Explaining Violent Crimes

Violent crimes refer to any criminal offense which involves the use of or threat of force towards another person. Violent crime covers a broad spectrum of violent crimes which are divided into five categories by the United States Department of Justice. These include murder, rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault and simple assault.

With violent crimes, violence can either be the objective or they can be a means to an end (as in robbery). Additionally, a violent crime may or may not involve the use of a weapon. A person can murder another human being with their bare hands or in a more insidious way, such as poison. They do not have to use a firearm or knife to commit such a heinous crime.

Violent crimes are prosecuted as felonies, which means that a conviction can involve years in a state prison. Not only can they involve a lengthy prison sentence, the state of Florida enacted the "three strikes law" in 1996. That means that a violent felony conviction would count as a "strike" on your criminal record.

What is the three strikes law? The three strikes laws were enacted by state governments of the United States. These laws require the state courts to hand down mandatory sentences to criminals who have been convicted of a violent felony on three or more separate occasions. Florida is one of the states that have adopted their own form of habitual offender laws.

Under the three strikes law, repeat offenders are subjected to increased and extended prison sentences. They are also limited or, in some cases, prohibited from receiving an alternative form of punishment other than a prison sentence.

In addition to the "three strikes law," the state of Florida is one of the states that carry the death penalty. This means that individuals who are facing serious violent crime charges such as murder, could be sentenced to death in a court of law.

Although most violent crimes involve the use of force or violence, a crime can still be categorized as a violent crime even if it only involved the "threat" of violence. For example, the crime of assault falls under this category. Assault can vary depending on the facts surrounding the case, however, assault by definition involves the threat or use of force. Physical contact does not need to take place in order to be convicted of assault; simply the threat of violence is sufficient.

Assault charges can range from simple assault to aggravated assault. Simple assault can be charged as a misdemeanor, however, it is often prosecuted as a felonious crime. Battery, on the other hand, involves actual physical contact with the victim.

Sexual assault and rape are categorized as violent sex crimes. Sexual assault refers to non-consensual sexual contact, whereas rape is associated with non-consensual sexual intercourse. Furthermore, sexual crimes committed against children are felonies.

Robbery is a violent crime where the victim is typically confronted by a weapon. Robbers commonly use a firearm or knife to instill fear in their victim, in order to get them to hand over their purse or wallet. Carjacking is a similar type offense where the carjacker will threaten to use a weapon against the victim unless they turn over their vehicle.

Homicide charges are by far the most serious types of violent crimes as they involve the death of another human being. Murder and manslaughter charges are divided into degrees. For example, a person who meticulously plans to murder their victim and lies in wait for them can be guilty of a capital offense and sentenced to death, whereas a person who accidentally strikes and kills a pedestrian with their car will face lighter sanctions.

Violent crimes are inherently serious in nature, thus a conviction can ruin your life. Those convicted of violent crimes face lengthy prison sentences; therefore defending them requires the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney.

It is not entirely uncommon for extenuating circumstances to lead to "criminal acts," therefore a strong defense is your only option. A criminal defense attorney will know how to cross-examine evidence and witness testimony. They will also have the tools to unearth any mitigating evidence that could help you achieve a more favorable outcome in the charges against you.

The Law Offices of DiRenzo & Weick is a criminal defense firm serving the residents of Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding areas. Their firm has been successfully defending clients for more than seventeen years. At DiRenzo & Weick, you can feel confident knowing that your case will be handled by an experienced Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer who you can trust. No matter what brought you to the charges, they believe their clients are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Therefore, they will place the burden of proof upon the prosecution to prove otherwise. You are urged to take action immediately by contacting their firm at (866) 622-0636 for a free case evaluation!

For additional information visit the firm's website at http://www.fortlauderdaledefenselawfirm.com/.

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Finding The Best Criminal Lawyer To Represent You

When referring to criminal law, reference would need to be made to the various aspects which make up such a vast legal area. Consequently, a criminal lawyer refers to an attorney whose studies concentrated on criminal law and its several branches. Defense attorneys are the professionals required for anyone seeking to be well-defended against any criminal accusations.

Crimes are obviously serious violations of the law, which damage an individual either physically or morally. The sort of crimes which are commonly prosecuted are generally homicide, drug trafficking, theft and sexual offenses. However, criminal law is certainly not limited to these alone, and that is why there are several criminal lawyers that specialize in particular areas.

As can be imagined, hiring a lawyer who has sufficient experience in the particular area under which your case falls is crucial. Choosing the right lawyer to represent you will have a determinate effect on the outcome of your case. For this reason you obviously should do a little research on who would be the best attorney for you.

There are few experiences as traumatic as being accused of a crime. This is true both for the accused as well as for their loved ones. Preparing a solid defense requires time, effort, energy and financial means. Trusting your case in the hands of a reliable lawyer will relieve you of much anxiety, since you would know that an experienced professional would be in charge of your defense.

The benefit of having a good defense attorney on your side is that they will be professionally and objectively involved, with no emotional shackles to cloud their determination. Seasoned lawyers would have dealt with several similar cases in their past, so they would know what best to do.

Apart from the emotionally demanding time, facing a criminal charge would mean that your reputation is at risk. This is obviously a very serious aspect, especially as it regards your future professional endeavors. A criminal defense lawyer will know what to do to safeguard your personal record from harmful conviction records. Having a conviction on your record will influence where you can get a job and where you can live considerably.

While having charges dropped is a rare event, a criminal defense lawyer can often negotiate an equitable plea deal in which the charges would be reduced. This is naturally very much dependent on the facts of the case, but in general defense lawyers will manage to secure a much better outcome than what you would have initially imagined. The fear of facing time in jail is predominant amongst accused persons, but it is generally disposed of altogether by an able lawyer.

A very useful tool which anyone looking for a criminal attorney can make use of is the internet. A quick search will give you a wide range of websites of different criminal lawyers and their personal information. This will allow you to compare the different potential choices and to opt for the lawyer who seems best able to defend your rights. Apart from information, you can also use such websites to contact the lawyer directly and ask anything you wish. It is also possible to obtain a free consultation session with the lawyer of your choice so that you will be able to get to know how he approaches your case. Choosing the right criminal lawyer will be instrumental in your case.

If you've been arrested in Broward county, you will need the representation of a Fort Lauderdale criminal lawyer to ensure that your rights are protected in the course of your case. A good criminal lawyer can get you a great plea deal when taking the case to trial is not a good option. To read more visit http://www.fortlauderdalecriminalattorney.net/.

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The Basics of Bail Bonds

You are never prepared for those unexpected emergencies: the late-night phone call of a frantic family member or friend explaining they have been arrested and taken to jail. Your first thoughts are of how you can help get them released from jail as quickly as possible. A bail bondsman is often the fastest and easiest way to help bail out your friend or family member. It's important for you to know how the bail bond process works from start to finish, that way you can know what to expect along the way.

Arrest and Booking

Once someone is arrested, they will be transported to the detention center for booking. This process will consist of fingerprinting, photographs ("mug shots"), a background check and nationwide warrant search. They will be searched for any weapons or contraband, and any personal belongings will be collected and held until their release from the jail. This process could take anywhere from 2-6 hours to complete, depending on how busy jail staff is with processing other arrestees.

The defendant's bail amount will be set after the booking process has been completed and they will be able to make arrangements to post bail. They will have access to a phone to make calls to a friend or family member, lawyer, or bail bondsman.

Setting Bail

Several factors will be taken into consideration when a defendant's bail amount is set. The judge will look at criminal history; a repeat offender will likely be given a higher bail amount than someone who has no criminal record. The severity of the crime is another key factor when a judge sets the bail amount. The more serious the defendant's charges, the higher their bail amount. A judge will also determine if the individual is considered a flight risk, meaning that they are not likely to reappear for court. Bail amount could be set higher for anyone the judge fears will not return to court.

Bailing Someone Out

Bail amounts are set high for a reason- to make sure the defendant comes back to face the charges against them. This amount could be in the tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Most people don't have the means to pay such a large amount of money. They may need to put up their home for collateral in order to secure the release of their loved one. If you wish to pay the full bail amount, it will have to be done by cash or cashier's check directly to the jail or courthouse. If the defendant makes it to all court appearances, this money will be returned to you once the case has been concluded. However, it could be months or even years before you see your money again.

The option that most people choose is to work with a bail bondsman. This could be the most affordable solution for you. Each state sets regulations on how much can be charged for a bail bond. In most states, the cost of a bail bond is 10%. For example, if the defendant's bail is $20,000, then you will pay a bondsman $2,000 to bail out your friend or family member.

Thanks to state regulations, this amount cannot be increased or decreased by the bondsman for any reason. Some agents will be willing to work with you on payment options for the bail bond premium, but they cannot charge you additional fees or reduce the total amount.

Indemnitor Responsibilities

When you agree to sign a bail bond contract with a bondsman, you will become the "indemnitor." This means that you agree to be financially responsible for the contract.

You must ensure that the defendant makes it to all scheduled court appearances pertaining to their case. Make sure that the bail bondsman and the court are kept up-to-date on the defendant's contact information.

If the defendant flees, or "jumps bail," you will be responsible for paying back the entire bail amount, as well as any additional court costs and fees, and any expenses incurred by the bondsman for going after the defendant. This could include the cost of a bounty hunter.

It's a stressful time when someone you care about is in jail. You want to make sure they are released as quickly and safely as possible. Before you decide to take on the responsibility of bailing them out, though, you need to be certain that the defendant is going to do what needs to be done and face their charges in court.

Tonya Page Bail Bonds serves all jails in California. Tonya is a licensed bail agent who works alongside her husband, Greg, of Greg Rynerson Bail Bonds. Together, they are a family owned and operated business, providing free bail bonds information and expert bail bondsman service.

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Do Do You Need an Attorney For Your Personal Injury Claim?

A personal injury attorney is one that is going to handle many different types of cases within the personal injury jurisdiction. However, with that being said, there are a few different cases that are going to be much more common. For example, auto accidents make up a huge number of cases that the personal injury attorney is going to face.

It can be another driver who may have hit them, or it could be against the car manufacturer if the driver believes that the accident was caused by some problem with the car that could not have been avoided due to the negligence of the auto maker. There has even been times in which the driver can sue the state for the dangerous roads that could have caused the accident, such as having too many pot holes in the road or whatnot.

Another common case that personal injury attorney's are going to have in abundance are those people that are hurt on the job. There are always ways in which a person can get hurt while they are on the job, especially in jobs that required construction or some other high risk work. In these types of cases the worker makes a claim that the employer put the worker in a dangerous situation because of a harmful work environment or not preparing the workers for the job that they were doing.

Slip and fall accidents are also another case in which the personal injury attorney is going to be spending their time. Slip and fall accidents can take place in any type of location. The law states that the property that a person owns, means that they are going to have to make sure that the location is safe. If a person enters into a location and slips on a wet floor or even falls down the stairs, then this can be considered a slip and fall. When these happens, the person sues the property owner for their negligence.

Medical malpractice is something that is also in the personal injury attorney realm. With this type of lawsuit the person is suing a doctor or a medical facility for the injury that they received from the care that they received. This is one type of case that can take years to get to come to terms that both parties are going to agree to.

The field of personal injury is one that is a bit slippery and the attorney must know what they are doing and the rules of what they are doing in order to make sure that they are getting the most for their client.

QuestionsAttorney.com is an online law information site and delivers unbiased articles, analysis and other developments of the legal landscape. Read more about Injury Attorney.

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Supermarkets' Responsibilities - With Thousands of Visitors Shops Must Have High Safety Standards

The main research body for the UK grocery market, the IGD, estimate there are over 55,000 supermarkets and convenience stores across the country. Supermarkets alone employ some 750,000 British workers, as well as welcoming tens of millions of shoppers to their premises each week. Supermarket owners are legally obliged to hold liability insurance to cover them in the event of injuries to their 'lawful visitors', both customers and staff. They must take all 'reasonable measures' to make their premises 'reasonably safe' for such visitors. Where the negligence of a supermarket's management or staff has caused an injury that was 'reasonably foreseeable', the owners may be sued, and if the claim is successful compensation will be awarded to the injured party.

Most accidents at supermarkets are caused by spillages that are not dealt with by cleaning staff within a reasonable time-frame. An efficient system of inspection and cleaning in public areas is critical to removing potential slipping hazards. These include dropped litter and spilled products, such as fruit, vegetables, milk and both hot and cold ready-to-eat snacks. Fridge and freezer units at supermarkets may leak if they are left open, or are not properly maintained. Slipping accidents are common when a floor surface has been recently cleaned, but is still wet and slippery. This may be inside a supermarket's public bathrooms, or down one of the aisles. When such hazards cannot be dealt with immediately, staff should ensure that warning signs and barriers are positioned to protect visitors from the risk of slipping and injuring themselves.

Other examples of what is termed legally as 'defective premises' include discarded packaging in aisles, and damaged or uneven floor surfaces. A high percentage of accidents at supermarkets take place outside in car parks, particularly in winter when hospital admissions for slips on ice and snow soar. In freezing conditions grit, gravel and salt must be deployed to make outdoor surfaces as safe as possible for visitors. Raised concrete, broken drain covers and pot holes can also cause customers to fall and injure themselves in 'reasonably foreseeable' circumstances in supermarket car parks. Again, an efficient system of inspection and maintenance of supermarket premises should eliminate such hazards in a timely manner, before visitors are exposed to the risk of injury.

Falls at supermarkets regularly cause strains, sprains and tears to muscles, ligaments and tendons. More awkward falls, such as slips on ice or landing heavily against a static object, can cause fractures and broken bones, particularly among older people and children, whose bones are not as robust as those of a normal adult, and who are naturally more prone to accidents due to coordination problems and infirmity. Lacerations and bruises to the head and face may be caused by cans and similar heavy goods falling from poorly stacked shelves. This emphasises the importance of supervision of work at supermarkets, and proper training of staff to reduce as far as possible the number of accidents and injuries among visitors.

Harry Marldon says that that both staff and shoppers can claim compensation from a supermarket if they are injured during a shopping trip. With so many staff and customers visiting these companies some will inevitably end up suing a supermarket for personal injury.

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Accident Attorneys And The Part They Play In Your Life

Accidents are always unforeseen. That is why they are called accidents. They can be fatal, or leave you physically impaired for the rest of your life. Sometimes it may take a toll on your psyche. You may have to struggle to come out from the trauma after you meet an accident.

A mishap may not be planned or designed by someone, but more often than not, they happen due to somebody's negligence, recklessness, and lack of judgment. Auto accidents are pretty common all over the world, and they result from reckless driving or neglecting traffic rules. You may often hear, and sometimes even experience buildings collapsing, or fire breaking out. This is due to inferior quality building material or lack of maintenance. Whatever be the cause, if you have a mishap, you may often find your life taking a completely different course. What is lost is often irreparable. Things become worse if the wrongdoer goes totally unaffected and you have to bear the brunt. The person whose act leads to a mishap must pay the penalty. This is exactly where accident attorneys come in.

Accident attorneys are legal experts who help to sue the person responsible for a mishap. They investigate the incident and talk to the witnesses if any. This helps them to measure the intensity of loss on the sufferers' part and find out how much the wrongdoer is responsible for the same. Accident attorneys then fight the legal battle on the sufferers' behalf and tries to ensure that maximum compensation is paid to him. Besides, accident attorneys make sure the person responsible gets appropriate punishment.

Here are some of the ways in which these lawyers may help you:

* If an accident leaves someone dead or seriously injured, these professionals fight for compensation. This surely helps the nearest kin of the dead or the person injured whose life changes forever, after the mishap.

* The lawyers help you to get a desired sum as compensation, therefore punishing the wrongdoer. Thus you can feel the presence of justice.

* These lawyers help to set up examples that would warn others, thereby helping to prevent such acts that may lead to a mishap. This ensures that such wrongdoers are forced to be more careful.

However, it is highly recommended that before you hire accident attorneys, make sure they have sufficient experience in dealing with such cases. Besides, they should practice law on ethical grounds. You should not hire someone who has a questionable moral integrity. Check his record, fix the payment terms and do your best to make sure you have chosen one of the best accident attorneys. Franklin is a good place where you will find the right person.

Accident Attorneys Franklin - If you have recently met with an accident and you know who is responsible for the same, you need the help of accident attorneys. Franklin has some of the well known professionals who can help you get the best possible claim settlement to help you deal with your suffering. Wood & Gresham, P.C. is a reputed law firm which also specialize in similar cases.

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No Win No Fee - Is No Win No Fee Really Free?

When you hear the policy no win no fee from your solicitor, this means that he or she will not bill you unless the lawyer's claims triumph for your case. If the solicitor loses the cases, you do not have to pay them any fee. However you have to ensure that you have a contract specifically stating that you're in a no win no fee policy.

No win no fee legal policy is advantageous for anybody as the professionals representing you make it there business to work hard to win the case for their client. It is also important to remember, the contract also encourages victims to file claims which they would have not done so if they thought that they had to pull out money for a solicitor regardless whether the case wins or not.

Be advised, a no win no fee policy is not always a healthy one. A lot of people argue that this kind of set-up shores up the biases of legal professionals. Attorneys seem to be in favour of the easier to win cases and ignore those that are hard to resolve or win. This means that if your claim for mishaps is too hard, you most likely will find it to get a willing solicitor to help you get damages or out-of-court settlement.

You may also find that, a no win no fee policy is simply a contingency basis. A contingency basis is defined in Wikipedia as "any fee for services provided where the fee is only payable if there is a favourable result." This however only applies if you are the wronged party, called the plaintiff. Plaintiff, according to Wikipedia is described as "the term used in some jurisdictions for the party who initiates a lawsuit". You will also find that the word Plaintiff is also known as "Complainant" or "Claimant." Once your case is victorious, you'll get monetary damages, and this is what you'll need to pay your attorney in return.

Most of the time, your legal representation will receive 10 percent from your total damages. You have the option to lower or increase this up if it is mentioned in your contract.

It's not hard at all to find a no win no fee lawyer within your area. There are plenty of sites of solicitors firms such as no-win-no-fees-lawyers.com, most of them answering every question you may have in mind. It's wise to get other sources or reviews by which ensuring you receive unbiased feedback regarding a company. Before choosing a solicitor, have a list of candidates first and then narrow them down as you do inquiries and consultations.

For more info on No Win NO Fee, compensation click the highlighted word.

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Understanding Your DUI Charges

If you were one of the unlucky few who has been arrested for DUI, you are probably very nervous about what the future holds - and rightfully so. The good news is that knowledge is power, and the more you understand about the mechanics of a DUI arrest, the better your chances of fighting it.

The beginning of a DUI arrest starts with the traffic stop. Law enforcement has to have "probable cause" to pull your vehicle over. They cannot park outside of a bar and sit back and wait until closing time. They must first observe either a traffic infraction, weaving in and out of lanes or receive a tip from another driver before they can pull you over on suspicion for DUI.

Once they have pulled you over, they will ask for your license and registration. If the police officer smells alcohol on your breath or if they observe obvious signs of intoxication, they will ask you if you had anything to drink. You can politely decline to answer these questions. It might be a better idea to tell them that you want to talk to your attorney before answering any questions.

Depending on your answer, and their own personal opinion, they will ask you to step outside the vehicle to perform a series of field sobriety tests. These tests are merely subjective in nature and are used by law enforcement to give them probable cause to arrest you for DUI.

The one very important thing to keep in mind is that you do not have to perform any of these tests. You are under no obligation by law to submit to a field sobriety test and there are no penalties for refusal. You do, however, want to decline politely. The last thing you want to do is further anger a police officer who is already presuming that you are driving under the influence. Furthermore, rude or offensive behavior on your part will only hurt your case - it won't serve to defend it.

After an officer asks you to perform a field sobriety test (and you decline), he or she will typically ask you to submit to a breath test. Under the "implied consent" law, you are expected to submit to a chemical test. A chemical test can consist of a breath, blood or urine test, however, the most widely used form of chemical test is the breath test, with the blood test following in second. If you refuse to submit to a chemical test, keep in mind that it will result in an automatic one-year driver's license suspension.

What is the legal limit in Georgia? If you are over 21, it is unlawful to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or greater. For drivers under 21, the limit goes down to 0.02%. For commercial truck drivers, the threshold is set at 0.04%.

A first time DUI conviction can result in anywhere from 24 hours to 12 months in jail, fines ranging from $300 to $1,000, a minimum of 40 hours community service, DUI school, mandatory alcohol evaluation and/or treatment, 12 months license suspension and up to 12 months probation.

Most DUIs are prosecuted as misdemeanors, however, multiple DUI offenses and DUIs involving property damage, bodily injury or death can be prosecuted as a felony offense. If you have been arrested for DUI, you should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney who can properly defend your rights in the charges against you. As DUIs are criminal in nature, you can't afford to leave your future and your freedom in the hands of law enforcement. A lawyer will know exactly what defenses might apply to your case in order to give you the best chances of a positive outcome.

The Law Offices of Conaway & Strickler, P.C. is a criminal defense firm that proudly serves the residents of Atlanta and the surrounding areas. Their firm is devoted to handling criminal defense and DUI only. No matter whether you were arrested for DUI, a theft crime, juvenile crime, drug crime or violent crime, you can rest easy knowing that your case will be handled with aggressive representation. You are urged to contact an Atlanta criminal defense lawyer from their firm at (888) 654-7511 today!

For more information visit the firm's website at http://www.criminaldefensepros.com/.

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What Happens If I Bail Someone Out of Jail and They Skip Court?

When a friend or family member has been arrested, they may turn to you for help in posting their bail. If you agree to help them, you will have the option to either pay the full bail amount directly to the court or jail, or to use the services of a bail bondsman. When you sign a bail bond contract with a licensed bail bond company, you become known as the indemnitor. This means that you are assuming responsibility to the court and the bail bond agent.

As the signer of a bail bond contract, you are guaranteeing that the defendant will show up for court. In many cases where the defendant fails to appear, it is a simple situation such as an illness, car trouble, or just forgetting the date of the court hearing. Situations such as these are understandable and can be resolved easily by reinstating the bond and rescheduling a new court date.

There are occasionally instances where the defendant has no intention of making their court appearance once they've been bailed out. If you have any reason to believe that the defendant will purposefully skip court and even leave the area, do not consider bailing them out. You won't be criminally liable for the defendant's actions, but you will be civilly liable.

It is important for you to understand the bail bonds process and your responsibilities as an indemnitor before you enter into a bail bond contract on someone else's behalf. As signer you are responsible for the defendant's appearance at every court hearing. If they fail to appear in court, you are responsible to help the bondsman get the defendant back into court or jail.

If it becomes necessary for the bail bond agent to apprehend the defendant because they refuse to go to court, the agent will use the services of a fugitive recovery person, or "bounty hunter." In these circumstances, you as the indemnitor will be liable for paying any additional expenses that come from hiring a bounty hunter.

The amount of time that an agent has to locate and bring in the defendant varies by state, but is generally about six months. If the defendant is not apprehended in that time period, you will also be responsible for paying the full amount of the bond as well as any additional expenses and any unpaid premium. For example, if the bond for the defendant is $50,000 and the defendant fails to appear or is not brought in within the time allowed, the indemnitor will have to repay the $50,000.

If someone you know has been arrested, you may want to do what you can to bail them out so they won't have to spend too long in jail. Before making what could be a very costly decision, think it over carefully. If you have any reason to believe that he or she will refuse to appear in court once they've been released, don't arrange bail for them. It may seem very harsh to just let them sit in jail during their court proceedings, which could last weeks, months, or even years, but it would be a great financial liability to you if you posted a bond for them and they decided to leave the area instead of handling their legal issues.

The Rynerson family of bondsmen has been providing California bail bonds with integrity since 1971. When you need options for bail or to learn about the bail bonds process, contact an expert bail bondsman. Greg Rynerson Bail Bonds serves all jails in California.

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Finding A Personal Injury Attorney: 3 Things To Consider

If you've recently been in an accident that wasn't your fault, you could be stuck wondering how you're going to fight the insurance company to get what you deserve. Instead of going up against the insurance company on your own, consider hiring yourself a motor vehicle accident attorney. Before choosing one, however, consider these things.

Look For Recommendations For Auto Accident Lawyers From Friends And Family

If you need a personal injury attorney, talk to your friends and family. Chances are fairly high that at least one of them has been injured before and has done a little research into a local personal injury attorney. Ask your family and friends if they met with any auto accident lawyers and what kinds of impressions they got from each one. It's not a good idea to hire a motor vehicle accident attorney based on a recommendation alone, but you can rule out any that your family and friends didn't get along with.

Interview Attorneys

Before choosing which personal injury attorney to work with, make a list and interview your top choices. The interviews should be done in person and most attorneys do not charge for this initial consultation. Ask lots of questions, such as 'How many cases are settled before going to trial?' and 'What percentage of cases receives some sort of award?' Don't feel awkward about asking about the win vs loss record and finally, ask to meet other people in the firm who may be helping your case. The firm is working for you and you want to be comfortable with everyone involved in your case. Finally, ask them if they think you have a case! You don't want to go through the entire process, only to lose in negotiations or at court.

What Are Your Fee Requirements?

Do you want a lawyer who will take your case on contingency? Or do you expect to pay a fee up front? Ask about these things in your initial meeting so there aren't any surprises when it comes to your case. Standard rates vary by location, but you can expect to give 1/3 to 40% of your winnings to your lawyer. Lastly, ask if you'll be expected to pay anything if you lose your case - most lawyers don't take cases they don't expect to win so the answer is typically no. However, it is a good idea to have this in writing to protect yourself. Make sure to get the fee structure and payment details in writing before signing a contract.

Finding a personal injury lawyer can take some work, but that's a good thing. By taking a little time, you can be sure that you're working with a motor vehicle accident attorney who has your best interests in mind. Having auto accident lawyers on your side will help ensure that someone is looking out for your needs while your case is being settled.

Chris Harmen writes for The Trial Professionals, a team of auto accident lawyers. If you're looking for an Orlando personal injury attorney or a motor vehicle accident attorney, call The Trial Professionals.

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