13, 2006 and I plan to write about either a mass murderer or a serial killer. The unsolved New Bedford, MA serial kllings would be my backdrop if I decided to go in that direction. From April to September of 1988 a serial murderer haunted New Bedford dumping his victims alongside highways outside of the city. The slain women were prostitutes and drug addicts, the last of which was not found until April 1989. All told eleven women were believed to have perished at this slayer's hands, two remained missing. Adding to the mystery was the fact that several of the victims could be linked to one another. There was one suspevt who committed suicid and another who moved to Florida after which the murders ceased and this, too, intrigued me. Interestingly, there was speculation, though I didn't buy it, that this killer and Europe's "Lisbon Ripper" were the same person. The Ripper was a Portuguese serial slayer suspected of the killings of prostitutes and drug addicts in Portugal and other European countries that began about the time the New Bedford killings ended. Curiously, New Bedford does have a very sizable Portuguese population. But the backdrop that most intrigued me was a mass murder that occurred on December 6, 1989, when Marc Lepine killed 14 engineering students at the Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal. Lepine, a moody, 25-year-old loner who blamed "feminists" for a series of failed career starts and lost jobs, gunned a bloody trail through the classrooms and cafeterias. When he finally shot himself with his Sturm Ruger 223-calibre semi-automatic rifle, the toll reached 15 dead and 13 wounded, all in just 20 minutes. It was a horror that shocked Canada and triggered deep soul-searching about the roots of violence against women The mass murder prompted tighter gun laws, which included the creation of the controversial national firearms registry. It also prompted Parliament to create the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women in 1991 to coincide with the December anniversary of the tragedy. Playing the random "rage against society" angle, I was once again prepared to persue my goal of writing a fictional piece..........this time on a mass muderer type, but once again my efforts were thwarted since the truth apparently is indeed stranger than fiction. On the very same day, September 13, 2-006, world wide papers papers reported on still another mass shooting, and this one also occurred in Montreal. Early accounts were as follows: On September 13, a lone gunman attacked a Montreal college. Dressed entirely in black, he had "a stone cold face" and opened fire without warning, eyewitnesses said. About 20 people were wounded in the attack on Dawson College in the city center. One woman may have died later in hospital and several other victims were listed in critical condition. Witnesses said the man began his random assault outside the college before walking through the front door and continuing to shoot inside before police fatally shot him. At times, he hid behind vending machines before emerging to take aim. "He said nothing. He had a stone cold face, there was nothing on his face, he didn't say anything, he didn't yell out any slogans or anything. He just started opening fire. He was a cold blooded killer," said student Soher Marous. One distraught student said she had been outside smoking a cigarette with her friends when the attack began. "There was a guy walking in a black trenchcoat and huge black boots with this retarded haircut and he had a huge machine gun. He was walking down (the street) in broad daylight with a gun -- no one says anything to him -- and then he started shooting," she told CBC television. One woman said the shooter was white, about 19, and looked like "the stereotype, with the long black trench coat and all the studs and piercing's and stuff like that." Police said the 25-year-old attacker was from the Montreal area, but provided little other information. His car was still at the school, and police were searching his apartment. Once again defeat was snatched from what I hoped would be literary victory. One again, I was stopped in my tracks. This time, rather than try to do something different, I'll stick with the pathos of boxing and pieces dealing with the philosophy of Ayn Rand. There simply is no way anyone can stop, much less slow down the real killings that are going on out there. And I cannot keep up with them. Fri, 30 Nov 2007 13:36:00 +0100 As you begin to read through this informative article, give each point a chance to sink in before you move on to the next. We've all seen them, the TV crime programs in which a shady is immovable and brought first to jail, and later to audition. She or he is interrogated by the region Attorney and then defy-interrogated by his or her own criminal lawyer. Yet is this all there is to being a criminal lawyer? If you're pastimes in the law, craving to go to law instruct, or purely command a criminal lawyer, this item may give you a few steps in the right course. First of all, while lawyers of all types are vilified really -we've all heard and told lawyer jokes like "What do you call a hundred lawyers on the foot of the ocean?" (Answer: a good boon). However, most people don't complete that not only is the criminal lawyer's job a complex and important one, but these men and women that we'd like to see on the foot of the ocean' are very educated and well- competent professionals. In statement, every criminal lawyer -or solicitor in broad, is a physician; did you know that? All lawyers, to support such an ownership, support a PhD. In Jurisprudence. After getting their spinster's extent, they go on to at slightest 6 more time of instructing that will prime them for the world of law. This includes culture free talking, the art of dialog, control and identification of sound judgment and judgmental fallacies, as well as the memoirs of the law and the many other aspects that go into suitable a barrister, as the British say. We hope that you have gained a clear grasp of the subject matter presented in the first half of this article. The tend of the common criminal lawyer, especially, must be acutely penetrating, able to observe not only the textual "clues" of television detective-fame The criminal lawyer must also have an understanding of principal psychology to get at the reality of a criminal's actions (especially if one goes to work for a quarter attorney's bureau), as well as eloquent how a think and jury think. In addition to all of this stuff, the foot-line of such a lawyer is the ability to absorb and preserve a mass of statements. Hence, if law is your pastime, you must activate to "learn to learn." This is to say that you must have admirable concentration skills and be able to learn large totals of numbers and then operate it effectively in dispute, which is ultimately greatly of what invite is -however with a procedural attitude, of course. If you are seeking a criminal lawyer, on the other hand, it is best to acquire one that has a great total of experience; as with something, the more experience, the better the odds of star. Many people may be able to give only the invite-appointed official representative. If at all promising, avert this selection and hire a secret solicitor. The statement is that invite-appointed lawyers are overworked, underpaid, grow apathetic over time, and really are seldom the best abundance. Typically they work for the invites for one of two reasons: to really help people, or because they couldn't get a job at a demure law definite. The first selection is singular to find and doesn't pledge competency; the next is ubiquitous, and not what you want if you plea to win your suit. However, the abundance is yours. Good godsend. If you could take the main ideas from this article and put them into a list, you would a great overview of what we have learned. Anne Douglas writes for http://www.crimenlawyers.com where you can find out more about Criminal Lawyers and other topics. Fri, 30 Nov 2007 08:06:00 +0100 Criminal defense attorneys deal with the branch of law that governs an individual's relationship to the state. The term ""criminal law"" encompasses the rights of an accused and the criminal process, including arrest, arraignment, grand juries, pleas, discovery, pretrial hearings, trials, and jury selection, evidence, motions, and post trial remedies. In order to prove any crime, no matter how serious, the prosecutor must prove that the accused committed a guilty act with a guilty mind beyond a reasonable doubt. Some of the criminal offenses are drugged, juvenile, parole and probation, traffic violations, white-collar crimes and domestic violence. Attorneys deal with the cases of possession, manufacture, distribution, and abuse of controlled substances, such as narcotics, marijuana, and other illegal drugs, and laws against the abuse of prescription drugs. In case of juvenile offenses, attorneys do the following steps intake, consent decree, fitness hearing, adjudicatory hearing, disposition plan, disposition hearing, probation review hearings, and case termination. If one is charged with criminal offense, he might want to hire a lawyer. So the process could start with a thorough online search. Browse through their websites. Checking whether they belong to any reputable association in the area of expertise will increase the level of filtered output. Discuss with people around if they have heard of the lawyer. Wading through the yellow pages can also help. Newspapers can offer a rich collection of available lawyers because of the publishing of the lawyers’ names that will give a deep insight into the relevance of your problem to the one that had happened. Lawyer’s staff’s response is also a must. They should appear courteous and professional in their approach to the problem. Los Angeles Attorneys provides detailed information on Los Angeles Attorneys, Los Angeles Bankruptcy Attorneys, Los Angeles Business Attorneys, Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys and more. Los Angeles Attorneys is affiliated with Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyers. Fri, 30 Nov 2007 08:05:00 +0100 Criminal defense experts are referred to as attorneys whose mission is to ensure that persons accused of offenses or other wrongdoings get justice in due process. They provide ongoing legal education and support public awareness of citizens' rights. They lead the criminal justice process and perform the role of criminal defense practitioners. There are thousands of innocent people spending time in prison for something they did not necessarily do. This is essentially the driving force behind the most influential criminal defense law firms in the country. The local criminal defense experts protect the rights of citizens who are accused of crimes they may not have committed. Criminal defense experts have developed the most original, insistent, and dynamic defense strategies in the nation to protect their client's rights. These lawyers prepare every case for trial rather than rushing to an appeal haggle. This broad preparation and exceptional courtroom reputation actually keeps most cases from trial and produce better results. Before hiring a criminal defense attorney, a person is advised to consider the following issues. The most important decision a criminal defendant must plan is to choose the right criminal defense expert. People need to avoid making the mistake of hiring services of a lawyer whose primary practice is anything other than that of a criminal defense expert. It is not advisable to hire a civil or family attorney to represent a defendant in a criminal matter. The lawyer's qualities and character are very important. People must always look for a confident and tough lawyer who has a good reputation amongst the prosecutors and panel of judges involved in the case. It is very important to hire the services of an attorney as soon as possible. The earlier the lawyer gets involved from the defendants side the better it will be, regardless of the charges that he is facing. It is important for a client to ask about and understand the charges against him and the probable consequences if he were found guilty. The client can also ask the attorney what are the defense strategies and how would that apply to the fact of the defendant's case. Apart from this, a person is also advised to insist on a written contract setting forth all costs and covered services. Online sites are available that provide information about criminal defense experts and people can consult them online. Criminal Defense provides detailed information on Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense Attorneys, White Collar Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense Law and more. Criminal Defense is affiliated with San Diego Dui Laws. Thu, 29 Nov 2007 22:34:00 +0100 A person faced with charges of drunk driving defense in Arizona and the life-changing consequences that potentially follow a DUI arrest may want one of the most experienced and most competent DUI Lawyers working for them. DUI or driving under the influence is a criminal offense, which attracts criminal liabilities. Often people are not aware of the procedures regarding the hire of an Arizona DUI lawyer. Online services provide a vast pool of resources regarding lawyers with extensive experience in DUI litigation, who have a reputation for going to trial in appropriate cases, rather than just ?pleading out? their clients. They provide information on DUI lawyer fees and payment policies, which may refer to suitable flat fees or hourly rates. Calling the toll free number or emailing at the address provided at their websites can also help a person obtain information on a DUI lawyer. Exploring websites and going through the yellow pages will help a person learn the best way to find a DUI lawyer with good reputation. Asking other attorneys in the jurisdiction also proves to be effective. Other means of finding an Arizona DUI lawyer is by word of mouth. People can ask their friends, relatives and co-workers if they know a lawyer who is familiar with DUI law and has a good experience in dealing with the same. Services of a certified lawyer referral services may also be employed. This requires the person to call a local state bar-certified lawyer referral service. This type of service refers probable clients to lawyers. After interviewing the person, the referral service staff will match the client with a lawyer who is experienced in the appropriate area of the law. Usually there is a small fee for the initial consultation with a lawyer. There is no single best way to find an efficient lawyer in Arizona. A person requiring legal assistance in a DUI charge may need to employ an appropriate mix of all the possible options available. Arizona DUI Lawyers provides detailed information on Arizona DUI Lawyers, Arizona DUI Arrests, Arizona DUI Penalties, Arizona DUI Records and more. Arizona DUI Lawyers is affiliated with Arizona DUI Defense. Thu, 29 Nov 2007 22:34:00 +0100 If you've been falsely accused of a crime, it's likely you don't think any price is too high to pay for your freedom. But, when money does matter, it's important not to sacrifice the quality of your criminal attorney just to meet a budget. If you are truly innocent, it's very likely a good criminal attorney can get you off. Going for a discount rate wouldn't be wise, but there are ways to keep costs at a minimum or even recoup them after a win in court. As long as you insist on finding a criminal attorney that displays some basic, but very important, traits, you should be okay with your hire even if his or her rates are less than others. Should money be an issue in hiring a criminal attorney, consider these things: * Stay clear of the 'best of the best' if you can't afford them. Instead, settle for a criminal attorney that displays the traits of a good criminal defense lawyer. This means someone with years of experience in the law, a person who has perhaps also been a prosecutor and maybe even someone with a minimal (but existent) track record in trial courts. Newer criminal attorneys are likely to cost less, but that doesn't mean they'll be awful. Trial experience and former prosecution work are vital traits in that they ensure the criminal attorney you're thinking of hiring knows his or her way around a criminal case. * Consider going with the attorney provided you by the courts if: that attorney has a good track record, shows a genuine concern about you and your case, really seems to believe your side of the story. If these three things are not present, you might want to try and hire a criminal attorney on your own if it's at all possible. Public defenders can be fantastic lawyers, but that doesn't mean all of them are - just like private criminal attorneys. * Find a lawyer with a good background who is willing to wait on payments until the case's outcome is decided or is at least willing to work with you. Some lawyers will work on a retainer that's fair and wait to recover costs for false arrest at a later date. * Plan to recover costs if you clearly are not guilty of the crime you've been accused of. As you look for a criminal lawyer, remember there are certain traits to look for. You want a criminal lawyer who: * Has experience in the field. * Understands how the prosecution works. * Is versed in trial law, as well. * Is open with the lines of communication and clearly listens to you and your input on the case. * Treats you like a person and not a 'criminal.' * Keeps you apprised of the case as it progresses. * Fights for your side without prejudice. Finding a good criminal lawyer can be a costly venture, but there are ways to keep it more affordable without sacrificing quality. If you make sure experience and communication are present with your criminal lawyer, you should be okay even if you haven't been able to hire the 'best of the best.' criminal attorneys http://www.criminalattorneysnews.com Thu, 29 Nov 2007 22:33:00 +0100 I am a Miami Lawyer, practicing Personal Injury, Criminal Law, Immigration, Divorce, etc. and I deal with several clients on a daily baisis. I think that clients are entilte to get the best attorney possible. I think that every client in legal matter, (whether it be Personal Injury, Criminal Law, Immigration, or Divorce) should possess the following "basic client rights:as published by the Florida Bar When I retain a lawyer, I am entitled to one who: 1 WILL be capable of handling my case. 2 WILL represent me zealously and seek any lawful means to present or defend my case. 3 WILL preserve my confidences, secrets or statements which I reveal in the course of our relationship. 4 WILL give me the right to make the ultimate decision on the objectives to be pursued in my case. 5 WILL charge me a reasonable fee and tell me, in advance of being hired and upon my request, the basis of that fee. 6 WILL show me courtesy and consideration at all times. 7 WILL exercise independent professional judgment in my behalf, free from compromising influences. 8 WILL inform me periodically about the status of my case and, at my request, give me copies of documents prepared. 9 WILL exhibit the highest degree of ethical conduct. 10 WILL refer me to other legal counsel, if he or she cannot properly represent me. again, i welcome questions regarding florida personal injury cases. As mentioned before, I am a Miami Lawyer, practicing Personal Injury, Criminal Law, Immigration, Divorce, etc. and I deal with several clients on a daily baisis. Thu, 29 Nov 2007 22:33:00 +0100 A criminal record or criminal conviction is bad for you, when you are trying to move forward with your lives. For instance, if you are applying for a job, higher education, or license, your potential employers may want to run background check on your criminal record. If they found that you are convicted for a crime, it is very unlikely that you will get the job. An expungement is a legal way to clean your criminal record. If you expunged your criminal conviction, you can legally say that you have never been convicted or arrested of a crime. Furthermore, if your potential employers decide that they want to run a background check on you, they will find “no criminal record exists”. When you expunge your criminal records, the records are not erased. They are just simply sent to special facility for expunged records. General law enforcement and normal people will not be able to access your expunged criminal records. However, expunged records can be retrieved in exceptional circumstances with court order. In plain English, expunged records can not be deleted, but they can go away. Not all records can be expunged. For instance, civil lawsuits and property deeds can not be expunged. However, mental health records or records of criminal arrest which may affect the ability to obtain employment may be expunged. If you want to know about your Expungement eligibility, you should talk to qualified lawyer. Generally speaking, a person may have a criminal offense expunged if ten (10) years have passed since the completion of one's sentence. Check Out More Articles: Child custody character letters, Toppik scalp cancer, Asbestos Symptoms Of Mesothelioma Lawsuit Thu, 29 Nov 2007 22:33:00 +0100 You just had a car accident causing a fatality or a disability. You are handed a ticket and released with a warning not to leave the state. You call your lawyer, you’re getting sued, you ask about hiding assets. Your lawyer is going to tell you, there’s nothing you can do. In my book, it’s better to do something than nothing. Exposing your open wallet for every potential creditor is not in my vocabulary. Your insurance company is your first line of defense. They will send a team of lawyers limited to your insurance coverage. But the Insurance Company is not going to cover your negligence. Taking stack of what you own and how it’s going to evaporate between legal fees and court decisions, completely out of control. Your lawyer is partially incorrect. A judge is going to decide how much guilt you are going to bear. Your police are going to determine the amount of negligence and possible criminal prosecution. You will have to defend yourself on both fronts. Most people will hire one attorney to handle the civil and criminal. In my opinion, that’s wrong. Criminal attorney are trained differently. The criminal side of life is to put up defenses to keep you out of jail. The civil attorney is to keep your assets. They are different defenses with different objectives. 4 THINGS YOU CAN DO IMMEDIATELY TO PROTECT YOUR ASSSET: (1) Reposition your asset(s) with an independent trustee through an irrevocable trust, before the lawsuit is filed. (2) Have your documents notarized and filed with the registry of deeds. (3) Avoid fraudulent conveyance by transferring asset at less than it’s fair market value. (4) Hire an expert defense lawyer. Will it work? It depends. But it’s better to give them the run around to your assets than a straight line to your bank account. Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:58:00 +0100 Criminal defense careers offer several exciting and rewarding positions in both public and private sectors. Employment options in any legal organization would depend upon the size of the firm, specialization, and expertise. Criminal defense lawyer or attorney can specialize in areas such as DUI, DWI, disorderly conduct, kidnapping, domestic violence, weapon crimes, felonies, murder, parole violations, arrest warrants, bail hearings, or summonses. However, a great deal of trial experience is required for any criminal defense lawyer. Most of the criminal defense lawyers work for prosecutor?s or public defender?s office. The attorneys can specialize in white collar criminal defense. Most of the large law firms consist of a white-collar criminal defense division. They can also work as solo practitioners. White collar criminal defense lawyers provide legal representation for corporate clients against regulatory boards such as the Securities and Exchange Commission or against the corporate crime division of the U.S. attorney's office. Besides crime issues, they can also specialize in embezzlement, price-fixing, fraud, bribery, and racketeering. White collar criminal defense attorneys charge relatively higher than that of large-scale civil litigation attorneys. The lawyers can also specialize in appellate law. Appellate attorneys can work in both private and government organizations. They spend most of their time in appellate research, presentation of oral arguments, and in the preparation of records and briefs. A wide range of appellate caseload is available in both state and federal courts. State appellate criminal defense attorneys can earn a government salary. Private lawyers engaged in appellate cases can earn a huge amount as salary. Most appellate attorneys will have either prior trial experience or clerking experience for a judge. Criminal Defense provides detailed information on Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense Attorneys, White Collar Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense Law and more. Criminal Defense is affiliated with San Diego Dui Laws. Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:57:00 +0100 There are numerous lawyers in Delaware and the city of Wilmington that you can choose from. Many of the lawyer that you can choose from specializes in a certain type of law. There are several different reasons why one may need a lawyer. If you are selling or purchasing real estate or property you may want to have a lawyer that specializes in the field of real estate law. A real estate lawyer will be able to draw up the legal contracts that are necessary when buying or selling a house or property. Plus the lawyer can check into the legalities of other real estate property you may be interested in. Another type of lawyer is one that deals in injuries or accidents. This type of lawyer is very important if someone injured you or you got hurt because of an accident on the job. There is even a law firm that covers bicycle accidents in Wilmington. Other types of lawyer that you may want to employ the services of are lawyers who specialize in divorce, personal law suits, small claims and criminal law. When you are searching for a lawyer or a lawyer you may want to look in your local Yellow Pages. Another way to find a lawyer in your area would be to look on the Internet. Several reputable lawyers have web sites for potential clients to view. Whatever you needs are there is a lawyer or a lawyer that can handle your case. So many times people do not hire a lawyer when an accident occurs or in real estate proceedings or when having to go to court. People who do not employ the services of a lawyer usually do not make out as well. Make sure you have legal protection by hiring a lawyer or a lawyer. A lawyer is your friend in a time of need. Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:57:00 +0100 If you are a resident of LA County and you have been accused of a crime then is appropriate to consult a criminal defense lawyer immediately to make sure you are given the proper legal advice. While there are federal laws to govern every crime committed, there are some states that implement their own criminal laws in addition to the federal laws on crimes. An LA county criminal defense lawyer would be in the best position to give legal advice on this matter. A person seeking for a qualified LA county criminal defense lawyer should not worry because most LA county lawyers have their own websites from where they can get the information they want. Their websites do not only show useful contact information for criminal defense lawyers but they also offer free legal consultation to prospective clients. The person accused of a crime or his family can consult with the lawyer either personally or through the internet. A person who has been accused of a crime should seek a criminal defense lawyer even if he believes he is innocent of the charges. There are legal procedures being followed by most states and this includes the issuance of a warrant of arrest. Even if the accused is innocent of the criminal charges a warrant can still be issued for his arrest and he can still be put to jail. Not all people are aware of the legal procedures being followed by the courts so to make sure that the accused gets the best legal advice, he should consult with an experienced criminal defense lawyer. The criminal defense lawyer can advise the accused of his rights even before he is arrested as well as once arrested. And even if the accused has been arrested he can still apply for bail depending on the type of crime he has allegedly committed. Some criminals lounging in jail are innocent but they failed to get the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney so their cases were not properly pleaded in court. There are legal principles that may absolve the accused form the crime charged but only the criminal defense lawyers can advise him of these principles. It is important to get a lawyer from LA County because he is presumed to know the federal and state laws applicable to your case. Such lawyer would also be more knowledgeable about the courts and the strategies of the district attorneys in LA County and can thus provide the accused the best legal strategy for his case. Being accused of a crime can mean losing your property, your friends, your job, even your life. Any person who wants to protect these things should make sure he is being given the best legal strategy that can help him win the case or make the sentence lighter and more bearable. When choosing a criminal defense lawyer in LA County, the accused should make sure that he is getting the services of a reputable lawyer who has earned the respect of his colleagues as well as of the court officials. This would increase the chances of winning the defense as well as getting justice for the accused. No matter what criminal case the accused is faced with, whether it is a common driving under the influence case or a bigger rape or murder case, the accused should always prioritize the services of a good criminal defense lawyer. This way he protects his rights and his life. CriminalDefenseFAQS.com provides *straight to the point* articles about Criminal Defense Attorneys, Federal Criminal Defense and Criminal Defense Investigator. If you need more information, please visit http://www.CriminalDefenseFaqs.com Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:56:00 +0100 In the legal world one aspect is more serious than others, criminal cases. In these cases the burden on the shoulder of the criminal lawyer is immense as he is the one who will ensure that the accused will get just treatment as per the law. The lawyer must know the inside out of the laws and comprehend clearly the intricacies of the case. He is the one who will prove the prosecution wrong and highlight the brass tacks of the case before the jury so that if his client is innocent, wrongly accused, or been framed by criminals he will get justice and not be punished for crimes he has not committed. The ideal way to choose a criminal defense lawyer is to find out his reputation from unconnected sources, check out his rating, see whether you are comfortable with him and feel you can trust him with your innermost secrets. In the case of criminal cases a client must be able to confide in the lawyer completely and know that the lawyer will do his best in the case. When charged with a crime small or large you need the support of a criminal defense attorney. He will arrange for your release and take appropriate action regarding papers and procedure. He will shoulder the responsibility of advising you on procedures and give recommendations on what is the best action or path to take. And, in case you are not in a financial position to hire a lawyer the state will appoint one to defend you. In criminal cases the most important thing is to know your rights and options. A Criminal Defense Lawyer must be one who is: 1. Well qualified in criminal law. 2. Passionate about justice and protecting the rights of the client. 3. Bold and confident while in court and have a presence, intimidate the prosecution. 4. A great actor with emoting skills to gain the favor of the jury and convince them of his client’s innocence or despair. 5. Confident and has handled many similar cases and won many. 6. More than capable of standing up to a judge and will not be intimidated or browbeaten. 7. Capable of understanding police work and finding out clues and facts. 8. Well versed in hidden facets of the law and can spring surprises during hearings when least expected. 9. Fair in his dealings and will always be honest with the client on how the case is faring and what to expect. 10. Friendly with detectives, police, and other lawyers and can ferret out information that will help the case. In fact the lawyer should be “Perry Mason” in reality and never be willing to accept defeat and not be afraid of threats and so on. If the lawyer is passionate about his work and adventurous enough to seek new strategies and facts then you can be assured that the lawyer will do more than his best for you. Aaron Brooks is a freelance writer for http://www.1866attorney.com, the premier website to find Attorney Directory including topics on civil right, litigation, defense, attorney power, legal services, prosecuting all crimes and much more. His article profile can be found at the premier Legal Article Submission Directory http://www.1888articles.com/legal-articles-3.html Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:56:00 +0100 Criminal defense lawyers are the very people you will call in times of unfortunate incidents such as being arrested or being charged with a crime. Legal advices and representations are what you require during these trying instances. Getting a criminal defense lawyer at once is also essential because you got to know your rights. And there is a proper way of responding to the police and to the court officials. You should know those as well. Criminal defense lawyers would be able to help with these. The criminal defense lawyers from Richmond are always ready to discuss your case with you. They are more than willing to protect you, your family, your properties, your freedom, as well as your reputation. The lawyers of Richmond would be there to help. But there are countless of Richmond criminal defense lawyers that you can go to, all with good honors and numerous laurels to boost. To give you an idea who to contact in times of trouble, here are the things that can serve as a guideline. Are these defense lawyers expert in the field of criminal law? Criminal cases are very much different from civil cases. And the expertise of a lawyer is usually either of the two. Seldom would you see a lawyer who specializes in both fields at the same time. The laws governing a criminal case is more strict than that of a civil case. So make sure that the lawyer you are getting are real-deal criminal defense lawyers. Do these lawyers have a good winning percentage? It really doesn't matter if you go to a big law firm or a small one. What matters is the main person who will handle your case. Has he won a lot of cases lately? Do you have faith that he can take your case towards acquittal or settlement? A good criminal defense lawyer is a winning lawyer. He should be able to effortlessly win the case. Does the criminal defense lawyer new to his job? Experience counts. If the lawyer you are going to get has just handled a case or two, you are gambling on his abilities to represent you. Anyway, good lawyers, no matter how short time they had spent, has the power to win any case. But you've got to request for a mentor for that lawyer should you feel uncomfortable with him handling your case single-handedly. Has the criminal defense lawyer handled a similar case before and has won? A case always is different from another, even though the may seem to be very similar. But the lawyer's attack on the defense is usually the same. They just change tactics slightly, depending on the merits of the case. A lawyer that has handled a case similar to yours before is a good option because he, more or less, knows how the entire proceeding will head to. Is the criminal defense lawyer knowledgeable with the case and the law? This is very important. The criminal defense lawyer that is going to represent you in court should be well-schooled as well as well-informed of the case. He should know by mind and by heart, the articles of the constitution that are applied against you. While it is true that he cannot memorize the whole constitutional provisions, he should at least research on similar cases and matters before hand. These are what you should ask yourself if you are in the stages of hiring a criminal defense lawyer. Better answer these questions right now, than do it when necessary, as you might not have time to prepare. Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:55:00 +0100 Paralegal or Legal Assistant is an exciting profession in the Criminal Justice field. It is hard to imagine a law office without a paralegal. They can be described as the right hand of the lawyer. In this article I examine the role of the paralegal or legal assistant in the criminal justice field. The legal assistant as the name suggests is there to assist the lawyer. It is vitally important to know that the paralegal cannot give legal advice or act as a lawyer. What the paralegal does must be under the supervision of a lawyer. The paralegal can do the following under the watchful eye of a lawyer: 1. The paralegal can conduct client interviews. They must identify themselves as paralegals to the client before starting the interview. In this instance, the legal assistant helps the lawyer ascertain the facts of a case by talking to the client. This saves the lawyer valuable time. The lawyer can use that time to work on strategies for the case. 2. The legal assistant can locate and interview witnesses. If you watched the movie Erin Brockovich, you saw Julia Roberts play the role of a paralegal that locates and interviews clients. In one of the scenes, she clearly states that she is not a lawyer. This underlines the point above that paralegals cannot give legal advice. It also underlines the point that they identify themselves as such. 3. Legal assistants can research and prepare legal documents. Paralegals do acquire the training and experience necessary to prepare legal documents. All the lawyer has to do is double check the work to make sure it meets the legal requirements that such document requires. Again, I don’t have to tell what a valuable timesaver this is to a lawyer. 4. The paralegal can attend court trials. In this case, they help the lawyer with the case files. This way the lawyer is not fumbling in court looking for files or evidence. The paralegal is there to keep him or her organized. I can write more volume on the role of the legal assistant or paralegal in the criminal justice field, but you get the point. It is indeed an exciting profession. Think of all the intriguing things that can be involved in a legal case. As a paralegal, you can be in the middle of it all. Note: You are free to reprint or republish this article. The only condition is that the Resource Box should be included and the links are live links. Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:55:00 +0100 If you're in trouble with the law, your knee-jerk inclination might be to hire the first criminal defense lawyer you can find in a telephone book. Depending on the severity of the crime and your personal background, the need to find a lawyer and do it fast could absolutely be present. But, going with just anyone is not the best way to hire a criminal defense lawyer. It's important to make sure you hire someone who is not only competent, but also a person you can and will work with. A good defense lawyer will want your case to be handled as a team effort. He or she will need to rely on input from you as much as possible. He or she will also need to be able to develop a good rapport with you to ensure the case is handled in the best possible manner to obtain a good or at least fair outcome. Inasmuch, it's vital that you and your lawyer have not only an ability to talk with each other, but also trust each other on a basic level. This will be particularly vital not only if you're innocent of the charges, but maybe even more so if you're guilty. Considering the importance of a working relationship with a criminal defense lawyer, it's very important to make sure there's at least a face-to-face meeting before you hire the person. What you'll be able to find out if you do a personal interview is a whole lot. Within the first meeting with a lawyer, you should be able to: * See if the person has the kind of personality you can work with. This will be vital, because if you don't trust them, you might hold back on information that could be very important to your case. * Has good communication skills. You have to feel like you, too, can trust the person. If you don't, you won't get the best possible criminal defense lawyer for your case even if it's the best lawyer in the state. * Has a good track record with similar cases. This, too, is very important for ensuring a good defense. A criminal defense lawyer should be versed in the kind of case that you're facing. A homicide expert might not be the lawyer to bring in to defend a robbery or DUI. * Has trial experience if you think the case will go that far. * Trust you. This, too, is important. If you get the feeling the criminal defense lawyer doesn't trust you, it could be very difficult for the person to give you a solid defense even if he or she really tries. When their heart isn't in it, it's your future that could be on the line. While it's impossible to tell everything about a potential criminal defense lawyer in a single meeting, you should be able to at least get a decent sense of what the person is about. If you feel comfortable and confident in the person, you're on the right track. If you don't, be wary. More information on criminal lawyers Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:54:00 +0100 Criminal law is considered much more complex than any other law. Criminal law involves prosecution of a person for an act that is classified as a crime by the government. In a criminal case, the state initiates the case against the person concerned. Criminal laws include felonies and misdemeanors. A crime is any act in violation of a public law forbidding it. (A crime can also be an omission of an act when public law actually requires it.) Felonies are punishable by a prison term of more than a year, while misdemeanors are punishable by a prison term of less than a year. Criminal laws differ from state to state. Therefore, it is necessary to have an experienced and competent criminal lawyer on ones side. Good criminal lawyers can represent anyone committed with a crime and can negotiate to arrange for lesser sentencing or reduced charges. A competent criminal lawyer formulates sentencing programs, which are most preferable for the client’s specific needs. Defendants will be provided with a knowledgeable, unprejudiced and objective over view of their case. This overview plays an important role in the defendant’s decision whether to go into a plea bargain. Good criminal lawyers are well versed with the important legal rules and also familiar with the various court customs and procedures. The also have the skill to understand the ‘hidden costs’ in a plea bargain. They also garner some information from the prosecution witnesses. Statutes regarding criminal behavior can be broken down into various elements. Generally, most crimes have two elements, the action and the mental state. Each and every element of the crime should be proved, before the prosecution can come to a proper decision. Colorado Lawyers provides detailed information on Colorado Lawyers, Colorado Accident Lawyers, Colorado Employment Lawyers, Colorado Divorce Lawyers and more. Colorado Lawyers is affiliated with Arizona Criminal Defense Lawyers. Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:54:00 +0100 The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, based in Tallahassee, regulates the functioning of criminal lawyers in Florida. Founded in 1988, it has nearly 1,500 members. Its mission statement, according to its official website www.facdl.org, lists five important objectives, of which two are of great importance to consumers. They are: “To improve the criminal justice system at the judicial, legislative and executive levels” and “To promote the protection of the rights of individuals.” FACDL is the state organ of the National Association Criminal Defense Lawyers, whose Official website is www.nacdl.org. Usually people imagine a criminal lawyer to be a professional involved in highly dramatic situations in courtrooms. However, this is only one aspect of their work. A criminal lawyer may spend one day with the client discussing the legal problem. He may spend another day in the study [library or a computer terminal] doing research on relevant points of law. He may spend yet another day in trial practice, actually pleading before the judge in court. Sometimes, he may also be visiting the scene of the crime. Most criminal lawyers spend hours researching and developing legal reports and documents. Though the advantages of information and communication technology are immense, there is a downside too, particularly in relation to cyber and transnational crimes. This means that today’s criminal lawyers need to be equipped with the latest methods to handle these issues. In the US, there have always been excellent facilities for continuing legal education programs. The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers offers regular programs for its members. www.facdl.org is an excellent resource to locate criminal lawyers in Florida. Florida Lawyers provides detailed information on Florida Bankruptcy Lawyers, Florida Business Lawyers, Florida Criminal Lawyers, Florida Family Lawyers and more. Florida Lawyers is affiliated with Florida Alcohol Treatment. Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:54:00 +0100 A person accused of a crime, could face jail time, or even worse, prison. If ever faced with such a thing, it is important to promptly secure a reliable criminal lawyer. A good criminal attorney will represent the accused to the best of his or her ability. They can negotiate with prosecutors, and arrange for reduced charges or lesser sentencing. People who have been recently arrested need to talk to a criminal attorney as soon as possible. Typically, a criminal lawyer's most urgent priority is to help arrange for the release of his defendant. The next step is to provide some information about what's to come in the days ahead. This often helps ease some of the anxiety experienced by the client and prepare him or her for what's to come. When faced with charges, trying to find the right criminal lawyer, quickly, can be overwhelming. One is often frightened, desperate, and unable to think strait...not the best state of mind to be searching for a lawyer. This is why maintaining some type of preventative legal service plan is a good idea. When an urgent event occurs, that requires legal counsel, you will already have a trusted source you can turn to for immediate assistance. Most preventative legal service plans will assign you to a provider law firm in your area. Your provider law firm will then designate a criminal lawyer to your case, who can provide you with the necessary counseling. Perhaps the biggest advantage of carrying legal insurance is that most plans provide the client with a significant discount off of the normal attorney rates. If you're a living breathing human being, your legal rights have most likely been compromised several times in the past year. Learn how you can put a stop to it at http://www.reliablelawyer.net Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:53:00 +0100 Offenders, charged with driving under the influence or DUI, drug offenses, domestic violence, assault, homicide, murder, cyber crimes are charged with criminal offences. There are attorneys qualified and highly experienced in handling criminal cases. They have in-depth knowledge of all the particulars involved in criminal offenses and even have subordinates, who work directly with them on such cases. It is essential to consider certain details, before hiring an attorney. People should not engage a lawyer whose primary practice something other than criminal defense. It is not advisable to hire a family or civil attorney to represent a defendant in a criminal proceeding. The lawyer's traits and character are very important. People must always look for a confident and tough lawyer that has a good reputation with the prosecutors and panel of judges, involved in the case. It is important for a client to enquire about the charges against him and the probable consequences, if he were found guilty. The client should also enquire about the defense strategy. Apart from this, the defendant is also advised to insist on a written contract, setting forth all costs and covered services. It is advisable to keep in mind the stringent laws and penalties associated with criminal offense, and people should not consider representing themselves in court. The appointment of an expert and experienced attorney is always considered to be the safer option. The yellow pages or online websites are a good source of finding an experienced lawyer, specializing in particular cases. It is advisable to always be honest with the lawyer, so that he can protect the defendant's interests. It is imperative for a defendant to hire a good lawyer, but he needs to be a good client as well. That means that the client needs to actively participate in his defense procedure. Criminal Defense Attorneys provides detailed information on Criminal Defense Attorneys, Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys, Las Vegas Criminal Defense Attorneys, Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys and more. Criminal Defense Attorneys is affiliated with Federal Criminal Lawyers. Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:53:00 +0100 Criminal cases are the most important aspects in the legal world. It is in the hands of a criminal lawyer to get the accused punished as per the law. A good lawyer should have a clear understanding of all the significant details of the case. His duty is to bring to light the bare essentials of the case before the jury, and prove the prosecution wrong. The defense lawyer should ensure that if his client is wrongly accused, he does not get punishment for something that he has not done. An ideal lawyer is the one who performs his duties well. The duties of a criminal defense lawyer are as follows: • Arrange for your release and make sure you get justice. • Take required action concerning papers and procedure. • Give you the right advice on procedures. • Recommend the best path to take to get justice and escape punishment. • Tell you about your options and legal rights. A few qualities of an ideal criminal defense lawyer are as follows: • He should not only be well qualified in criminal law but also should have a good past experience of dealing with cases similar to your case. • He should be honest, sincere, and ardent about justice. He should have the zeal to protect the rights of his client. • He should be confident enough to daunt the prosecution. • He should know how to act in front of the jury to prove his client’s despair. • He should also be capable of doing and understanding police work so that he can find out all the clues and facts needed for the case. • He should have a clear understanding of the hidden facets of law. • He should have a good reputation. • He should be fair in his dealings and extremely intelligent. • He should know no defeat and should have an optimistic attitude. • He should be adventurous enough to seek new strategies. GET LAWYER ADVICE AND FIND OUT MORE ON LAWSUIT CASES Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:52:00 +0100 Criminal law deals with cases where local, state or federal government seeks to punish someone for an act considered a crime. A criminal lawyer is required to represent someone who has been charged with a crime. A criminal charge can be levied on a person for either felonies or serious crimes like murder or rape, as well as misdemeanors like petty theft or jaywalking. The process involved in charging a person with a crime and administering punishment is quite similar. An experienced lawyer will successfully deal with prosecutors in court and should be able to prove a client innocent. In Atlanta, like all states, the Constitution provides criminal defendants with the right to an attorney, if the state is trying to deprive the defendant of his or her liberty. This means that the state has to appoint a lawyer for the defendant if one cannot afford a private lawyer. Atlanta criminal lawyers should be familiar with all the legal provisions of the local, state and federal governments. The procedure for a criminal charge in Atlanta begins with an arrest or citation summarizing the reason for the arrest. Copies of these reports are sent to a prosecutor’s office who initiates and prosecutes criminal cases. After these prosecutors have gained enough evidence, the court proceedings begin. When choosing an Atlanta criminal lawyer, there are many points to consider. The most important points are to know how much experience the lawyer has in criminal law, and the extent of the lawyer's track record in trying similar cases. Another important point is to make sure that your lawyer considers all possible outcomes of your case. For instance, could arbitration or mediation resolve the case? Finally, what is an estimate of the total bill, and how will the bill be paid? Information about Atlanta criminal lawyers is available in the yellow pages, through search engines like Google and Yahoo on the Internet and through advertisements of law firms. There are also attorney directories available on the Internet that provide comprehensive information about Atlanta criminal lawyers. Information is also available through the county bar association and other professional law associations like the American Bar Association. Friends and family members are other sources of information. Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:52:00 +0100 A crime is anything that is illegal. Common crimes include street fights, drug use, and other such acts. The state government, through the public prosecutor, would file a criminal lawsuit. Criminals would either be fined, incarcerated or sometimes both, depending on the severity of the crime. The state of Georgia, like other states, has some common criminal laws. However, the state itself has also established some laws that are to be followed when arresting a person for any form of criminal act. Any act of defiance that might breach the public laws or completely neglect the same can be construed as an act of crime, and the state can file a lawsuit against the individual. Since criminal laws vary significantly in specific areas, criminals in the state of Georgia would require the services of a local criminal lawyer to help their cases. Hence, it is very important that the lawyer is well acquainted with the current laws that exist in the state at the time of arrest. A criminal lawyer would be able to fight the case in court if the individual is indeed innocent and being charged without undue reason. For guilty parties, getting the fine or incarceration lessened can be done with the help of a good attorney. Finding a lawyer from a specific area or county in Georgia is a good choice when charged with a crime. They would be able to keep up with the latest updates in the laws of that county or state. Even though an experienced and qualified lawyer is considered a boon, one who is from the same state is better than an experienced lawyer from any other state. A Georgian criminal defense or appeal lawyer would be able to provide excellent advice in all matters relating to legal and criminal procedures that need to be faced when an individual is charged with criminal acts in the state of Georgia. Available online are many websites belonging to legal companies housing hundreds of qualified and experienced lawyers in the state of Georgia. Also available online are a list of a person’s rights when first arrested, such as keeping silent until a lawyer arrives. Contacting a lawyer at the earliest opportunity is a good option when arrested for a crime. Arranging for bail in a Georgia court is easier with a lawyer around to take care of the deed. Getting arrested can be a traumatic experience. A criminal lawyer, for both prosecution and defense, would be a necessity, due to the complicated laws and procedures that can be understood only by an attorney. A criminal attorney would be able to take care of all the tasks that are involved in getting bail or being released without any penalty or imprisonment. Georgia Law provides detailed information on Georgia Law, Georgia Criminal Laws, Georgia Automobile Insurance Laws, Georgia Divorce Laws and more. Georgia Law is affiliated with Georgia Real Estate Lawyers. Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:51:00 +0100 |
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