If you have recently hired a personal injury lawyer serving Annapolis , you may be interested in learning about how personal injury cases typically progress. While the details of each personal injury lawsuit are different, the basic stages of each personal injury claim are the same from case to case. Here is a look behind the scenes of a typical personal injury claim.

Initial Meeting with Personal Injury Attorney

Before filing a personal injury claim, you’ll need to meet with a personal injury lawyer to determine if you have a case. He’ll ask questions about your injuries, the cause of your injuries, your insurance, your medical visits and costs, whether there were witnesses to your injury, and whether the injury occurred on the job. If you and he decide to file a personal injury claim on your behalf, he’ll have you sign a contract or agreement for representation. This agreement will include a provision for payment to your attorney, commonly referred to as a contingent fee, which is usually a percentage of what money you recover in the case, so that your attorney only gets paid if you do.

Pre-Trial and Settlement Stages

Personal injury claims are either dismissed or settled before trial, or they proceed to trial. During the pre-trial stages, your personal injury lawyer will attempt to secure a lucrative settlement for you from the opposing party. He’ll also conduct research, and hire expert witnesses to testify on your behalf. It’s crucial that you cooperate fully with your personal injury attorney during this period. If your personal injury claim is settled, you will not need to testify at a trial. If it’s dismissed before trial, your personal injury attorney may be able to re-file your case.

Trial, Judgment, and Appeals Stages

Each personal injury trial is different, and it’s impossible to know how long the trial will last, or how complicated it will be. A jury will determine whether your personal injury claim has merit. If a jury rules in your favor, the jury or judge will decide on an amount for an award of judgment. This amount may include reimbursement for financial, physical, and psychological damages, any permanent disability or injury, and pain and suffering. Your personal injury attorney will then have to collect money on the judgment from the opposing party, or more likely from their insurance carrier. The losing party can also appeal the judge’s decision.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the topics discussed and does not qualify as legal advice. Every case is different and the laws applicable to each case may differ. If you have a legal matter, you should speak to an attorney to get advice on your particular situation.

If you are charged with, accused of, or arrested for domestic violence, it is crucial that you hire an experienced criminal lawyer near Annapolis . Your criminal defense attorney can protect your rights, and do everything that he can to prove your innocence of the charges. Here are the first steps that you should take if you are accused of domestic violence.

Cooperate Fully with the Police

If the police are called to respond to a domestic dispute or allegation of domestic violence, they may arrest you, your partner, or both of you; file a police report without an arrest; or leave without filing a report. It is in your best interests to cooperate fully with the police to reduce your risk of arrest or further charges. If you already have a criminal lawyer, you should call him immediately before answering any questions. If you do not have a criminal defense attorney, do not answer any questions beyond stating your name, address, and relationship to the alleged victim.

Hire a Criminal Lawyer

Whether you are arrested and charged, or issued a summons to appear in court on domestic violence charges, you will need to hire a criminal lawyer. An experienced criminal attorney can act as your advocate when speaking with the prosecutor and police, and may be able to get the conditions of your release modified to your advantage or the charges against you dropped completely. He can also secure witnesses to testify on your behalf should the case proceed to trial.

Adhere to All Requirements of Your Release

When you are released, the court will require you to adhere to certain conditions. This may include refraining from contacting the victim, attending anger management classes, attending drug or alcohol counseling, and attending therapy. You must adhere to all of the conditions of your release in order to prevent the prosecution from filing additional charges.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the topics discussed and does not qualify as legal advice. Every case is different and the laws applicable to each case may differ. If you have a legal matter, you should speak to an attorney to get advice on your particular situation.

If you are arrested for a DUI, you have a much better chance of having your alcohol or drug charges reduced or dismissed if you hire an experienced DUI attorney near Annapolis . A DUI lawyer can navigate your state’s DUI and drug laws, and can recognize errors in police procedures that may require the prosecution to drop your alcohol or drug charges.

Breathalyzers are a common issue in the arrest process for DUIs, and improper use of these devices can be a key point in your case. Watch this video for a demonstration of how breathalyzers work. If the police office who arrested you for DUI did not administer a breathalyzer or administered it improperly, your charges may be dropped.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the topics discussed and does not qualify as legal advice. Every case is different and the laws applicable to each case may differ. If you have a legal matter, you should speak to an attorney to get advice on your particular situation.

If you are arrested or ticketed for a marijuana drug charge, you should hire an experienced criminal lawyer or drug lawyer near Annapolis . Criminal defense attorneys have extensive experience navigating the state’s complex drug laws and building strong cases against DUIs, drug charges, drug crimes, and traffic violations. Here is a closer look at Maryland’s marijuana-related drug laws.

Drug Laws Controlling Personal Medical Marijuana Use

Maryland drug laws allow residents to use medical marijuana to treat a variety of chronic or debilitating illnesses. You will be protected from prosecution for drug charges if you have a valid medical marijuana prescription from a licensed physician. In order to qualify for a medical marijuana prescription, you must prove that you are a resident of Maryland, and that you suffer from a chronic or debilitating condition like nausea, seizures, chronic pain, or muscle spasms. A physician will provide a written certification of your condition for use when submitting your application for a medical marijuana card to the Medical Marijuana Commission and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. You can only purchase marijuana from licensed dispensaries and smoke it in your own home. Individuals who are not permitted to use medical marijuana will be charged a small fine for possession of amounts less than 10 grams. Possession of larger quantities, illegal distribution, and intent to distribute are all much more serious crimes with higher potential penalties, including incarceration and significant fines.

Drug Laws Governing Medical Marijuana Physicians

Marijuana physicians must be licensed by the state to provide medical marijuana prescriptions to patients who qualify under Maryland’s drug laws. Physicians must submit all prescription proposals to the state’s Medical Marijuana Commission. The Commission can approve or deny prescription proposals.

Drug Laws Pertaining to Medical Marijuana Growers, Processors, and Dispensaries

Growers, processors, and dispensaries must obtain a license from the state of Maryland. They must then choose a physical location for their operation based upon the state’s zoning regulations and drug laws. If they are not in compliance, they may face drug charges that require hiring an experienced drug lawyer.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the topics discussed and does not qualify as legal advice. Every case is different and the laws applicable to each case may differ. If you have a legal matter, you should speak to an attorney to get advice on your particular situation.