How to Make Sure You Find the Right Divorce Attorney

No one signed their marriage certificate thinking that it would be ending in a messy divorce one day. While there is no way to plan for a divorce or prepare yourself or your children for the process of dissolving your marriage, here are three questions to ask yourself to make sure you find the right divorce attorney.

Does your attorney understand your needs?

No matter if  the most important part of your settlement be a smooth division of your bank accounts or custody of your children and potential child support payments, your attorney should understand what is of the utmost importance to you. In addition to your divorce, you should be sure that your attorney can also handle any type of visitation and support and in more extreme cases, restraining order and changes in custody. Since children are involved in many divorce cases, your lawyer should also understand the need to delicately balance the conflict and establish boundaries to minimize the hardship for everyone involved.

Is your attorney experienced?

Since no two divorces are the same, it is important to make sure you choose a lawyer and a firm with extensive experience in several areas of family law in addition to divorce. The Law Offices of David Knecht has solid experience in all types of family law including child custody and visitation, child and spousal support, and restraining orders. Having an experienced lawyer also means that they will be able to advise you on the most cost-effective solution for your particular divorce and get things filed and completed quickly.

Can your attorney help you in other areas of your life?

A big life change like a divorce can lead you to consider other immediate or future legal needs. Once your divorce is settled and finalized, knowing that your attorney could possibly provide future legal counsel is a great benefit. Look into other services your lawyer can offer such as drawing up wills or living trusts. While it may seem daunting to take on a new task like estate planning, you may be so comfortable with your lawyer that you will be able to tackle it following your divorce or set up a date in the near future.

Though divorce may not be an easy or quick process, having the right attorney can definitely make it simpler, more cost-effective, and less strenuous for everyone involved.

Filed Under: Divorce Lawyer

4 Things You Should Never Do If You’re Accused of a DUI

If you are facing your first DUI charge, it can be a daunting and stressful time. You may be wondering what will happen next, what you should do next, and how you can get through the entire process quickly and return to normal life. During the process however, here are four things you should never do if you are accused of a DUI:

Confess to avoid a trial

Being arrested and charged with a DUI may feel like the end of the line, but it’s not. Many police officers may try and get you to confess to being under the influence of alcohol and provide details of your intoxication to expedite the processing of any criminal charges against you. However, remember that you have the right to remain silent, and providing a confession won’t do you any favors in the short or long term.

Forget that you are innocent until proven guilty

Once you are charged with a DUI, you may forget that being charged isn’t the same thing as being convicted. The prosecution will have to prove that you are guilty, and provide extensive evidence to that fact. Just because you have been charged doesn’t make you a criminal and doesn’t mean that you will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

Ignore what comes next

Things will move very quickly once you are charged with a DUI. Not thinking one step ahead of the prosecution will put you at a terrible disadvantage right from the start. While the list of things you have to do seem to be piling up, be sure that the first thing you do is hire an experienced and trusted lawyer experienced in criminal law and DUIs. Once you have a lawyer on board, they will be able to walk you through your options, the evidence, and any possible contingencies.

Forget to Ask Your Lawyer the Right Questions

Since there are probably a million questions running through your head, don’t forget to ask the right questions. While your attorney will go over all the important details of your case with you, don’t forget to ask them these questions as well:

  • Will I go to court?
  • How much will this case cost?
  • The police didn’t require me to take a blood/urine test, is this important?
  • Will I lose my job?
  • How can I avoid a conviction

The legal system can be a tricky maze for those who are being accused of their first DUI. Finding the best DUI lawyer and following their counsel will always be your best line of defense and offense in helping you navigate through the legal proceedings to come and help your life return to normal.

Filed Under: Criminal Law, DUI

What Makes a Great Vacaville Attorney?

Sure, every attorney goes to law school and passes the bar, but what separates an average attorney from a great attorney, and how can you be sure if you have a great attorney? Here are four ways to know you have picked the right attorney in Vacaville.

Speaking and Listening Skills

A great lawyer needs to be able to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people including: judges, police officers, bankers, accountants, other attorneys, and a host of others. 

However, the most important people person for your attorney to communicate effectively with is you. A sign that you have a great attorney is feeling comfortable enough to share everything necessary to your case with them. In addition to sharing on your side, a great attorney will always have complete openness with you and let you know about best case and worst case scenarios for your situation as well as current and evolving strategies.

Good Negotiation Skills

A great lawyer will be a master of negotiation. In addition to arguing your case before a judge either in or out of court, your lawyer will also be negotiating on your behalf. This negotiation can be just as important to your case as evidence for or against you. While the evidence presented may or may not be in your favor, a great attorney can negotiate a jail sentence to probation, or probation to community service in a criminal case, a favorable resolution in your trust litigation case, or a fair division of assets in a divorce case.

Investigation and Research Skill

An attorney may not be a full-time investigator, but he or she will most definitely do their own research and investigation into your case and similar cases to decide on the best strategy to get the best possible outcome. This could include looking into inconsistencies with drug test results for DUI or drug related cases, or discovering secret accounts that your spouse had been hiding during your divorce. Great investigation skills make for great results throughout your case and could mean the difference between jail time and a dismissal or thousands of dollars in spousal or child support.  

Results

A great way to be sure you have a great attorney is to do your own research into their firm and see if they have had success in cases similar to your own. This will also help you realize you are hiring a great attorney by showing you how they have helped clients get charges dropped, cases dismissed, restraining orders granted, and custody awarded, for example. While each case is different, and your results will depend on the facts of your individual case, your attorney should be prepared to fight for the best possible results. 

While no two cases are identical, knowing your lawyer’s previous success rates, being able to comfortably communicate with them and knowing their background and legal skills will give you great peace of mind throughout the duration of your case.

Filed Under: General

Dealing With a Criminal Lawsuit? How to Pick The Right Lawyer

Being charged with a criminal lawsuit is a stressful and overwhelming time for you and everyone involved in the case. With so many issues weighing down on you, finding the right attorney may not be your first thought, but it should be. Having the right lawyer can mean a world of difference for your case and could certainly mean the difference between jail time and acquittal or probation and dismissal. Here are three tips to help you chose the right lawyer for your criminal lawsuit.

Pick a lawyer with success in Similar Cases

You may be charged with DUI, possession with intent to sell, domestic violence, or identity theft. Whatever the case may be and whether a misdemeanor or felony, you need to be sure that you pick a lawyer that has handled similar cases and who has yielded successful results. While it may seem like all the evidence is piling up against you, the right lawyer will have experience with even the most seemingly hopeless cases and will be able to provide successful results for you as they have with their previous clients.

Pick a lawyer who understands both sides of the law

Knowing how a lawyer thinks is one thing, but knowing how the criminal prosecutor in your case will think is another. Knowing the ins and outs of the law from the other side means that your lawyer understands the charges, current precedents in terms of jail time or probation, and how your legal history or prior run-ins with the law will affect the results. The right lawyer will understand the prosecution’s strategy and the legal process that brought you to where you are now to best help you throughout your hearing and possible trial.

Pick a lawyer that will fight for you

Your lawyer should be your biggest fan and biggest support throughout the entire lawsuit from start to finish. Being charged with crime is a serious situation and will require both you and your lawyer to energetically fight for your case from the moment you enter their office. Every case is different, and the results of every case are contingent upon numerous factors such as prior convictions, arrests, precedents and even the prosecutor and judge.

Filed Under: Criminal Law

Legal Problems??? The 3 Most Important Things to Consider Before Your Day in Court

Preparing for your first day in court can be emotionally agonizing and exhausting. However, with all the preparation and planning you’ve done with your legal counsel, you may still feel apprehensive, nervous and completely unprepared in the several days or weeks leading up to your first day in court. To ease the burden and give you peace of mind, here are several things to consider before you step into the courtroom.

Understand how the law falls in your favor

Even if you are facing criminal charges, there are many circumstances where the law can actually help your case and may even lead to an acquittal instead of a conviction. Circumstances following your arrest, such as improper police conduct, evidence tampering, or even things as simple as not having been read your rights can mean that the legal system has failed you. Because of these simple failures, the judicial system will then fall in your favor.  Especially in the days leading up to your trial, go over your case once more with your lawyer, being sure not to leave out even the smallest detail. A detail you didn’t think was important could get your case thrown out.

Know your case from every angle

While your lawyer may have walked you through every step of your argument, you may have found yourself doodling or daydreaming during the part where he mentioned the opposing counsel’s arguments. However, in the days leading up to your court date, be sure to sit down with your lawyer to provide an in depth look at the other side of your case. What information or evidence does the opposition have that can hurt our case? What questions will they ask? What questions will we ask in return? These are just a few of the things to be aware of before your step foot in the court room.

No two cases are the same

Even if your best friend, neighbor or brother has been involved in a similar court case, there is certainly no guarantee that you will have the same experience or a similar outcome. Each case is so different because each state has different laws and procedures, to say nothing of the different judges and lawyers that will be in your courtroom. Judges and juries are human, and they have good and bad days like everyone else. While you can’t control their mood during the trial, you can prepare yourself for every kind of scenario. Your lawyer will inform you of the judge assigned to your case and can research past cases the judge has presided over to give you an idea of his previous verdicts in cases similar to yours so you can both plan accordingly.

Whether you’re facing a criminal charge or are fighting for custody of your children, following these steps can help you be confident, educated, and prepared for your first day in court and give you the best chances for success throughout the proceedings.

Filed Under: General

Looking for the Best Attorney in Vacaville? 3 Reasons to Select David Knecht

Choosing an attorney in Vacaville can be a challenge. While most attorneys promise results with no experience to back up their claims, and other attorneys provide hefty and unexpected fees for their time and work. With so many options to choose from, here are three reasons to select David Knecht for your legal needs.

Proven Track Record

It’s not just the statistics that are speaking to the quality and results from the law offices of David Knecht. Customers are also sharing their experience and praising the firm for their “work and understanding” throughout their legal proceedings. One satisfied client expressed “…Thank you for helping me through that court mess…I was very stressed out for the last eight months but now I feel very happy that it is all done with thanks to you.” These are just a few comments from grateful customers who have been advocated by the attorneys at David Knecht and who most definitely consider him one of the best firms in Vacaville.

A Wide Scope

David Knecht not only has a terrific track record as an attorney, he has a terrific track record in a wide array of legal fields. His firm can help you at several different crucial points in your life from divorce, child custody, juvenile law and estate planning. With so much experience in these fields, you can be sure that you’re getting the best. Having worked as a Police officer and detective for 13 years prior to becoming a lawyer, he has an invaluable knowledge of the legal system as seen and executed by the prosecution during DUI, criminal and juvenile court cases.

The Best Possible Result

No matter your case, the law office of David Knecht have one goal, and that is to get you the very best result possible. Whether a simple matter of estate planning and drawing up a living will, or seeking custody of your children after a divorce, David Knecht fights with you every step of the way. In the cases of Criminal court, the best possible result could be an acquittal of all charges and in the case of guardianships or child custody battles the best possible result would be getting the support and custody you desire, as well and providing arrangements that are in the best interest of the children.

So No matter what stage of life you’re in, for all your legal needs, David Knecht is the way to find the way to get your case resolved in the most efficient and fair way for you, your family, and all those involved.

Filed Under: General

Legal Problems? 3 Most Important Things to Finding the Right Attorney

No matter the reason for your current legal problems, one of your biggest challenges could be finding the right attorney. With so many out there, you may not be sure what sets them apart from one another, and exactly which type you need. However, whether you’re looking to get compensation for an injury you sustained during a recent car accident, or are trying to defend yourself in a DUI case, here are three important things to look for in the right attorney.

Experience

The first thing to consider when looking for the right attorney is their experience. However, not just any experience, experience with cases just like yours. Many firms take on all sorts of cases from civil cases to tax evasion, but what is important is that your lawyer knows all about the law and your rights in your case. When researching attorney’s online, check their recent track record for successful cases like yours and one or more attorneys that have handled similar cases. It can be helpful for your attorney to have an in house resource if your case gets a little complicated.

Fee Transparency

No one likes to be surprised by the bill they receive at the end of any service. One of the single most important things to look for in an attorney is complete transparency when it comes to legal fees. Many lawyers provide a free initial consultation to discuss your case, but the rates after that may vary greatly. Other lawyers charge fees right off the bat, which may dissuade you as a client, but their fees and rates following the initial consultation may be lower than competitors. Whatever the rate or method of charging fees, what is most important is that you as a client understand the fees from the start and are informed of any additional fees that come up throughout the duration of your case.

An open line

While you may not be the only case your attorney will have, having an open line of communication should help you feel like your case is important to your attorney. Promptly returning calls early on in your vetting process is a great indicator of how open communication will be throughout the duration of your case. Not only is good communication important for your own peace of mind, but also to keep you updated on your case, any upcoming legal proceedings and the outcome of their research and work.

If you have legal problems and are looking for an Vacaville attorney, please be sure to give us a call.

Filed Under: General

Problems with Your Divorce? 5 Ways to Come Out On Top

When people ask if you are having problems with your divorce, the right question might actually be “Is anything actually going right with your divorce?” However to ease the pain and difficulty of the divorce process, here are 5 ways to come out a much better and mature individual:

Try to maintain a professional demeanor

Perhaps one of the main contributors to your divorce includes the fact that you and your spouse have a hard time being civil toward one another, let alone professional.

It can be hard to maintain a professional and mature demeanor throughout your divorce proceedings, however striving to portray those two characteristics throughout the entire process will help things run much smoothly, regardless of how your future ex-spouse behaves.

Know your strengths and weaknesses, at least when it comes to finances

Even if your spouse was the one in the family who balanced the books, you can still get up to speed and know your finances better than ever before sitting down with a divorce lawyer. Knowing your financial strengths and weaknesses before your marriage will also help you improve your spending and saving habits for after the divorce is finalized.

Keep your head above water

While it may feel like so many things are out of your control and money is flying out of your bank account in more directions than you can keep track of, KEEP TRACK OF IT!

Staying out of debt is an important way to come out on top during your divorce and make sure that you are set up for your new single life. Though you may have more expenses than you expect, planning wisely can help keep your head above water through your divorce as well as the first twelve months that follow.

Remember the only two certain things in life

Whether its death, taxes or both, you need to also focus on reevaluating your estate plan in the event that you will need it sooner than you think. In addition to a will, trust, durable power of attorney, and advance health care directive, make sure that you also get ahead by changing your legal documents so they are all ready for the inevitable tax deadline next April. Even if taxes are months away, arranging everything for an easy filing will save you stress later on in the year!

Don’t resign yourself to failure

Feeling that your marriage was a failure, and that you might fail in other aspects of your life, is a completely normal feeling during the divorce process. However, a divorce does not mean that you failed, or that your future is grim. 

As you stop devoting all your time and energy to fixing your marriage, you can now put all that energy into finding success in a new endeavor whether it be continuing your education, switching career paths, or learning a new hobby.

Filed Under: Divorce Lawyer

3 Tips Most People Don’t Know About Finding the Right Attorney

Attorney shopping can be quite the headache, especially when you consider that your reasons for actually needing an attorney may be a cause of unexpected stress in your life.  While many law firms claim that they are giving you the best lawyer in their firm, there are many other important factors to consider when finding the right representation for your case.

Here are 3 tips most people don’t consider when trying to find the right attorney:

  • The Right Attorney Is Available For You

Attorneys may be busy and may have a slew of other cases, however the right Attorney for you will be one that is available for you when you need him/her most.

When you’re shopping for an attorney, make sure that during your initial meetings you aren’t rushed out the door, or made to hurry over important details. The right attorney understands that your time and your circumstances are just as important as theirs and won’t make you feel rushed.

  • The Right Attorney Has Experience in Your Specific Type of Case

You are most likely aware that you should seek the help of a divorce lawyer if you want to get divorced, or a personal injury lawyer if you’ve been injured in an accident. However in addition to seeking the help of a lawyer who specializes in your type of case, you should also find one who actually has experience in your type of case.

Though an accidental injury lawyer may know the specifics about getting the compensation you deserve, a lawyer who has had experience with the specific insurance company you’re working with will be the right attorney for you!

  • The Right Attorney Has Confidence in You and in Your Case

In some types of cases, the attorney doesn’t get paid until you get paid, right? While that may be enough incentive for the average lawyer to work hard on your case, it is important to remember that the right lawyer for you will be one that has confidence in you and your case, and doesn’t just want to win for a paycheck.

Having confidence in your case means more than just bragging about their track record with similar cases and behaving arrogantly. The right attorney will exhibit confidence in your case by making the most of your situation, those involved and will in turn provide the best outcome for you.

So instead of being impressed by how many cases your prospective attorney has won in their career, consider choosing an attorney based on their availability, confidence in you, and how many cases they have won that are very similar to yours to have the most success with your case!

Filed Under: DUI, Family Law

3 Secrets Police Don’t Want You to Know About Winning a DUI In California

Many California drivers think that your DUI is an open and shut case and you should just roll over and accept the consequences of your actions. However, regardless of what the police would like you to believe, there are actually several different ways to win your DUI case in California. So whether you have been charged with having a blood alcohol level over the legal limit of .08%, caused an accident, or had a high blood alcohol content test, here are three secrets to beating your DUI:
1.    Breath and Blood tests are not exact sciences.
Although many people charged with a DUI take the word of the breath test without question, many drivers are beating their DUI by challenging the test that got them in trouble in the first place. There are dozens of things that could possibly skew the results of a breath test, including:
•    Being mishandled by the police officer
•    Environmental factors (interference by radio frequencies)
•    You burped or had acid reflux or heartburn that skewed your blood alcohol level.
•    Your low carb diet tricks the breath test into displaying a false high BAC
•    The Breath test itself malfunctioning

2.    Officer Error
In addition to mishandling the procedure of a breath test, there are many circumstances where police errors could lead to a judge throwing out your DUI charge. Police officers are required by law to have probable cause to stop you in the first place, and if they do suspect a DUI and wish to arrest you, they are required to advice you of your Miranda Rights- you know, the “You have the right to remain silent…” rights- in order to use statements against you. While you may know these by heart from your latest Law & Order binge, they are required to advise you of them all the same.

3.    Challenge the field sobriety tests and physical symptoms
Whether the officer arrested you for not being able to balance on one foot, or because the officer believes he smells alcohol in your breath,  these tests and physical symptoms can be explained by non-alcohol related facts. Challenging the charges due to the results of the field sobriety tests or “FSTs” can be as simple as presenting evidence that:
•    you were wearing awkward footwear such as: high heels, boots or uncomfortable shoes.
•    there was poor lighting or bad weather and that is why your eyes appear blood shot.
•    you were eating or distracted by passengers and that is why you were weaving or driving erratically.
•    you were intimidated by the police officer and couldn’t focus.
If you’ve been charged with a DUI, remember that each case must be evaluated individually by an experienced attorney to determine how to aggressively defend your case. Whether due to technical malfunctions, police error, or misunderstanding between you and the police officer, you can use all the facts and evidence at your disposal to defend your DUI and keep your record clean.

Filed Under: General Tagged With:
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