Lawyers.com Blog

Understanding Drug Crime Sentencing in Alabama

nospam@example.com (Catherine Moncus) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 23:20:56 -0500

What you need to know about drug crimes in Montgomery

If you are arrested or charged in connection with a drug crime, you need to know the potential penalties that you are facing. The following are possible consequences for offenses involving illicit substances:

For the possession, use or distribution of alcohol—Fines and/or jail sentences are possible if you are under 21 years of age and buy, consume, possess or transport beverages containing alcohol. If you are found guilty of public intoxication, driving under the influence (DUI) or selling alcohol without the appropriate license, you may also face the suspension of your driver’s license or attendance in an alcohol education program.

For the sale of controlled substances—Considered a felony, the sale of illicit drugs can cost you up to 20 years in prison, a $10,000 fine or possibly both. The consequences are also severe for individuals 18 years or older who are found guilty of selling such substances to those younger than 18—this felony can result in life imprisonment, a $20,000 fine or both.

For the possession of:

Marijuana—It is considered a misdemeanor if you have a small amount of marijuana that is solely for your personal use. Even so, for this offense you can incur a one-year prison sentence, a fine of up to $2,000 or both. If you are found guilty of possession of marijuana for non-personal use (such as intent to sell or distribute) or are convicted a second time for possession of personal-use marijuana, then felony charges may result. You could incur a prison sentence of up to ten years, a $5,000 fine, or both.

Other types of controlled substances—Such drug crimes in Dothan and elsewhere in Alabama are automatic felonies and can also result in ten-year prison sentences and a $5,000 fine. If you are found to possess large amounts of illegal drugs other than marijuana, you may be found guilty of drug trafficking, and the consequences of that offense include a minimum prison sentence of three years, and fines of up to $500,000.

Experience…Accountability…Results. If you are charged with drug crimes in Selma or elsewhere in Alabama, a Dothan drug cases attorney from our firm has what it takes to win your case. Let Walton Law Firm fight for you. Contact us today for help with your drug charge.

Walton Law Firm, P.C.
2515 E Glenn Ave # 304
Auburn, AL 36830-6420
(334) 321-3000

Montgomery Personal Injury Lawyer Explains Mistakes That Can Jeopardize Your Personal Injury Case

nospam@example.com (Catherine Moncus) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 11:32:16 -0500

Do not risk losing compensation for your personal injury in AlabamaYou were in an accident that permanently diminished the quality of your life. You deserve fair compensation for your injuries. But it is easy to make mistakes that might cost you such compensation. Be sure to avoid these common errors if you suffer a personal injury in Montgomery or anywhere in Alabama:

¿ Insufficiently maintaining medical records. Often, explanations of benefits, receipts for physician visits and treatment reports get discarded in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. However, maintaining these records and requesting them from providers and insurance companies may be crucial to the outcome of your case. They can help demonstrate how your personal injury in Montgomery is related to the negligence or carelessness of another person. They also provide concrete evidence of expenses that you incurred in efforts to treat your injury—expenses that you may be able to recoup in a personal injury lawsuit.

¿ Saying the wrong thing to the wrong person. Oftentimes, victims may feel that they did something to cause the accident or injury and apologize to people at the scene. Other times, they may admit fault for part of the incident to an insurance adjustor or police officer. Actions such as these are ill-advised. Admitting fault for even part of the accident may affect your ability to collect any financial recovery. Let your attorney help determine who was truly at fault and how to best proceed with your case regarding personal injury in Montgomery.

¿ Accepting a settlement too soon. It is understandable if you need money immediately to offset the cost of coping with your accident. However, accepting a settlement from a defendant or insurance company too soon may result in less compensation than your injuries are worth, with no possibility of future recovery.

¿ Failing to secure legal advice. Be sure to seek the guidance of a Montgomery personal injury lawyer with a record of satisfactory outcomes in cases that are similar to your own.

Contact our Montgomery personal injury lawyer about your personal injury in Auburn today

Experience…Accountability...Results. If you suffered a personal injury in Montgomery, or elsewhere in Alabama, an attorney from our firm has what it takes to win your case. Let Walton Law Firm fight for you. Contact our lawyers today for help with your personal injury claim.

Animal Attacks in Montgomery, Alabama

nospam@example.com (Catherine Moncus) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:41:55 -0400

Owner responsibility for a dog bite in Montgomery

You were bitten by a dog—or perhaps another animal—and were seriously injured as a result. Now the owner of the animal is denying any responsibility for your suffering and is saying that he or she will not pay for costs related to your injury.
You know that this is unfair. But is it legal? Below are some important Alabama dog bite laws to consider if you suffered a dog bite in Montgomery or elsewhere in AL:

¿ You must have been lawfully on the property where you were attacked. If you were not, the owner may be able to deny liability, and you will not be eligible to collect any compensation for your injuries.

¿ You need not have provoked the animal. Whether you intentionally or unintentionally instigated the attack, you may still be entitled to damages. The law recognizes that sometimes attacks occur out of the blue without any actions on the part of the victim.

¿ The owner must not let his or her animal run free if he or she has prior knowledge of its harmful behavior. In other words, if the owner had reason to believe that the animal might bite people, and through intentional or negligent actions still let the animal run loose, then that owner can be held liable for any injuries caused by their pet.

¿ It may be against the law to let the animal run free at all. Depending upon where you live in the state, letting a dog or other companion animal run free at all may be considered illegal, thus increasing the liability and potential penalties for an owner that lets his or her animal do so.

Contact us about your dog bite in Dothan, Selma, Auburn or Montgomery today
Experience…Accountability...Results. If you suffered an animal attack in Auburn or elsewhere in Alabama, an attorney from our firm has what it takes to win your case. Let Walton Law Firm fight for you. Contact our Montgomery animal attack lawyer today for help with your dog bite injury claim.