All posts by The Bloomston Firm

What damages can be sought in motor vehicle accidents?

After suffering serious injuries at the hands of another person, many Alabama residents know that they might be able to seek restitution through the filing of a personal injury claim. For instance, many such claims arise in the aftermath of motor vehicle accidents. However, they might not know what damages they are entitled to after successfully establishing the negligence of the other party or parties. TheContinue reading

What does Alabama family law require to adopt a foster child?

Children in the foster care system deserve loving homes just as much as any other child, and many couples are willing to adopt them in order to expand their families. However, being willing to provide a loving home to a child is not enough, and the adoption process can be daunting. Understanding what Alabama family law says about the process could help alleviate at leastContinue reading

Drunk Drivers Have One More Thing To Worry About

Most people know that DUI charges come with serious penalties in Alabama: fines, driver’s license suspension, increased insurance premiums, jail time and more. Now, people accused of drunk driving have one more thing to worry about: being the target of a scam. Scammers Target DUI Offenders Following a DUI arrest, people find themselves under a great deal of stress. For many, this is their firstContinue reading

A plea bargain might be the best criminal defense for you

Statistics show that nearly 90 percent of all criminal cases across the country — including many here in Alabama — never go to trial. Instead, prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys negotiate a plea bargain. In many cases, this provides an individual facing serious repercussions with a guaranteed outcome that often involves lesser charges and fewer penalties. The uncertainty of the outcome of criminal proceedings canContinue reading

The elements of murder and criminal defense

Many people are confused regarding the use of the terms homicide and murder. The fact is that all murders are homicides, but not all homicides are murders. This is why prosecutors are required to demonstrate that an individual’s actions meet the elements of murder as defined by Alabama law before a conviction can be secured. If any reasonable doubt exists regarding whether all of theContinue reading

The basics of divorce here in Alabama

After reaching the conclusion that a marriage is over, many couples often wonder what comes next. They know that they need to file for divorce, but what that means for them might be unclear. Below are the basics of divorce here in Alabama. Prior to filing for divorce, at least one of the parties must have been a resident of Alabama for a minimum ofContinue reading

Reducing motor vehicle accidents involving impaired drivers

In recent decades, the issue of drunk driving has received a lot of attention. Laws in all states, including Alabama, make it illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or higher. Regardless, people still get behind the wheel when they are impaired, which exponentially increases the risk for motor vehicle accidents. Therefore, numerous strategies in addition to the passage ofContinue reading

Understanding the child custody options available in family law

When Alabama married or unmarried parents decide to separate, it will be necessary to determine what will happen to their children. Most parents want to do what is best for their children, but it can be a challenge to determine what that might be. Understanding the basics of the child custody options available in family law could help parents to formulate a parenting plan thatContinue reading

Distracted driving causes many motor vehicle accidents

Since the first motorized vehicles hit the streets of the country, distractions have been a problem for drivers. However, due to the sheer number of cars and drivers in Alabama and the rest of the country, the potential for motor vehicle accidents has increased exponentially, and large numbers of drivers easily become distracted. In a society in which texting has become its own language, distractedContinue reading

Is there a criminal defense to statutory rape?

Most everyone in Alabama is aware that rape is generally defined as sexual intercourse in which one party is unable to consent to act or is forced into it. However, not as many people understand what constitutes statutory rape. If an individual is charged with statutory rape, it is important to engage criminal defense counsel as soon as possible because there are defenses to theContinue reading