Over 95% of personal injury claims reach settlements rather than go to jury trials. Here are some reasons why…. When both parties exchange information/evidence they might present at trial (“discovery”), unpleasant surprises sometimes arise that could hurt their case. Also, those giving depositions may get flustered and utter something, or say too much, that complicates their situation. Lawsuits are expensive for seemingly straightforward cases, let alone complex ones. Time and expense add up for expert witness fees, investigation, document and report preparation, travel costs, analyzing discov ..read more

Turkeys have long been linked to Washington, D.C. (ahem, ahem). But the origin of the annual presidential Thanksgiving turkey pardon in the Rose Garden is frequently misrepresented. In the 1870s, Horace Vose, a Rhode Island poultry dealer, began sending Thanksgiving and Christmas turkeys to the first family and reaped tons of publicity. He became the unofficial supplier for the next 40+ years, establishing the Turkey–White House connection. Harry Truman is often erroneously credited with the first turkey pardon. Truman was the initial recipient of a turkey from the Poultry and Egg Board and th ..read more

If a couple is not married and has children together, they can file a Parenting Petition to resolve parenting time and child support issues. However, the Court does not have the authority to make orders regarding the division of assets and debts, personal property or the residence itself. If the parties are married, the Court can make such orders if a Divorce Petition is filed. The issue of the residence of the parties is simply who gets to stay. The Court cannot make an Order regarding that issue in a Parenting Petition. This can lead to a dilemma if both parties want to stay in the residence ..read more

The Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that no person shall “be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb…” In other words, the government can’t prosecute or punish someone more than once for the same crime. Sounds simple enough, but there are some caveats to be aware of. Legally speaking, “jeopardy” refers to the risk brought by criminal prosecution. The government must place a person “in jeopardy” for the Fifth Amendment protection to kick in. Generally, this occurs when a jury is sworn in, or after the first witness takes their oath and begins to ..read more

The 639 scenic, tranquil acres that comprise Arlington National Cemetery were once owned by George Washington Parke Custis, the adopted grandson of our nation’s first president and the father-in-law of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. The Union army seized the property at the outset of the Civil War to defend the capital. Custis’s grandson, George Washington Custis Lee, pursued legal avenues to reclaim the land in 1870, which he argued were confiscated illegally. In 1882, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed with Lee. By this time, the property had already become sacred ground for over 6,000 Union ..read more

Electric vehicles (EVs) are beginning to make a dent in the new-vehicle marketplace, having reached nearly 6% of purchases in 2022 (a 65% increase over 2021). The current administration has set a goal of 50% by 2030 in order to aid the environment. (But it’s not all unicorns and rainbows. Read about the environmental impact of lithium mining to supply the batteries.) But one major, often overlooked EV issue concerns the weight of EV batteries. Depending on the type of vehicle, the disparity in weight between an EV and a gas-powered vehicle of similar size can range from hundreds of pounds to s ..read more

Decorations create holiday ambience. Unfortunately, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates they prompt 18,000 ER visits each holiday season. Falls account for about half of them. Ladders are often used for indoor and outdoor decorating. A ladder’s stability should be tested before using it. Inspect for loose screws, bolts, and hinges; damaged rungs, steps, and siderails; and grease, dirt, and paint. A ladder needs to be anchored on a flat, firm surface. Furniture is not a safe ladder substitute! Decorating sometimes means venturing to the roof, which often doesn’t appear steep ..read more

If you get pulled over and an officer wishes to conduct an investigation regarding a possible DWI (DUI) you are not required to do field sobriety tests prior to arrest. Any pre-arrest tests you may be asked to take are not mandatory. You will not lose your license for refusing any such tests. The requirement to take a field sobriety or blood alcohol test only applies after you are arrested. If you refuse at that time, the State will seek to suspend your license. You are also not required to answer any questions regarding your activities. Prior to arrest, a driver is generally only required to ..read more

If you are pulled over and an officer suspects that you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs you are likely to be asked a series of questions. The manner in which you respond to those questions may determine what steps the officer takes. Typically the first thing you will be asked is if you know why the officer pulled you over. The officer asks the question in part to see if you will admit to certain behavior. Be polite and ask the officer why that question is being asked. Then wait for the officer to identify what led to the motor vehicle stop. The officer will likely ask if you have h ..read more

In order to formalize parenting time involving minor children, the parents must have a Parenting Plan signed by a judge. Contrary to what many people may think, parents sometimes come to an agreement on parenting time and then submit the Parenting Plan to the judge for approval without having to go to court. The parties often engage in these negotiations through their attorneys, a mediator, or both. Parenting Plans are arrived at more smoothly in circumstances in which the parents still have a degree of amicability and/or truly desire what is best for their child(ren). Although Parenting Plans ..read more