Thursday, February 28, 2013

Fake Patty's Day Crime

During Fake Patty's Day, 2012 the Riley County Police Department (RCPD) made 90 arrests.  In 2011 the RCPD responded to more then 766 calls.  The trend for crime is down over the past three years during this unique Manhattan, KS event but it's still important to be careful during this all day bender. 

This includes staying out of handcuffs as much avoiding cons by your fellow Fake Patty's Day attendee.  After last year's Fake Patty's event the Manhattan law office was contacted by a young man who had received an Minor in Possession (MIP) during the Fake Patty's Day celebration.  This individual was one of several in his group who was issued a similar citation.  Unfortunately one of the members of this group claimed her father was an attorney and convinced many of them to give her the tickets and $100.00 and her father would be sure to take care of it. 

Three months later, the client receives notice of drivers license suspension for failure to appear in Manhattan, KS Municipal Court for his MIP.  Needless to say the MIP had not been taken care of and he was now in a much worse situation than before with just an MIP.

Luckily we were able to fix this Fake Patty's Day mishap and help our client obtain a satisfactory outcome, however, the person claiming to have the attorney father has never been identified so be wary of anyone who might claim the same.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Getting a DUI in the Snow in Manhattan, KS

Over the past 2 weeks Mother Nature has been sending lots of snow over the Manhattan and Junction City, KS areas.  Obviously there will be the usual fender benders and other snow related accidents, but what about getting a DUI while there's snow on the ground? 

The snow presents a complicating factor when evaluating whether you've been unfairly charged with a DUI in Manhattan, KS or Junction City, KS.  The icy roads, low visibility, and dangerous conditions all contribute to a driver's behavior and these factors must be considered in the initial DUI evaluation. 

If you get pulled over and cited for a DUI while these adverse conditions exist, you should contact a DUI attorney in the area as soon as possible.  Remember, no matter what the conditions are, you only have 14 days to preserve your driving privileges.

Friday, February 22, 2013

Injured in a Car Accident - What to do

The unfortunate reality of our society is that we are so mobile and vehicles have become so essential to our every day lives that almost everyone, at some point, will be involved in a car accident.   Accidental deaths are the 5th leading cause of death in the United States, this includes deaths caused by car accidents.

Injuries caused by car accidents can be life-threatening or minor.  Even at low speed, a car accident can leave you incapacitated or with the life-long effects of a traumatic brain injury.   These types of injuries can leave a family reeling and many questions unanswered.

The best thing you can do after you've been injured in a car accident is contact a knowledgeable car accident attorney.  Insurance companies can be relentless in their "investigation" to try to pin blame on you in order to protect themselves from liability.  Going as far as visiting you or a loved one in the hospital to obtain witness statements and signed waivers.  

If you've been injured in a car accident you should do the following:

1. Don't sign anything or admit liability.
2. Preserve evidence. (This includes the vehicle involved in the accident, photos, and medical records).
3.Contact an attorney who knows how to deal with insurance companies. 

Too often I hear about the family who has a loved one hurt in an automobile accident but don't want to get lawyers involved because they're "not that type of people."  The problem is when you're going up against an insurance company, the insurance company is "that type of people." When you or a loved one is hurt in a car accident, you need someone who will go up against the insurance company to get the results you deserve.

Get started today by contacting a local Manhattan, KS attorney for a free consultation and case evaluation for your car accident injury.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Manhattan, KS Attorney Opening New Office Space in Downtown Manhattan

Our new office is opening in downtown Manhattan, Kansas!  In the coming weeks we will be finalizing the office space at 211 S. 4th Street in Manhattan, Kansas for the Manhattan, Kansas Attorney's new office. 

The new office will feature a formal meeting room and library as well as reception area and guest seating.  If you need a consultation for a DUI or criminal defense case in Manhattan, Junction City, or Pottawatomie, Kansas, give us a call and come on by to check out our new office. 

We're also currently doing evaluations on personal injury claims from victims of car accidents.   Don't let the insurance company take advantage of you.  Contact a Manhattan, KS car accident injury attorney BEFORE you talk to any insurance agents.  If you were injured in a car accident our thorough evaluations and free initial consultation will give you piece of mind in the event you have a claim for monetary recovery.  Now that the office is operational we can get you in for an evaluation with very little notice. 

If you'd like to learn more or set up an appointment with Blake A. Robinson, contact us (Manhattanksattorney.com) today.

Monday, January 21, 2013

Expungement in Junction City, KS

As mentioned in other posts about Expungements in Kansas, an expungement is a way to request the State of Kansas to cleans your record as to on particular conviction or numerous convictions that stem from the same case number. 

Before you contact an expungment attorney for your Geary County or Junction City expungement, you should have the following information handy as it will assist your attorney in getting your expungement papers prepared:

  1. Your full name AND if it's changed, the name you were arrested under
  2. The court or county in which you were arrested
  3. Date of birth
  4. Whether you've been in trouble since your conviction
  5. Your current address
  6. Date of the termination of your probation/sentence. 
  7. Your court case number OR if you don't know it, the year or approximate year of arrest. 
A court case number for most Geary or Riley County Courts looks like this: 10 CR 229, or 02 CR 003.  Once a knowledgeable Kansas expungment attorney has this information it becomes much easier for them to assist you. 

The cost of filing for an expungment in Riley County District Court is $119.  In Geary County District Court, the cost of filing an expungment is also $119.  These prices are subject to change as each court raises their prices from year to year, so always check with a local attorney that can give you an exact amount.  Attorney's fees can also vary widely depending on the type of case, number of convictions, and number of expungements that need to be filed.

If you're having difficulty obtaining a fire arm or just want to get your record clean, contact an attorney that can help you get your expungement taken care of in a speedy, professional, and discreet manner.

Monday, December 31, 2012

New Years Eve DUI Checkpoints

No DUI checkpoints are scheduled for Riley County for New Years Eve tonight, however, it's very likely the RCPD will be doing saturation patrols around the Manhattan, KS area.  Be careful out there and don't drink and drive.  If you need a ride please call one of the many taxi services in the area. 

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Manhattan, KS Expungements

In Manhattan, KS, there are two court's of law where you may have old convictions: 1. The Riley County District Court, and; 2. The Manhattan Municipal Court. While the differences between the courts are important if you are attempting to get an expungement of old convictions in either court, the requirements will be very similar.

Depending on the conviction you must wait either 3 or 5 years from the "final disposition" of your case in order to successfully get an expungement in Manhattan, KS.   Most felonies require 5 years, while lesser crimes only take 3 years.

It's important to note, however, that you must have a clean record between the final disposition of your case and requesting an expungement.  This is because as part of your expungement request you will have to submit and affidavit (which is a document that you sign and swear to it's truthfulness) that states you have not been in trouble for x number of years.  This affidavit will also have to include things such as your current job, place of residence, and other contact information.

Once submitted, a motion for expungement may still require a hearing.  During this hearing, a Judge might ask you questions about where your living and your job status, among other things and the County or City Prosecutor might even try to cross examine you.

If you have an old Manhattan, KS criminal conviction that is holding you back from applying for jobs or seeking other employment, contact a lawyer in Manhattan, KS that can help you get an expungement of these old charges so you can move on with your life.