How to Expunge Your Record
October 29, 2012 | Jon P. EricksonIf you have a criminal charge on your record from when you were younger, you have the possibility of erasing it from your history. This erasing, or sealing, is called expungement. The Past is the Past You shouldn’t have to live forever by the mistakes you made when you were younger and allow them to haunt your future. People sometimes do crazy things when they are young and when they grow older they could end up really regretting them. Unfortunately, this criminal past can prevent you from many things in life because it shows up on your criminal record. You may even have a difficult time finding employment because of it. A criminal record expungement is not a guaranteed thing. You still have to go through a proceeding which will help a judge determine whether to grant or deny the request. The judge overseeing the case will typically consider the following points: What type of crime you are seeking to expunge Other charges in your criminal history If you are presently employed or looking for employment If you have taken steps to turn your life around If the way you are living your current life is in direct contrast with your past, the judge may see that you have turned your life around….
Read MoreHow to Fight Back After an Assault
October 25, 2012 | Jon P. EricksonThese days, you can never be too safe. Whether you are out alone or with someone you trust, you could find yourself being the victim of an assault. There are three phases that you need to prepare for in the case of an assault: prevention, as soon as it happens and handling it afterward. Preventing an Assault You do not have any control over someone deciding to assault you; however, there are some ways to help lower your chances of being assaulted. The biggest one is paying attention to your surroundings. Many random assaults happen when a person is not fully aware of their surroundings. If you are out in public alone, especially if it is dark, you should keep your eyes open and remain alert. Do not talk on your cell phone or preoccupy yourself with anything else. Focus on where you are going and pay attention to the surrounding area. Avoid dark alleys and sparsely populated areas. If you see someone who looks suspicious, use your gut instinct and stay away. A good way to do this is by walking into a store or over to another person. However, preventing an assault by someone you know can be more difficult to prevent. If you are spending time with a friend or…
Read MoreUnderstanding DWI – Not Just Another Traffic Ticket
October 22, 2012 | Jon P. EricksonAlmost every other week you hear stories on the news about celebrities being pulled over for DWI. Their mug shot will be shown, viewers will get a laugh over it and then it seems to be over. You don’t hear anything about it again; but the fact is that this is no laughing matter and it should be taken seriously. It is a Criminal Offense Many people are under the impression that if you are arrested for drunk driving, you are only retained until you sober up and then it is over, but this way of thinking is wrong. This offense is not the same as a speeding violation or even a reckless driving charge. This sort of charge cannot be cleared up in traffic court; but instead, you will face a criminal court judge instead. If you are pulled over while intoxicated, the police officer will normally ask you if you have been drinking. It is best for you not to answer and instead invoke your right to remain silent. If they ask you to take a field sobriety test, you have the right to refuse. In fact, these tests are not considered reliable since sober people can fail while people who are intoxicated can pass. If the police officer believes there…
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