Monday, May 8, 2017

Top 5 Reasons To Hire A Criminal Defense Lawyer


Criminal Defense Lawyer in Sebring FL | http://www.YourHighlandsLawyers.com


There are many reasons you should consider hiring a criminal defense lawyer when you are being charged. It is your right to counsel, and there is a reason for that. Learn more about the top reasons to hire a criminal defense attorney below.

Criminal Defense Attorneys Know The Laws

Simply put, they know the laws better than you do. This is essential when it comes to getting the best possible outcome in court. Having an attorney that knows the law will serve you well during your legal troubles.

Their Fees Are Usually Much Cheaper Than Court Fines

A common misconception about attorney fees is that they are overpriced. However most people don't consider the alternative. An attorney's skills can save you money and time in the form of court fines and jail time. In the end, it all comes down to finding a criminal defense lawyer that makes it worth it.

They Can Keep You From Making Terrible Mistakes

When you are facing serious criminal charges, your judgement abilities are not sound. It is common for people to take bad deals that they later regret. Don't let this happen, hire an attorney. They will give you advice to prevent this from happening.

Having A Criminal Defense Attorney Keeps The Courtroom Fair

A large part of the courtroom battle is having the right information. One massive benefit that comes with hiring an attorney is having the information they provide. If you need a criminal defense lawyer in Sebring FL, contact Lopez & Humphries, P.A. today.

Can Help Arrange Better Deals And Settlements

When you don't have legal representation, you are vulnerable to exploitation. There is a good chance you will take a bad deal or settlement. Hiring a criminal defense lawyer can help with that. They know how the deal-making process works.

Monday, April 24, 2017

Accidents That Are Grounds For A Lawsuit

We live in a world where accidents are around every corner. Perhaps you slipped in a grocery store and sustained an injury that required medical attention. Or maybe you tripped down a set of stairs that were broken. Certain circumstances come into play that you should consider whenever something like this happens. Was there a wet-floor sign out when you slipped? Consider these things to help you decide whether or not you have grounds for compensation.

WHERE DID THE ACCIDENT OCCUR?

Did you slip on a wet floor at the grocery store? Or trip down a staircase at your apartment complex? This information is important because it will help you determine who is responsible for managing the property. If you are the owner of the property, then you likely won’t have grounds for a lawsuit. But if someone else is in charge of the property (landlord, store owner, etc), it is their responsibility to keep the property safe.

WHY DID YOU HAVE THE ACCIDENT?

Was your accident the result of careless behavior on your part, or negligence on someone else’s part? If you slipped and fell at a grocery store, it could be cause your shoe was untied. Maybe you didn’t see a wet floor sign and it caused you to slip. When accidents are caused by someone else’s action (or inaction), then you might have grounds for a lawsuit.

WAS IT AVOIDABLE?

Perhaps the most important question, was your accident avoidable? Could a sign have been placed to inform you the floor was wet? In situations like this, you have a case. If the accident could have been avoided by someone else following their responsibility, then they are somewhat responsible. This is a common issue that decides the outcome for personal injury cases.

ACCIDENTS THAT ARE GROUNDS FOR LAWSUITS

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should contact a personal injury attorney right away. When someone else failed to follow their responsibilities and you had to pay the cost, you are entitled to compensation. Don’t hesitate in moving forward in your case, contact Lopez & Humphries, P.A. today and get a free legal consultation.

Monday, April 17, 2017

Auto Accidents Caused By Drivers Breaking The Law



Every day there are thousands of drivers that get into auto accidents in the state of Florida. Most of them consider themselves to be safe drivers, yet they are in accidents that are completely avoidable. What’s worse? The accident is entirely their fault. Florida traffic laws are designed with one goal in mind, to keep drivers safe. When drivers do not follow these laws, they are at risk of accidents and lawsuits.

Turn Signals (See the official FL statue here)

It amazes me when I am talking to an experienced driver and they say something along the lines of "using a turn signal isn't required, it's a courtesy". This type of thinking is exactly why driving is more dangerous than ever. It is not only illegal to turn or switch lanes without a valid signal, it is dangerous and reckless. Just because a police officer doesn't pull you over when you change lanes without signalling doesn't mean that it is legal. If you do this and cause an accident you will certainly be given some of the blame.

Speeding (See the official FL statute here)

You're driving home from work and out of nowhere, some fool flies past you at 85 miles an hour. It happens way too often, and it doesn't shock you when you pass an accident a few minutes later and see their car. What most speeders don't realize is that they are putting more than just themselves at risk. They are putting everyone they encounter at risk. There is a reason that speed limits exist, to save lives and discourage reckless driving.

Tailgating (See the official FL statue here)

There is some good news I have for you regarding Florida laws on following too closely. Not only is this law objective, it is also subjective. This means that tailgating is easier to prove, and drivers that cause an accident because of tailgating will pay for their choices. Many factors are taken into account such as the speed, driving conditions, etc. When an impatient driver rear-ends you, your first call should be a car accident attorney. And if you are the one that is guilty of causing an accident because you were tail-gating, don't be surprised when you get slapped with a lawsuit.

All-in-all, driving is a privilege in the United States. You are sharing the road with thousands of other drivers and you are expected to practice safe driving. Breaking these simple driving laws is dangerous and you will likely be in a serious accident at some point if you do so. If you have been the victim of a careless driver that broke a driving law, do your fellow drivers a favor: contact us today for an experience auto accidents lawyer in Sebring FL.

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Dissolution of Marriage: 5 reasons you should hire an experienced Divorce Attorney Highlands County FL


When a couple gets married, the spouses always hope that their union will last forever. However, this is not always the case. Disagreements and feuds may arise and force one or both parties to consider filing for a dissolution of marriage. After making the decision to dissolve the marriage, the first thing a person needs to do is hire a Divorce Attorney Highlands County FL to represent them.
The advantages of having a divorce attorney to represent you may differ depending on the divorce case its self.  The role of an attorney is very small in uncontested divorce cases however, If the divorce is contested by the other party, the divorce attorney will play a major role.

Why you need to hire an Attorney to Represent You
First of all, you and your spouse may not be speaking, so your lawyer can do all the talking on your behalf. These experienced legal professionals have the necessary expertise needed to ensure that a divorce case is concluded according to the wishes of the client.
Almost everybody knows what divorce is, but very few people know the actual procedure for divorcing a partner. Therefore, your attorney will help you understand the whole process, the requirements, what you will need to prove and the possible outcomes of the case. This will prepare you well for the proceedings.
Divorce can only be granted if the grounds for the dissolution of marriage meet the minimum requirements as set out in state law. After interviewing you, your lawyer will tell you about the basis or grounds for the divorce. He or she will then start collecting all the relevant details in order to strengthen the basis for the divorce.
It is actually the attorney, and not the client who initiates the process of divorce. Your lawyer will file complaints and summons in the family law court. The respondent (spouse) will then be served with a notice of divorce. Whether the respondent is in favor or against the motion, he or she will file a response in court to support or oppose it.
In both the contested or uncontested types of divorce, your attorney will help you resolve issues such as:
  • Spousal support and alimony
  • Child support
  • Child custody
  • Division of matrimonial property
Once all these issues have been resolved, you can honor your obligations, part ways and start life afresh. As you can see, the advantages of using a divorce attorney to represent you are many.
Should I hire an attorney to help with my Divorce?
If you’re at the beginning of your divorce process, you may be considering representing yourself instead of hiring a lawyer, thinking you’ll save time and money by doing so. If your marriage was very short, if both of you are committed to ending your marriage without a legal or financial battle, if you have no children or assets, and if neither of you wants or needs to receive spousal support (alimony) from the other, then you may be able to process your own divorce using online tools.
However, most people find divorce to be a complicated and confusing process, and they’re grateful to have an experienced family lawyer in highlands county Florida such as Lopez & Humphries P.A to help guide you through it. You’ll need to make a lot of decisions that will affect the rest of your life – at a time when emotions may overwhelm your ability to think clearly. So although not everyone needs a divorce lawyer, obtaining a good one is often in your best interests – especially if your divorce is complicated, contested, involves children, you have significant assets, or if your soon-to-be ex-spouse has hired a divorce lawyer.

Here are five reasons to consider hiring a divorce lawyer rather than representing yourself in court.

  1. You are unfamiliar with matrimonial law and/or family courtIn court, self-represented litigants are not given any special treatment; judges hold them to the same standards as the lawyer for the other side. So it’s extremely unlikely that you’ll be able to adequately prepare to face the court process – and your spouse’s lawyer – by yourself. To make matters worse, you can jeopardize your entire case by saying or doing just one thing wrong.
  2. You need objective advice at this emotional timeDivorce is an extremely emotional time for both spouses. You may experience feelings of sadness, betrayal, fear, depression, rage, confusion, and resignation – sometimes all on the same day! This level of heightened emotions, and the fact that you cannot possibly be objective about your case, will skew your judgement. If you’re thinking of representing yourself, you need to be aware that your emotional state may prevent you from making wise decisions about the future. As an objective third party, a family lawyer can keep a clear, level head and separate themselves from the emotional side of the case in order to work towards the best resolution for everyone involved. An experienced divorce attorney can let you know when you’re being unreasonable or are asking for something that’s more-or-less impossible.
  3. A divorce Attorney can suggest legal options you didn’t know existedAn experienced family attorney can evaluate your situation and let you know the likely outcome if you take your case to court. Based on their experience with the judge and similar cases to yours, they’ll be able to offer a variety of legally-acceptable options to settle your case. If you and your spouse represent yourselves, you may agree on items that the judge will reject; when that happens, you’re causing more work and more delay for yourself, your spouse, the judge, and the court system. A lawyer will help you create a reasonable settlement proposal; if the proposal is coming from the other side, your lawyer will let you know whether to settle, make a counter-proposal, or fight it out in court.
  4. PAPERWORK, PAPERWORK, PAPERWORKGoing through a dissolution of marriage can feel like you are being buried alive under a mountain of paperwork. Knowing which forms you’ll need for your specific case can be challenging, and collecting all the information to complete them can be both difficult and tedious. Using the wrong numbers on one form and the wrong tone or words on another could result in the judge perceiving you as careless or combative. If you omit something by mistake, the other side might accuse you of trying to hide information – which will damage your credibility and your case. A divorce lawyer knows how to fill out the paperwork properly and persuasively, increasing the chances that a judge will view your side of the argument favorably.
  5. A divorce lawyer can help you focus on the “Ultimate Outcome”While you may be solely focused on “winning” the case, a family lawyer will concentrate on creating the best deal possible – which may mean helping you to compromise on some issues so that you can get more of your “must haves.” In divorce, a good deal is one where both sides gave up some of what they had hoped to gain, but both can live with the settlement – literally. Any good divorce lawyer will advise you not to fight over every issue, and they can help you set certain priorities so you end up with more of what you actually need – even if you have to give up some of what you want to achieve it.
Without an attorney on your side many of your rights could be violated. For these reasons we urge you to contact the attorneys at The Law Offices of Lopez and Humphries, P.A., experienced Family Law attorney in Highlands FL. We will explore ALL possible motions and defenses and aggressively fight for your rights. Call (863)-665-HELP for a free case evaluation.

Monday, February 27, 2017

Answering The Question: What Is Personal Injury Law?





Many readers already have a strong understanding of what personal injury law is. However there are many readers out there that are unclear on the subject or have a incorrect idea of what it is. Today we’ll be going over a few basic concepts behind personal injury law, and feel free to comment with any additional questions you may have. And please visit http://www.YourHighlandsLawyers for an experienced personal injury attorney in Sebring FL.

The Definition of Personal Injury Law:

A personal injury law is the process of settling legal disputes over matters involving harm or injury done to one party by another. When someone is harmed by another, it can result in a massive amount of medical expenses or other costs. Because of this, the injured party is seeking compensation because the accident/injury was avoidable.

How Is This Decided?

Once each party has had it’s chance to present it’s argument, a decision must be made in favor of one party (most of the time). Unlike criminal law cases, personal injury law (tort law) is not settled by a jury. Instead, it is settled by a judge that will listen to the facts and decide which case is most credible. The judge will determine credibility of each argument by looking at past cases that were similar in nature. The outcome of past cases will determine how the judge will determine which party has the valid argument. This is a very basic summary of how personal injury law is settled.

When Do I Need My Attorney?

The golden rule goes as follows: if the other person has an attorney, you need one as well. Even if you think you don’t need one because your insurance company is helping out, it is imperative that you hire an attorney to protect your legal rights. Finding an experienced personal injury lawyer for this situation can be the difference between owing no money and owing $250,000. If you find yourself in a personal injury dispute, play it safe and hire a lawyer.

Monday, February 13, 2017

How To Find The Right Attorney For Your Case


 


 

 

Qualities That Make Great Lawyers


With the countless law offices that you can choose from, it can be difficult deciding which one to choose. It helps to have a list of qualities to look for in an attorney. Use this list to have an idea of what qualities you should be looking for.


Experience In Cases Related To Yours


Finding an attorney that specializes is cases like yours is always important. Would it make sense to hire a business lawyer for a divorce case? Most lawyer websites will highlight their specialties, so use this when choosing your next lawyer.


Desire To Make Sure You Win


What good is a lawyer that doesn’t have a desire to make sure the client wins? This is why you should look for an attorney that is aggressive in the courtroom. Their goal should only be to use their legal knowledge to present your case.


Modesty And Humility


A modest attorney provides you with comfort and security. They will make it easy to discuss important matters without fear of being judged. Another benefit of a modest lawyer is that they will be much more likely to be respected in the courtroom. Every advantage, small or large, will be important in court.


Can Clearly Communicate Legal Matters


Some lawyers will not be able to explain legal situations to you in understandable terms. For this reason, it will be very beneficial to seek this quality in your next attorney. This also helps when a jury is present, as they are able to communicate important information clearly.


Ability To Separate Differences Of Opinions


Nothing can ruin a case quicker than a lawyer that can't separate a difference of opinions. After all, the courtroom doesn't care about opinions, it cares about facts and laws. This goes hand-in-hand with clearly communicating legal matters. A great lawyer will be able to explain legal matters without including their personal opinion.

Friday, February 3, 2017

The Benefit of Forming a Steady Relationship With Your Lawyer


Many people overlook the importance of lawyers in this day-in-age. As a country that was founded on preserving every citizen's legal rights, it is a lawyers duty to uphold the constitution. Every day there are countless crooks and scammers that are attempting to take advantage of innocent people. This is why lawyers exist, to help protect these innocent people.

With this in mind, it is important to note the benefit a steady relationship with an experienced lawyer can bring you. If you ever have questions about topics such as entrepreneurship, investing, or property rights, a lawyer can likely help. Once you have a steady relationship with a lawyer it is much less complicated to get in touch and communicate. Booking appointments will likely become unnecessary as well.

All-in-all, having a close relationship with your lawyer will benefit you in many ways. True, it can be difficult to find an attorney that offers the guidance you seek. But this is not impossible, we are happy to help our clients. If you ever find yourself in need of a lawyer in Sebring FL, contact Lopez & Humphries, P.A. We will work hard to defend your rights and ensure that justice is served.