Arrested for DWI? Hire a Good Defense Lawyer

You’ve got a stressful week ahead as your mother-in-law is visiting in a few days while your daughter is preparing for her upcoming piano recital. As if these things weren't enough, you've been tasked to keep some visiting clients company for the whole duration of their stay. Tired and a bit intoxicated after the welcome dinner, you call it a night and drive home—only to hit another vehicle just a few blocks away from the venue.

Local authorities come by, and the next thing you know, you are being given a breathalyzer test. You are subsequently charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI), your third offense thus far. Under North Carolina laws, you can face up to two years in jail if you are convicted; fortunately, you have an opportunity to set things right by hiring a topnotch Raleigh criminal defense lawyer.

Such a lawyer will exert every effort to build up a good defense against the charges filed against you. Your lawyer will take into consideration the circumstances surrounding your case and analyze your situation from all angles in order to formulate a solid defense strategy. With a competent lawyer by your side, you’ll have a much better chance of getting your penalties reduced.

Raleigh Lawyer Stresses the Need of Public Education on Legal Rights

Founded by Atty. Howard A. Kurtz and Atty. Seth A. Blum, who have over 40 years of combined trial experience, the practice is one of the trusted Raleigh law firms that focus on criminal defense, family law, DWI (driving while impaired) cases, personal injury and workers' compensation, and professional malpractice. They have been established since 1998 and are a proud member of various lawyer organizations, like the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the North Carolina Advocates for Justice. They also have a BV Distinguished® evaluation from the Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™. Interested parties who need to discuss a case or want timely advice on legal matters may fill out and submit a contact form on www.KurtzandBlum.com. They may also browse Frequently Asked Questions on the website.

http://www.kurtzandblum.com/blog/raleigh-lawyer-stresses-the-need-of-public-education-on-legal-rights

Raleigh DWI Lawyer Discusses the Importance of a Head-Mounted Video Cameras in DWI Cases

Raleigh, North Carolina (September 12, 2013) – Kurtz & Blum, PLLC, a trusted legal firm that provides Raleigh DWI lawyer services, talks about the importance of a dashboard camera (dashcam) in handling DWI (driving while intoxicated) cases. According to them, the footage recorded by this equipment is crucial in formulating legal strategy for individuals charged with DWI. A dashcam is an onboard camera installed on the front window of a car. It automatically starts recording when the vehicle is started and stops when the vehicle is turned off. It also features an automatic looping capacity, which lets the oldest footage be recorded over when its memory card is full. Originally used as surveillance technology for self-protection, it is now a tool commonly used by police authorities to record traffic incidents and exchanges at DWI checkpoints.

http://www.kurtzandblum.com/blog/raleigh-dwi-lawyer-discusses-the-importance-of-a-head-mounted-video-cameras-in-dwi-cases

Raleigh Personal Injury Lawyer Explains Insurance Company Secrets

The firm shares these tips and many other related resources because they want to empower their prospective and current clients to make sound decisions when pursuing a personal injury case. The information the practice shares may also help people choose their counsel wisely when looking for a Raleigh personal injury attorney. The lawyers at Kurtz & Blum can be trusted to provide legal advice and court representation. They handle personal injury cases that involve automobile and truck accidents, wrongful death, workers' compensation, and legal malpractice. They also handle cases that involve dangerous and defective products, as well as workplace, construction, and slip and fall accidents, among others.

http://www.kurtzandblum.com/blog/raleigh-personal-injury-lawyer-explains-insurance-company-secrets

Raleigh Criminal Lawyer Comments on Rumored Funding for Public Defense

Raleigh, North Carolina (September 16, 2013) – Kurtz & Blum, PLLC, a trusted firm offering Raleigh criminal lawyer services, supports the rumored authorization of $2 million in additional funding for North Carolina's public defense system. Rumors of the increase surfaced following the budget talks recently held by state legislators. The additional funds are supposed to be used for hiring additional public defenders across the state, in order to meet the demand for indigent defense services that has increased since the economic slowdown of 2008. According to the firm, this move by the legislators could mean that North Carolina is finally enacting measures that will make their criminal justice system fulfill the requirements of the 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. They also compared the development to that being pursued in Idaho, where lawmakers are scrambling to adequately satisfy obligations for defendants.

http://www.kurtzandblum.com/blog/raleigh-criminal-lawyer-comments-on-rumored-funding-for-public-defense

Claiming Injury from Defective Products

 One of the most common lawsuits filed in North Carolina courts involve the issue of personal injury. One of the reasons for its popularity lies on the fact that as a term, personal injury is extremely broad—encompassing issues such as road accidents, accidents at work or at home, assault claims, as well as accidents caused by product defects.

While product liability issues appear less often than other types of personal injury claims, they are probably the most publicized in media. This is due mainly to the fact that claims of this nature usually involve a big company that has widely distributed an allegedly defective product that people claim to have been hurt by. 

One of the reasons why many companies announce product recalls publicly is because federal law compels them to do so. To protect the safety of consumers, the federal government has even put up a website—www. recalls.gov—where six different agencies work together to update the general public on any product recalls.

The website aims to inform consumers about potentially dangerous products so that they may be able to discern better which product to purchase and use. After all, even the most innocuous-looking toy can inflict personal injury to an unsuspecting child. In 2007 alone, train model Thomas and Friends railway toys and the iconic Easy Bake Ovens were both recalled—the former, for containing excessive amounts of lead paint and the latter, for its potential to become a fire or burn hazard.

Common Defenses Against DWI

Driving under the Influence (DUI) and driving while intoxicated (DWI) are serious offenses that can merit a stiff penalty for the offender. If you get involved in a DUI or DWI case as a defendant, it is highly advisable to hire a lawyer who is knowledgeable in this field.

Proving DWI involves two things: (1) you were driving the vehicle at the time of the incident; and (2) you were “under the influence” of alcohol which impaired your ability to drive safely. A DWI defense can be successful if you, through your lawyer, can disprove or cast doubt on one or both of these conditions.

If you were arrested while in the act of driving, disproving the first condition would be difficult. However, if you were simply sitting behind the wheel, and no evidence can be presented to show you had been driving, you can use this in your defense. Additionally, if you were pulled over, detained, or arrested without probable cause, you can challenge the validity of the arrest. Likewise, if you were not read your Miranda rights after the arrest, you may also argue against the arrest or against certain evidences by the prosecution.

Another common DWI defense is to challenge the observations made by the arresting officer, such as the manner you were driving, talking, or walking during the sobriety test. If you can present evidence to contradict or successfully cast doubt on the officer's testimony, you can use this to get acquitted from the charge.

Lawyers Who Have Earned Fame

 TV shows have both glorified and vilified the law profession, leading people to view lawyers either as cheats or as saints. An article by Kimberly Cahill says that collectively, lawyers have a negative image and are generally disliked. There are, however, many lawyers who have earned a place for themselves in history because of the principles they believed in. Among these are:

1. Mahatma Gandhi – Famous for promoting non-violent reform, Gandhi first worked as a legal representative in Pretoria, South Africa. While in Africa, he developed the political views, ethics, and leadership skills that would prove instrumental in his fight against the caste system. Gandhi also fought for the right of suffrage for Indian nationals in South Africa.
2. Nelson Mandela – Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela is best known for his role in helping end apartheid in South Africa. Mandela opened his law practice in Johannesburg in 1952. Throughout the 50s and 60s, he campaigned long and hard for equal rights, not pausing even when sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964. His efforts to abolish racial discrimination and segregation finally bore fruit in the early 1990s under the administration of then-President F.W. de Klerk. From 1994 to 1999, Mandela served as the first black president of South Africa.

3. Abraham Lincoln – A careful, logical thinker, Lincoln, the 16^th President of the United States, is said to have taught himself law by reading books. A trial and appellate lawyer for twenty-three years, he was known for his skill in tripping up witnesses during cross-examination. Lincoln is best known for contributing significantly towards the abolition of slavery in the United States.

Lawyers aren’t always seen in the best light, but many have made a remarkable impact on society and the world as a whole.