I am a criminal attorney. I like having clients. It's how I eat. And I think there is something to the idea that you can sell a client on your services before they even meet you if you set your website and office up in ways that promote trust and knowledge. But I have no idea if that's true or not.
And, for the record, I'm not talking about clients on the hook for murder. I'm talking about regular people that find themselves in trouble and need a criminal lawyer. Like someone that gets a DUI or gets in a fight and picks up an assault charge. Something like that.
But the problem is, I have no idea if this is even remotely true. I feel like sometimes people walk into my office and aren't really looking for anything in particular (and since I've started my own law firm I've really felt that way). They just know when they are scared enough that they don't want to go with someone. Or when someone in no way meets their expectations. Otherwise, I think people sign up just because they have no idea what else is out there.
What do you think?
The reason I'm asking this is that I'm currently switching offices. In no time I will be in a space that is for all intents and purposes a blank canvas. And I'm having a hard time thinking about how to decorate it. I want it to be cool. I want people to feel good in it, and I want to give off the vibe that I am a very good criminal attorney (because I am, of course!), but I'm struggling to determine what it is people really want to see.
For right now I'm going with minimalist, with cool, and with technology. I think those three things make for a good showing. Much less cherry wood and grand furnishings. More things that say I'm familiar with technology, I'm trying to keep distractions to a minimum, and I'm ready to crush your case.
What would you expect from a criminal lawyer?
4.03.2010
Seattle Criminal Attorney | Bench Trial or Jury Trial?
So you've been accused of a misdeed. Maybe a DUI, perhaps an mugging, possibly a theft. And the prosecutor isn't providing you anything you feel at ease accepting as a plea bargain. Your Seattle criminal attorney informs you the lone option, if you do not care for the tender, is a trial.
You're okay with that, but are slightly uncertain concerning the minutiae. In particular, you aren't positive if you ought to demand a jury trial or request a bench trial. Your Seattle criminal attorney is promoting a jury trial, but you simply don't know if you can rely on a team of people you do not know to make the just verdict.
Selecting between a jury trial or a bench trial (where the judge makes the decision of your guilt or innocence) can at times be complicated. Let's look at a pair of scenarios that might require you to go one way or another.
To start with, the jury trial. Seattle DUI attorneys like jury trials since jurors frequently are not as worn-out as judges (they've heard plenty of excuses over the years and start to stop attempting to discover the disparity). They struggle rigorously to do the correct thing and will habitually grant you at least a fighting opportunity. But they can be unpredictable as well.
You frequently desire a criminal jury trial when the state of affairs is fairly unsupported, when you possess some inconsistencies in the facts that just don't make sense, and when you require the fact finder to give you the benefit of the doubt. Juries are capable of doing this. With judges it's slightly more complex.
After that, the bench trial. You habitually like to have these when you possess a exceedingly technical defense, the specifics of the case are exceptionally awful (the jury will almost be guaranteed to be hostile to you from the beginning), or you are going to base your argument on a legal issue that you imagine the judge will comprehend better than a jury. This also is a crap shoot, as judges, while not unpredictable, have a propensity to lean toward the prosecution.
In the end, the choice to go jury trial or bench trial ought to most likely be completed by your Seattle criminal attorney. They have the skill to understand which one to utilize, and they know the intricacy of the choice. No matter which you choose, though, it's in all probability going to be an uphill fight. Good luck!
You're okay with that, but are slightly uncertain concerning the minutiae. In particular, you aren't positive if you ought to demand a jury trial or request a bench trial. Your Seattle criminal attorney is promoting a jury trial, but you simply don't know if you can rely on a team of people you do not know to make the just verdict.
Selecting between a jury trial or a bench trial (where the judge makes the decision of your guilt or innocence) can at times be complicated. Let's look at a pair of scenarios that might require you to go one way or another.
To start with, the jury trial. Seattle DUI attorneys like jury trials since jurors frequently are not as worn-out as judges (they've heard plenty of excuses over the years and start to stop attempting to discover the disparity). They struggle rigorously to do the correct thing and will habitually grant you at least a fighting opportunity. But they can be unpredictable as well.
You frequently desire a criminal jury trial when the state of affairs is fairly unsupported, when you possess some inconsistencies in the facts that just don't make sense, and when you require the fact finder to give you the benefit of the doubt. Juries are capable of doing this. With judges it's slightly more complex.
After that, the bench trial. You habitually like to have these when you possess a exceedingly technical defense, the specifics of the case are exceptionally awful (the jury will almost be guaranteed to be hostile to you from the beginning), or you are going to base your argument on a legal issue that you imagine the judge will comprehend better than a jury. This also is a crap shoot, as judges, while not unpredictable, have a propensity to lean toward the prosecution.
In the end, the choice to go jury trial or bench trial ought to most likely be completed by your Seattle criminal attorney. They have the skill to understand which one to utilize, and they know the intricacy of the choice. No matter which you choose, though, it's in all probability going to be an uphill fight. Good luck!
1.05.2010
Seattle Criminal Attorney | Deciding to Take a Breath Test Just Got Tougher
Determining whether or not to undergo a breath test if you were detained for DUI used to be a huge determination. If you were asked to take on a blood alcohol examination and refused, you were subjecting yourself to increased consequences for refusing, but had the benefit moving ahead of not having to battle blood alcohol test results (something your Seattle criminal attorney would have enjoyed).
Well, now it appears more and more possible that the state of affairs may arise where you might say no a blood alcohol test, handle the worse penalties for the refusal, and in spite of everything be subject to giving blood alcohol results.
Most, if not all states, have created DUI laws that involve implied consent laws. In brief, these laws state that if you drive on the street in the state where an implied consent law exists, you are impliedly consenting to a breath test if the police possess probable cause to suppose you are DUI. Built into these implied consent laws, however, is the capability to say no the blood alcohol assessment if you so opt. The downside to denial, though, is the imposition of more stringent costs if found guilty of DUI (and a longer license revocation - for case, in Seattle, WA a refusal subjects you to a year license suspension as opposed to 90 days).
But, things have changed a little recently. The police have started going to judges and asking for search warrants when people say no blood alcohol examinations. And numerous courts have upheld this system (the way the courts see it, the refusal has to do with the implied consent laws, not necessarily your right to be free from searches - that is covered by the fourth amendment, which can be overcome by demonstrating probable cause to a judge and getting a search warrant.
One detail is firm. If you have the capability to talk with an DUI attorney in Seattle prior to deciding whether or not to take a blood alcohol test, you ought to do so (and this is not just some law firm internet marketing scheme - it's really important). The issues revolving around breath analysis refusal are getting more and more knotty each day, and the only way you can be positive you are doing what is most excellent for you is by talking with an experienced Seattle criminal attorney and learning all of your options.
Related Posts:
Well, now it appears more and more possible that the state of affairs may arise where you might say no a blood alcohol test, handle the worse penalties for the refusal, and in spite of everything be subject to giving blood alcohol results.
Most, if not all states, have created DUI laws that involve implied consent laws. In brief, these laws state that if you drive on the street in the state where an implied consent law exists, you are impliedly consenting to a breath test if the police possess probable cause to suppose you are DUI. Built into these implied consent laws, however, is the capability to say no the blood alcohol assessment if you so opt. The downside to denial, though, is the imposition of more stringent costs if found guilty of DUI (and a longer license revocation - for case, in Seattle, WA a refusal subjects you to a year license suspension as opposed to 90 days).
But, things have changed a little recently. The police have started going to judges and asking for search warrants when people say no blood alcohol examinations. And numerous courts have upheld this system (the way the courts see it, the refusal has to do with the implied consent laws, not necessarily your right to be free from searches - that is covered by the fourth amendment, which can be overcome by demonstrating probable cause to a judge and getting a search warrant.
One detail is firm. If you have the capability to talk with an DUI attorney in Seattle prior to deciding whether or not to take a blood alcohol test, you ought to do so (and this is not just some law firm internet marketing scheme - it's really important). The issues revolving around breath analysis refusal are getting more and more knotty each day, and the only way you can be positive you are doing what is most excellent for you is by talking with an experienced Seattle criminal attorney and learning all of your options.
Related Posts:
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Seattle Criminal Attorney | Don't Smuggle Drugs
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