Legal Bugle

Breaking a lease is something no one wants to do, but in certain cases, it’s the best option. Your apartment may be in poor condition, your neighbors might be unruly or you may have other management disputes. Despite popular belief, it is possible to get out of your apartment lease without losing everything. Here are seven important tips to keep in mind. (more…)

Death, either our own or that of someone else, isn’t something we like to think about. Unfortunately, death must be planned for if we don’t want to leave our loved ones with a pile of debt. Many people wonder what happens to credit card debt once we’ve expired. The short answer: it depends. Read these following circumstances closely to gain a better understanding of what may happen to your credit card debt when you die. (more…)

San Francisco has long been considered a forward-thinking city, especially where social issues are concerned. So it should come as no surprise that nudity is not illegal within city limits. It turns out that they abide by the state law, which provides that nudity is only illegal when combined with lewd thoughts or acts, or if people present (not including police officers) are offended or annoyed. And for the most part, the city prides itself on this tolerant attitude towards nudity, especially since it is seen as something of a tourist draw in the Castro, where nudity is prevalent, and at various fairs and markets around the bay area. But not everyone is in favor of the clothes-free option; city supervisor Scott Weiner voiced his opposition by proposing a law that would not necessarily prohibit nudity, but place restrictions on those who practice it. (more…)

A lot of business owners are upset about the healthcare reform bill, which requires every individual to purchase health care or pay a penalty (something that they will most likely do through their employers as a way to cut costs). Currently, small businesses that operate with less than a certain number of employees are not required to add this expense to their budget, probably because of the major cost involved and the fact that it has the ability to tank small businesses that are struggling to get by. It is likely for this reason that a group that represents small and independent businesses has made a point of opposing the law, going so far as to ask the Supreme Court to strike it down in its entirety. (more…)

Drivers in the United States and Canada have a mandated responsibility to buy and maintain auto insurance to protect themselves and others on the road. The minimum required coverage varies by state or province. Stiff penalties have been instated for people who are caught driving without insurance. Think it is worth the risk? There are several consequences to consider. (more…)

Finding yourself in a situation where legal action needs to be taken can be stressful enough. But trying to find a lawyer can make things even more frustrating. What kind of lawyer do you need? A motorcycle attorney? A criminal lawyer? Regardless, the Internet has made narrowing down options a lot easier.

There are several reputable websites where you can search for attorneys in your area, who specialize in the type of law you need. Most of these websites serve as a database, and since most law firms submit their own information to these websites, they should not be considered objective. They are, however, likely to have the most accurate and up-to-date information. (more…)

Law school is an investment of both your time and money, so it’s important to consider some of the pros and cons when deciding whether or not to go. There are a few things to consider before choosing to pursue a law degree.

Do I Know What Lawyers Really Do?
If you’ve worked at a law firm as a paralegal or legal assistant, you probably have a pretty good idea of what lawyers do on a daily basis. If you haven’t ever worked at a law firm, then you might have a distorted view of what lawyers do. It’s easy to watch legal shows on television or see a lawyer in a movie that’s changing the world and thinking that you want to do that, too. The reality, however, is much different, and many lawyers rarely step foot in the courtroom. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but you’ll want to have an accurate picture of what your work life will look like if you decide to go to law school. (more…)

Making the decision to file for bankruptcy is hard enough. Do your best to make the bankruptcy process as simple and smooth-running as possible by finding a good attorney. That may be easier said than done, considering the numerous attorneys clamoring for your attention and the chance to represent you in court. So, how do you go about choosing a bankruptcy lawyer that is qualified for the job? Here are five tips.

1. Assess your options
   It’s easy to find a head-spinning number of attorneys just by opening the yellow pages, asking the local American Bar Association chapter, and searching online. Save some time, energy, and headaches by limiting the search to your area and your specialty (bankruptcy). Compile a list of attorneys that meet just these basic qualifications before proceeding to evaluate them. (more…)

Many people have been through the scenario: you go out one Friday night with your friends and have a few drinks, but are feeling fine. You think that you can drive home without a problem, since you aren’t feeling buzzed. The next thing you know, you are getting pulled over and arrested for DUI.

DUI is a serious offense, but that doesn’t mean your life has to end if you get one. Hiring one of the best DUI lawyers in Arizona can make all the difference between getting past the DUI and having it leave a scar on your life. Here are three things to seek in an Arizona DUI attorney: (more…)

Too eager to defend themselves against drunk-driving charges, most suspects slur and stumble their way into getting arrested. Therefore, the cardinal rule of a DUI stop: You cannot trust your intuition and instinct. Clear your head, focus, and think!

When a police officer stops you on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, he expects you to behave like a drunk: He expects you will talk too much, slur your speech, fumble through your gestures and struggle with simple tasks. He watches every move you make with a sharp eye for your mistakes. Therefore, the more you do not do, the better the stop will go. (more…)