General

Steps Needed To Become A Lawyer

Posted by Ivan Marshall on

Lawyers are individuals who practice law. They are licensed and are able to represent their clients in courts. These clients can be individuals, companies and even governments. They represent them in legal disputes that these parties are involved in. There are various steps that these individuals pass through to become lawyers which include:

1. Obtaining An Undergraduate Degree
This is usually the first step to becoming a lawyer. Law schools require undergraduate degrees for admission. Graduates from universities who aspire to become lawyers need to keep their GPAs above 3.0.

There is no specific degree that lawyers must earn from universities. One may study economics, computer science, history or even political science while in university. One can participate in mock trials to help him or her prepare for law school.

2. The Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
This is the test that guarantees once admission into law school. It is a standardized exam that all applicants are required to take. It is a requirement for any law school that has the approval of the American Bar Association (ABA).

3. Law School Attendance
This is the third step towards becoming a lawyer. It ensures that one is able to get the knowledge required to pass and get a law degree. This degree is usually referred to as the Juris Doctor degree. It is accredited by the American Bar Association.

The LSAT is a major determinant to one’s admission to law school. One’s GPA scores and application essays also play a role in admission. It takes about three years for the completion of law school once admitted.

4. Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE)
Before one sits for the bar exam, it is a requirement to take the MPRE. This is a written exam that involves multiple choices. It tests on the ethics of aspiring lawyers.

5. Bar Exam
This is the final step towards becoming a lawyer. This exam involves both essay and multiple choice questions. The Uniform Bar Examination has been adopted by some states as a standard exam. However, other states prefer setting their own exams.

This exam evaluates how well one understands state law. It also tests on the application of state law in various scenarios. Once one has passed this exam, he or she is regarded as a lawyer. These exams may be retaken in case one is not successful.

The five steps above have to be passed for one to become a lawyer. One can then join private or public practice. With the various law specialities, one can choose in the area of law he or she would like to major.

General

What Types of Situations Can a DUI Lawyer Help With?

Posted by Ivan Marshall on

A DUI lawyer has plenty of experience with cases that involve people driving under the influence. If you have been accused of driving while under the influence of alcohol or other substances, you are going to need to hire an attorney. The DUI lawyer can help you get through the situation you are in while potentially helping you avoid some hefty fines and jail time. While there is no guarantee that you will go unpunished for driving under the influence, your attorney will do what he or she can to get you through it all. If you were injured by a DUI driver and need an injury lawyer please call personal injury attorney Greg Price of Vancouver, Washington..

First-Time Offenders

One reason to hire the lawyer is to figure out the specific steps you are going to need to take, especially if you are facing jail time for your actions. If this is your first time getting arrested for driving under the influence and you have a fairly clean record, the lawyer may use that as an advantage to seek less of a punishment or penalty for you. It looks better on you if this was the first time you got behind the wheel while under the influence because then it shows that you made a poor decision this time, but it is not a habit of yours.

Repeat Offenders

While the DUI lawyer can help those that have recently been arrested and charged with driving under the influence for the first time, the lawyer can also help those who have been charged with DUI before and are looking at a lengthier sentence as well as heftier fines because they are considered a repeat offender. The lawyer could always take a different approach while trying to help you, which may involve questioning the reason you were pulled over in the first place, questioning the results of the breathalyzer test, and referring to any blood tests that were taken. Because your lawyer wants to help you overcome this sticky situation, he or she will look for any loophole possible to make things better for you.

A DUI lawyer can help clients that have been in an accident while they were allegedly driving under the influence. Whether you are a repeat offender or someone who was arrested for such a crime for the first time, the attorney will listen to your side of the story and do what it takes to represent you in court. The goal is to overcome the situation with the best possible outcome and then move forward from it.

General

Divorce Law and Children

Posted by Ivan Marshall on

Divorce or legal separation is never sweet, and nobody wants. However, when a marriage is unworkable, even after all efforts by concerned parties to salvage it, divorce is the only way out. The law has a lot to say about divorce because a lot is involved in a successful, conclusive divorce.

The law stipulates clearly the procedure to be followed once a spouse files for divorce. During the proceedings, the family court may issue temporary orders on child support, which must be followed strictly until the divorce process is successfully concluded. For example, determines who takes responsibility for their welfare, including their upkeep, accommodation and school fees, among others.

During the divorce process, the couple is expected to come up with an agreeable plan on the welfare of their children. The couple has to agree on who takes legal decision making responsibility for minors, including their schooling, medicare care and financial support.

Child Custody

This concerns where the children in the concerned marriage live, and who takes responsibility for their welfare. Usually, minor children end up exclusively and solely in the hands one parent, while the other parent gets regular, unsupervised visitation rights, unless there is a limiting factor like child abuse.

While the custodial parent, the one who lives with the children, has exclusive legal responsibility to make decisions concerning the children, there are instances where this is restricted. In such instances, even the non-custodial parent has to be involved in decision making for specific aspects of the children’s welfare. The two can reach an agreement to have one parent be in charge of certain matters, with the other parent taking responsibility for others. For example, one parent could be responsible with their education and religious matters, while the other oversees health and extra-curricular activities.

Child Support

Child support refers to the financial support accorded to the custodial parent by the non-custodial parent for the welfare and upkeep of all children below the age of 21. If the two parents are unable to agree on this amount, the court may be forced to use a specific standards formula to determine the amount, also called basic child support.

If the both parents reach an amicable child support agreement, they must submit it to the court, which determines whether it’s in the interest of the child(ren) or not. This is where divorce lawyers come in: to make the process as smooth and stress free as possible.