Defendants often attend arraignments soon after their arrests. At these hearings, judges outline defendants’ charges and announce whether they are setting bail. The jurisdiction, severity of a defendant’s alleged crimes and the chances that they may become a flight risk may impact a judge’s decision to impose bail in a case. Defendants can benefit from understanding what role bail bonds serve and how to secure them. Here is a guide that explains what happens during the bail bond process.

How Bail Works

Judges impose bail as an assurance that a defendant will return for future court hearings. Defendants may initially only have to post a percentage of the bail to earn their release from jail. However, the full amount may immediately become due if they fail to appear at a future court hearing. 

How Defendants Secure Bail Bonds

It is a defendant’s responsibility to put up bail to secure their release from jail. Defendants often have someone close to them pay the amount owed. Instances may exist in which the bail amount may be too high, causing defendants to sell off their valuable property to cover it. In such instances, defendants often enlist the services of bail bond agents. To find potential candidates, the defendant may want to perform an online search for the phrase “bail bonds Statesville near me.” 

What Working With a Bail Bondsman Is Like

A bail agent’s decision to extend a defendant a surety bond is discretionary. They may base their decision to work with someone on that person’s creditworthiness and the availability of collateral. Bail bondsmen often add their own service fee in addition to the bail set by the judge. This expense can be up to 10% of the bail amount.

Bail agents may ask their clients to put up collateral, such as a home, jewelry or other valuable assets, to ensure the customer abides by their written agreement. This contract includes repaying the loan and going to court.

Incarceration isn’t ideal, which is why knowing what options are available for securing a defendant’s release once a judge sets bail is critical. 

No one gets married with the intention of getting divorced later on. However, a large percentage of marriages end in divorce, and you may not know what to do if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation. A divorce can get nasty, especially if there are children involved. Use these three tips to navigate the divorce process as smoothly as possible.

Hire a Lawyer

You may try to avoid incurring the additional expense of a lawyer if your divorce is friendly. Unfortunately, many divorces are far from amicable. If you find yourself in the middle of a contested divorce Tampa, it is time to hire a legal representative to fight for your best interests. He or she can also help you navigate the legal processes associated with divorce.

Know What You Want

If your divorce is not amicable, it can be tempting to refuse to comply with your former spouse’s requests for asset division. However, these negative feelings can drag out the divorce process and make it harder for everyone involved. You need to be willing to compromise if you want the process to be over quickly. It may help to make a list of which assets you want to keep, which ones are negotiable and which ones you don’t care about.  

Develop a Custody Arrangement

If you and your ex have kids together, the divorce process can get even messier. It is important to learn how to co-parent effectively, but that probably won’t happen for at least a few years. The best thing you can do after a fresh divorce is keep your negative feelings to yourself and focus on your kids. Regardless of how you feel about your former spouse, he or she is still the other parent to your children. Your kids will likely still want to spend plenty of quality time with your ex. You should be supportive and come up with a custody arrangement that everyone involved is satisfied with.

Divorce is not an easy process for anyone involved. Most people want to get the process over with as quickly as possible so that they can resume their normal lifestyles. These three tips won’t take away the pain that comes with filing for divorce, but they can help the process flow more smoothly. Use these tips so that you can get the divorce finalized quickly and start the healing process so that you can have a better life.

Some legal specialties are more specific and specialized than others. There are litigators, who argue the letter of the law for clients or the government in court. There are corporate lawyers, tax attorneys and those who specialize in contracts, plus many more. Most law school graduates find an area of law they like to practice and settle in for a long career, but those who wish to pursue entertainment law are in for a particularly wild ride, and must remain on their toes at all times.

Representing celebrity clients comes with its own set of unique challenges. An Attorney must be resourceful and prepared for anything their clients may face. Here are just a few of the roles an entertainment attorney fills to ensure that creative individuals with quick-rising success are able to earn and grow their businesses while their interests are protected.

Negotiators

According to John Branca attorney to superstars such as Michael Jackson and the Beach Boys, the role of an entertainment lawyer during negotiations isn’t always black and white. Legal and talent teams work on behalf of their clients to secure contracts and negotiate fees, which can get complicated when multiple interests and opinions are involved. Hear Branca recall a story from his early years representing celebrity clients.

Business Liaisons

Entertainment attorneys are versatile. They work with many talented people across the following industries:

• Music
• Film
• Television
• Comedy
• Electronic media
• Print (newspaper and magazine)

Those in the entertainment industry are in need of many different types of services. Therefore, a lawyer serves as a liaison between their clients and other business professionals like promoters, venue managers and tax preparers. Effective attorneys protect their clients from being taken advantage of by shady business partners.

Guardians of Intellectual Property

Wherever creators are creating, there are bound to be issues around trademarks and copyrights. Lawyers work to determine the difference between derivative, inspired and outright pirated work. In the event of stolen intellectual property, a litigator will prepare lawsuits and seek damages on behalf of the wronged client. This mitigates the chances of other individuals using material, song lyrics or melodies that belong to the writers, producers or artists that created them.

While specialized education programs exist for aspiring attorneys who wish to work with high-profile clients, networking is the best avenue for entering the entertainment space. Lawyers like John Branca need to have connections in film and music as well as top-notch business development skills.

When choosing a social security disability law firm Orlando-based, there are a few factors to look into. Social security disability attorneys belong to a distinct classification of law. The professionals assist customers with both physical and physiological disabilities. In most cases, such people are suited for specific jobs where it is challenging to apply for the undesired conditions. In some scenarios, a claim may prove fatal for an individual, leading to the individual being considered disabled for any purpose of social security. Below are ways to select a social security disability lawyer:

Select the proper lawyer

To be comfortable and satisfied with the lawyer, you need a serious and confident professional lawyer for your representation in the courtroom. The attorney of your choice must be experienced and reputed in the sector. The lawyer must be reliable and efficient to display evidence of succeeding in cases similar to your type.

Find information on the case procedure

The first step towards completing a successful social security matter is dependent on how you file the case. The main reason for engaging a lawyer is to get help and guidance on filing a social security issue. The professionals understand how to go about social security disability claimants and the rules and regulations to organize the case appropriately. Consider a lawyer who is authentic and well organized.

In handling your claim, the social disability attorney should be sympathetic and patient in the best way to help the claimants from each element. Special people are provided with a chance to demand a particular sum of money as alimony from the government or authorities to cater for daily expenses, as the individual cannot earn money for daily expenditures. In this case, you need to search for a professional and experienced social security disability attorney for you or your loved one in need of a lawyer’s services.

Wrongful death cases are one of the most tragic types of criminal or civil cases that can occur. Wrongful death is defined as killing an individual through gross negligence, recklessness, intentional misconduct, or other reckless wrongdoing. The hearts of every member of the legal profession go out to those who have suffered this loss. In this post, we’ll go into examples of wrongful death scenarios and how a lawyer can help you if you feel you need to pursue this path.

Two Categories of Wrongful Death

Wrongful death falls under two categories: criminal and civil wrongs. Criminal wrongful deaths involve a third party who intentionally killed another person while committing a crime such as murder or manslaughter. Civil wrongful death involves someone whose negligent actions lead to another person’s injury or death. A wrongful death attorney can help sort it for you.

Examples of Wrongful Death Situations

• Someone was killed because of an impaired driver.
• A doctor made the wrong diagnosis and prescribed the wrong medicines at the wrong time or in bad combinations, causing death.
• A person purchased a defective item. When the thing breaks, a series of immediate events result in death (exploding cell phone, broken car parts, etc.).
• A personal injury accident resulting from a party where drugs, alcohol, or other substances and reckless behavior were present. Complications from the injury result in death.
• Someone buys expired food (even just slightly expired) from the grocery store, eats it, is poisoned, and dies.
• The victim of a mugging, robbery, gang-related conflict, or similar violence that results in death.
• A person purchases a new and legal recreational substance, except it is tainted from the factory, and the person dies.
• Someone dies from the accidental discharge of a firearm.
• A patient in a hospital needs a particular piece of medical equipment to live, and the machine becomes defective, resulting in the patient’s death.
• Someone held in police or county custody dies due to excessive force.

What’s Needed to Prove a Wrongful Death Claim

In most cases of wrongful death claims, the family and loved ones left behind have an idea of who else may have contributed to the passing. Periodically, wrongful deaths may also result from accidents in which no identifiable party acted negligently but where the victim’s family nonetheless seeks compensation for their loss.

Proving a wrongful death involves first determining whether or not the deceased was killed by an act that violated their civil rights (a crime) or died due to someone else’s negligence (civil). If it can be shown that an individual has been wrongfully killed, then the deceased’s family can recover damages.

How a Wrongful Death Attorney Helps

A wrongful death attorney may help a victim’s family file or investigate their claim with insurance companies, work to gather evidence that supports their argument, or negotiate a settlement. Wrongful death attorneys can also help family members with the financial aspects of their loss, including making funeral arrangements and providing emotional support to grieving families in different stages.

Conclusion

Wrongful death lawsuits can be based on various types of negligent acts, including defective or dangerous products, medical malpractice, criminal convictions, and even police brutality. In all cases, a wrongful death claim should be examined to see if a legitimate claim can be made. If a legitimate claim cannot be made, then the family and loved ones can at least have closure knowing they tried.

People enter marriages expecting and not expecting a divorce. Prenuptial agreements and postnuptial agreements have become a norm today. Moreover, people enter into marriages on a contract basis. Unfortunately, nowadays, the genuineness of marriage is becoming less justified. A family law lawyer assists in ensuring the marriage does not end up ugly. Prenuptial agreements are marriage contracts between two people who intend to get married. However, a court may find a prenup invalid if it has the following elements;

Child custody and support terms

The court decides the conditions on who to pay child support or who to take the child with upon divorce. The prenuptial agreement stipulating these is invalid because the judge has to act in the children’s best interest. The judge will also decide on the amounts to be paid in child support and by which partner.

Divorce incentives

A prenuptial agreement explains the financial state of both partners upon divorcing. The agreement will be considered invalid if there are terms providing divorce incentives. Both partners should stick to their assets and not ask for more than they deserve.

Unreasonable terms

A judge may decide to invalidate some terms stipulated in the prenuptial agreement. Upholding terms that will result in hardship, like one partner unable to provide basic needs for themselves, is overridden. A divorce, even with a prenup, should ensure both parties part civilly.

Illegal terms

All provisions in the prenuptial agreement should be compliant with federal, state, and local laws. The agreement should not stipulate any illegal actions or assets to be maintained or carried out by either of the partners.

Nonfinancial rules

The prenuptial agreement may be challenged, and any nonfinancial rules stipulated may not be upheld. The major element of a prenup is to elaborate and emphasize the financial issues. Domestic issues such as religion and choice of schools for children will be invalidated if stipulated in the prenup.

It is crucial to note that prenuptial and postnuptial agreements do not necessarily mean there is no love between the couple. Both types of agreements can be tailored according to the couple’s assets and liabilities. The contents of a postnuptial agreement that occurred after the union took place are;

Spouse maintenance fees

The couple may decide to take a secondary or primary role in raising the children, being a stay-at-home husband/wife, and seeking higher education for better jobs. Maintenance for the spouse may apply during and after marriage. Alternatively, the couple may decide on no support upon divorce.

Provision of separate property

State laws supersede the postnuptial agreement. Some laws may uphold the provision of separating property before and after marriage, while others may not. Inherited property kept and maintained during the marriage may be considered individually. You, as a couple, must understand the state laws before writing this provision.

Marital property

If the postnuptial agreement does not contradict the law, this provision is upheld and helps to quicken the divorce process. The marital property provision encompasses joint accounts and properties. This provision protects the separate property from the marital one.

Child support, custody, and visitation rights

The postnuptial agreement may have a provision that protects children from previous marriages if divorce happens. The provision must be fair and reasonable to both parties. The court will invalidate this provision if it is not in the best interest of the children.

Seeking a family lawyer in the matters of marriage and divorce is important. Legal counsel will help you understand your limits in stipulating the provisions. Mental health should be included in the whole process, especially where children are involved. However, religious and cultural differences may slow down the divorce process. Unfortunately, many marriages suffer from toxicity.

In the event of an auto accident, the victims are left with severe injuries that can lead to a permanent change in the life of the affected party. Victims are also left with the burden of medical bills to settle on their own. Many insurance companies offer a percentage of the settlement that does not cater to all the expenses. 

Therefore, it is necessary to seek the services of an auto accident attorney as soon as the accident takes place to represent you in the legal process. Auto accident attorney Seattle will help you to get the most out of your settlement. 

However, it would help if you put into consideration the following factors before hiring an accident attorney.

Level of Experience

Before hiring an injury attorney, it is vital to look at their experience level in different auto accident cases. You may also need to investigate their trial experiences and whether they have won any such issues before. 

It is vital to understand the nature of your case and get a lawyer who is well qualified in the area of legal representation.

Ease to work with

When seeking the expertise of an accident attorney, it will help to determine whether it is easy to schedule an appointment with them. It would help to work with a lawyer who creates time to listen to you when the need arises and promptly answer your requests. 

Such a lawyer understands your situation thoroughly and can represent you in the court of law even in your absence. 

Legal fees and terms of payment

Before signing up for a legal representation contract, it is vital to consider all the costs of the representation. It will help people to understand all the legal charges and what they are charged for. Clients should also inquire about any circumstances under which additional costs may arise in the process. 

Choosing an attorney is a decision that requires a lot of care as it determines the success or failure of your case. 

Divorces are hard, and when you enter the settlement phase, it can become emotionally draining. Such mental exhaustion over deciding on the final details may make you make some choices that you don’t like or don’t work well in practice.

Many people feel that once the papers are signed, options are limited. It is possible, though, to see changes, especially under the following three circumstances. Find a lawyer specializing in the modification of court orders NJ, and request your case be reevaluated. 

1. Income Changes

Financial shifts are one reason to ask for alterations. Hardships and rewards come and go. Now that you are independent, it means that you’re providing for yourself more than in the past. For some, that means going back to work or seeking promotions which could increase salary.

Others may find it hard to juggle single life, especially with children in the home. For these parents, reduction of hours or loss of a job could be possible, creating a major loss of income. These conditions could impact alimony and child support needs.  You may ask for more or less monthly income based on these events.

2. Illness or Physical Disabilities

Alimony supports your previous lifestyle. Unfortunately, if you or a child become ill or hurt, that could make it harder for you to survive, requiring more assistance financially and medically. With your legal team’s aid, you could seek further medical insurance coverage or monetary commitment.

3. Growth in Child Responsibilities

Kids grow up, and sometimes that means they need more than they did before. As teens, they may require a phone for safety and communication. In addition, youth begin to drive, and parents take on insurance and car payments. This expense could be too much for one guardian; thus, you may ask for more compensation.

Finalizing your agreement does bring an end to the marriage; however, that doesn’t mean that help isn’t possible in the future. If you cannot work on financial changes together, seek professional assistance. Attorneys may be able to seek an increase in alimony funding.

Most people never commit a serious felony in their life and don’t end up experiencing severe legal or financial troubles as a result. Unfortunately, some people may commit and get convicted of a class 6 felony, a crime that may stay on their record for years and cause troubles in various ways. Others may get extended sentences unless they take the time to reduce the severity of this crime to a misdemeanor.

What are Class 6 Felonies?

Class 6 felonies are the most minor types of felony crimes a person can commit. They are usually prosecuted at the minimum felony sentence and often result in probation for many people who commit them. Probation is the most likely situation for first-time offenders. Those on probation must avoid serious offenses, or they may end up charged with a much more severe felony as a result.

Each state in the country defines class 6 felonies slightly differently. Some might charge an individual with a higher felony type than other states for the same offense. As a result, it is crucial to understand the different rules that dictate this rating throughout each state. And it is also vital to have a good idea of a few other offenses that may qualify as class 6, including things like:

• Possessing a small amount (usually two ounces) of an illicit substance
• Gambling online when this activity is not allowed in a state
• Getting a stolen firearm from someone (mainly if you know it was stolen)
• Handling a weapon like a gun or a knife with improper care or recklessness

Penalties for such felonies will also vary on a state-by-state basis. Some will charge 1-5 years for a class 6 conviction, while others may charge between $2,500-$50,000 for certain crimes. However, some people may find themselves getting an extended sentence in some cases, even for a class 6 felonies. As a result, it is essential to know whether or not these felonies can be reduced in severity.

Can These Felonies Be Decreased?

Class 6 felonies are among the most accessible types to argue down to misdemeanors due to their relative lack of severity. While they are still considered a serious crime, it is possible to avoid a criminal record by using a myriad of different arguments against a felony case, including situations as diverse as:

• Mitigating Circumstances – Judges may decrease the severity of this crime if a person was not aware they committed it, i.e., if they received a stolen gun by accident.
• First-Time Offenses – Many judges will go more leniently on somebody who has committed just one offense, allowing class 6 felonies to be reclassified as class 1 misdemeanors.
• Defense Situations – When people commit class 6 felonies in self-defense (such as recklessly handling a firearm), some judges may decrease their offense to a misdemeanor or dismiss the case.

While class 6 felonies are more manageable to argue down to misdemeanors than other types of felonies, that doesn’t mean an individual has an open and shut case. There are many situations in which judges will refuse these explanations, even if they are valid, and want to prosecute someone for a felony anyway.

Work With a Lawyer on This Process

If you find yourself facing this type of conviction or crime and want to avoid long-term consequences, you should talk to an attorney right away to see what you can do to prevent this concern. Many people will find that it is surprisingly simple to argue class 6 felonies down to class 1 misdemeanors. However, the possibility will vary on a state-by-state and judge-by-judge basis.