Pat Geddie, Author at Mason Law Office

Can You Get Arrested at a Traffic Stop?

There is no doubt that seeing flashing lights in your rearview mirror is stressful, but the situation becomes significantly more serious if the traffic stop ends with you in handcuffs. Many people would not expect to get arrested after getting pulled over, but the reality is that it happens all the time. If you get arrested, you need a criminal defense lawyer in Sacramento County and Marin County standing up for you as soon as possible.

Common Arrests

Once a cop pulls you over, you can be sure they are looking for any signs that you are engaged in illegal activity. If they do not notice anything, they might issue you a citation and let you go, though many people are not this lucky. Some reasons why an officer might arrest you while you are pulled over include:

Driving under the influence (DUI)
Driving on a suspended license
Leaving the scene of an accident
Driving without insurance
Drug possession
Unlawful weapon possession
There is a warrant out for your arrest

If you are arrested for any reason, you should immediately invoke your Miranda rights. This means you do not have to answer police questions, and you can call a criminal defense lawyer right away. This is the strongest thing you can do for a future criminal case, and our law firm can begin working on the most effective defense possible.

Call an Aggressive Sacramento County and Marin County Criminal Defense Attorney Immediately

Many people have their rights violated at traffic stops, and our team can use such violations to defend against criminal charges. If you are arrested, don’t wait to reach out to Mason Law Office for the defense help you need. Contact us online or call us in Sacramento County at (916) 587-2997 and in Marin County at (415) 326-6321.

Do You Need a Child Custody Modification?

When parents initially get a child custody order, it sets out the specific schedules and other details of how they will share custody. An arrangement that worked when the order was issued might not work as well if circumstances change. We all know that as time passes and children get older, schedules and other aspects of life can change dramatically, and your child custody arrangement and parenting plan might no longer be practical – or even possible – to adhere to.

So, what can you do? It is important that you do not simply make changes on your own, as this can result in trouble with the court. If you need long-term adjustments to your child custody arrangement, you should not wait to contact a Sacramento County and Marin County child custody attorney.

Modifying Your Order

The first step in the process is to see if your child’s other parent agrees to the necessary modifications. Often, both parents will admit the need for changes, and they can agree on how to proceed moving forward. You want to have a skilled attorney draft a new agreement reflecting those changes and present the agreement to the family court so the judge can approve them.

If you cannot agree, you will need to file a petition for a modification with the family court. We will present your case in favor of a modification, which involves:

Showing there has been a substantial change in circumstances
Showing the modification is in the best interests of the child

Let Our Sacramento County and Marin County Child Custody Lawyer Protect Your Parental Rights

If you need help changing your child custody arrangement, you should not delay in consulting with Mason Law Office. Contact us online or call us in Sacramento County at (916) 587-2997 and in Marin County at (415) 326-6321 for a meeting today.

How Should You Prepare for a Divorce?

Ending your marriage is an emotional decision that will change your life, and it can take time to firmly decide to file for divorce. Divorce is also a complicated legal process, however, and you can benefit from taking steps to prepare for a possible case. If you are even considering a divorce case, there are things you can do to help the case go smoothly and protect your rights and future.

Collect Information

You will need a lot of information to file for divorce, and it is wise to begin collecting this information as soon as possible. It can be preferable to collect it before your spouse knows about the divorce, as this can help prevent your spouse from hiding assets or attempting to gain an unfair advantage in other ways. Make sure you know about all of your property and assets, as well as have access to all of your financial accounts.

Consider Your Living Situation and Finances

Some spouses separate as soon as they decide to get divorced, but this is not always the best choice. Take time to consider whether you and your spouse can afford two housing payments with your collective income while your case is pending. Also, divorce can throw a wrench in your finances, so it might be wise to create a budget and avoid large purchases ahead of a divorce.

Contact a Sacramento County and Marin County Divorce Attorney

Even if you have not made a final decision, it is never too early to discuss your options and the divorce process with a divorce lawyer. At Mason Law Office, we can answer your questions and advise you on what to expect should you decide to move forward. Contact us online or call us in Sacramento County at (916) 587-2997 and in Marin County at (415) 326-6321.

Author: Pat Geddie