davidknecht, Author at Vacaville Attorney

5 Tips for Choosing an Attorney

Dealing with a criminal law case requires the help of a skilled and experienced attorney. While the law presumes a person innocent until proven guilty, it can often be challenging for ordinary people to prove their innocence when they do not have the right tools and resources at hand. An attorney not only understands the law, they will have experience with the local court system. When you are looking for the best criminal defense attorney to handle your case, here are some important things you need to look for.

Tip # 1 – Time

Does the attorney have the time to take on your case? Some attorneys are heavily sought after, which makes it difficult to hire them for your case. You need a person who can provide the right attention and time to your case in order to help you win. If you hire an attorney that you feel doesn’t understand your situation, or simply doesn’t take the time needed to call you back and answer your questions, move along. This case is important to you and you need an attorney that is willing to give your case plenty of time and attention.

Tip # 2 – Experience

The other area that makes an attorney qualified to take on your case is their overall experience. How long has the attorney dealt with cases similar to yours? What is their winning record? Have they been able to obtain fair outcomes for their previous clients? You need to look for an attorney that has plenty of experience with the local court system as well. This shows that the attorney has the right understanding you need for your case to move ahead properly. They know the judges in the area, and can easily work your case in a way that is favorable to what the judge likes to see.

Tip # 3 – Costs

Attorney fees are not going to be cheap. What is their standard rate? Can the attorney come up with an arrangement to make it easier on you to pay them? The costs are always a concern for clients going up against larger companies and other things. You want to be able to hire the best attorney, but if you cannot afford them, you could end up dealing with another legal battle as the attorney takes you to court for their fees.

Tip # 4 – Confidence

Even if you do plan on hiring an attorney that is new to the world of criminal law, you want to hire a person that is confident. Do they have all the right education, training, and knowledge to hold their own in the courtroom? Do you feel that they can easily stand up for your rights and get you a fair trial? Having confidence in your lawyer will go a long way in your ability to trust them. Take a look at their previous client’s cases to see what people said about their presence in the courtroom, and the overall outcome for the case.

Tip # 5 – Trust

For the relationship to work with an attorney, you need to be able to trust them. Talk to your friends, neighbors, and others who have worked with the attorney before. Educate yourself about the attorney as much as you possibly can before you meet with them. Having some information about their background can easily help you to forge ahead with a trusting relationship. You will know that the attorney cares about you and your case and wants to fight hard to win the case for you.

Contact David Knecht Law today to schedule a consultation and discuss your legal rights!

Filed Under: General

What to Expect for a Quality Criminal Attorney

If you are facing serious criminal charges, which could lead to time in prison, you need to ensure that you have the best criminal defense attorney on your side. The fact is that no two criminal cases are the same, which means that you need to find a criminal attorney that is well versed in the type of charges that you are facing.

Some of the responsibilities that your criminal attorney will take care of include:

Working with the prosecuting attorney to negotiate a plea agreement or deal. These plea bargains can typically reduce the sentence that is imposed and may even eliminate some of the charges that you are facing.
Work to create a better sentencing program. This typically involves serving a portion of your sentence in jail and the other at a treatment center or facility.
Informs you of the legal regulations and laws that pertain to your specific case. There are many aspects that you may not understand, which your attorney will be able to explain to you.
Ensure that investigations into your case are handled properly and fairly.

When you hire a criminal attorney there are also certain characteristics that you should look for. This will ensure that they meet the standards that are needed to win a case. Some considerations to make include:

What is their record of successfully won cases? Also, how many of these cases are similar to your legal situation?
Do they have any special training or education that would provide them with additional knowledge that may help you out in your case?
Are they available to talk and ask questions to when you need them? Or do they get back to you in a reasonable amount of time?
How many years have they been practicing law? Many times, new attorneys will not have the experience or relationships that those who have been practicing longer do.

A quality criminal attorney will provide you with support and guidance through this hard time. They have the training necessary to work with prosecuting attorneys and judges to ensure that the case comes out in the best possible way for your situation.

A Vacaville criminal attorney will provide you with all of the guidance and help necessary for a positive outcome to your case. This is essential in ensuring that your sentence is reduced or eliminated. It is also important to understand that in most cases, prosecuting attorneys are not willing to negotiate or deal if you choose to represent yourself. This is why it is so important to find a qualified and experienced attorney that will be able to represent you in your criminal case and ensure that the best possible outcome is reached.

Filed Under: General

3 Tips on Researching a DWI Defense Attorney

Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a serious charge. It is vital that you meet with multiple attorneys to find one that can best represent you. How can you find the right person to trust with your case? Here are 3 tips on how to research a defense attorney to handle a DWI case.

Tip # 1 – Experience

Research the experience of the attorney to know you are hiring the right person for the job. How long have they been a practicing attorney? Do they primarily focus on DWI cases? How long have they exclusively worked on DWI cases? It is vital that you hire an attorney that works on DUI and DWI cases as they are required to keep up with the latest information on drunk driving regulations. How many cases have they taken on in the past? What is their win/loss record? This is another thing to consider as you need to hire a person that has a lot of experience in the field. What can the attorney do to keep your case off your driving record? You need to demand clear answers to the questions you are asking an attorney. If they are not willing to give them to you, get a second opinion.

Tip # 2 – Handling Your Case

Since each case is unique, it is expected to have multiple people working on the case with the attorney. How many people will focus on your case, and will the attorney be your primary point of contact? Will they work on other cases at the same time or will they devote all of their attention to your case? It is important to understand where the professional accountability lies. You need to hire an attorney that cares about you and is invested in your case. Look for a person that values the client relationship. Will they keep you informed of updates related to your case? If you do not know who will handle your case on a daily basis, it is best to seek out a second opinion. A good attorney will treat you like a person, not like another case.

Tip # 3 – Cost

Paying for the legal fees associated with a DWI case can be costly, especially if you go to trial. How much will it cost you to hire the attorney? Will they ask for a fee up-front, or will you pay them once the case is settled? Many attorneys will have a flat-rate fee for their services. This cost will rise if they do need to take your case to court. In which case, you must make sure you are hiring a person with a good winning record in the court room. During the initial meeting with the attorney, try to get a sense for their personality. If they seem like a fighter, and you feel that they are trustworthy, it may help to ease some fears about taking your case to trial. Once you do settle upon a cost, get it in writing. You need to cover your end and make sure you are not getting charged for excess fees that were not in the original agreement.

Hiring the right DWI defense attorney is a decision you must carefully consider. Make sure you are taking the time to research multiple attorneys so you can find a person you can trust. Any case is winnable with the right team on your side. Contact David Knecht Law for a consultation!

Filed Under: General

Tips to Hire an Honest Vacaville CA Attorney

Wrongful death, divorce, injuries and business disputes are all difficult issues to deal with. In order to gain some restitution, you need to hire an attorney. The legal fraternity has some highly competent people who are always ready to assist their clients. However, finding a good Vacaville CA attorney can at times overwhelm you. Fortunately, if you know the qualities to look out for, the task becomes very easy. The success of a case depends on how well your attorney has prepared for it. It calls for finding credible witnesses and gathering evidence that will make the case watertight.

A good attorney should exhibit the following qualities:

Passion

Professional attorneys are always passionate about cases they take up. Being an attorney does not just come on its own. It is a calling. Without the zeal to serve other people, no lawyer can be successful. The work requires putting in long hours for a client’s sake. A lawyer must take time to understand the circumstances his clients are in. He then applies the right legal principles in order to advice, go to court or negotiate with other parties. Clearly, without passion this may not be possible. Find an attorney who is passionate about what he does.

Empathy

Good attorneys understand how their clients feel. They know that it is not easy to deal with the emotions that come with the death of a loved one. Similarly, an attorney tries to imagine how people who have loved each other suddenly decide they are not ideal mates. This is another quality you should look for in an attorney. An empathetic attorney takes time to get acquainted with clients, obtain facts and gain an understanding of their case. Only then will he be able to represent them in court.

Fearlessness

A fearless attorney gains a lot of respect from prosecutors, judges and other colleagues. Being fearless means taking a stand and not wavering no matter the circumstances. At times, influential people issue threats to attorneys in the hope of making them drop a case. Others try to bribe them so that they can change their line of argument. An experienced attorney develops thick skin and argues with facts. In the end, you get a fair judgment and a reprieve. The quality of being without fear makes a good lawyer remain confident.

Creativity

Good lawyers are supposed to be creative people. In order to attain this, they prepare thoroughly for their cases. If it is a medical case, they obtain medical reports, talk to doctors and even obtain statements from the police. They then look for a path of argument that convinces the judge or jury beyond reasonable doubt. It requires a lot of creativity to do this considering the fact that the opposing side may also be represented by an equally competent attorney. It requires creativity for an attorney to spot a loophole and capitalize on it.

A competent lawyer knows how to use logic in his arguments. Above all, he needs to be organized in the way he presents his case. That is what makes a good attorney.

Filed Under: General

7 Reasons Why You Need a Vacaville Estate Attorney

Are you considering preparing a legal will soon? As many new people are entering the
workforce, middle-age workers are finding it is time to consider their future. Planning a will is
one of the most important things you can do as you take a proactive approach to future
planning. A good will and estate attorney will have the experience needed to help you draft and
prepare a legal will that gives you and your loved one’s peace of mind for any situation. Here
are 7 reasons why you need a Vacaville estate attorney:

1. Build a technical and specific will
2. Low cost to draft a legal will
3. Legal updates to the will as needed
4. Experienced attorney handling the drafting of the will
5. Prevention of mistakes that could cause problems in the future
6. Ensure assets are protected in distribution
7. Your wishes will be honored

Building a technical and specific will

When it comes to hiring someone to help with your will and estate plan, you need to find
someone with experience. A good attorney will help to draft a plan that you are comfortable
with as it meets your existing lifestyle needs and possible future updates.

Low cost to draft a legal will

Some people will try and say a legal will is expensive, when in fact, it is not. It is wise to work
with an attorney to ensure your legal will is well-documented and accurate. Unlike what you
may have heard, it is not as expensive as most people claim when you hire an attorney for a
legal will. Attorney fees vary, so it is wise to have everything together prior to calling some
Vacaville attorneys.

Legal updates to the will

Throughout your life you will have different changes and updates. It is important to have an
attorney on your side to provide assistance when you have legal updates that need to be done.
Circumstances change, so hire someone who will help!

Experienced attorney

As the law is always changing, it is important to know that you need someone who understands
these changes! An experienced attorney is the best way to ensure your will is accurate and will
be honored per your wishes after your death.

Prevention of mistakes

An attorney will review the will to ensure it is going to hold up and it is accurate. A will can be
written quickly, and people that do them online often make several mistakes and forget things
to do. Everyone has different circumstances and changes, so it pays to make sure you have an
attorney to double check the will and ensure those mistakes do not happen!

Assets are protected in distribution

Another vital reason to hire an attorney is to ensure your assets are protected. We all have the
need to ensure our legal rights are protected and everything is distributed as you planned, not
as the courts tear apart.

Wishes will be honored

When you are planning your will and estate, you deserve to have peace of mind that your legal
rights are protected. A solid living will ensure this will happen if it is drafted in the appropriate manner. Call David Knecht Law Firm in Vacaville to ensure your wishes will be honored!

Filed Under: General Legal Advice, Legal Advice

The Importance of Probate Attorneys and Real Estate

The probate process is time-confusing, stressful, and often overwhelming for many people.
Working with the right probate attorneys can make a world of difference pertaining to your
case. If real estate is involved, it helps to have access to a real estate agent with experience in
estate property listings. The agent will work closely with the attorney to ensure the listing is in
order and the paperwork is accurate and correct. What most people do not realize is how things
are filed when a loved one dies. Who files the death certificate? Does anyone check on liens on
the property? All of these things are normally discussed and reviewed with a good attorney
prior to moving forward with the sale of property. Here are some things to know when you
want to sell property as part of the estate.

All the heirs need to agree

One of the biggest frustrations we run into is families that do not get along and disagree about
the sale of the property. A good attorney will see the situation for what it is and will make sure
all the siblings are informed and on the same page. It is imperative that everyone has their legal
rights protected, even when dealing with delicate situations.

Getting started

If you are all in agreeance of the property being sold, we recommend you start by having a
professional company come out and properly clean the home prior to it being listed. A lot of
families want to sell the homes as-is so they don’t have to deal with the pain of sifting through
the assets and memories left behind in the home. Contact your attorney and ask for help! Our
job is to help make this process easier and we do have connections and people we can
recommend in these times.

Probate attorneys are here to help

Probate can last several years; it depends on the value of the estate and some additional
factors. It is important to have an attorney working with you who understands the importance
of honoring everyone’s wishes as much as possible. A probate attorney has a special role as
they work with the executor of an estate to make sure everything goes off properly. Are the
taxes paid? Are there outstanding debts? Are there concerns with distribution of assets?
David Knecht Law has been proudly serving Vacaville and surrounding communities. Our goal
has always been to help serve the people. We focus on making sure your wills and estate plans
are laid out according to your wishes. Our experts work hard to make sure family members are
able to come to mutual agreements when there is a tense situation about probate. We are here
to help! Contact our office today to discuss your probate needs, 707.451.4502!

Filed Under: General Legal Advice, Legal Advice

Why You Need to Hire a Skilled Vacaville DUI Attorney

One of the most challenging things to face in a courtroom is a DUI charge. Why? In California,
and many other states in the nation, a DUI is a serious charge. Often the individuals face years
in prison and expensive fines. Hiring a Vacaville DUI attorney can assist in reducing the charges,
and decreasing the risk of imprisonment, and more. Dealing with the law is challenging, trust an
expert attorney to take on this case for you! There are multiple things that go into
consideration with a DUI charge:

 Blood-alcohol concentration
 Criminal history
 Whether there was an accident or an injury

Hire an Attorney for a DUI Plea Bargain

An attorney can work out a DUI plea bargain for certain cases. Trials are time-consuming, and
expensive and most attorneys work hard to keep your case from heading to court. A good DUI
attorney will already have experience with the prosecution, so they know if it is possible to
work out a good plea bargain. Prosecutors with weak cases often try to embellish information
to try and induce a guilty plea. A good attorney will be able to read between the lines and know
if they have a good case against you or not.

A plea bargain will normally consist of having a “wet reckless” charge, which is a lesser charge.
This charge acknowledges there was an impairment, but it is a lighter sentence than a DUI, and
does not include jail time. However, your driver’s license will be suspended if you have a BAC
level high than .08 percent. If you are being charged with a second offense, your wet reckless
prior charge can end up being considered a prior DUI offense.

Attorneys Help In Reducing Your Sentence

The courts can work to bargain down a DUI sentence for a guilty plea exchange. If this is a
second or third DUI, there is concern over prison time that could last several months, or
possibly years. The prosecution can work with an attorney to reduce the amount of time
needing to be served in prison in exchange for a guilty plea. When there are drugs and other
things present, the charges could be even higher. Trust an attorney to assist with a case in this
manner as most of them already have the experience dealing with negotiations, but also have
the relationships needed to deal with various prosecutors in the Vacaville area.

Hire a California DUI Attorney

As some people know, the DUI laws in California are different from other states. If you have
been arrested and charged with a DUI in California, it is vital to hire an experienced attorney
who has practiced DUI law here. Failure to have state experience could leave someone
vulnerable to opening the case up to the prosecution, preventing the defendant from receiving
a fair sentence.

A DUI charge is one of the most stressful situations you can find yourself in. It pays to hire
someone you know is capable of handling cases similar to yours. Contact the Law Offices of
David Knecht in Vacaville to work with an experienced, trustworthy DUI attorney.

Filed Under: DUI, Legal Advice

6 Reasons to Hire a Child Custody Lawyer

Child custody agreements are designed to be in the best interest of the child, and their parents.
The agreements are normally designed to show each parent what their responsibilities will be
pertaining to the raising of the child or children. Child custody lawyers are normally hired when
the parents are unable to come to an agreement on their own. Moving into legal proceedings
with a third-party helps to move the case along faster and helps to ensure both parties get to
an agreement. What happens if you do not have a lawyer? You could end up with less custody
than you determine is fair, or you could end up paying more or less in child support. Always
consult with a child custody lawyer prior to responding to anything related to your case. Here
are 6 reasons why it pays to hire a child custody lawyer:

1. Protect your children
2. Lawyers have experience with family law
3. Experience with the judge in local cases
4. Negotiation experience
5. Ability to set up a fair child custody agreement
6. Prevent unfair bias or practice

Protect Your Children

The number one reason to hire a lawyer is to protect your children. Placing your children’s
interest first should be the top priority as typically both parents want to provide their children
with the best upbringing for them. A good lawyer will review your case, discuss the overall
situation, and will focus on what is best for the children. A good lawyer knows how disruptive
the case can be, which is why they focus to take on the stress you are feeling in relation to the
custody case. You deserve to have someone fight for your rights and be on your side, and a
good lawyer is here to help.

Experience with Family Law

A good family lawyer will be able to handle any issues that come with the case. There will be
hiccups along the way. You need to hire someone you know you can trust to have your best
interests in mind. A good lawyer knows what type of strategies other lawyers will take in
custody cases, making it easier for them to have the right counter arguments prepared.
Complex cases need the help from a good lawyer. Do yourself a favor and hire a custody lawyer
in Vacaville to handle your case.

Experience with Judge

Depending upon your case, the judge may be the person that holds the most important aspects
of making a ruling. A good lawyer knows when a case goes to court with a judge, you are facing
a tougher situation. If the lawyer has prior experience in the family law courtroom, they likely
have relationships with the judges in the region and know what type of counterarguments and
agreements to push.

Negotiation Experience

Less than 5% of custody cases head all the way to the courtroom in front of a judge. Why? Good
lawyers who know proper negotiation skills are one of the reasons! In many cases, the parents
are willing to work together for the sake of their children, allowing for an agreement to be
made outside of the courtroom.

Fair Child Custody Agreement

Lawyers will fight for your rights, and for the rights of your children. The goal is to make the
best arrangement possible for the children. When you hire the right lawyer, it will ensure that
you are being protected with a fair child custody agreement for both you and the children.
Prevent Unfair Practice or Bias

A good lawyer works on your behalf to ensure your rights are protected. If you do not have a
good lawyer helping with your case, you may find yourself dealing with your ex-spouse’s lawyer
and they are pushing to make you pay more in child support and lose child custody. It pays to
have someone on your side who knows family law and wants to fight on your behalf. Contact
David Knecht Law today to discuss your child custody case.

Filed Under: Vacaville Attorney, Vacaville Lawyer

What Makes a California Lawyer You Can Trust

At David Knecht Law, we focus on providing our clients with honest and reliable legal services. Whether you are in need of a lawyer for family law or a lawyer for estate planning, our experienced team is here to help. We are one of the leading law firms in the Vacaville area. Our attorneys are here to guide you through your legal case, ensuring you have the right team on your side to provide you with sound advice. When you are facing any legal case, it is important to do your research and find a lawyer who will focus on offering a number of options, while encouraging you with your endeavors. Here are four things you need to consider as you seek out legal counsel.

Lawyer Experience and Expertise

One of the things you need to discuss with the lawyer is the amount of experience they have with cases similar to yours. While some lawyers have experience in multiple facets of family law, do all of them have experience with difficult divorce cases? Do they have experience in the courtroom with cases like yours? How about cases dealing with child custody issues? It is vital to spend time looking for someone who has dealt with cases like yours, and has had successful outcomes.

Communication Skills

Another thing to look for with legal cases is to focus on an attorney with excellent communication skills. If you have someone that doesn’t do well in handling communication via email, phone, or text, you may want to consider a different lawyer. It pays to hire someone you know will answer your calls and will be diligent in replying to you. If the lawyer doesn’t respond in a timely manner, it can lead to frustration and a general wondering of what is happening. Some law firms have legal assistants who will focus on replying to general inquiries and making sure their clients are in the know.

Discuss Legal Fees

The legal fees of the law firm are another important element to consider as you look at your options. Some law firms will charge for each email, text message, and phone call. Other law firms do a flat rate fee. It all depends on your case, and what you need from the law firm. Typically law offices will have you come in for a free consultation about your case, and will determine the fee amount based on the potential outcomes of your case.

Look at Client Reviews

Another way to know you have a good lawyer is to look at their client reviews. What are people saying about them? How well have they worked for other clients in the past? It is important to look into online reviews, and ask around to hear word of mouth and find out what people think about them in the area. Check with the California Bar Association as they too have information about the attorney and their win-loss record along with client reviews.

Consult with several attorneys before you hire someone to represent you. Failure to find the right lawyer can leave you in a difficult situation. It pays to work with experienced, trustworthy professionals who always put you first. Contact the Law Offices of David Knecht today to schedule a consultation.

Filed Under: Fairfield Attorney, Fairfield Lawyer, Vacaville Attorney, Vacaville Lawyer

What makes a great 2020 Vacaville Lawyer

When you are going through a divorce, or any difficult legal manner, it always pays to hire a good lawyer. How do you know what makes a good lawyer? It is important to meet with multiple lawyers to find the one that you get along with, listens to your concerns, and will do their best to handle your case in the right way. Now that 2020 is upon us, how do you know if you have hired a Vacaville attorney that will be updated with the latest laws and changes?

In a difficult and confusing time, it pays to hire someone with plenty of experience handling similar cases. Far too often people hire the first lawyer they meet with, and this can easily land them in a bad situation. Some people end up losing custody of their children, others end up losing assets like their home, retirement accounts, or more. So what makes a good Vacaville lawyer? Here are some things you need to look for as you meet with different lawyers.

Passion for the Job

A good lawyer loves what they do. Upon meeting with the lawyer, you can find out quickly how they feel about their job and their career. Successful lawyers have a passion for the job and they enjoy helping people. Does the lawyer seem excited and ready to help?

Compassion

A lawyer will have compassion for their clients, and they will be able to do all they can to help. When you explain your case and your situation, does the attorney seem like they are willing and ready to help? Do they feel compassion for you, and want to do what they can to provide you with sound advice?

Excellent Communication

Lawyers need to be excellent communicators. Not only does the attorney need to be able to talk to you directly, they need to have excellent communication when it comes to working with the other lawyers, and communicating with the court. Failure to meet a deadline can set your case back several months, or could cost you a lot of money. Through effective discussions, lawyers will be able to communicate their ideas in the right way.

Listening Skills

The lawyer not only needs to be able to communicate well, they need to listen. Strong listening skills are necessary as they will need to be able to understand your side of the case, and do their best to construct a clear strategy. You can find out almost immediately if the attorney listens by their body language with you during the consultation.

Experience and Education

It pays to hire a lawyer with plenty of experience in their industry. Hiring the wrong person can lead to disaster, and could string out your case for months or years. Look around for a lawyer who has the education needed, but experience with cases similar to yours. Great lawyers know their area of the law well, and they are effective in the courtroom.

Use these tips to help you find a quality Vacaville lawyer. Contact David Knecht today to schedule a consultation and find out how we will work hard for your legal rights!

Filed Under: Vacaville Attorney, Vacaville Lawyer