Answer: NO! When you are arrested for a crime, you merely stand accused of committing that crime. You are not automatically guilty just because some law enforcement officer accuses you of a crime. You are presumed not guilty until either you admit guilt by pleading guilty or until you are found guilty by a Judge or jury. You should plead “not guilty” at the arraignment just because some Prosecutor decided he or she had enough evidence to charge the case. You will have plenty of time and will be afforded plenty of information and opportunity to secure legal advice until you are faced with the decision whether to either take your chances with a jury or plead guilty. In the DUI context, you might also be eligible for the deferred prosecution alternative where you trade alcohol treatment in return for a dismissal of the charges against you. There is too much at stake here. Your license to drive a motor vehicle. Your personal freedom. Your job. Sometimes even your marriage and family.

Answer: No attorney can answer that question without doing an analysis of your monthly net income, monthly ordinary living expenses and total debt load. This now also involves your submission of several financial source documents to the attorney so that “due diligence” verification of your information is done prior to any filing. Be wary of bankruptcy “paralegal” outfits. If they are not staffed by attorneys, and if you are not speaking directly to an attorney in the consultation, they cannot give you legal advice. Typically, for a low fee they will prepare a bankruptcy petition for you and send you off on your own. The decision whether to even file that bankruptcy petition is often-times a prickly legal decision that can only be made after consultation with a knowledgeable, experienced bankruptcy attorney.

One thing we can tell you without a review of any of the factual details of your case, is that you cannot file Chapter 7 bankruptcy if you have filed one within the last eight (8) years. Repeat filers will be scrutinized under the new law. Schedule your appointment today to learn your other valuable legal rights in bankruptcy.

Answer: If your spouse hired an attorney, you should hire one too. You are immediately at a disadvantage if you start negotiating with your spouse’s attorney. Also, if your spouse served you with a divorce representing themself, you should hire an attorney. You are too close to the situation and emotionally involved to make the objective decisions that need to be made to protect not only yourself, but also your children (if such is the case), your property and your credit reputation. An attorney is not a mental health counselor. You should seek a family counselor or psychologist to assist you with any emotional issues. An attorney, however, is your personal advocate in the legal proceedings and will protect your legal, financial and property interests while you are consumed with other emotional issues. An attorney will “see the forest through the trees”, and assist you in making rational decisions that are in your own best interests and that will assist you in maintaining your credibility with the courts during this difficult emotional time of your life.

Answer: Generally, in the context of the ordinary “garden-variety” motor vehicle collision in the State of Washington, or any lawsuit based on negligence or carelessness for that matter, will be barred or lost if it is not legally commenced within three (3) years, measured from the date the injury actually occurred. Special rules apply if your injuries were caused by medical or other professional negligence (malpractice). Special rules also apply as to how you compute the three (3) year period and what must be done to stop the time from running. Different statutes of limitation apply in other states and some are as short as one (1) year. If your claim arose outside the State of Washington, and you are unsure as to when the statute of limitations expires, consult an experienced personal injury attorney in your locale as soon as possible.

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