The Ithaca Lawyer Decision Making Tree

Most of what we do day in and day out is make decisions. What to wear, what to eat, what to study, what to watch, etc. etc. It goes on and on, but the most important decisions we make occur rarely. BUT these may be the life changers.

Arrested, Charged, and Now Alleged to Have Committed...

When you are faced with criminal or even non-criminal charges your brain does not work as well as you would like. The clear objectivity of your logic and reasoning may be skewed under an ocean of emotion. Guilt, humiliation, and embarrassment are not a great base to draw from. That is why lawyers as counselors of law are often a good starting point to at least discuss viable options.
Whether it is a traffic offense or a DWI or a drug charge you need information to make the best decisions. You need correct and current CONTENT (information) which may come from the internet but more importantly YOU need CONTEXT.

Question Number One: So Do You Need a Lawyer?

Need is such a horrible word, being needy is not empowering. I would first ask when do you want or desire a lawyer consultation? You want to talk to a lawyer when you have been charged with any offense. Some people mistakenly believe that only criminal charges can be threatening or dangerous or have bad consequences. This is not true. Depending upon your situation, your job, your future endeavors, your status, your prior history, your licensure, your certification, even seemingly unrelated and innocuous charges can hurt you directly and even indirectly.

Question Number Two: So When Do You Need a Lawyer?

No sooner time then the present. Waiting in these circumstances places you at a disadvantage. Could things be done proactively? In many cases, being proactive requires a window of time in which to make effort.

Question Number Three: For What Do I Need a Lawyer?

What am I facing?

For the majority of people a short consult of less than 15 minutes will allay their biggest fears and concerns. What am I looking at? With the emphasis on "I." You are not your neighbor or your closest friend or the guy down the hall. How this may impact you is probably foremost in your mind and needs to be dealt with first. I call it your EXPOSURE. What are you being exposed to?

Exposure can be jail, prison, probation, fines, classes, treatment, loss of driver's license, loss of pistol permit, loss of work, loss of professional license, and the list goes on.

Always remember to consult with an attorney about any criminal or non-criminal charges you have pending to discuss your options and/or defenses.

http://www.ithacadwi.com

newman.lawrence@gmail.com

607-229-5184

Reviews of Larry Newman:

http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/14850-ny-lawrence-newman-530905.html

Chosen as a 2013 Rising Star in DWI/DUI in Upstate New York by Super Lawyers