Should you enter a plea bargain?

When facing a DUI or criminal charge, it’s difficult to know if fighting the charge is better than going through a plea bargain. A “plea bargain” is when a convicted individual pleads guilty to the wrongdoing. There are a number of benefits for this route including:

• Opting for a less serious charge
• Only having to plead guilty to one charge out of multiple and dismissing the other charges
• Receiving a more lenient sentence
• Avoiding a lengthy trial or avoid trial altogether

An example of this would be if you are facing a DUI charge. Having a DUI on your record will have a substantial impact professionally and personally. When meeting with a DUI lawyer, he/she may suggest that you enter a plea bargain. By pleading guilty to the DUI, the lawyer may negotiate with the judge to make the charge less severe like reckless driving or speeding. While these offenses are still serious, they don’t nearly have the same ramifications as a DUI.

Why is it helpful to talk to a criminal defense lawyer?

If you are facing criminal charges, you should talk to an experienced criminal defense lawyer immediately to assess your options. In some cases, the best option would be to take a plea bargain. In other cases, going to trial may lead to better results.

Do you need help finding a criminal defense attorney?

Finding the right criminal defense or DUI attorney for your situation can be a difficult task. That’s why the Riverside County LRS is here to listen to your circumstances and refer you to an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Not in Riverside? Consider talking to one of these lawyer referral services:

• Bar Association of San Francisco
• The San Luis Obispo Bar Association
• The Brooklyn Bar Association
• The Chicago Bar Association

The materials in this blog are for informational purposes only, and are not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or current, and should not be relied on as legal advice. You should consult with a lawyer if you need help with a legal matter and not rely on anything you read on this blog or elsewhere on the web.

Alternatives to in-person communication: Emails and Phone Calls

When going through the legal process, having open and strong communication is paramount. If you have a complicated matter, it may be preferred that you meet with the lawyer in person. However, due to conflicting schedules, locations, and other obstacles, meeting in-person may not be a viable option.  

During your initial consultation with the lawyer, if you know that there are going to be barriers that may prevent you from meeting him/her in person, ask if discussing the legal matter through email or phone would be suitable alternatives.

Email communication

With so many changes in technology, communicating via the internet has become the norm. Some people are hesitant about discussing legal matters through email as such discussions are confidential and are documented; however, using email as a form of communication with your lawyer has its benefits.

If you have a quick, non-urgent inquiry or concern, using email is a good way to get a response from the lawyer without inconvenience. You can ask questions when you need to and the lawyer will respond accordingly. Also, keeping your emails is a helpful reference for your communication. If the lawyer explained how to go about doing paperwork or gave you some advice, you can refer back to the email.

Be sure to check with your lawyer about what should and should not be discussed in email. Some matters are too complicated and can be misconstrued through emails.

Phone communication

Using the phone as the primary mode of communication is helpful in many regards. This is especially helpful the lawyer’s office is out of the way, if you are out of town, unable to travel, etc. If there is a matter that you want to discuss in more detail with the lawyer, you can schedule a phone meeting with him/her. These kinds of conversations are helpful in maintaining a close, professional relationship with the attorney.

Contact the Riverside LRS to see how we can help

If you have more questions or concerns regarding communicating with your lawyer, contact the Riverside LRS to see how we can help. If your legal matter is not in Riverside, consider talking to one of these other Lawyer Referral Services:

• The Bar Association of San Francisco
• The Chicago Bar Association
• The Brooklyn Bar Association
• The San Luis Obispo County Bar Association

The materials in this blog are for informational purposes only, and are not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or current, and should not be relied on as legal advice. You should consult with a lawyer if you need help with a legal matter and not rely on anything you read on this blog or elsewhere on the web.

Do you need a car accident attorney in Riverside County?

Car accidents are frightening on a number of levels. Not only do you have to face the initial shock of being in a car accident, but you also have to cope with the additional injuries and damages. These injuries and damages can take a toll on a person physically, emotionally, and financially. If you do not confront the at-fault party for their negligence, you may be stuck to pay for such damages on your own.

Potential injuries

The injuries and damages sustained from a car accident vary, depending on the nature and the severity of the accident. Injuries may include the following:

• Whiplash
• Broken bones
• Scarring and/or disfigurement
• Neck and spinal cord injury
• Head and brain trauma
• Wrongful death

All of the above injuries are extremely painful and can impact a person’s life on multiple levels. Not only do you have to deal with the physical pains, but the financial strains of medical bills and the inability to work can be just as difficult to cope with.

How can the Riverside Lawyer Referral Service help?

The first step in obtaining compensation for your pains is contacting the Riverside County Lawyer Referral Service. We have connections to numerous prescreened attorneys and our services can help match you to the best lawyer for your needs.

What if I need a car accident attorney outside of Riverside County?

There are many Lawyer Referral Services at various bar associations. Refer to the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association or the Bar Association of San Francisco if you would like more information regarding car accident attorneys in California. 

The materials in this blog are for informational purposes only, and are not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or current, and should not be relied on as legal advice. You should consult with a lawyer if you need help with a legal matter and not rely on anything you read on this blog or elsewhere on the web.

Were you a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace?

Sexual harassment in the workplace affects both the victim and the overall company. Not only does the victim have to endure deep trauma from the harassment, but the company also has to deal with the marred image and its aftermath. Therefore, companies are expected to uphold strong morale by providing proper supervision and safety measures to prevent such harassment.

Unfortunately, there are a number of sexual harassment cases that occur every year in the workplace. What’s even more unfortunate is that many victims are afraid to speak up. If the harassment was done by a superior, the victim may fear his/her job. Or, if the victim chooses to walk away from the company, he/she will still have to endure the compounded stress of trying to find a job while coping with the incident.

How can a sexual harassment attorney help?

Sexual harassment in the workplace is a serious crime, and you should not hesitate to contact an experienced lawyer. A lawyer who is well-versed in business law and sexual harassment cases can help shield you from the company and their legal team.

Holding the at-fault part party accountable is not just about receiving compensation for your pains, it’s about bringing justice to the many victims of sexual harassment. Harassment in the workplace needs to be put to an end. Take the first step in protecting your rights.

How can the Riverside Lawyer Referral Service help?

The Riverside County Bar Association has helped numerous clients get connected with prescreened attorneys to help them with their legal matters. We can do the same for you. Call us or use our contact form to find out how you can get connected to the right sexual harassment attorney.

Not in Riverside? Check out the Bar Association of San Francisco, the Brooklyn Bar Association, or the Chicago Bar Association.

The materials in this blog are for informational purposes only, and are not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or current, and should not be relied on as legal advice. You should consult with a lawyer if you need help with a legal matter and not rely on anything you read on this blog or elsewhere on the web.

The Value of Face-to-Face Communication with an Attorney

Having strong communication with your attorney is imperative when going through the legal process. Things that are overlooked or not fully communicated can come with substantial consequences. And, in the end, by being open and honest with your lawyer, you may be more likely to be satisfied with the outcome. Depending on the nature and complexity of your legal matter, you may opt to alleviate much of your stress and confusion by meeting with an attorney in person. 

The benefits of face-to-face communication

If you can afford to take the time and cost of meeting the lawyer in person, there is a greater chance that you and the lawyer will develop a much closer, professional bond. Having face-to-face communication is very beneficial, particularly if you and the lawyer are going over complicated matters such as detailed and confusing paperwork. Also, if your legal matter is more emotional, like a family legal issue, then having a lawyer physically present can alleviate a lot of the stress involved.

Do you need an attorney in Riverside County?

At the Riverside County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service, we will carefully listen to your situation and concerns and match you to a prescreened lawyer. If communication is something that you value, we will certainly keep that in mind when evaluating the right lawyer for your legal matter. Don’t hesitate to contact us.

Is your legal matter not in Riverside?

There are other bar associations such as the Brooklyn Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association that also provide lawyer referral services. Check to see if your city or county provides such services.

The materials in this blog are for informational purposes only, and are not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or current, and should not be relied on as legal advice. You should consult with a lawyer if you need help with a legal matter and not rely on anything you read on this blog or elsewhere on the web.

Do You Need a Child Custody Lawyer?

No parent ever wants to think about the day that he/she needs to decide child custody matters. Not only do you have to protect your child’s interests, but there are a number of other questions that need to be answered. How much time is spent between each parent? What if you or the other parent wants to move away? How will you allocate the expenses?

Having the right lawyer guide you through child custody hearings and procedures is crucial in ensuring that your child’s interests.

Is mediation the answer?

While there is no “best case scenario” in terms of child custody, if you and the other parent are amicable and can discuss matters in a productive way, your lawyer may suggest mediation. Mediation is more of a discussion of the terms and the lawyer acts more as a facilitator between the two parties. Mediation is typically more cost effective and time efficient in comparison to litigation.

What if you need to go to court?

There are situations where mediation is not suitable for discussing child custody. For instance, if there are suspicions of abuse or irresponsible parenting, it may be necessary to go to court as the lawyer will have to obtain evidence and build a case to prevent the wrongful parent from having custody. Also, if there are other substantial disagreements between the two parties, litigation may be the only option in solving child custody issues.

Do you need a child custody lawyer in Riverside County?

Legal matters like child custody cannot be taken lightly and you need the right family law attorney for your situation. If you are in Riverside County, consult with the Riverside County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service. When you talk to us, we will listen to your situation and carefully match you to a prescreened lawyer. Hiring the right lawyer is the first step in helping your family move on from this challenging time. Let us help.

Is your family’s legal matter outside of Riverside County?

There are other bar associations like the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association and the Bar Association of San Francisco who offer Lawyer Referral Services. Research and see if there is a Lawyer Referral Service in your city or county.

The materials in this blog are for informational purposes only, and are not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or current, and should not be relied on as legal advice. You should consult with a lawyer if you need help with a legal matter and not rely on anything you read on this blog or elsewhere on the web.

Issues that arise with tenants and landlords

Do you have a legal issue with a tenant or landlord? The Riverside Lawyer Referral Service may be able to help.

Both tenants and landlords have an obligation to each other to respect each other’s rights. The landlord cannot discriminate against prospective tenants because of ethnicity, gender, disability etc.; however, the landlord does have the right to obtain credit history from the potential tenant to ensure that he/she is financially capable of paying the rent. Likewise, the landlord is responsible to maintain the rented site and provide safe living conditions for the tenant.

Disputes that may arise between the landlord and tenant can be very expensive and have lasting results. For example, if a landlord does not fix a leak that is in the residence, the leak may lead to mold, causing the tenant to get sick. Or, the tenant may have cause significant damage to the property prior to moving out, leaving the landlord with large expenses to fix the issue.

If you have an issue with a landlord or tenant, contact us so that we can refer you to the right real property lawyer for the case. During your consultation, the lawyer can inform you about your rights and how to proceed with your situation.

Not in Riverside? There are other Lawyer Referral Services at the Bar Association of San Francisco, the Brooklyn Bar Association, and the Chicago Bar Association.

The materials in this blog are for informational purposes only, and are not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or current, and should not be relied on as legal advice. You should consult with a lawyer if you need help with a legal matter and not rely on anything you read on this blog or elsewhere on the web.