Many Americans have found themselves in some type of legal trouble at some point in their lives. It is possible that you had one too many alcoholic drinks after skipping dinner, or maybe you rear ended the person in front of you and realized that your car insurance had lapped over the last month or maybe you are being wrongly accused for a crime that you did not commit. Either way, being involved in a legal process can be an intimidating and scary thing. You probably have a hundred questions going through your mind, wondering what will happen legally and what effect all of this will have on your day to day live.
As soon as legal trouble presents itself, it is important to find a good lawyer. A lawyer will offer the best consultation and will recommend the steps that they believe should be taken. They will ensure you of your rights, and will also inform you of the exact laws and the possibly penalties that you may face. They will become your go to person to help you through all of this. They will be present for any of the hearings, trials and judgements.
The next steps usually involve following whatever consultation the lawyer offers. They are the expert in the law, and each case will vary. A criminal defense firm will require different steps to ensure no prison time is needed than the best DUI attorney will need to ensure that the person does not lose their license, or face minimal jail time. A criminal defense firm employs a criminal defense attorney, whereas civil law firms might employ divorce attorneys. It is crucial to choose a law firm that is specific to the charge that you are facing.
A lawyer can also help individuals understand any changes to the laws that they may have not been aware of. For example, new DUI laws may include lower legal limits. You may have ensured that you were under the previous legal drinking and driving limit, to find that the laws have changed. Each state may also have different limits, and different legal terms for different drinking and driving levels. For example, in Ohio, law enforcement primarily use the term OVI (operating a vehicle under the influence), which is the same as a DUI (driving under the influence) in other states. Additionally, Ohio has an implied consent law. That means that if you refuse to submit to a chemical test, you will be subject to a fine and automatic license suspension. These are just a few examples of differences in states laws.
Lawyers can also inform offenders about their possible financial responsibilities. The money required for crimes committed will also depend entirely on the state. For example, if you are convicted in Ohio, you may have to pay a fine ranging from $250 to $1000. This number may be even higher, or perhaps even lower, in other states.
A criminal defense firm is entirely different from a divorce attorney firm. Although some law firms will employ many different types of lawyers, it is important to ensure that your specific attorney is specialized and qualified to assist in the type of the law that you are dealing with. The fines, jail times and sentences all vary, depending on the state of the committed crime. Additionally, even the terms used to describe a crime may differ, making the use of a great lawyer extremely benficial.