The Cassidy Law Firm Blog

Since the “War on Drugs” began in the United States over three decades ago the laws and penalties for drug offenses throughout the country have become tougher and tougher. New Jersey is no exception. People typically think of drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, or heroin when they think of drug offenses; however, you could face serious penalties for possessing, distributing, or trafficking in prescription drugs as well.

A generation or two ago it was not uncommon for someone to give a friend a pain pill from the medicine cabinet if the friend was in pain or a valium if the friend was experiencing stress. Today, helping a friend out like that could end up in a trip to jail with you facing felony drug charges.

Whether you have been drinking or not, seeing the flashing red lights in the mirror when you are driving can be a stressful, if not downright frightening, experience. If you have actually had anything at all to drink you will undoubtedly be worried about the numerous negative consequences of being arrested, charged, and even convicted of driving under the influence, or DUI. One decision you will need to make if you are stopped and the officer suspects that you have been drinking and driving is whether or not to submit to the field sobriety tests the officer will want you to perform.

In recent years the number of bankruptcy petitions filed in the United States has reached historic levels. On primary reason for the increase in the number of debtors turning to bankruptcy is the national recession the country has been experiencing. As is often the case during an economic downturn, the real estate market has also suffered. In many markets, property values plummeted virtually overnight. The result for many debtors is that they now owe considerably more for their house than the property  is worth in the current market. The one shining star in all of this is that if you find yourself in this situation and you have a second mortgage on the property you could be able to eliminate the second mortgage through bankruptcy.

If you are one of the millions of hard working Americans who struggles every month to pay your bills yet never seems to get ahead, it may be time to consider filing for bankruptcy as a long-term solution. Most debtors struggle for months, even years, before seriously considering bankruptcy as an option. Often, valuable assets are lost in the process – assets that could have been saved had the debtor consulted with a bankruptcy attorney early on. Once you understand the Middlesex County bankruptcy process better you may see why filing for bankruptcy in Middlesex County is often the best option for a debtor who is struggling financially.

In many criminal prosecutions evidence is admitted at trial that is the result of a search and seizure. If that search was conducted illegally, however, the evidence obtained as a result of that search cannot be admitted at trial. Only an experienced Monmouth County criminal defense attorney can evaluate the specific facts and circumstances of your case to determine if an illegal search occurred; however, understanding what an illegal search in Monmouth County is, in general, may make you question the search in your criminal case.

If your financial struggles have reached the point at which there does not appear to be a way out it may be time to consider filing for bankruptcy protection. In fact, bankruptcy is intended to help people just like you. As an individual (or married) debtor you will probably choose to file a chapter7 bankruptcy if you are eligible because a chapter 7 bankruptcy eliminated most of your debts at the end of the process. One debt that usually cannot be discharged, however, is student loan debt.

If you have made the difficult decision to pursue bankruptcy as a solution to your financial troubles, you likely arrived at that decision after careful consideration and contemplation. The next decision you need to make is which chapter to use for your bankruptcy. As an individual (or married) debtor you could use chapters 11, 12, 13, or 7. Most individuals who are eligible choose to file a chapter 7 bankruptcy because it results in the majority of your debts being discharged, or eliminated, at the end of the process. In order to file a chapter 7 bankruptcy in Middlesex County, however, you must first pass the “means test”.

Despite campaigns by both private advocacy groups and public agencies over the last several decades to eradicate drinking and driving, driving under the influence remains one of the most common reasons for an arrest throughout the United States. If you have been arrested for driving under the influence, or DUI, in Middlesex County in New Jersey you face a variety of penalties if convicted. For many people, at the top of the list of concerns after a DUI arrest is the driver’s license suspension.

If you have made the difficult decision to pursue bankruptcy as a solution to your financial troubles, you likely arrived at that decision after careful consideration and contemplation. The next decision you need to make is which chapter to use for your bankruptcy. As an individual (or married) debtor you could use chapters 11, 12, 13, or 7. Most individuals who are eligible choose to file a chapter 7 bankruptcy because it results in the majority of your debts being discharged, or eliminated, at the end of the process. In order to file a chapter 7 bankruptcy in Middlesex County, however, you must first pass the “means test”.

When you file for bankruptcy in Monmouth County the court handling the bankruptcy will assign a Trustee to oversee your petition. Though the court will remain in control of your petition, you may never step foot in the courtroom and will likely never meet the actual bankruptcy judge. The Trustee, however, will be an important party in your chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Unless you own a small business, farm or ranch, or are a family fisherman, you will choose between a chapter 13 and a chapter 7 bankruptcy when you get ready to file. Most debtors who qualify file a Monmouth County chapter 7 bankruptcy unless they have valuable non-exempt assets they wish to protect in which case they will have to use chapter 13. In a chapter 7 bankruptcy, non-exempt assets can be sold and the proceeds used to repay creditors.

Over the last several years the number of bankruptcy petitions filed across the United States has reached historic levels due, in large part, to the recession the country has suffered through. If you are one of the millions of people who has been adversely affected by the economic downturn, bankruptcy may be your best long-term solution as well. For a debtor who has never been through the bankruptcy process it can be confusing and a bit intimidating. Knowing what to expect can help. Though every bankruptcy is as individual as the debtor filing the bankruptcy, there are some common steps that most debtors go through. For example, all debtors in Monmouth County and throughout New Jersey will need to attend a “341 Hearing”, often referred to as a “meeting of creditors”.