Category: Legal

Questions to Ask Your Immigration Attorney.

If you are in the process of immigrating to the United States, you already know that the process is complicated and can be confusing. It’s important to have an attorney that you are confident in, but it is also important to know if you are asking the right questions and looking for the right results. We’ve compiled a list of some questions that everyone should be asking their immigration lawyer, to be sure that they are addressing all possible issues throughout their immigration. Whether you are speaking with an immigration lawyer for the first time during a consultation, or if you have already have hired an attorney and are moving right along, check out these top questions for your immigration lawyer below:

What are your fees?

This may seem like an obvious question, but it’s worth mentioning! Many attorneys offer free or low-cost consultations, and these are the perfect time to get an idea of what you’ll be paying for their services. These consultations are a great time to determine if you are comfortable with the attorney, their process, and the amount you will be paying for it.

Do you have experience with immigration?

Not all law firms focus on the same things, and it’s important to find a lawyer who focuses on your needs. The immigration process is complicated, and you will be best suited to find an attorney with a history of experience with your circumstances.

What sort of information do I need to gather for my immigration lawyer?

Without knowing the information and documentation needed to successfully complete your immigration application and procedure, it will be very hard to successfully complete the process. In addition, you want to be sure that each meeting you have with your immigration lawyer is productive and moving you towards your goal. A major factor in the delay of these processes are when a hopeful immigrant does not have all of the required information to complete the step they are on. By having your attorney compile a list of all relevant documentation, you can avoid this simple roadblock.

What type of application should I expect?

Your attorney will understand the specifics of your process: this changes depending on the type of immigration you are seeking. The process will vary for a green card, naturalization, or visa, and each of these avenues will have their own specific requirements depending on your unique circumstance. It’s very important to know what to expect before you begin the process.

What are your past outcomes with cases similar to mine?

An attorney’s track record for cases similar to yours will be a good indicator of your own outcome if you choose to work with them. Ask this question early into your consultation, and determine which steps you will take from there.

Are You Licensed To Practice Law And Do You Specialize In Immigration Matters?

You will want to work with a licensed legal professional that understands how to handle your particular type of case. Don’t be afraid to ask them about what kinds of immigration cases they have worked on and what the outcomes have been. An immigration law firm and its attorneys will be happy to answer these kinds of questions.

Where are you licensed to practice and are you a member of AILA?

You will want to make sure that the attorney you are working with is licensed to practice law in your state. For example, Landerholm Immigration is licensed in California. You can also ask if they are a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and then confirm that by going to the website and ensure they show up in a search. This association is for immigration lawyers throughout the United States.

Will you oversee my case through to its resolution?

Know who is handling your case. Will it be passed off to another lawyer or an associate? Find out what the lawyer’s percentage of involvement in your case will be, and who else will be in contact with you. Many lawyers have a team of professionals to help work your case — paralegals, investigators, researchers and administrative assistants.

What are my chances of success?

While no attorney can guarantee success, an experienced attorney should be able to analyze your situation and possible outcomes, and tell you honestly whether he or she can solve your problem.

What is the best strategy for my case?

Once you have explained your circumstances and objectives, the lawyer should propose a plan of action, with a timeline and specified deliverables. Ask about the strengths and weaknesses of your case, and the pros and cons of the various options open to you. Know the steps he or she will take to solve the case.

Are my family members eligible to apply? If I include them will your fees increase?

Many immigration programs allow you to include your family members on the application. However, you should not assume that this is the case for the program that may be best for you. Check with your consultant or lawyer if you can include your family members on the application.

If the answer is ‘yes’, then make sure you check how this will impact the cost of services. While adding family members can create additional work for your representative, any increase in cost should be somewhat proportional to the increase in their workload.

Questions to Ask When Interviewing an Immigration Attorney

Some immigration lawyers offer free consultations, while others charge a fee. Either way, it would be best for you to look at your consultation not only as a chance to seek advice about your immigration case, but also to interview the attorney to find out whether he is a good fit for you. The following are some tips on selecting and interviewing immigration lawyers.

• Any lawyer you consider should be a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), an organization of around 15,0000 attorneys that is dedicated to providing resources to US immigration lawyers. Although AILA membership proves very little about the quality of the lawyer, lack of membership in AILA could mean that the lawyer’s specialty lies elsewhere and that he only occasionally takes immigration cases.
• Interview more than one immigration lawyer. Become familiar with their online presence, and do your best to find reviews of their performance that have been submitted by their previous clients. Reviews from clients with the same problem that you have are particularly relevant.
• Prepare carefully for your consultation, to give the lawyer a chance to prove his competence. Assemble basic information about your case as well as related documentation (birth certificate, visa applications, documents you received from US immigration authorities, police reports, court documents, etc.).
• Prepare a written list of questions to ask the lawyer, and refer to the list during your consultation so that you don’t forget anything.

Former Prosecutors & Top Rated NJ Criminal Lawyers With Qualifications That Count

The first step to understand your charge or charges starts by receiving free advice from a highly accomplished criminal defense lawyer like those.  Don’t put your future in the hands of a lawyer who talks a big game but has little experience inside an actual courtroom. When life hiccups, you need a team of Defense Attorneys who are highly experienced and aggressive in defending offenses like yours, including drug possession, drug distribution, theft, DUI, and other criminal charges.

As former prosecutors and public defenders from cities and counties across the state, our attorneys know what you are up against. We will explore all your options, not just push you to take a plea deal, but fight hard for a full dismissal. We understand the emotional impact going through a criminal case is difficult on you and your family, and we are known as the Criminal Justice Attorneys because we care about your rights and ability to move on from this difficult time. Not only do we offer Free Advice, but we also are familiar with the local New Jersey Courts & Prosecutors, giving us unique insight as to the best approach to secure a dismissal, acquittal or favorable plea bargain.

It’s understandable to feel a sense of panic when you’ve been arrested and accused of a crime. But an arrest doesn’t mean the prosecution has a strong case.

Difference between being a DA versus a Defense Attorney

The Criminal Justice System is a balance between sides- the prosecution and the defense. Here’s a look from someone who has seen both sides first hand

Q: WHY BECOME A CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER AFTER BEING A DISTRICT ATTORNEY?

A: I made the decision to come and be a defense attorney for a number of reasons. One of which was, as a district attorney, I saw so many people who I couldn’t help the way that I wanted to help them. What I mean is that often times, the district attorneys, while they’re very good attorneys, and they’re trained to do their jobs, they’re also trained to see people who come in as criminal defendants rather than seeing them as people. What I really like about being a criminal defense lawyer, is that my job is to get to know my client as a person and as a human being, and then convey that person that I know to the justice system – to the judge, to the district attorney – and let them know, “Hey, this is just a normal person who had a bad day. This is just someone who screwed up one time, but it doesn’t mean that they are a screw up.” A lot of what I do is I make people more approachable for the criminal justice system. When you’re a district attorney, you have a lot of cases, you have very little time to work on things. But as a defense attorney, I actually am able to sit down, and talk with my clients. I talk with my clients direct, I work with you. And a lot of my clients and I are friends long after I represent them.

Q: HOW ARE YOU DIFFERENT IN YOUR APPROACH FROM OTHER DEFENSE ATTORNEYS?

A: I think one thing that sets me apart from other defense attorneys here in town is that I do have that background as a district attorney. Specifically, I have a background here in El Paso county, and just like I view my clients as people, I view the district attorney as people too. I believe that everyone just needs to get to the point where you can connect with each other on a human level. What I like to do, is I like to take the fear out of things. I like to take the fear out of what the DA is trying to put my clients through. I like to take the fear out of what my clients are going through, and just lay it out for them. My job is really to act as a mediator between the criminal justice system and you – my client. It’s to help you get through your case, to make sure that you’re getting everything done that you need to, but also that you’re able to relax and breathe, and be the normal person that you are. I think one of the things that’s important for a district attorney to see is that you are a person, and you’re a normal person who just made a mistake.

Q: HOW DO YOU CONNECT ON A PERSONAL LEVEL WITH YOUR CLIENTS?

A: While it’s never a good thing to be in a position where you do need help, that’s what we’re here for. Our job is to get to know you, to connect with you, and get you through this time. One other thing that I absolutely love about my firm, is that we’re real people just like you. We’ve all been in a similar situation of some kind. Honestly, I personally have done more stupid things than I care to admit, but that’s what makes this whole firm work. We don’t judge you. We will sit down, treat you like a human being, and it’s not going to be a stuffy situation. You come in, you sit down in our office, and you just talk to me. I like to make it as relaxed as possible, because ultimately, while our job is to help you through this time, and to be your attorney, we’re also here to just be your friend, and help you through it.

How to Become a Criminal Lawyer

Have iconic fictional criminal barristers persuaded you to follow a career in criminal law? If you’re studying or considering specialising in this field, you can take the knowledge gained from TV series and films and compare it to how crime is dealt with in real life.

What is Criminal Law?

Criminal law aims to deter and punish conduct which is perceived as threatening, harmful or endangering to the public, its property or moral welfare

When government leaders take steps to ban certain actions relating to the above, they create crime legislation. Such legislation forbids behaviour including murder, sexual assault, property damage, theft and motor offences. Criminal law also includes international relations and extradition, money laundering and terrorism.

The Criminal Justice system acts with dual focus. On one hand, criminal laws are used to control society’s actions. But in addition, they are in place to help citizens understand the effects of their actions. This is because criminal law also includes the punishment and rehabilitation of people who violate criminal laws.

How to Become a Criminal Lawyer

To be a criminal lawyer, it’s important for you to be able to thrive under pressure while working on fast-paced cases. Because of the nature of criminal law, you must enjoy a challenge and be able to think on your feet.

Things to Know About Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer or a DUI Attorney

You should hire a lawyer you feel comfortable talking with.  Our ability to obtain the result you seek depends on many things, but one of the most important is communication.  If you do not feel that you can openly communicate with us, then it will be much more difficult for us to effectively help you.  We need you to communicate with us about your case: the good, the bad, and the ugly.  We need for you to communicate with us about what resolution you want to seek for your case.  We need you to communicate with us about how potential resolutions might affect your employment, education, or home life.  We need you to communicate with us if you believe there is evidence that will help you but that the State has not gathered.  No one knows your case better than you—and we cannot begin to know your case as well as you do unless you tell us everything you know about your case.

We work for the client and not for the person who may be paying the bills.  This is an important point.  We understand that our clients often have family members and friends who help pay their legal fees.  However, it is important for those family members and friends to understand that it is ultimately the client who we are working for, and thus our client calls the shots with regard to how his or her case gets resolved.

We do not work for “the State.”  It is true that any good criminal defense attorney will have a good working relationship with the local prosecutors in their area.  Having that working relationship is often instrumental in obtaining timely, favorable results for our clients.  But we are working for you (our client) and for you alone.  If, after we review your case and discuss it with you, you wish us to try to reach a plea agreement with the prosecution, we will seek to do so.  If you wish instead to fight the case by every legitimate means available, we will do that.

communications are confidential and privileged.  Unless you waive your right to have our communications be in confidence, we cannot disclose anything you tell us about your case to anyone else.

We are always on your side.  But always being your side does not mean that we can always give you good news.  If we are telling you something that is hard to hear about your case, it is not because we do not believe in you or your case; it is because we have an obligation to you to make sure that you understand how your case may play out in court, so that you can make an informed decision about how to proceed.  We do not like delivering bad news any more than our clients like hearing it, but it is sometimes a practical reality of our job.

Life Story Resulting in a Criminal Defense Career

decision to become a criminal defense attorney was shaped by unique and personal hardship. His life has been and remains a testament to the pursuit of justice for those subjected to overzealous law enforcement. He firmly believes in the dignified respectful treatment of every person before the law. In his late teens, Brian was a victim of police brutality. This experience was the catalyst in his goal to defend the rights of others.

has represented all walks of life; students, white and blue collar prefessionals, professional athletes, celebrities, police officers, FBI agents and even other criminal defense attorneys. Regardless of your background, profession or status, all of our clients receive the highest level of attention. We understand the stress and anxiety you are feeling from your criminal charge and when faced with a criminal law matter, you need an advocate in your corner who is going to protect you and your best interestes with no question.

National Police Accountability

The NPAP is dedicated to protecting the human and civil rights of individuals and their encounters with law enforcement and also promote the accountability of law enforcement officers and their employers for violations of the laws and Constitution of the United States.

American Association for Justice

The mission of the American Association for Justice is to promote a fair and effective justice system and to support the work of attorneys in their efforts to ensure that any person who is injured by the misconduct or negligence of others obtain justice in America’s court rooms.