Are You Facing Criminal Charges in PA? We Can Help

Being charged with a crime can be a frightening experience that can result in serious consequences such as hefty fines, a felony record, and even prison time. Whether you are facing DUI, domestic violence or another type of charge, seeking the counsel of a local criminal defense attorney who understands the nuances of the law is essential to ensure your rights are protected.

When Should You Hire A Criminal Defense Attorney?

The short answer? Immediately. When you’ve been taken into custody, arrested or charged with a crime, the sooner you find legal representation, the better. By law, you have the right to an attorney and are not obligated to answer any questions or say anything without legal counsel present. Law enforcement officers and prosecutors employ all types of tactics that can lead you to say something that can jeopardize your chances of having charges dismissed, or you being acquitted by a judge or jury. An experienced criminal lawyer will talk with you, assess your case and advise you on the best course of action to protect your rights.

What Does A Criminal Defense Attorney Do?

Your lawyer will ask you about every aspect of your encounters with law enforcement, including whether or not you were placed under arrest, read your Miranda rights, or if you made any oral or written statements. It is important for your attorney to evaluate whether the police followed proper protocol when investigating the alleged crime, so make sure to answer all questions as honestly and openly as you can.

Your attorney will also ask you specific questions about the alleged crime. For example, if you have been falsely accused of domestic violence, a West Chester criminal lawyer may ask if there has been a history of violence involving your spouse, partner or another family member.  These types of questions and many others provide your attorney with the information they need to determine how to proceed. The “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard is more difficult to prove than you may think. As your representative, it is your defense attorney’s job to cross-examine witnesses, present alternative theories as to the facts presented, and to cast doubt on any evidence that may be used against you.

Seeking the Counsel of Knowledgeable Local Attorneys Is Vital

Your attorney will be by your side throughout the entire process, from preliminary arraignment to trial.  Based on the facts of your case, criminal lawyers who are familiar with local law enforcement, the local courts, and district attorneys typically have an idea of what to expect. Because they are familiar with the local courts and how they work, your attorneys can better develop effective defense strategies to seek dismissal, negotiate a plea agreement or successfully argue your case in court.

At Carosella & Associates, our legal team has more than 50 years of combined experience in dealing with the criminal courts in Pennsylvania. Whether you are facing felony charges or need assistance with a legal matter involving your business, our defense lawyers and business attorneys can help.

This blog was originally posted at https://carosella.com/are-you-facing-criminal-charges-in-pa-we-can-help/

5 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Attorney

Handling a real estate transaction on your own can be a daunting task, whether you are a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned business owner selling commercial property. An experienced real estate lawyer can help make the process run more smoothly and help you effectively navigate any bumps in the road.

Why Hire a Real Estate Attorney?

1. Attorneys Provide Unbiased Advice

Unlike most real estate agents, your attorney does not have a financial stake in your real estate transaction. Your lawyer’s job is to represent your interests and help you make informed decisions about whether to buy or sell a property, not to sway you one way or the other.

2.  Real Estate Transactions Are Complex

From FSBO transactions to large projects involving multiple developers, there are many elements that must be taken into consideration in any real estate deal. Each transaction presents its own unique requirements and challenges. If you are unfamiliar with the specific language that must be used in legal documents like contracts and deeds, serious, costly errors can occur. Your attorney can also help you understand the terms of your transaction and advise you of its potential risks and benefits. Having a knowledgeable contract lawyer by your side ensures that all of your legal bases are covered and your interests are protected.

3. Legal Issues May Arise With The Property

Unexpected issues pop up in real estate deals all the time. Liens, zoning restrictions, easements and title issues can all impact the value and viability of your investment. When issues do arise, your attorney will discuss them with you and advise you on the best way to address them—including whether or not you should gracefully bow out of a real estate contract.

4. Your Lawyer Can Handle Negotiations For You

Having someone else handle the negotiations in your real estate transaction can cut down on stress and save you a lot of worry. An attorney who has extensive experience in handling real estate transactions should be a seasoned negotiator. If you are at a stalemate and negotiations are in danger of breaking down, your lawyer may very well be able to get the deal back on track, or if necessary, tell you when it is probably best to quit.

5. Your Attorney Can Take Legal Action When Necessary

Although most real estate deals close without major disputes, legal issues can arise without notice in any real estate transaction. Failure to disclose defects, fraud, boundary issues and breach of contract are just a few pitfalls that may require legal action. It is particularly important to seek the counsel of experienced business lawyers in commercial transactions in case a deal goes south. An attorney can advise you of your options and may be able to help you avoid costly litigation. However, if you do end up in court, your attorney will act as your advocate and aggressively protect your interests.

At Carosella & Associates, our Pennsylvania real estate lawyers have decades of experience in handling all types of real estate transactions and disputes. From drafting a letter of intent to closing, we are there to provide advice and assistance very step of the way.

This blog was originally posted at https://carosella.com/5-reasons-to-hire-a-real-estate-attorney/

Starting a Business? It's Not Too Early to Think About Business Succession Planning

Although many small business owners think they don’t need to worry about exiting their business until they get close to retirement, unexpected life events can happen at any time. An effective exit plan is particularly critical to the continuation of small, family-run operations to avoid conflict and other problems that may arise. Whether you are new entrepreneur or getting close to retirement, an experienced business succession planning lawyer can help you develop a well thought-out plan that will make the transition easier and more beneficial to everyone involved.

Why Plan Early?

Having a business succession plan in place can help you avoid serious headaches and allow operations to run smoothly when you exit the business, regardless of whether it’s due to unforeseen events or you have decided it is time to retire. There are several reasons why it is never too early to consult a business lawyer who can help you make a solid plan, including:

Choosing and training a successor is vital. Whether it is a family member, employee or another individual, choosing the right person to be your successor is critical to the successful continuation of your business. When family is involved, this decision can be clouded by emotional attachment. In addition to helping you create important documents that protect your interests and those of your company, a contract attorney can help you determine who would be the most practical and effective person to be the successor to your position. It is also important to properly train the person you choose, to ensure they understand the little details and the big picture of running the organization. Planning early gives you the time to do it right.

Addressing tax liability and debt. A well-crafted business succession plan employs strategies that minimize the tax liability of transfers of ownership or sale of a company. Not only that, if you have business lines of credit or bank loans, upon your death or incapacitation the bank can come calling and force repayment of the money you owe. A good business succession plan includes information on how debt will be handled in the event of your untimely exit. Certain assets or funds can be designated in the plan to repay loans if necessary.

Planning for retirement. Estate planning law firms do so much more than help clients get their estates in order. They can help you develop a business succession plan that ensures you have the funds you need for your retirement while allowing your business to continue to thrive after you’re gone.

An Experienced Attorney Can Make All the Difference

When choosing an attorney, it is important to hire someone with experience in handling all legal aspects of your business. For example, if you are going into the construction business, hiring experienced real estate lawyers who understand the ins and outs of local, state and federal law pertaining to your industry would be your best bet. At Carosella & Associates, our seasoned legal team can help you get your business off the ground and give you the tools and peace of mind you need to make a proper transition when the time comes.

This blog was originally posted at https://carosella.com/starting-a-business-its-not-too-early-to-think-about-business-succession-planning/