Finding Your Student A Local Attorney

Your Legal Corner will discuss “Finding your student a local attorney.”

Believe it or not, school begins in a few short weeks. For many families, it will be a bittersweet time as they help their son or daughter relocate to the college of their choice. In order to ensure your peace of mind, please consider identifying a local attorney to assist should legal issues arise for your loved one.

Colleges now attract students from places both near and far. Rowan University, for example, has a student body from 33 states and 19 foreign countries! Diversity enriches the college experience for everyone but being away from home can be challenging for even the most mature, well adjusted students.

For example, many students unfamiliar with local traffic regulations may end up with their first speeding or careless driving ticket.   The most minor violation, if not handled correctly can have significant repercussions including fines, surcharges and drivers license suspension.

Relationships

Whether in social, family or business circles, relationships can make a big difference. Social relationships can enrich our lives; family relationships can help us cope with life’s challenges and business relationships can help open doors.

The same holds true with hiring an attorney for your son or daughter who is away at school. Attorneys who regularly appear in courts in the area are going to have a better working relationship with the prosecutor and the judge. They will have more insight as to what may be the possible outcome based upon their past experience in handling similar matters in that particular court. They will also be given preference in the order of which the judge hears cases.

Importantly, police, prosecutors and judges are just people with their own ideas, opinions and idiosyncrasies. Having a local attorney will help you know if the police officer has a family member who was injured by a speeding driver or that the judge’s son was killed by a drunk driver. This type of information can certainly play a role on how they view your child’s case.

Things to Consider

There are many issues to contemplate when deciding whether to hire an attorney. If considering hiring an attorney, please obtain a telephone or in person consultation. A consultation will help you make an informed decision as to whether an attorney is needed. Don’t expect the attorney to promise a certain result; rather, they should be able to assist you in identifying the choices you have.

Also, consider that a local attorney will be skilled in negotiating with the prosecutor. They will know what arguments will likely resonate and which ones are likely to be counterproductive. This is critical in obtaining a resolution or plea agreement.

Last but most importantly, a local attorney can represent your son or daughter in court and give you the peace of mind of knowing that you are giving them the best possible chance of good counsel and a just result.

Till next time, God bless, keep smiling, when Your Legal Corner, will discuss “Back to school concerns of divorced families.”

Victoria M. Dalton is an attorney with the law offices of Hoffman DiMuzio.

Send questions, or comments to Victoria at [email protected]. Or call 856-845-8243.

Please note that Your Legal Corner was created to provide educational articles about the law and is not legal advice.