Criminal Defense, Family Law, & Civil Litigation Attorney

In certain situations, the police may search you for drugs without a warrant. The Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable search and seizures. However, there are several distinct exceptions. If the drugs are clearly visible or the officer can smell drugs, that may give them probable cause to search. During a lawful arrest, police are permitted to search your person. If you are on parole or probation, you waive your Fourth Amendment rights, meaning that you may be searched at any time. Additionally, if you provide consent for an officer to search, anything uncovered during that time can be used as evidence against you. Finally, police officers are allowed to search during emergent situations, such as when they see you actively attempting to destroy drugs.

That said, many people are arrested on drug charges due to an illegal search or seizure. It is essential to have our criminal defense attorney review the circumstances of your arrest to determine if your Fourth Amendment rights were violated.

The court decides custody matters based on the child’s best interests. While allowing both parents to maintain a healthy relationship with the child is important, this factor does not supersede basic needs and safety. Each parent will be evaluated on their ability to provide food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, and a safe environment. If there is a history of abuse or domestic violence, that will impact the custody order. Stability and routine is key, so the judge will also consider how a custody arrangement will affect the child’s ability to go to school and participate in extracurricular activities. In some situations, particularly if the children are teenagers, the court may take their wishes into account.

There are several differences between felonies and misdemeanors. Misdemeanors are less serious crimes, generally punishable by fines and/or county jail time. Examples of common misdemeanor charges are petty theft, DUI, disorderly conduct, and simple assault. Comparatively, felonies are usually more severe offenses, such as aggravated battery, burglary, manslaughter/murder, and fraud. Punishments for felonies usually include more than one year in prison and substantial fines. Some misdemeanor charges may be elevated to felonies if the accused is a repeat offender. Additionally, felony convictions carry lifelong consequences, including losing the right to purchase/own a firearm and losing the right to vote.

A divorce is considered contested when the spouses do not agree on how property and assets will be divided, child support, custody, and other key issues. These divorces often take a long time to settle, involving lengthy court battles. A judge will likely make most of the decisions in a contested divorce.

Uncontested divorces are more collaborative. Both spouses are willing to compromise, communicate well, and share similar views on the terms of their divorce agreement. Mediation is generally successful in uncontested divorces. With the assistance of their individual attorneys, couples make decisions, and their drafted settlement is then presented to a judge for approval. By working together rather than against one another, couples can complete the uncontested divorce process more quickly and inexpensively.

If you are arrested, it is important to be polite, comply with the officer’s instructions related to processing procedures, and remain silent until you speak with our defense attorney. It is a normal instinct to advocate for your innocence; however, it is essential to remember that everything you say or do can be used against you. Regardless of whether you are guilty or not, always ask for a lawyer immediately and do not discuss any details of the allegations with anyone other than your legal representative. While you are likely frustrated and angry, keep your emotions in check. Arguing or pleading with officers to release you will only delay the process.