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Your Rights After an Injury

Imagine going about your day, only to be injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault. Perhaps you slip and fall on someone else’s property or are involved in a car accident with a negligent driver. These types of accidents can result in significant physical and emotional harm, as well as financial burdens. Read on to learn how to navigate the legal process with confidence and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Getting injured can turn your life upside down. Depending on the severity of your injury, it can be a struggle to get back to normal. Protecting your legal rights isn’t usually the first thing you think of immediately after you sustain serious injuries. Still, you can save time and effort if you follow a few simple steps after an injury.

This article provides information about what you should do after sustaining an injury. The article discusses how to obtain and use a police report and what to expect during your first meeting with an attorney. The article also addresses what type of evidence to collect to support a possible claim.

Police Reports

If you were in an accident (such as a car accident) and police responded, the police officer probably made a report of the incident. You generally have the right to receive a copy of a police report. These accident reports can come in handy in a personal injury case, and insurance companies often require them to process claims. For this reason, getting a copy of the report is a good idea. Depending on the rules of the police department, you may need to appear in person to pick up a copy of the report. You may also need to pay a fee for the copy.

The law enforcement report probably won’t be admissible in a civil court proceeding. However, it can still be helpful if you’re negotiating a personal injury dispute. For example, during an informal settlement discussion with the opposing side, you or your attorney can use the information in the police report to gain an advantage in negotiations. A police report made after you sustain car accident injuries may also include auto insurance information as well as license plate number and driver’s license number information.

Some facts that can prove useful are the circumstances surrounding the incident. These circumstances can include:

  • The time of day
  • Location
  • Weather conditions at the scene of the accident (if an auto accident caused your injuries)

A preliminary assessment of who was at fault is also useful, especially in a fender bender or other car accident. A police report can additionally provide contact information (such as phone numbers) for any witnesses and sometimes even witness statements about what happened.

How To Preserve Evidence

One of the best ways to preserve evidence of an incident and resulting injury is to take notes as soon as possible after the incident. Your notes should detail:

  • What happened in the incident
  • Your injuries
  • How your injuries are affecting your daily life

Taking notes might not feel like a priority after a possibly traumatic experience. Still, doing so can strengthen your position for a legal claim. You can even make recorded statements on your phone to simplify the note-taking process.

When detailing the incident, it’s ideal to include what exactly happened before, during, and after the incident that led to your injury. These details should include:

  • Time and place
  • Weather conditions
  • Whether anyone else was present
  • Anything that was said
  • What you experienced and felt

It’s also important to detail your injuries (both mental and physical), any medical attention or medical treatment you received, and any time you missed from work. Include any effects your injuries have had on your close family relationships.

Learn More About First Steps After an Injury

For more specific information about what to do after sustaining an injury, click on any of the links below.

  • Starting a Personal Injury Claim: A step-by-step guide to what you should do after being injured in an accident. Learn about the actions to take to build your case, including collecting evidence and documenting your injuries.
  • Take Notes About the Incident and Your Injuries: You should begin collecting information as soon as possible after being injured in an accident. This section describes the information you should write down to help build your personal injury case.
  • Preserve Evidence and Take Photos: A successful personal injury suit requires substantial evidence. This can include police reports, documentation of medical care, and photos of the scene, including any motor vehicle damage or other property damage. In this section, you’ll learn what type of evidence to collect depending on the type of injury you’ve sustained.
  • Obtaining and Using a Police Report: A police report can be important evidence of fault in a personal injury case. Learn about how to obtain a police report and how a police report can help your injury case.
  • Meeting With an Injury Attorney: This section gives you an idea of what to expect during your first meeting with a car accident lawyer or other personal injury attorney. Learn what kind of questions you’ll be asked, what types of information and documents to bring along, and more.

Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

Suppose you suffered an injury due to someone else’s fault. Whether your injuries came from a hit-and-run accident, another type of car crash, or something else entirely, contact a local personal injury attorney to discuss your legal options and get legal advice.

It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident-related injury to avoid missing critical deadlines and to increase your chances of successfully recovering expenses like medical bills. Establishing an attorney-client relationship early on can make navigating your personal injury lawsuit less stressful. Some law offices even offer free consultations.

We fight for victims of negligence. If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s carelessness, we’re here to help. We understand the challenges you face and will work tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve. Call today at (954) 709-5276 or find our IG here.


Reference: [https://www.findlaw.com/injury/accident-injury-law/first-steps-after-an-injury.html]

What You Should Know if You Are Interrogated

Clever tactics are employed to gather confessions from suspects when police officers detain on suspicion of criminal misconduct. When the police aim to initiate interrogations, interrogation targets need to know what to expect and ways to protect their rights. A Florida criminal lawyer can provide the information you need to deal with police encounters and interrogations. Read below to understand your rights when encountering questions from law enforcement — and then call our offices so we can assist.

This is the fourth entry in a multi-part series covering what you should know when interacting with law enforcement. This post will cover what you should know if you are interrogated by police.

First, you are not obligated to submit to interrogation — you can never be compelled to serve as a witness against yourself. Nor are you obligated to continue an interrogation that you wish to stop (it might feel like you cannot escape an interrogation, but you can assert your right to silence and/or your right to legal representation at any time).

We know you did it

Interrogations are guilt-presumptive procedures. Law enforcement rarely interrogate people they do not believe are guilty of something, and their belief in your guilt will skew how they question you (and how they interpret your responses).

Others have characterized interrogations as truth-seeking processes, and acknowledge that a “successful” interrogation outcome could include determining that the suspect is innocent. But, it is unclear how innocent suspects are supposed to prove their innocence to their interrogators, particularly when those interrogators believe them to be guilty. Further, most interrogation tactics are clearly aimed at securing a confession rather than gathering information.

One of the most popular methods of interrogation in the United States is the REID technique. The technique employs nine steps—I encourage you to examine these steps and determine whether you believe they aim to secure a confession or to gather information.

We’re certain you had a reason

The REID technique employs a number of psychologically manipulative strategies to encourage confessions.

Ultimately, this technique focuses on the goal of developing themes wherein interrogators provide some moral justification for the suspected crime. For instance, in cases of sexual assault, interrogators might pretend to have similar urges when seeing attractive women/men. In a similar vein, they might employ tactics of minimization wherein they downplay the seriousness of the crime. While interrogators are not permitted to make explicit promises to suspects during interrogation, the Courts have allowed them to engage in minimization tactics. Yet, research has indicated that the impact of minimization tactics on suspects’ perceptions of their impending sentences can be similar to the impact of explicit promises.

You are in serious trouble

Interrogations can then combine minimization with maximization — a technique wherein interrogators aggressively confront suspects, conveying the seriousness of the situation. These techniques can be combined by a single interrogator, or employed by a team of interrogators (e.g., good cop, bad cop).

An alternative approach

REID proponents have tried to claim that the only alternative to interrogation procedures being guilt-presumptive would be to interrogate everyone — obviously, a ludicrous straw man argument. True alternatives to the REID technique (and other guilt-presumptive interrogation approaches) have already been implemented in many countries. Specifically, several countries have developed different models for questioning suspects that truly focus on information gathering (rather than securing a confession). One such method is called the PEACE model.

At LAW OFFICES OF CRAIG STELLA, P.A., you will receive the advice of experienced attorneys – and someone to guide your case so your best outcomes are achieved. You should not go at this alone. Make informed decisions with a skilled attorney. Schedule a free consultation today at (954) 709-5276 to understand your case and all its legal nuances. Join our Facebook community here or give us a call to see what sets us apart from other legal entities. Your fight is our fight, and we are here for you.


Reference: [https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/injustice-system/202202/what-you-should-know-if-you-are-interrogated]

Child Support Amounts

Navigating a divorce or separation is never easy, and the process becomes even more complex when children are involved. One of the most critical issues parents face is determining child support, which ensures that children’s financial needs are met following a split. In Florida, child support calculations are based on specific guidelines, but individual circumstances can make this process challenging and emotionally charged. Understanding how these calculations work and addressing potential disputes are essential for creating a fair and sustainable arrangement for everyone involved. These are helpful insights and FAQs about child support amounts.

A child support order tells the parents what they must do to support their children. Enforcing child support orders means getting the parent to do what the order says.

The amount of child support is based on guidelines defined in Florida law. Child support guidelines are standards used to figure out the support needed for a child and the amount a parent has to pay. Guidelines help make sure support amounts are fair. Every state has guidelines, but they may be different in each state.

These guidelines are used the first time child support is ordered and every time the child support amount changes. They are also used to review the order to see if the support amount should be changed.

Child support guidelines consider:

  • The income of both parents
  • The child’s health care and child care costs
  • The standard needs for the child. A list of support amounts based on the child’s age and net income of the parents is in the Florida law – standard needs table.

The court or agency establishing support must use these guidelines to decide the amount of child support that will go in a Florida support order. In special circumstances, support amounts can be higher or lower than the guideline amounts. For example, a judge may consider a child’s high medical expenses as a reason to change the support amount. In most cases, judges have to give written reasons why support amounts are different from guideline amounts.

Online calculators are available to help with estimating child support amounts. To find an online calculator use your preferred online search engine and search for the term “Florida Child Support Calculator.” Estimates from these online calculators are for informational purposes only. A court or agency may look at factors that are not part of your estimate.

Facing divorce, child custody, or child support issues can be overwhelming, but you do not have to navigate these legal complexities alone. At the Law Offices of Craig Stella, P.A., we provide compassionate guidance and expert legal representation to help you protect your rights and your family’s future. Whether you are resolving disputes or negotiating agreements, our team is here to ensure you have the support you need every step of the way. Contact us today for a consultation—because your family deserves an advocate who truly cares. If you need a family lawyer in Florida, contact Craig Stella at (954) 709-5276 or info@CraigStella.com.


Reference:[https://floridarevenue.com/childsupport/child_support_amounts/Pages/child_support_amounts.aspx]

Guide to the U.S. Criminal Justice System

The criminal justice system seems to be understood by lawyers only. Criminal justice procedures can be a daunting experience, especially for those unfamiliar with its complexities. From the moment of arrest to sentencing, understanding the steps involved and knowing your rights is crucial for anyone facing criminal charges. This concise overview of the criminal justice process breaks down each stage—from law enforcement and courts to corrections and appeals. Whether you’re seeking general knowledge or specific guidance, understanding the workings of this system is the first step in protecting your rights and ensuring a fair outcome. For anyone involved in a criminal case, remember that informed decisions are significant tools in pursuing justice. Count on Craig Stella for your criminal case. Craig Stella is aggressive, tireless, hardworking, and clever.                       

What Is the Criminal Justice System?

The criminal justice system in the United States consists of law enforcement, the court system, and corrections. These three subsystems encompass private and government agencies at the state, federal, and local levels, all of which work together to maintain public safety.

Each subsystem handles a different responsibility. Law enforcement does as their name implies: they enforce the law by making arrests. At the court level, defendants undergo the trial process that includes the opening statements, presenting of evidence, closing arguments, and sentencing. Convicted persons undergo rehabilitation as part of the correction process.

This comprehensive guide explores the complex network of subsystems within America’s criminal justice system.

Law Enforcement in the United States

At every level, the law enforcement branch of the United States criminal justice system attempts to serve the public by promoting safety and order. Law enforcement officers investigate suspected criminal activities and refer suspected criminals to courts.

The three main levels of law enforcement include federal, state, and local (e.g., county and municipal) policing. Each level tends to works independently within its own jurisdiction.

Each law enforcement level maintains internal hierarchies of individual departments and ranked officers who supervise and report to one another. To learn more about the structure, varying roles, and goals of each of these law enforcement levels, continue reading.

Federal Law Enforcement

The federal branch of law enforcement includes thousands of full-time officers working within dozens of federal agencies. The two main departments that employ law enforcement officers are the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Notable agencies associated with each department include:

DOJ Agencies

  • Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • Drug Enforcement Administration
  • U.S. Marshals Service
  • Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
  • Federal Bureau of Prisons

DHS Agencies

  • Transportation Security Administration
  • Secret Service
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement
  • Coast Guard

Local and state law enforcement handle the majority of crimes in the U.S., but the federal government steps in where states and municipalities lack jurisdiction, such as when perpetrators commit crimes on federal property.

More specifically, the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution reserves all rights and powers for the states that are not expressly delegated to the federal government. States reserve the right to establish and enforce laws to protect public health, safety, and welfare.

Thus, federal police power typically extends only to situations involving:

  • Civil rights
  • Patents
  • Immigration
  • Offenses affecting interstate commerce
  • Crimes committed across state lines

State Law Enforcement

Most states operate law enforcement initiatives through agencies and departments extending from a few central government entities. For example, a state’s department of public safety generally sees to the services and duties of state police and highway patrol.

Each state has an office of the attorney general, which handles the criminal and civil detective work of a state’s bureau of investigation and works as the state-level equivalent of the FBI.

A variety of other departments within state governments can operate their own divisions of law enforcement, especially for security purposes. The most common of these include:

  • State capitol’s capitol police force
  • Universities employing campus police
  • State hospital security staff

When considering the role of state police, people commonly think of highway patrolmen, but the purpose and goals of state law enforcement extend beyond pulling over speeding cars.

State police conduct enforcement activities and investigations that fall outside the jurisdiction of a county sheriff’s office. Duties beyond highway patrol and enforcement of traffic laws may include:

  • Protecting government officials
  • Arresting suspects
  • Providing emergency assistance
  • Protecting crime scenes
  • Interrogating or interviewing people

Local and Municipal Law Enforcement

Among the various sections of the criminal justice system, local law enforcement is the branch that a majority of people are most familiar with. Unlike federal and state law enforcement branches, local law enforcement operates within specific counties, cities, and communities.

The structure of local law enforcement can vary greatly depending on the jurisdiction size. A small town — like Ellendale, Delaware or Little River, Kansas — may employ a single officer or town marshal, whereas major cities like New York City have a large police department spread throughout multiple neighborhood precincts.

Counties often establish a sheriff’s department and county police force with a wider jurisdiction and/or greater focus on jail and court services, rather than patrolling a specific town or neighborhood.

Depending on the size of a local police department, the hierarchy can include up to a dozen different positions. A police commissioner — also called the chief of police — stands at the top of the chain of command. This position is followed by an assistant chief, deputy chief/commissioner, inspectors, colonels, majors, captains, lieutenants, sergeants, detectives, and officers or deputies.

Court and Legal Systems in the United States

The United States criminal justice system consists of courts at the federal and state levels. Federal and state courts are independent of one another and differ in several key areas defined by their jurisdiction and the types of cases they hear.

State courts receive a broad jurisdiction, hearing cases regarding:

  • Family disputes
  • Broken contracts
  • Traffic violations
  • Criminal activities (assaults or robberies)

In contrast, federal courts commonly hear cases in which the U.S. is a legal party:

  • Federal law or Constitutional violations
  • Bankruptcy
  • Copyright and patent law
  • Maritime law

U.S. courts work closely with law enforcement and corrections in scenarios such as deciding whether or not to hear a case, sharing intelligence, asking law enforcement officers to testify during a trial, engaging in presentencing investigations, and determining alternative sentencing options.

State Courts

The vast majority of criminal and civil legal cases in the U.S. are handled by the massive state court system. Each state divides its courts into a structure with three main tiers: trial courts, appellate courts, and state Supreme Courts.

Trial courts include municipal courts (limited jurisdiction). Typical cases include:

  • Traffic court
  • Misdemeanor crimes
  • Preliminary felony hearings

County courts (larger jurisdiction). Cases may relate to:

  • Family law
  • Probate law
  • City ordinance violations

State trial courts (largest jurisdiction). Cases may relate to:

  • Probate law
  • Family law
  • Property disputes
  • Major felonies

When a losing party disagrees with a trial court’s decision, they can file an appeal. This prompts the trial court to send the case record to a state appeals court for consideration. To make a final ruling decision, the appellate court does not conduct a trial, instead relying on case documents, trial transcripts, exhibits, and attorneys’ written arguments.

An appellate court can either affirm the original decision, reverse the original decision, or send the case back to a trial court for further action.

A legal party unhappy with the ruling of their appeal can take the case a step further by requesting a final appeal with the state’s Supreme Court. At this level, appeals remain discretionary. The court decides whether or not to hear a case; if it declines, the lower court’s decision is considered final.

A state Supreme Court functions similarly to lower appeals courts. It reviews case documents, files, written briefs, and oral arguments rather than holding a full trial.

Upon reviewing a case, the state Supreme Court either affirms a decision, reverses it, or sends a case back to trial. Legal parties who do not receive their desired appeal result can strive for a final appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court.

Federal Courts

Three main levels make up the U.S. federal court system: 94 district courts, 12 circuit courts, and the U.S. Supreme Court. District courts conduct civil and criminal trials within the federal system, with one or two assigned to each U.S. state or territory. Trial cases commonly heard in district courts include those dealing with federal laws and/or those involving parties from two different states.

Like the state court system, legal parties who disagree with the decision of their district court trial can file for an appeal. A circuit court acts as the first stop in the federal appeals process. Some appealed cases receive decisions based on a review of court records and written briefs alone; however, many are also selected for oral arguments, in which attorneys can briefly present spoken arguments before a panel of judges.

The circuit court decision remains final unless the case is sent back for trial or legal parties seek an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court by filing a petition for a “writ of certiorari” — simply put, a request for judicial review.

Each year, the U.S. Supreme Court receives thousands of requests for case review, but selects only a small fraction to hear. Cases most commonly heard by the Supreme Court include:

  • Cases with an unusually significant legal principle
  • Cases where at least two federal courts differ in the interpretation of a law
  • Cases interpreting the Constitution

Once the U.S. Supreme Court delivers a decision, it can be overturned only by a rarely granted request for a rehearing, a future Supreme Court ruling, or an amendment to the Constitution itself.

Corrections in the United States

While law enforcement and the courts work to identify and intercept people involved in criminal activity, the corrections system serves a variety of simultaneous functions:

  • Keeping criminal populations separate
  • Enacting punishments for wrongdoing
  • Promoting rehabilitation for the incarcerated

The U.S. corrections system is the largest system of its type in the world. Though home to less than 5% of the world’s population, the U.S. holds more than 20% of the world’s prisoners — the highest global per capita rate of incarceration among founding NATO countries, according to 2021 incarceration data.

The U.S. corrections system contains multiple state and federal corrections systems that act independently, although they follow similar procedures and protocols. Prisons can be publicly or privately operated, and state and federal corrections systems most commonly interact when transferring inmates. Corrections systems utilize incarceration, community service, parole, and probation to punish and/or rehabilitate criminals.

Incarceration entails the confinement of a person in a prison, and daily prison life severely restricts that person’s freedoms. In contrast, those sentenced to community service or those on parole or probation live beyond a prison cell.

If assigned to community service by a court, an individual typically completes a number of unpaid work hours for a nonprofit. Parole and probation both involve supervision and specific rules/guidelines regarding travel limitations, curfews, and required drug tests. Parole typically occurs when an individual gains early release from prison, while probation occurs before an individual enters prison.

The U.S. holds a high rate of recidivism, meaning the likelihood that a convicted criminal will return to prison is relatively high. This most commonly occurs because people violate the terms of their parole, and perhaps because the American rehabilitation system has inherent flaws.

There hasn’t been a large-scale recidivism survey conducted yet this decade, butfor 2019, BackgroundChecks.org places the U.S. recidivism rate of 70% within five years of initial incarceration.

Tribal Law in the United States

Federally recognized Native American tribes possess a form of sovereignty that preserves the inherent rights of each tribe to form their own governments, make and enforce civil and criminal laws, collect taxes, and establish and regulate tribal citizenship.

Some of the first federal recognitions of tribal sovereignty and law began in the early 19th century with a series of Supreme Court decisions, including the 1832 case of Worcester v. Georgia.

Though this case did not prevent the relocation of the Cherokee Nation from its ancestral homeland, it served as a foundation for the principle of tribal sovereignty, with the majority opinion calling tribal nations “distinct, independent political communities retaining their original natural rights.”

While federal Native American law concerns relationships between tribal, state, and federal government, tribal law governs a tribe’s members and territories. Tribal governments and tribal justice systems function in much the same way as state systems.

Tribal law is enforced by tribal law enforcement, and tribal courts that possess civil jurisdiction over tribal members and nonmembers who reside or do business within federal reservations. In 1978, the criminal jurisdiction of tribal courts became limited to violations of tribal law by tribal members only (Oliphant v. Suquamish Indian Tribe). Along with operating their own law enforcement and courts, Native American reservations house more than 90 corrections facilities.

Today, tribal governments, laws, and areas of jurisdiction often function in partnership with their local and state counterparts, working together to promote public safety and economic development. In some cases, however, the division between tribal and state jurisdiction can cause difficult legal complications.

How Does the Criminal Justice System Work?

A standard series of steps — including investigation, charging, initial hearing, discovery, plea bargaining, trial, sentencing, and appeal — helps streamline the process from law enforcement to the courts to corrections. The sections below explain those steps.

1) Entry Into the Criminal Justice System

The criminal justice process begins when someone commits a crime. Law enforcement officers on patrol can witness a crime directly, or be dispatched to respond to a witness’s call about a potential crime.

When officers arrive on the scene, the second step involves filing a crime report, which includes logging information about the time, location, and details of the incident by speaking with witnesses and/or victims.

This process must be completed as accurately and precisely as possible, as it builds a foundation that can impact the subsequent investigation and arrest of a suspect. It may also determine who gets called to testify in a trial and the sentencing process.

After obtaining a crime report, law enforcement can begin the process of investigation, arrest, and/or citation. If the suspect remains on site, officers can provide a citation with a date to appear in court or they can arrest the suspect.

Otherwise, officers must pursue an investigation and attempt to identify a suspect and collect enough direct or circumstantial evidence to warrant an arrest. If officers complete an investigation, discover a suspect, and collect appropriate evidence, they can make an arrest or provide a citation, depending on the nature of the crime and other factors.

2) Prosecution and Pretrial

The decision to formally charge a person with a crime rests with a court prosecutor, who forms this determination by examining all assembled evidence and a suspect’s criminal history. If a prosecutor does not find a suspect guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, that suspect is released. Alternatively, if a prosecutor decides to file formal charges, they determine the severity of the alleged crime (e.g., a murder charge versus a manslaughter charge).

If a suspect faces charges, an initial hearing will typically take place within 72 hours. A first court appearance involves arraignment, whereby the court informs a defendant about their legal rights and the charges they face.

The defendant responds to arraignment by entering a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest (allowable in some jurisdictions). A guilty or no contest plea means the defendant receives a sentence without going through the trial process. A not guilty plea means a case proceeds toward trial.

Upon a plea of not guilty, the defendant and court make defense attorney arrangements, if this has not already been done, and the judge determines if the defendant will be held or released. Depending on the severity of the charges and other factors, defendants may be given the option to post bail.

3) Trial Process

Rather than going to trial, a majority of cases in the criminal justice system are resolved by a plea agreement. Arranged cooperatively between the prosecution and defense, a plea agreement means the defendant agrees to plead guilty to one or more charges in exchange for a recommendation of a reduced sentence, a lesser degree charge, or having one or more charges being dropped entirely.

If parties do not reach a plea agreement, the case proceeds to trial.

Defendants reserve the right to select a jury trial (decided by a group of civilians) or a bench trial (decided by a single judge). A majority of defendants select bench trials. Reasons for this may include a speedier process — no need for jury selection, minimized opening/closing statements, lower mistrial risk — and/or concerns that a jury may judge the case based on emotion rather than on evidence/the law.

In either trial method, the prosecution and defense present their arguments and witnesses testify and face cross examination. Trials close with the judge or jury deciding on a verdict. Not guilty verdicts lead to the defendant’s release, while guilty verdicts lead to a sentence. If a jury cannot deliver a verdict due to disagreement or other reasons, such as misconduct or illness, a mistrial is called and a new trial can be arranged.

4) Corrections

To determine the appropriate sentence for a guilty defendant, a judge can examine sentencing guidelines provided by the United States Sentencing Commission.

For situations involving less serious crimes and shorter sentence lengths, judges may decide to sentence convicted persons to probation or parole rather than incarceration.

Probation or parole come with supervision and other restrictions. For example, individuals may face limitations on where they can live and travel, requirements to hold steady employment or attend school, and/or requirements to attend therapy or rehab. Violating probation or parole terms can land an offender in jail or prison.

Though controversial, a sentence of capital punishment remains legal in 27 states. However, this sentence can only be handed down by the unanimous decision of a jury, and it is only applicable in cases of capital offense (e.g., murder and/or assassination, treason, and espionage).

Careers in Criminal Justice

Criminal justice careers encompass many law enforcement, legal, and correctional roles, including jobs that only require a high school diploma and on-the-job training and those that require years of college study.

A majority of criminal justice professionals obtain at least a bachelor’s degree. However, many schools offer criminal justice degrees at multiple levels, including master’s and doctoral programs for students interested in higher-level management, academia, or research.

Criminal justice professionals tend to be detail oriented, inquisitive, and highly organized and possess a natural affinity for leadership and problem solving. The list below details several criminal justice-related careers.

Feel the peace of mind of having Craig Stella as your criminal lawyer. Over four decades of experience means Craig Stella is well-versed in criminal law and stays on top of cases to reach the best resolution swiftly. If you need a criminal lawyer in Florida, contact Craig Stella! 

(954) 709-5276 or Info@CraigStella.com


Reference: [https://www.criminaljustice.com/resources/guide-to-us-criminal-justice-system/]

Coping with a Breakup or Divorce.

A breakup or divorce can be one of life’s most challenging experiences, filled with emotional, financial, and even legal hurdles. Whether you’re just beginning the process or struggling to find a way forward, the experience can be overwhelming. But there are ways to navigate this difficult period with resilience and clarity. Browse these practical tips and strategies to help you manage the stress of a breakup, cope with the emotional fallout, and focus on rebuilding your life. Remember, while this journey may be challenging, you don’t have to face it alone — guidance is available to help you regain stability and look toward a brighter future. Craig Stella Law Office can assist you with your divorce and ensure your legal rights.                     

Why are breakups so painful?

A breakup or divorce can be one of the most stressful and emotional experiences in life. Whatever the reason for the split—and whether you wanted it or not—the breakup of a relationship can turn your whole world upside down and trigger all sorts of painful and unsettling emotions.

Even when a relationship is no longer good, a divorce or breakup can be extremely painful because it represents the loss, not just of the partnership, but also of the dreams and commitments you shared. Romantic relationships begin on a high note of excitement and hopes for the future. When a relationship fails, we experience profound disappointment, stress, and grief.

A breakup or divorce launches you into uncharted territory. Everything is disrupted: your routine and responsibilities, your home, your relationships with extended family and friends, and even your identity. A breakup also brings uncertainty about the future. What will life be like without your partner? Will you find someone else? Will you end up alone? These unknowns can often seem worse than being in an unhappy relationship.

This pain, disruption, and uncertainty means that recovering from a breakup or divorce can be difficult and take time. However, it’s important to keep reminding yourself that you can and will get through this difficult experience and even move on with a renewed sense of hope and optimism.

Coping with a breakup or divorce

Recognize that it’s OK to have different feelings. It’s normal to feel sad, angry, exhausted, frustrated, and confused—and these feelings can be intense. You may also feel anxious about the future. Accept that reactions like these will lessen over time. Even if the relationship was unhealthy, venturing into the unknown is frightening.

Give yourself a break. Give yourself permission to feel and to function at a less than optimal level for a period of time. You may not be able to be quite as productive on the job or care for others in exactly the way you’re accustomed to for a little while. No one is Superman or Supergirl; take time to heal, regroup, and re-energize.

Don’t go through this alone. Sharing your feelings with friends and family can help you get through this period. Consider joining a support group where you can talk to others in similar situations. Isolating yourself can raise your stress levels, reduce your concentration, and get in the way of your work, other relationships, and overall health. Don’t be afraid to get outside help if you need it.

Allow yourself to grieve the loss of the relationship

Grief is a natural reaction to loss, and the breakup or divorce of a love relationship involves multiple losses:

  • Loss of companionship and shared experiences (which may or may not have been consistently pleasurable).
  • Loss of support, be it financial, intellectual, social, or emotional.
  • Loss of hopes, plans, and dreams (which can be even more painful than practical losses).

Allowing yourself to feel the pain of these losses may be scary. You may fear that your emotions will be too intense to bear, or that you’ll be stuck in a dark place forever. Just remember that grieving is essential to the healing process. The pain of grief is precisely what helps you let go of the old relationship and move on. And no matter how strong your grief, it won’t last forever.

Tips for grieving after a breakup or divorce

Don’t fight your feelings. It’s normal to have lots of ups and downs, and feel many conflicting emotions, including anger, resentment, sadness, relief, fear, and confusion. It’s important to identify and acknowledge these feelings. While these emotions will often be painful, trying to suppress or ignore them will only prolong the grieving process.

Talk about how you’re feeling. Even if it is difficult for you to talk about your feelings with other people, it is very important to find a way to do so when you are grieving. Knowing that others are aware of your feelings will make you feel less alone with your pain and will help you heal. Writing in a journal can also be a helpful outlet for your feelings.

Remember that moving on is the end goal. Expressing your feelings will liberate you in a way, but it is important not to dwell on the negative feelings or to over-analyze the situation. Getting stuck in hurtful feelings like blame, anger, and resentment will rob you of valuable energy and prevent you from healing and moving forward.

Remind yourself that you still have a future. When you commit to another person, you create many hopes and dreams for a life together. After a breakup, it’s hard to let these aspirations go. As you grieve the loss of the future you once envisioned, be encouraged by the fact that new hopes and dreams will eventually replace your old ones.

Know the difference between a normal reaction to a breakup and depression. Grief can be paralyzing after a breakup, but after a while, the sadness begins to lift. Day by day, and little by little, you start moving on. However, if you don’t feel any forward momentum, you may be suffering from depression.

Helping your kids during a breakup or divorce

When mom and dad split, a child can feel confused, angry, and uncertain as well as profoundly sad. As a parent, you can help your kids cope with the breakup by providing stability and attending to your child’s needs with a reassuring, positive attitude.

Reach out to others for support

Support from others is critical to healing after a breakup or divorce. You might feel like being alone, but isolating yourself will only make this time more difficult. Don’t try to get through this on your own.

Connect face-to-face with trusted friends and family members. People who have been through painful breakups or divorces can be especially helpful. They know what it is like and they can assure you that there is hope for healing and new relationships. Frequent face-to-face contact is also a great way to relieve the stress of a breakup and regain balance in your life.

Spend time with people who support, value, and energize you. As you consider who to reach out to, choose wisely. Surround yourself with people who are positive and who truly listen to you. It’s important that you feel free to be honest about what you’re going through, without worrying about being judged, criticized, or told what to do.

Get outside help if you need it. If reaching out to others doesn’t come naturally, consider seeing a counselor or joining a support group (see the Resources section below). The most important thing is that you have at least one place where you feel comfortable opening up.

Cultivate new friendships. If you feel like you have lost your social network along with the divorce or breakup, make an effort to meet new people. Join a networking group or special interest club, take a class, get involved in community activities, or volunteer at a school, place of worship, or other community organization.

Taking care of yourself after a breakup

A divorce is a highly stressful, life-changing event. When you’re going through the emotional wringer and dealing with major life changes, it’s more important than ever to take care of yourself. The strain and upset of a major breakup can leave you psychologically and physically vulnerable.

Treat yourself like you’re getting over the flu. Get plenty of rest, minimize other sources of stress in your life, and reduce your workload if possible. Learning to take care of yourself can be one of the most valuable lessons you learn following a breakup. As you feel the emotions of your loss and begin learning from your experience, you can resolve to take better care of yourself and make positive choices going forward.

Self-care tips

Make time each day to nurture yourself. Help yourself heal by scheduling daily time for activities you find calming and soothing. Spend time with good friends, go for a walk in nature, listen to music, enjoy a hot bath, get a massage, read a favorite book, take a yoga class, or savor a warm cup of tea.

Pay attention to what you need in any given moment and speak up to express your needs. Honor what you believe to be right and best for you even though it may be different from what your ex or others want. Say “no” without guilt or angst as a way of honoring what is right for you.

Stick to a routine. A divorce or relationship breakup can disrupt almost every area of your life, amplifying feelings of stress, uncertainty, and chaos. Getting back to a regular routine can provide a comforting sense of structure and normalcy.

Take a time out. Try not to make any major decisions in the first few months after a separation or divorce, such as starting a new job or moving to a new city. If you can, wait until you’re feeling less emotional so that you can make decisions with a clearer head.

Avoid using alcohol, drugs, or food to cope. When you’re in the middle of a breakup, you may be tempted to do anything to relieve your feelings of pain and loneliness. But using alcohol, drugs, or food as an escape is unhealthy and destructive in the long run. It’s essential to find healthier ways of coping with painful feelings. HelpGuide’s free Emotional Intelligence Toolkit can help.

Explore new interests. A divorce or breakup is a beginning as well as an end. Take the opportunity to explore new interests and activities. Pursuing fun, new activities gives you a chance to enjoy life in the here-and-now, rather than dwelling on the past.

Making healthy choices: Eat well, sleep well, and exercise

When you’re going through the stress of a divorce or breakup, healthy habits easily fall by the wayside. You might find yourself not eating at all or overeating your favorite junk foods. Exercise might be harder to fit in because of the added pressures at home and sleep might be elusive. But all of the work you are doing to move forward in a positive way will be pointless if you don’t make long-term healthy lifestyle choices.

See: Healthy Eating, How to Sleep Better, and How to Start Exercising and Stick to It.

Learning important lessons from a breakup or divorce

It can be difficult to see it when you’re going through a painful breakup, but in times of emotional crisis, there are opportunities to grow and learn. You may be feeling nothing but emptiness and sadness in your life right now, but that doesn’t mean that things will never change. Try to consider this period in your life a time-out, a time for sowing the seeds for new growth. You can emerge from this experience knowing yourself better and feeling stronger and wiser.

In order to fully accept a breakup and move on, you need to understand what happened and acknowledge the part you played. The more you understand how the choices you made affected the relationship, the better you’ll be able to learn from your mistakes—and avoid repeating them in the future.

If you need expert legal assistance with your divorce, contact Craig Stella. Craig Stella is a dedicated, experienced, tireless, and hardworking divorce attorney. Feel the confidence and comfort of having a team of experts behind you during such a challenging time. Get in touch with our office today to learn more! (954) 709-5276 or Info@CraigStella.com


Reference: [https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/grief/dealing-with-a-breakup-or-divorce]

Most common car accidents: And how to avoid them

Every day, drivers face unexpected risks on the road, with car accidents being one of the most common dangers. Whether a rear-end collision or side-impact crash, each type of accident carries unique risks and potential for injury. Understanding the most frequent types of car accidents and knowing how to avoid them can help drivers stay safer behind the wheel. Here is a breakdown of the most common car accidents, their causes, and practical strategies to reduce your risk on the road. For those who have already experienced an accident, remember that understanding your legal rights is crucial to navigating recovery — the law office of Craig Stella, P.A. can help.

Understanding and preventing car accidents

When we step behind the wheels of our cars, the last thing we want to think about is getting in an accident. Unfortunately, it’s all too common.

Car accidents are a leading cause of injuries and fatalities worldwide. In the U.S. in 2022, there were 42,795 fatal car accidents alone, and accidents were the fourth most common cause of death. And of course, there are many accidents that are not fatal, but can still ruin your day. In 2020, as an example, the number of crashes that resulted in injuries was over 1.5 million and another 3.6 million crashes resulted in property damage. The total for that year was over 5 million car crashes.

Many of these accidents can be prevented with caution, awareness and adherence to safety guidelines. By understanding the most common types of car accidents and the strategies to avoid them, drivers can significantly reduce the risk of being involved in a collision.

1. How can you avoid being rear-ended

Your classic fender bender, one of the most frequent types of accidents is the rear-end collision. In fact, they account for 29% of all car crashes. A rear-end collision occurs when a vehicle crashes into the one in front of it. These types of accidents often occur in times of higher traffic volume or at red lights and stop signs.

Because they usually occur at lower speeds and to the back of the vehicle, rear-end collisions are less likely to cause fatalities, but depending on the speed and vehicle that hits yours, they can still cause a lot of damage.

To avoid rear-end collisions:

  • Maintain a safe following distance, especially in heavy traffic.
  • Keep an eye on brake lights and road signs, allowing you ample time to react.
  • Don’t look at your phone or otherwise allow yourself to be distracted while driving.
  • To avoid being rear-ended, don’t make sudden stops or sharp turns and signal your intentions clearly to other drivers.

2. How to avoid a head on collision

One of the more serious and damaging collisions to be involved in is when two vehicles going in opposite directions collide with each other head-on. Approximately, 10% of car accidents are head-on collisions[3]. A head-on collision causes significant damage and is more likely to cause fatalities because you have the opposing force of both vehicles impacting each other.

Head-on collisions tend to be caused when at least one driver is impaired whether that’s from intoxication, distracted driving or fatigued driving. It can also occur from improper passing, driver confusion or reckless driving.

To avoid a head-on collision:

  • Be aware of your surroundings on the road, both in front and on all sides. Keep an eye out for problematic drivers.
  • Bring others drivers’ attention to you if they’re coming close by honking your horn
  • If an oncoming vehicle is coming close to you in the opposite direction and swerving into your lane, begin to break and move away from the center line if there is enough shoulder and it is safe to do so.
  • Pay close attention when passing and make sure you have enough room to pass safely.

3. How to avoid being t-boned

T-bone accidents make up around 10% of car crashes and usually occur at intersections[3]. They occur when one motorist collides perpendicularly with a car traveling in front of it, creating a letter T when colliding. The most frequent cause is failure to follow the correct right of way, running a red light or otherwise ignoring traffic laws.

To avoid a t-bone collision:

  • Be aware of your surroundings. Make sure the intersection is clear before crossing, even if the light is green.
  • Don’t stop and look at your phone while waiting at a red light. Distracted driving is a key cause of intersection accidents.

4. How to avoid collisions with objects

Not every accident involves multiple vehicles. When a single driver hits a fixed object like a pole, curb, shrubbery, guard rail, etc. it can cause significant damage to their vehicle and potentially its occupants. Other accidents occur when a driver hits an unfixed object like a parked car, animal, pedestrian or cyclist. These events can obviously cause injury to others not in the negligent vehicle.

The main causes of these types of accidents are impaired, distracted, drowsy or impaired driving. They can also result from vehicle malfunction or be impacted by the weather.

To avoid collision with an object:

  • Maintain your car including regular checks of brakes, steering, tires, etc.
  • Always focus your full attention on driving and your surroundings.
  • If you think you are too tired/impaired to drive, immediately pull over.
  • Drive slower and more carefully than you normally would if the roads are icy or wet or if visibility is low.

5. How to avoid side-swipe accidents

Side-swipe accidents occur when one motorist skims the side of another vehicle, causing damage. This is another case that is usually the result of driver negligence, whether that’s unsafe lane changing, failure to signal, speeding or just distracted or impaired driving.

To avoid a side-swipe:

  • Keep an eye out for erratic drivers and try to keep a safe distance from them
  • Always look in your rearview mirror, side mirror and/or cameras before changing lanes.
  • Be aware of blind spots.

How to avoid car accidents as a whole

When we get behind the wheel of a two-ton vehicle, it can be easy to forget how powerful it is, and what an incredible responsibility we have to keep ourselves and other drivers safe.

The following are the behaviors most contributing to fatal car crashes:

  • Driving too fast/racing
  • Being under the influence of drugs, alcohol or legal medications
  • Reckless driving
  • Failure to yield
  • Failure to stay in lane
  • Distracted driving

Making sure to avoid these behaviors and always making driving your main focus when you step behind the wheel will help you avoid getting in car accidents.

What to do if you get in a car accident

An accident can be a traumatic event, so take a deep breath and try not to panic. You can find a much more detailed resource on what to do after a car accident here, but here are some steps to take if you do get in a car accident:

  1. Make sure everyone in your vehicle and any other vehicles involved is okay.
  2. Get to a safe place.
  3. Report the accident to the police.
  4. Exchange contact information with any other drivers or witnesses involved.
  5. Take photos and document the accident.
  6. Contact your insurance company or the responsible driver’s insurance company to file a claim.

The Zebra has also made a few helpful tools:

  • Is My Car Totaled Calculator
  • Should I File a Claim Calculator

There’s never a good day to get in a car accident, so remember, keep your eyes and mind on the road and stay safe out there.

 

Craig Stella has been practicing personal injury law in Broward, Dade, Palm Beach County, and all across Florida for over 40 years. The personal injury lawyers at Craig Stella are clever, hardworking, aggressive, and think outside the box, and they will provide the best services for your personal injury case. Get in touch with our office today to learn more! 

(954) 709-5276 or Info@CraigStella.com 


Reference: [https://www.thezebra.com/resources/driving/common-car-accidents-and-how-to-avoid-them/]