Criminal Charges
Representation may involve misdemeanor or felony
allegations, arrest warrants, bond issues, court
appearances, evidentiary disputes, negotiations,
motions, trial preparation, and other stages of a
criminal prosecution.
Every matter is different. The charge printed on
the first piece of paper is not the entire case,
and neither is the version of events your friend
reconstructed after watching three courtroom clips
online.
DEMO NOTE — “They definitely cannot prove that”
is a conclusion. Counsel generally prefers evidence.
DUI / DWI Allegations
DUI matters can involve the legality of a traffic
stop, roadside observations, field sobriety testing,
breath or blood evidence, chemical-test procedures,
license consequences, prior history, and the specific
requirements of state law.
Early deadlines may matter, particularly when
driving privileges or administrative proceedings
are involved. Waiting for the problem to become
more convenient has historically produced mixed
results.
DEMO NOTE — The shoulder of the highway is not
the preferred venue for your closing argument.
Drug Offenses
Drug-related cases may raise questions involving
possession, alleged distribution, searches,
warrants, vehicle stops, residences, statements,
laboratory evidence, quantity, intent, and the
constitutional limits placed on government action.
A defense review should begin with what law
enforcement actually did, what evidence actually
exists, and how that evidence was obtained—not with
seventeen browser tabs titled “Can police do this?”
DEMO NOTE — Search engines remain impressively
unlicensed to practice law.
White-Collar Investigations
Financial and business-related investigations may
involve subpoenas, records requests, interviews,
electronic communications, transactions, regulatory
inquiries, internal records, federal agencies, or
allegations involving fraud and related offenses.
When an investigation begins before formal charges
are filed, decisions made early can matter. That is
generally an excellent reason to involve counsel
before sending the beautifully detailed email you
have drafted to “clear everything up.”
DEMO NOTE — Reply All has destroyed enough careers.
It does not need your assistance.
License & Serious Traffic Consequences
Certain driving matters can create consequences
beyond a routine citation, including suspension,
revocation, employment complications, increased
penalties, or issues connected to a related
criminal case.
Deadlines and procedures vary by jurisdiction.
Review the actual notice, identify the actual date,
and resist the surprisingly powerful human instinct
to place official mail in a drawer until it becomes
emotionally less official.
DEMO NOTE — The DMV is already complicated enough.
Do not add folklore.
Record Relief
Depending on jurisdiction, case history, eligibility,
and the final disposition of a matter, some people
may qualify for expungement, sealing, set-aside
procedures, or other forms of record relief.
Eligibility is highly specific. A consultation
should begin with the actual court record rather
than the reassuring statement that somebody you
know “got theirs wiped automatically.”
DEMO NOTE — Old mistakes do not require a
commemorative plaque.