Stockton Legal Blog

Are you aching for recovery following a head trauma incident?

On behalf of Bird & Van Dyke, Inc. - A Professional Law Corporation posted in blog on Monday, September 25, 2017.

California roadways are sometimes extremely dangerous places. Of course, if you frequently travel to and from work or use the highway to reach your shopping destinations or for running errands, you're likely already aware of that fact. As a safe driver, you pay close attention to posted speed limits and other traffic signs and do your best to remain alert and cautious behind the wheel; however, it's impossible to gauge what other motorists are going to do in any given moment.

You just never know when another driver is going to cut you off on the highway, speed through a red light or otherwise act with negligence, placing you at great risk for injury. If you were recently involved in a motor vehicle accident and have been experiencing head pain or any other concerning symptom, you may want to consult with a physician to determine whether you may have a traumatic head injury.

Did another driver's distraction cause threat to your life?

On behalf of Bird & Van Dyke, Inc. - A Professional Law Corporation posted in blog on Monday, August 28, 2017.

You are probably like most other average California residents who have never before played a real game of Russian roulette. Most people avoid life-or-death activities like these although many have witnessed suspenseful movie scenes or heard tales of long ago real-life situations that caused their hair to stand on end. Some say driving on busy roadways throughout this state is similar to taking a high-risk chance at Russian roulette.

Gone are the days when families venture out for leisurely drives at casual speeds with very little safety risks. Nowadays, the menacing presence of distracted drivers may be enough to make you wonder if you'll reach your destination unscathed. There are three main types of distracted motor vehicle operation that can threaten your safety no matter how cautious and alert you are behind the wheel.

Has a criminal conviction affected your right to bear arms?

On behalf of Bird & Van Dyke, Inc. - A Professional Law Corporation posted in blog on Monday, July 31, 2017.

Facing any type of criminal charges could potentially leave your life considerably altered, especially if a conviction takes place. In some ways, a criminal conviction could even affect certain aspects of your life that had no direct connection to the crime of which you were accused. For instance, your ability to own or be around firearms could lead to negative consequences under certain circumstances.

You may land among numerous people who like to take advantage of the right to bear arms either for personal or professional use. However, if you also fall into other categories, you may lose that ability due to certain federal and state laws.

Don't get robbed of your future over an alleged act of thievery

On behalf of Bird & Van Dyke, Inc. - A Professional Law Corporation posted in blog on Friday, July 7, 2017.

If arrested and charged with robbery in California, how you fight your case in criminal court is really going to matter. This is an offense that courts do not take lightly. Do not let an alleged act of thievery rob you of your future. Getting the right help for your situation may go far in protecting your future.

The simple definition of robbery is forcing someone to give up personal property through terrorization or violence. As with any criminal case, there are certain elements that prosecuting attorneys have to establish in order to achieve convictions on robbery charges. What are these elements? What are the consequences of a conviction? How can I defend myself?

Don't be left hung out to dry when facing a wire fraud charge

On behalf of Bird & Van Dyke, Inc. - A Professional Law Corporation posted in blog on Friday, June 2, 2017.

California does not treat fraud lightly. It does not matter what the type of fraud is of which you stand accused. If convicted, the penalties you may face could be quite severe.

Wire fraud has been around for quite some time. However, how those running such schemes conduct business has changed with technological advances. Due to the great number of people who are typically harmed by this type of fraud, prosecuting attorneys will request maximum punishment if they are able to secure a conviction. As this could drastically alter the course of your life, how you fight the charges against you in court is really going to matter.

What can I keep if I file for bankruptcy?

On behalf of Bird & Van Dyke, Inc. - A Professional Law Corporation posted in blog on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.

When considering bankruptcy, one of the main concerns that people express relates to what property they can keep. It can be a daunting prospect to think about losing your home, your vehicle, your personal possessions and more. Fortunately, filing for bankruptcy protection does not necessarily mean that you will have to give up everything that is important to you.

Some property is exempt from the bankruptcy process. This means that even after filing, you may be able to preserve and protect certain property. If you have questions about exempt and non-exempt property or if fears about losing your stuff is holding you back, you will find it beneficial to speak with an experienced California bankruptcy attorney about your rights and options.

Protecting your child's future after a juvenile criminal offense

On behalf of Bird & Van Dyke, Inc. - A Professional Law Corporation posted in blog on Wednesday, May 3, 2017.

If your child is facing accusations of committing a crime, there is much at stake. Juvenile offenses may not seem like a big deal due to the young age of the offender, but in reality, this could affect your child's future educational and career opportunities. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to protect his or her interests when facing legal issues.

Juveniles can face a range of criminal charges. Depending on the nature of the individual charge, your child may face consequences that can follow them for years to come. You would be wise to take quick action to protect your child by securing qualified defense counsel. California law takes a strong stance against juvenile delinquency, and your child's future is too important to leave to chance.

Accused of a drug crime? Seeking legal counsel could prove vital

On behalf of Bird & Van Dyke, Inc. - A Professional Law Corporation posted in blog on Thursday, April 6, 2017.

Facing accusations for a drug-related crime can be extremely intimidating. Perhaps you were pulled over in a routine traffic stop and following an open-air search by a K-9 unit, found yourself facing drug charges. You may have been unaware that there were drugs inside your vehicle at the time. Regardless of the circumstances of your arrest, you may soon need a strong defense strategy.

Concerning drug crimes, accusations alone can affect you in numerous ways. A conviction can be even more devastating, with many cases resulting in lengthy prison terms. You may be wondering how you can protect major areas of your life from being impacted by the coming process.

Which court will hear your case?

On behalf of Bird & Van Dyke, Inc. - A Professional Law Corporation posted in Drug Crimes on Thursday, March 16, 2017.

California, like every state, has its own drug laws. If you wind up in a situation where you are facing charges, you will quickly get an idea of how complex the criminal justice system can be. Sometimes, complications set in long before the filing of any charges. For instance, you might be at a friend's house when law enforcement agents show up and start looking around, with some of them in uniforms and others in plain clothing. Such scenes often look like they're straight out of Hollywood films.

If it's affecting your own life, however, it's obviously not a movie, and the outcome of the situation may depend on how well informed you are and what decisions you make regarding your defense if you're facing charges for a crime. Whether those charges are filed at a state or federal level (or both) is also significant.

Put your past behind you with an expungement

On behalf of Bird & Van Dyke, Inc. - A Professional Law Corporation posted in Federal Crime on Thursday, February 2, 2017.

If you committed a crime, faced a conviction and paid your debt to society, you may believe that the worst is behind you. While you may be appropriately remorseful for what you did, you may be surprised to learn that a past conviction can follow you into other areas of your life.