Criminal Defense

Facing criminal charges is overwhelming. In fact, you may not know what to do at first. One of the first steps you should take is to hire a criminal defense lawyer in Des Moines, IA from a law firm like the Law Group Of Iowa. When hiring a lawyer, however, you need to think about the cost. How much will a criminal defense lawyer cost you in the long run? Here are the different ways that you can afford a lawyer for your case.

Hourly and Case Billing

Many criminal justice lawyers work for an hourly fee or on a case-by-case fee. The more experienced the lawyer, the higher the fees. If you have a complicated case, you may require the services of an experienced lawyer, but the cost could become a deterrent. Lawyer fees can range from $50 an hour to hundreds or thousands of dollars for an hour of the lawyer’s time. Take this into consideration before your consultation, so you know what to expect.

Other lawyers may provide you with a flat fee for the trial. This gives you some predictability and you do not have to worry about hourly fees. Other lawyers may provide you with a flat fee but charge by the hour until you reach the fee. This keeps you from overpaying for the lawyer’s time. Lawyers who charge hourly and with a flat fee may offer payment plans for clients to afford them.

Pro Bono Work

If you find a lawyer willing to work for you pro bono, you will not pay him or her any fees. Some lawyers offer pro bono work to receive more experience, whereas others do it for those who may not have the funds to afford an attorney. Some lawyers have a limit on the amount of pro bono cases they take per year. When an attorney takes your case pro bono, he or she is paid by the courts. If you’re interested in a lawyer who may be able to offer pro bono work, do research about your local attorneys and call the firm to find out who pro bono work is offered to and in what cases they may be willing to work with.

If you are under investigation by the police, do not speak to the police without representation from a lawyer who can offer guidance and support on your behalf. When speaking with the police, keep in mind that they are interested in closing the case, and not in ensuring that you are not the guilty party or are in a position to receive a fair deal. A lawyer will strongly do their best in keeping your interests in mind and be able to offer a good deal of support. To start the process, consider setting up a consultation with a lawyer who specializes in criminal defense as soon as possible to find out the cost of hiring a lawyer for your criminal defense case.

As DUI lawyers we hear tons of stories from people in terms of what was going with the impaired driving case. It’s amazing the number of people who come into our office after being charged with a DUI and say this is the first and only time they have done this. The percentages are staggering when it comes to this, and please understand, as impaired driving lawyers, we’re not here to judge; we’re here to help you. Whether it’s your first time or one-hundredth time, our DUI attorneys will help you with your impaired driving case. Here is how an attorney will help your case, according to our friends at Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, Attorneys at Law.

DUI Lawyer

Driving under the influence or DUI involves operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or some other controlled substance. It’s important to note that it’s not illegal to drink and drive, but it’s illegal to drink, have a blood alcohol content level above .08 which is the legal limit, and then operate a motor vehicle. Operation is a key distinction in the law, because a lot of times we hear from people I just sat down in the driver’s seat. The key distinction is were your keys in the ignition. If they’re in the ignition this would be considered operating the motor vehicle and if you blew above a .08, they could charge you with driving while impaired or DWI and may be able to convict you.

DWI Lawyer

Does the number of prior impaired driving cases affect you? The answer is definitely yes. Every state and jurisdiction has punishment levels for driving while impaired or DWI cases. The more you have, the higher your punishment level. Also, there’s a thing called habitual impaired driving, which is typically after your third DUI, they can habitualize your DUI and send you to prison. Uber, Lyft and a host of other transportation services are out there so you don’t find yourselves in this situation. Please be cognizant of the effect another DWI can have on your record and also that it can send you to prison.

Impaired Driving Attorneys

DUI’s and DWI’s come with them a lot of little idiosyncratic details that it’s vital to be aware of before you make the mistake of driving while impaired. We recommend you speak with a top rated DWI lawyer. They will do everything they can to help you with a DUI charge, license revocation issues, and help you get back on your feet after being charged with impaired driving.

Wrongful death happens when someone dies due to the negligence, willful, or careless act of another person. Surviving family members who lost someone in a personal injury accident may want to file a claim against those at-fault in honor of their loved one taken too quickly. There is no amount of money that can bring a life back, but at the very least, close relatives can get the financial support they need as they grieve this period. 

Depending on state law, there are certain family members who may be able to bring forward a wrongful death lawsuit, including the spouse, parents, children, grandparents, or other heirs. There are a multitude of ways that a wrongful death can happen, and the most common of which have been described below:

Auto Accidents

The most prevalent reason why wrongful deaths happen across the nation is due to car accidents. Each year, drivers go out onto the road while drunk, impaired, or aggressive. Innocent people may have to suffer the consequences for a driver’s reckless behavior. Someone who speeds, runs red lights, swerves between traffic, or otherwise engages in hostile maneuvers may cause a tragic car accident where some people don’t survive. All it takes is a few minutes out on the highways or streets to witness car drivers driving in a way that threatens the safety of those nearby.

Workplace Accidents

There are many workplaces that are dangerous in essence, such as construction jobs and other fields that entail working with heavy machinery. But even if a job comes along with inherent dangers, it doesn’t mean workers should accept when serious injury has happened to them. Surviving loved ones may feel further wounded in their grief and suffering after learning that an employer may have been responsible for losing their cherished relative. An employer may have failed to provide proper safety equipment or failed to address a safety-related issue. A deeper look into the factors of the workplace accident may be needed to know whether there are grounds for filing a wrongful death lawsuit.

Medical Malpractice

Doctors are held to certain standards of care, essentially meaning that they cannot just practice medicine in any way they want. There are expectations within the medical community that they must follow. A doctor or other medical professional who strays from these expectations which then leads to patient harm or death, may find themselves faced with a wrongful death lawsuit. Basically, a doctor may be held liable for a patient’s death if another doctor with similar experience and in an alike situation would not have made the same mistake. Wrongful death may have happened due to an incorrect diagnosis, delayed diagnosis, surgical error, prescription error, wrong treatment plan, or other oversight. 

Before filing a lawsuit, as a personal injury lawyer, families trust from Cashio Injury Attorneys may suggest, that further investigation into the situation may be needed. If you suspect that a loved one has passed away wrongfully, there are actions you can take. By law, surviving family members have the right to pursue a wrongful death case against the individual, company, or other entities responsible. 

Child Custody Lawyer

Dealing with a divorce is never easy, and when you have children it can be especially difficult. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ensure you’re still able to see your kids as much as possible, and even take an active hand in raising them right.

As a child custody lawyer Kansas City, KS residents prefer, such as our friends at the Law Office of Daniel E. Stuart, P.A. can explain, child custody is a complicated battle that has the potential to make your divorce even more bitter than it already is. Many divorces go surprisingly smoothly until it’s time to decide who gets the kids, and who gets the money.

Read on to learn more about your options for child custody, and see how the getting in touch with the right lawyers can make all the difference when it’s time to fight for your kids.

What is a Custodial Parent?

During a divorce, the court usually awards custody to one of the parents, while the other parent only receives visitation rights. The parent who is awarded custody is the custodial parent, and – as the name suggests – will handle most of the responsibilities associated with raising children. A custodial parent’s job is to ensure his or her child’s best development, and it takes a lot of work.

When you’re a custodial parent, you have to shoulder a lot of responsibility. You’ll need to feed, shelter, and clothe your child (or children) and you’ll have to take them to and from school. You’ll also need to make sure they’re healthy: Taking them to medical appointments also falls under your long list of responsibilities. And if your child participates in extracurricular activities, that’s your wheelhouse also.

As a custodial parent, you’re in charge of making sure your child is raised right, and you’re in charge of making sure they have everything they need to grow into healthy, well-balanced adults. It’s a lot of work, but it comes with a major advantage: You get to see your child all the time, and you get to watch him or her grow up.

What are Visitation Rights?

If you haven’t been awarded custody, the court may award you with visitation rights. As a non-custodial parent, you won’t have as many responsibilities as your ex, and you won’t have to take part so much in fostering your child’s wellbeing and development. However, this means you won’t be able to see your child as often as you’d like, and you’ll be stuck with following a set visitation schedule that may only add up to a few days a month.

Visitation rights are awarded to non-custodial parents, and if you’re that non-custodial parent, you’ll also have to make regular child support payments. These payments are meant to be used for the good of your child, and the amount may vary depending on your income and the situation in which your ex might be living at the time of the divorce.

How Can a Child Custody Lawyer Help Me?

When you contact a child custody lawyer, you’re getting a valuable ally who can help you fight for your kids. If you want to take part in your child’s development and help them grow to be the best person they can be, it’s important to seek legal help so you can be the parent you were always meant to be.

Don’t hesitate. Contact a child custody lawyer today to get started.

It can be stressful trying to find a job, let alone a good one. The anxieties associated with any job can be exacerbated when there are signs that discrimination is happening. People are protected against discrimination by law, but it still occurs in alarming numbers at companies all across the nation. For some employees, they may be discriminated against for their religious beliefs, whether directly or indirectly. If you see these warning signs in your workplace, then it may be time to have a lawyer intervene to protect you:

• A potential employer has refused to hire you due to religious practices/beliefs.
• An employer refuses to let you observe a holiday for your religion. 
• Your employer will not accommodate your religious attire or grooming.
• Your employer has made outright hurtful remarks about your religion.
• Your employer seems to schedule meetings or training when you are not working or in conflict with your religious holidays/observances.

There may be times when an employee’s religion interferes with work, however, employers by law must make reasonable accommodations. Such accommodations may vary and can include hairstyles, facial hair, head scarves, or other types of dress. Or, employees may need to have certain work days off to observe religious holidays. As long as the request does not pose an undue hardship for the employer’s business, then they must abide by the accommodation. 

Other signs of workplace discrimination include unequal pay, unjust disciplinary action, demeaning communication, age references, unfair promotions, and being asked personal or suspicious interview questions. As an Employment Lawyer at Law Group of Iowa would agree, knowing the signs of workplace discrimination can help people know when to take action to protect themselves.

A popular song confirms, “You love who you love.” This is a sentiment that many people can relate to. People meet under all kinds of circumstances, fall in love, and marry. The road to wedded bliss, however, can hit some bumps when one member of the couple is not a U.S. citizen and the other one is. If the foreign national is not already located in the U.S., the couple can either marry abroad or the individual can apply for a K visa with the assistance of an experienced attorney. If approved, a K visa will allow the foreign national entry to this country, and the couple can marry here in the U.S. 

Once the couple are married, then the foreign national may apply for lawful permanent resident (LPR), also referred to as a green card. But it is important to understand that green cards aren’t issued upon request. In fact, it usually takes two years before a permanent green card is issued and only if all required criteria are met. Working with an experienced DC green card lawyer from The Federal Practice Group can help to ensure that an applicant’s request for LPR status is successful, whenever possible. During the waiting period, the foreign spouse may only be granted a conditional green card.

The reason for this two-year waiting period originates with concerns the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) has when it comes to marriage fraud. There are couples who will come to some type of agreement to marry for the explicit purpose of only obtaining that permanent green card and not because they are actually planning a life together. 

During this two-year period, the USCIS will investigate the foreign spouse’s background, as well as investigate the marriage. Conditions are only removed after the two years have passed and only if the couple applies to have them removed. Failure to apply will only result in the conditional green card expiring. Issuing a permanent green card is not automatic after two years. Working with a DC green card lawyer will help to ensure that a green card application is complete and compelling. The application must contain include all the required documentation, as well as the required documentation from the spouse who is a U.S. citizen. If it is approved, a permanent green card is valid for 10 years.

If the marriage ends before those two years, there may be a way to get the joint filing requirement waived. If this request is denied, the foreign spouse may still be able to file for an immigrant visa if they suffered abuse by the U.S. citizen spouse. This type of application is covered by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

Note that if the USCIS suspects the marriage is a sham and only took place to obtain a green card, those involved could face criminal charges with penalties that could include fines, jail sentences, and deportation for the foreign spouse. If the foreign spouse receives jail time as part of their sentence, then deportation would take place once that sentence has been completed.

The process of applying for a marriage-related green card is complex and happens in phases. Consider speaking with an experienced DC green card lawyer about this process if you plan to marry in the U.S. and you are not yet a lawful permanent resident. Contact an immigration lawyer like the ones at the Law Group of Iowa today to learn more about the legal services we offer. 

Having an accurate understanding of divorce is an important process in family law. With so much information and so many statistics flying around it is often difficult to tell what is real and what is not. Educating yourself on what is fact and what is fiction cannot only help you understand what family law is all about, but also help you avoid falling into easy mistakes that could have been avoided.

With that in mind, here are some of the most common myths about family law according to our friends at the Law Group of Iowa. 

• Adultery Costs You Everything 

If one spouse has an affair, the other gets everything, right? It’s a common myth that you lose the house, the car, the kids, and all of your belongings. That’s great and dramatic for movies and TV, but that isn’t exactly how things work in reality. While it might end your marriage, infidelity doesn’t always influence the divorce settlement. In many states, they are called no-fault divorce states, meaning there’s no blame assigned for the failed marriage.

Unless adultery negatively affects your finances, it most likely will not affect the division of property during divorce.

• Mothers Always Get Custody 

For many years, it was a fact that mothers always got custody of children in a divorce. Many husbands and fathers feel that they are at a disadvantage right out of the gate. While certain biases still exist, it doesn’t automatically mean that mothers are going to win over fathers. The court tries to put the child’s best interests ahead of all the reasons. From a legal perspective, mothers and fathers have the exact same rights when it comes to child custody. 

• Having Children Prevents Divorce 

It is far too common in troubled marriages for a couple to think having a child will fix all their problems. Some people even presume couples with children have higher rates of success with marital satisfaction than couples without children. Like most of the family law myths out there, it simply isn’t the case. One of the most stressful times in the marriage is after the birth of the first child. People learn firsthand the reality of parenthood, money worries intensify, and couples phase a number of new pressures. The simple truth is, not every relationship can withstand that added strain.

• Your Spouse Must Agree To The Divorce 

People often believe that both parties must consent to end a marriage. The truth is that isn’t true at all. The good news is that the government will not force anyone to remain married against their will. Getting your spouse to agree definitely streamlines the process and makes it easier on everyone, but this is one of the many myths and is not required to dissolve a marriage. It is completely possible to file the necessary paperwork and start the process. If your spouse doesn’t respond in the given timeframe, then you can file a motion for default.

We understand that family law can be difficult to understand and that is why we suggest talking to a family lawyer for more information.

A popular song confirms, “You love who you love.” This is a sentiment that many people can relate to. People meet under all kinds of circumstances, fall in love, and marry. The road to wedded bliss, however, can hit some bumps when one member of the couple is not a U.S. citizen and the other one is. If the foreign national is not already located in the U.S., the couple can either marry abroad or the individual can apply for a K visa with the assistance of an experienced DC green card lawyer. If approved, a K visa will allow the foreign national entry to this country, and the couple can marry here in the U.S. Contact the Law Group of Iowa to discuss the facts of your case. 

Once the couple is married, then the foreign national may apply for lawful permanent resident (LPR), also referred to as a green card. But it is important to understand that green cards aren’t issued upon request. In fact, it usually takes two years before a permanent green card is issued and only if all required criteria are met. Working with an experienced DC green card lawyer from The Federal Practice Group can help to ensure that an applicant’s request for LPR status is successful, whenever possible. During the waiting period, the foreign spouse may only be granted a conditional green card.

The reason for this two-year waiting period originates with concerns the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) has when it comes to marriage fraud. There are couples who will come to some type of agreement to marry for the explicit purpose of only obtaining that permanent green card and not because they are actually planning a life together. 

During this two-year period, the USCIS will investigate the foreign spouse’s background, as well as investigate the marriage. Conditions are only removed after the two years have passed and only if the couple applies to have them removed. Failure to apply will only result in the conditional green card expiring. Issuing a permanent green card is not automatic after two years. Working with a DC green card lawyer will help to ensure that a green card application is complete and compelling. The application must contain include all the required documentation, as well as the required documentation from the spouse who is a U.S. citizen. If it is approved, a permanent green card is valid for 10 years.

If the marriage ends before those two years, there may be a way to get the joint filing requirement waived. If this request is denied, the foreign spouse may still be able to file for an immigrant visa if they suffered abuse by the U.S. citizen spouse. This type of application is covered by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

Note that if the USCIS suspects the marriage is a sham and only took place to obtain a green card, those involved could face criminal charges with penalties that could include fines, jail sentences, and deportation for the foreign spouse. If the foreign spouse receives jail time as part of their sentence, then deportation would take place once that sentence has been completed.

The process of applying for a marriage-related green card is complex and happens in phases. Consider speaking with an experienced DC green card lawyer about this process if you plan to marry in the U.S. and you are not yet a lawful permanent resident. Contact the Law Group of Iowa today to learn more about the legal services we offer.