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Showing posts from July, 2022

What Makes an Attorney and a Lawyer Different?

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While the terms are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between an attorney and a lawyer. The two terms refer to legal professionals. Most people mistakenly believe that an attorney and a lawyer are the same things. However, this is not entirely true. There are some differences between these two legal professionals who have been educated in the field of law. Although the terms have different meanings, the terms are often used interchangeably. Read on to find out the difference between attorney vs. lawyer.   DEFINITION OF AN ATTORNEY An attorney is a shortening of “attorney at law.” To become an attorney, one must graduate from law school, have passed the bar exam in their state of practice, and be a member of the  State Bar Association  in that state. To put it simply, an attorney is someone who practices law.   A St. Louis attorney can: Represent their clients in court Interpret state and federal laws to meet clients’ needs Provide legal advice directly related to their

What Happens if I Don’t Show Up for Jury Duty in St. Louis?

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Many people don’t look forward to serving on a jury. Even so, most US adults may be required to do it at least once in their lives. It is against the law to fail to appear for jury duty in St. Louis. You may face legal penalties if you refuse to appear for jury duty. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I MISSED JURY DUTY IN ST. LOUIS? You may be found guilty of civil contempt when you fail to show up for jury duty or respond to a summons. A fine of up to $500.00 may be imposed, and you may need to hire a defense lawyer. If you skip jury duty or don’t respond to a summons in Federal Court, you may be fined up to $1,000. Also, you may be required to serve community service or spend up to three days in jail. In such cases, a St. Louis criminal defense lawyer should be consulted. IS IT POSSIBLE TO AVOID JURY DUTY IN ST. LOUIS? It is never a good idea to cheat the jury selection process to get out of jury duty. If you can’t serve on a jury at the time and date listed on your summons, there are valid ways t

Breaking Down Attorney-Client Privilege: What it Means and How it Can Affect Your Case

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  Lawyers provide legal advice regarding legal matters. Clients want assurances that what they discuss with the lawyer will remain private. The attorney-client privilege protects these clients from having their information used against them if they discuss their situation openly. PRIVILEGED INFORMATION: WHAT IS IT? Privacy and confidentiality are legal rights. During discovery or a court hearing or trial, the court cannot force a person to disclose privileged information. With very limited exceptions, what you tell your lawyers in St. Louis is protected by the attorney-client privilege. The attorney-client privilege protects any information you share with lawyers in St. Louis. You cannot compel your attorney to testify against you or disclose the contents of your conversations. Furthermore, you cannot be forced to disclose the information discussed with your attorney. Lawyers in St. Louis need to understand all information pertaining to a case to provide legal representation. When a cl

4 Reasons Why a Personal Injury Lawyer Will Not Take Your Case

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  A   personal injury attorney st.louis   may decline a specific case for various reasons. Consultation with a legal professional is essential if you believe you have a valid claim for personal injury. You should also understand why they might not accept your claim. Here are four reasons why a personal injury lawyer might not accept your case. CONDITIONS OF THE ACCIDENT Lawyers in St. Louis review potential cases by considering how the incident occurred. An individual must have breached a legal duty to be held responsible for personal injury. Put another way, the responsible party must have done something wrong for the victim to suffer. An injury alone is not sufficient to establish someone else’s responsibility. Imagine, for example, you sustained severe injuries in a  car accident . The fact that you were injured may not be enough to establish liability if it is unclear who is at fault for the accident. In any successful personal injury case, proving fault or negligence is crucial. T

Five Things to do After an Accident with a Commercial Truck

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Being involved and injured in a crash involving a commercial truck can be extremely stressful and confusing. While you may be tempted to just move on quickly from the incident, there are some critical steps you should take following an accident with a semi, tanker, or another commercial vehicle. For more information, call our office today to speak with a St. Louis truck accident lawyer. 1. Contact the Police You may be tempted to keep the incident between the drivers and not involve the police. However, do not miss this critical step! The police will gather important details, including accounts of what occurred. Requesting a copy of the report can be helpful for your case. 2. Seek Medical Care Immediately Seeking medical treatment immediately can help you assess and diagnose your injuries, such as whiplash, and identify the extent and treatment plan. Postponing this process delays your recovery. Additionally, for purposes of pursuing a legal claim, seeking medical attention early on ca

3 Tips for Choosing the Right Criminal Defense Attorney

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  3 Tips for Choosing the Right Criminal Defense Attorney   If you have been charged with a crime, it is your  constitutional  right as a  criminal defendant to choose your own attorney.  It is important to take the time to find the right St. Louis criminal defense attorney that meets your legal needs, as the assistance of a lawyer can have a significant impact on the outcome of your case.   Below are three tips to consider when seeking a criminal defense attorney:   1. FIND AN ATTORNEY FOCUSED ON CRIMINAL LAW The attorney you select should have a strong understanding of how the law affects your case. Specifically, if you are being charged for a crime in St. Louis, you should seek a Missouri-licensed attorney with significant experience  and familiarity with the law and type of case at issue .  For example, if you are facing stealing charges, it is critical that your lawyer has a strong background in handling cases involving property crimes. Additionally, your attorney’s experience wi