TOP CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERS IN CHESTER COUNTY

From doing time in prison, to time paying costly fines, a felony conviction can have damaging consequences. Having an experienced local criminal lawyers  in your corner is essential to protecting your rights and helping you work toward the best possible outcome in your case.

DUI/DWI

Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs can lead to criminal charges that have serious repercussions for you and your family. Depending on the type of charges you are facing, you may incur thousands of dollars in fees, a felony conviction and prison time. The Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles may also take administrative action against you, which can include license suspension or revocation, costly fees, and mandatory drug & alcohol treatment and education.

Pennsylvania DUI laws are complex, and hiring criminal lawyers who specialize in DUI/DWI defense is essential to make sure you get the most effective legal representation for your case. Carosella Attorneys are well-versed in issues of enforcement and judicial procedures, sobriety tests and other factors that may affect your charges. Can mean the difference between doing jail time and having charges reduced or dismissed.

Traffic Tickets

Many people think that getting a traffic ticket comes with minimal consequences, but driving with a suspended license, reckless driving, and offenses such as failing to stop for a school bus with red flashing lights can have more serious repercussions than you may think.  When you pay a traffic ticket you are admitting to violating a traffic offense and any related penalties. Our knowledgeable traffic ticket attorney can advise you on how to take steps to contest a traffic ticket and help you avoid hefty fines, points on your driver’s license, revocation of your license and additional penalties.

Domestic Abuse

Unfortunately, domestic violence is a common problem that includes a wide variety of different charges such as threats of violence, assault, battery, child abuse, elder abuse, and stalking. The penalties for domestic abuse can vary widely depending on the physical and emotional harm inflicted criminal history of the accused, age of the victim and other factors.

Whether you are a victim and need to file a Protection from Abuse petition or have been charged with domestic abuse, we are familiar with the local criminal courts and can provide the representation you need to ensure your rights are protected. The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides help for victims of domestic violence at 1-800-799-7233.

Felony Charges

If you have been charged with a felony, it is essential to engage the counsel of a skilled criminal defense attorney who is well-versed in representing and advocating for clients in the criminal court. Depending on the charges, the complex jury trial process can take several months to more than a year. Having an experienced attorney in your corner who will create a well-developed defense can help you work toward the best possible outcome in your case.

If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges, our experienced Chester County criminal defense lawyer at Carosella & Associates can help you understand your rights and ensure that your interests are protected.

This blog was originally posted at  https://carosella.com/top-criminal-defense-lawyers-in-chester-county/

HOW TO BACK OUT OF A REAL ESTATE CONTRACT THE RIGHT WAY

Whether you are buying or selling property, sometimes real estate deals just don’t work out. Although most real estate purchase and sale agreements drafted by real estate attorneys contain provisions that legally allow you to terminate a deal based on certain contingencies, breaking a contract must often be done delicately. These tips for terminating a real estate contract the right way can help you avoid hard feelings between buyer and seller and make the process much less stressful.

1. Hire a real estate lawyer. Before you even begin the process of buying or selling property, seeking the counsel of an experienced real estate lawyer in PA is vital. Having an attorney in your corner who will properly draft contracts and advise you on the best course of action regarding your real estate transaction is an invaluable resource and will ensure that your rights and interests are protected.

2. If you’re a buyer, know your options regarding termination of the contract. Real estate purchase and sale agreements include contingencies for procuring financing; clean home inspections, and disclosure of any existing problems with the property. If a buyer fails to get a mortgage secured by the date specified in the agreement; the home inspection shows that serious repairs are needed, or if it is revealed that the seller didn’t disclose major issues with the property, a prospective buyer can usually terminate the purchase agreement without a problem. If all contingencies have been met and the buyer terminates the purchase agreement, the seller may be able to keep the buyer’s earnest money deposit.

3. Include a “kick-out” clause.  Adding this type of clause to a real estate purchase and sale agreement protects both the buyer and seller. If buyers need to sell their current home before purchasing another, the “kick-out” clause allows the seller to keep showing his or her home while the buyer’s home is for sale. If the seller receives another offer, the sale and purchase agreement can be terminated. Conversely, if a seller needs to find a new home and is unable to do so in a specified amount of time, the contract can be terminated. Contact a skilled contracts lawyer near you who understands the ins and outs of drafting a solid sales agreement.

4. Understand grounds for termination as the seller. The importance of having an experienced real estate attorney include stipulations that provide outs for the seller cannot be understated. Ideally, in a real estate sale and purchase agreement a seller has agreed to the price that has been offered and has accepted the terms and contingencies specified by the buyer; so it can often be more difficult for a seller to terminate a purchase and sale agreement gracefully and without repercussions.

5. If you need to back out, do so promptly. If you need to terminate a real estate deal, let the other party know as soon as possible. Backing out too late in the game can be considered breach of contract and lead to costly litigation and other problems.

Our West Chester real estate lawyers at Carosella & Associates can provide the experienced counsel you need to effectively bow out of a real estate contract.

This blog was originally posted at  https://carosella.com/how-to-back-out-of-a-real-estate-contract-the-right-way/

NON-COMPETE AGREEMENTS – THINGS YOU SHOULD WATCH OUT FOR

In today’s ever-changing business landscape, there is growing pressure on employees to sign non-compete agreements. More and more businesses are enforcing these types of agreements, even for non-corporate jobs such as dog trainers or yoga instructors. If you are looking for a new job or your current employer is requiring you to sign a non-compete agreement, seeking the counsel of experienced contracts lawyers can ensure that your interests are protected.

What is a non-compete agreement?

Sometimes called a covenant not to compete, a non-compete agreement is a contract in which an employee agrees not to open a competing business or work for a competitor for a specific period of time in a defined area after his or her employment ends. There are different scenarios in which you may be asked to sign a non-compete agreement, including: before you start a new job, when you are offered a raise or promotion, and before getting severance pay if you quit or are fired.

There are a few important things to keep in mind before signing any non-compete agreement, and a skilled non-compete lawyer can help you determine whether or not the terms of the contract are in your best interest.

Non-Compete Terminology

General non-compete agreements or covenants not to compete typically cover the following three aspects in the contract:

Standard non-compete agreements prohibit employees from working for competing businesses within a specific period of time in a demarcated geographical area.

Non-solicitation agreements prohibit employees from poaching customers, coworkers and/or vendors of the former employer.

Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) forbid employees from using or sharing information that the former employer wants to keep confidential, and may include product design, advertising strategies, mailing lists and other proprietary information.

Is your non-compete agreement reasonable?

Although employers have a right to protect their businesses, non-compete agreements can go too far and impede your ability to make a living if you decide to leave the company. Courts will not honor provisions that they deem “unreasonable; and when it comes to negotiating a non-compete agreement, there are a few specifics that should be closely examined before you sign.

The Specified time period. Depending on the type of work you do, the time period in which you’re bound to honor the agreement can vary. Courts may consider six months for a dog trainer reasonable, but five years could be considered appropriate for a CEO.

The non-compete area. A 20-mile radius might be reasonable for a hairstylist, but if you’re a sales manager, the prohibited geographical area could cover a few states.

The impact on your livelihood. Make sure to consider whether or not the agreement will force you to relocate or impede your ability to make a living. Some courts weigh in on this, but there is no guarantee that a judge will rule in your favor.

It may be tempting to sign a non-compete agreement on the spot, but jumping the gun can have grave consequences down the road. Take the contract to experienced business lawyers for review. Our West Chester business attorneys at Carosella & Associates will make sure everything is in order and help to ensure that your interests are protected.

This blog was originally posted at https://carosella.com/non-compete-agreements-things-you-should-watch-out-for/