Criminal
Having
criminal charges filed against you is one of the most frightening things
that can happen to you. Facing criminal charges can have long-term
consequences on your employment, citizenship, and educational opportunities.
There is no substitute for enlisting the aid of a competent criminal
law attorney to guide you through the complexities of the legal system
and vigorously advocate on your behalf. Your future, your goals,
and your rights are far too valuable to leave to chance. Nobody should
face criminal charges without an attorney who knows the system thoroughly.
The police and prosecutors are experienced, well trained and well funded;
you need an expert on your side as well. Mr. Felker has extensive
experience in the King County criminal courts having tried over fifty
cases to a jury.
Personal Injury
If
you have sustained a serious injury, or suffered a serious illness,
and believe another person may be at fault, it is a good idea to speak
with an attorney to make sure you receive fair compensation. It
is important to know what insurance coverage is available to you to
cover medical bills or lost wages, and other related expenses.
You may also be entitled to compensation from the responsible party.
Consultation with your own attorney after an accident can ensure that you are not unfairly pressured by insurance companies’ adjusters, who
often encourage you to settle quickly for a set amount.
Most personal injury suits involve a claim of negligence. Negligence requires that the claimant show some duty of care owed, a breach of that same duty, an injury to another party, and a causal link between the breach of that duty and the injury. The duty of care one owes to others will vary depending upon the situation and circumstances. For example, an innkeeper owes a very high duty of care to the guests of his establishment, while a landowner owes only a slight duty of care to a trespasser. If someone’s failure to observe that duty of care is a direct cause of an injury, that person may be sued for negligence.
The
level of care required of someone is often determined by asking what
a ‘reasonable person’ would have done in a similar situation.
The court will consider whether the actions taken by all involved parties were appropriate and reasonable, given the circumstances.
Therefore, it is important to remember that the reasonable person standard
also applies to the victim. If the court finds the victim acted
inappropriately or unreasonably, the other party could be absolved of
some or all responsibility for the accident. For example, if a
reasonable person would have noticed and been able to avoid a dangerous
hole, the court is likely to find the victim’s own carelessness –
rather than the property owner’s negligence – caused the accident.
Vacations/Expungements
Expungement
is the process that removes a criminal record from general view.
It is also commonly referred to as vacating a conviction. When
a conviction is expunged, educational institutions and licensing authorities
may not acknowledge the prior conviction. The rules for post-sentencing
relief are complicated and the Law Office of Daniel K. Felker will assess
the viability of your motion before taking your case.
