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.