Criminal Law TALK TO AN ATTORNEY BEFORE YOU TELL YOUR STORY TO THE POLICE Even good people do stupid things sometimes and end up on the wrong side of the law. Sometimes it’s nobody’s fault but you get cited anyway; like when you hit the brakes because an idiot cut in front of you and you skid on the black ice and hit the guy in the next lane. Neighborhood feuds get out of hand, someone’s softball goes through a window and someone calls the police. Maybe your dog’s barking is really getting on the neighbor’s nerves. You thought your kids were studying at the library, not drinking and getting rowdy at the neighbor’s house when no one was home. Or worse, you go out for the evening, leave your 16 year old and she throws a very loud party. As you pull into your driveway a few hours late you are met by the police who tell you that your 9 year old is with the neighbor and your 16 year old is in the detention home, and by the way, here’s your ticket for disorderly conduct, allowing underage drinking, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, etc. Drinking impairs judgment and drinking more impairs judgment a lot. We all know that we should not drink and drive but somehow, after we’ve had a few we seem to think that we are in total control and that it’s fine to drive home. When the police get involved, you need to at least seek the advice of an attorney, preferably before you talk to the police. Each town or village may have its own court; some cities have municipal courts that may serve several communities. Each city has its own police department and prosecutors. Each court does things a little differently. Having an attorney usually cuts down on the waiting time. If an attorney represents you your case will be heard ahead of the people who do not have an attorney. Hiring an attorney signals to the court that you take the matter seriously and that may have an impact on the outcome of the case. Do you need an attorney for every speeding ticket? It depends. How many speeding tickets do you have? How important is it that you not get any points on your license? If you’re fifty and this is your first ticket ever you may not need an attorney. If you’re 22 and this is our third ticket you probably should have a lawyer.

Susan M. Weaver Susan M. Weaver Co., L.P.A. 24961 Detroit Road, Suite E Westlake, OH 44145 Phone/FAX (216) 373-2555 e-mail: susan@susanweaverlaw.com

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The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation. Copyright ©1998 by Susan M. Weaver, Attorney at Law. All rights reserved. You may reproduce materials available at this site for your own personal use and for non-commercial distribution. All copies must include the above copyright notice.