Melanie Simmons

  • How to Fight Drug Possession Charges

    Having illegal or prescription drugs in your possession is illegal, unless you were prescribed the medication, and the police can arrest you if they find drugs on you. When this happens, the court can charge you with a drug possession charge, and this can often be a felony charge. If you do not believe that you should be charged with the crime the police believe you committed, you might be able to get out of the charge if you have the right defense and evidence.
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  • Four Reasons To Seek Out The Help Of A DWI Attorney

    While you may not need a DWI attorney in every situation, it's definitely helpful in some specific cases where help is most needed. Here are four specific reasons counsel is highly recommended: You Injured Someone: If you have injured someone as the result of drinking and driving, you will definitely want legal representation for the simple reason that at this point, your DWI charge becomes a felony automatically in most states. Once you are charged with a felony, the consequences you are facing are much higher.
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  • Four Essential Facts You Should Know About Revenge Porn

    Revenge porn is a relatively new crime as far as the legal industry is concerned (though nobody needs to be told that the act has always been bad). This means many people still don't understand the criminal act of revenge porn plus all its nuisances. Here are some of the things you should know about the crime: The Term Revenge Is a Misnomer The first thing you should know that in this context, the term "
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  • Things You May Want To Know About Immigration Law

    Immigrating to a new country can be one of the most important life changes that a person goes through. While this can open the door to a fresh start with new opportunities, the process of immigrating to the United States can be very confusing and legally complicated. This can lead to you needing to have several basic questions answered so that you will be prepared. Do You Have To Have An Employer Sponsor To Immigrate?
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  • Affirmative Defenses To Domestic Violence

    Domestic violence is one of the heinous crimes you can ever be charged with not only for the consequences it attracts but also for the long-term consequences it attracts. Fortunately, denying the act of violence isn't the only way of defending domestic violence charges. Here are some of the affirmative defenses you can deploy: Self Defense          This is one of the most viable defenses in cases of domestic violence, but it is also one of the hardest to prove.
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  • The Primary Differences Between A Criminal Case And Civil Case In Court

    A lot of inexperienced court goers assume that criminal and civil cases in court are pretty much the same process. After all, both can involve you spending time in a courtroom, supplying evidence, and even giving testimony. However, criminal and civil cases can be completely different from each other in a lot of ways. If you have been charged in a criminal case and will be going to court, it is best if you fully understand the differences between civil and criminal law.
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  • What Happens at DUI Arraignment?

    If you have been arrested and charged with DUI (driving under the influence), one of the first court processes you will face is that of arraignment. Here is what happens at DUI arraignment: They Will Read Your Criminal Charges Just because you have been charged with DUI doesn't mean it is the only official charge you will be facing. Depending on the circumstances of your DUI and arrest, the prosecution may charge you with multiple offenses, and the judge will read all of them.
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  • Learn What To Do When Someone Wrongfully Accuses You Of Domestic Violence

    When you are accused of domestic violence, it can create a very scary situation. If someone has wrongfully accused you of domestic violence, you need to hire an attorney right away to ensure that you protect yourself in every way that you can. The following guide walks you through a few things you can do to ensure that you are able to prove your innocence later on down the road.
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  • What Happens If You Get A Traffic Violation?

    There are some moving violations or traffic violations where the officer involved in the situation can use their discretion as to whether or not they are going to give you a ticket. For example, if you get caught speeding, depending on how fast you were going and where you were, the police officer may give you a warning, especially if you were only going a few miles over the speed limit and weren't in a residential or school area.
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  • What You Need To Know About Court-Ordered DUI Classes

    Drinking and driving convictions can come with a range of sentencing options. Some judges may determine that a driver might benefit more from attending court-mandated DUI classes instead of serving time in jail. Others may order the classes in addition to alcohol treatment programs or community service. If you are charged with a DUI, you may want to work with your defense lawyer to make a plea deal that includes DUI school as an alternative to incarceration.
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