Archive for September, 2008

The world that we live in today is a very violent and sometimes dangerous place. Many of the crimes that take place and the actions of the police and other investigative forces are displayed on television programs. These programs will reveal just a small portion of what actually occurs. To help police in real life figure out what a criminal will do, criminal psychologycomes into play.

Here a psychologist who has the training and knowledge with understanding the criminal mind will help to detail the various facts that drive a criminal to commit their crimes. The profile that is drawn from criminal psychology will let the police figure out the next move or even the next target of criminals. This investigative method is of great help otherwise the police will be lagging behind a crime spree that they have no way of stopping.

The knowledge and understanding that a psychologist has learned about human behavior will let them “see” what a criminal is capable of doing and what they will be trying to accomplish. The profile that a criminal psychologist draws is the blueprint that various police forces use to determine where they should station themselves in order to catch the criminal.

Without knowing just how violent a criminal can get the number of people who can get hurt rises. Therefore the help that criminal psychology provides is very valuable. This type of help allows the police to gain ideas of how they can get this person in custody safely without having to break any of the rights of the person.

Once the person has been taken into custody the criminal psychologist will have to write their report of the person’s criminal profile. This is necessary for the investigative report and to justify the methods that were taken. After the criminal has been questioned and charged with their crimes, the criminal psychology that was used is looked at. This is the time to see if there were any holes or misunderstood motives or objectives.

Looking at how the criminal psychology was used at the time of a crime can help both the criminal psychologist and the police see what they need to improve on for the next time such an occurrence happens. Since crimes of a violent nature are always occurring and the need for solid criminal psychology is also needed.

This means that the next crime that is committed, a criminal psychologist will be able to help catch the criminal. So the next time that you watch TV and see how profilers work in those programs you will be able to appreciate all the hard work that goes into criminal psychology.

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You’ve just found out that a family member has landed in jail, and that bail must be posted for their release. But how much do you know about bail exactly? And how can you make sure that you are selecting the right bondsman to handle the job for you? This guide will give you some information about the bail bond process that will help you and your family to save time and money.

Bail is the amount of money that is determined by the court in order to release an individual from jail. In most cases, the bail is a large amount, so that the court can be sure that the defendant will return for further court hearings. If the defendant does not show up, the bail is owed to the court. If you have co-signed on repaying the bail, the responsibility will most likely fall on you to repay the court, especially if you have posted bail for a juvenile.

There are a few ways you can go about bail payment; you can pay cash directly to the court, you can use a credit card or check, or you can pay unsecured or secured bail. For unsecured bail, you will pay a portion of the court-ordered amount in cash, and the rest of the amount will be taken care of with collateral. In most cases, the collateral will be the deed to your home or the title to your car. After the trial is over and the remaining monetary amounts of the bail have been paid, you will receive your title or deed back. For unsecured bail, you will have to use your property or other assets for payment.

The more you know about bail, you more options you will have when it comes time to pay. You can work with a bail bondsman agency in order to secure the arrangements for payment, but it is important to keep in mind that you will have a pay a certain percentage to the company if the bail exceeds a certain amount. This fee is usually not refundable, and could raise the bail price considerably. However, you may see faster results when you use a bail agency–check out sites like www.bail.com and www.anytimebail.com for more details.

If you’re not sure about bail regulations for your state or county, you can also visit www.superpages.com to search for bondsman in your area who can give you more specific information about state regulations. You can also visit www.audreysbailbonds.com for 24 hour service and further legal information, in case you want to consult with an attorney.

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Most people are aware of some form of human suffering going on in various parts of the world, but there are certain crimes against humanity that need to be addressed and further explored right away, so that individuals and families can get the help they need as quickly as possible. Here is an explanation of such crimes, as well as some resources you can refer to so that you can do your part to help.

Crimes against humanity pose an attack on the overall dignity and rights of a large group of people, so things like human trafficking and slavery would be prime examples. The Holocaust and the enslavement of African Americans in the U.S. and the Caribbean continue to affect the perceptions that people have of Blacks and Jews around the world, The ethnic groups that experienced these hardships are now having to teach their children how to live better more productive lives in spite of horrible events in their cultural history. These crimes are not isolated events, such as a robbery or terrorist attack, but can sometimes be government policy, which makes them hard to fight. Most recently, the genocide that continues in countries like Darfur and the terrorist bombings of 9-11 are crimes against humanity, and the world is still feeling the effects of these crimes; the bombings and human suffering have caused people to lose family members and homes, and have changed their lives forever.

The way that some governments are run is another example of crimes against humanity. In places like Russia and Cuba, the government issues supplies to people according to the overall wealth of the country, which means that some families may not have enough to sustain themselves until the next time groceries or supplies are issued. Some governments also have laws that favor the rich, which means that those born into lower-class families may never have a chance for educational or economic advancement.

If you want to know more about how you can help to protect the human rights of others, or how you can stop crimes against humanity in your community, you can visit www.un.org to find out about different programs that the United Nations is sponsoring around the world. You can also visit www.ratical.org to find out more about the 9-11 attacks, and how all citizens of the world can come together to help prevent these types of tragic events in the future. News on crimes against humanity, as well as community events and human rights work that is being done across the world can also be found at www.truthout.org.

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He was called a SuperLawyer in LA Magazine’s February 2006 edition, Mark J. Werksman, with an amazing amount of success, has represented many very important people through out his illustrious career. During this time Werksman has gained a huge amount of experience, encompassing more than 20 years of case work, with work in criminal law, and specialties in business crimes and professional crimes. Werksman was selected to be a part of the very selective group of the ‘top white collar defense lawyers of LA.’ Werksman graduated from Yale in 1981, and graduated from the USC Law Center in 1985. Throughout his fantastic and illustrious career, Werksman has been employed both as a Deputy District Attorney and Assistant United States Attorney. He is well known in the criminal attorney community of CA as well as in federal courts, his experience covers various internal investigations and criminal litigation and even reaches to felony cases. Because of this, he has grained great respect from many prosecutors and esteemed judges throughout the criminal justice community. Werksman has expertise and experience working in many important fields: Business, Professional criminal defense, White collar crimes, Fraud, Political corruption, Environmental violation and even Industrial accident crimes. Werksman’s many high profile clients have included various important individuals from many a plethora of backgrounds such as the entertainment industry, the diverse LA business community and major players from South CA corporations. Werksman has represented clients all over the country from such states as: CA, AZ, NV, TX, MI and even as far as from FL. This is very important when the client is facing charges in an out of state case. Mr. Werksman has the skill and the experience to defend them in any court where they may face charges.

Mark Werksman’s experience and skill lets him run cases with a great amount of compassion and conviction for the clients when they find themselves dealing with legal problems that they don’t understand. With his guidance and representation, Werksman has helped many people’s businesses, professional practices and even has helped to preserve their reputation in cases.

Mark J. Werksman’s Law Office has earned the respect and admiration of many people in the criminal justice community and of former clients with their confident and efficient advocacy of clients from many parts of CA and through out the entire United States. Over time, the Offices of Mark j. Werksman has gained the reputation of being honest and skilled as well as trustworthy and honorable criminal defense lawyers. So it is not surprising in the least that clients are referred to Weksman on a regular basis by attorneys and leaders of the judiciary.

Mark Werksman is a professional that one can depend on, when mixed up in a legal mess, to help one get out of it.

The Law Offices of Mark J. Werksman has earned respect from the criminal justice community and from former clients as well because of their confident and efficient advocacy for clients in California and all over the United States too.

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Overview for Lawyers

Lawyers act as both advocates and advisors in society. As advocates, they represent one of the parties in criminal and civil trials by presenting evidence and arguing in court to support their client. As advisors, lawyers counsel their clients about their legal rights and obligations and suggest particular courses of action in business and personal matters. Whether acting as an advocate or an advisor, all attorneys research the intent of laws and judicial decisions and apply the law to the specific circumstances faced by their clients.

The more detailed aspects of a lawyer’s job depend upon his or her field of specialization and position. All lawyers are licensed to represent parties in court, but some, such as trial lawyers, appear in court more frequently than others. Lawyers may specialize in a number of areas, such as bankruptcy, probate, international, elder, or environmental law.

Most lawyers are in private practice, concentrating on criminal or civil law. In criminal law, lawyers represent individuals who have been charged with crimes and argue their cases in courts of law. Attorneys dealing with civil law assist clients with litigation, wills, trusts, contracts, mortgages, titles, and leases.

Employment Situation

About 27 percent of lawyers are self-employed, either as partners in law firms or in solo practices. Competition for job openings should be strong due to the large number of students who graduate from law school each year.

Employment of lawyers is expected to grow 11 percent during the 2006-16 decade, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The growing population and increased business activity is expected create more legal transactions, civil disputes, and criminal cases. Job growth among lawyers also will result from increasing demand for legal services in such areas as health care, intellectual property, venture capital, energy, elder, antitrust, and environmental law. In addition, the wider availability and affordability of legal clinics should result in increased use of legal services by middle-income people. However, growth in demand for lawyers will be constrained as businesses increasingly use large accounting firms and paralegals to perform some of the same functions that lawyers do.

Education Outlook

Formal requirements to become a lawyer usually include a 4-year college degree, 3 years of law school, and passing a written bar examination; however, some requirements may vary by state. Competition for admission to most law schools is intense. As of 2006, there were 195 law schools accredited by the American Bar Association. Others were approved by state authorities only.

Becoming a lawyer usually takes 7 years of full-time study after high school—4 years of undergraduate study, followed by 3 years of law school. Law school applicants must have a bachelor’s degree to qualify for admission. To meet the needs of students who can attend only part time, a number of law schools have night or part-time divisions. Federal courts and agencies set their own qualifications for those practicing before or in them.

Although there is no recommended “prelaw” undergraduate major, prospective lawyers should develop proficiency in writing and speaking, reading, researching, analyzing, and thinking logically—skills needed to succeed both in law school and in the law. Regardless of major, a multidisciplinary background is recommended. All accredited law schools require applicants to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

Salary Expectations for Lawyers

In May 2006, the median annual earnings of all lawyers were $102,470. The middle half of the occupation earned between $69,910 and $145,600.

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Overview for Paralegals

Paralegals, which are also called legal assistants, continue to take on more tasks in legal offices and perform many of the same tasks as lawyers. However, they are prohibited from doing anything that could be constituted as the practice of law, including setting legal fees, giving legal advice, and presenting cases in court.

One of the most important tasks of a paralegal involves helping lawyers prepare for closings, hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. Paralegals investigate the facts of cases and ensure that all relevant information is considered. They also identify appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles, and other materials that are relevant to assigned cases.

After they analyze and organize the information, paralegals may prepare written reports that attorneys use in determining how cases should be handled. If attorneys decide to file lawsuits on behalf of clients, paralegals may help prepare the legal arguments, draft pleadings and motions to be filed with the court, obtain affidavits, and assist attorneys during trials. Paralegals also organize and track files of important case documents and make them available and easily accessible to attorneys

Employment Situation

Paralegals are found in all types of organizations, but law firms, corporate legal departments, and various government offices employ the greatest number of paralegals. There were about 238,000 paralegals at work in the United States in May 2006. Private law firms employed 70 percent of paralegals and legal assistants; the rest generally worked for corporate legal departments and at various levels of government.

Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 22 percent between 2006 and 2016, much faster than the average for all occupations. This is because employers are trying to reduce costs and increase the availability and efficiency of legal services by hiring paralegals to perform tasks once done by lawyers.

Education Outlook

The most common way to become a paralegal is through a community college paralegal program that leads to an associate degree. Another common method, mainly for those who already have a college degree, is earning a certificate in paralegal studies. A limited number of schools offer a bachelor’s and master’s degree in paralegal studies. Some employers train paralegals on the job.

Associate and bachelor’s degree programs usually combine paralegal training with courses in other academic subjects. Certificate programs vary considerable; some take only a few months to complete. Most certificate programs provide intensive paralegal training for individuals who already hold college degrees.

About 1,000 colleges and universities, law schools, and proprietary schools offer formal paralegal training programs. Approximately 260 paralegal programs are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). While many employers do not require such approval, graduation from an ABA-approved program can enhance employment opportunities.

Salary Expectations for Paralegals

Salaries for paralegals depend on education, training, experience, the type and size of employer, and the geographic location of the job. Paralegals who work for large law firms or in large metropolitan areas earn more than those who work for smaller firms or in less populated regions.

In May 2006, full-time paralegals and legal assistants had median annual earnings, including bonuses, of $43,040. Earnings ranged from under $27,450 to over $67,540.

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Corporate paralegals often assist attorneys with employee contracts, shareholder agreements, stock-option plans, and employee benefit plans. They also may help prepare and file annual financial reports, maintain corporate minutes’ record resolutions, and prepare forms to secure loans for the corporation. Corporate paralegals often monitor and review government regulations to ensure that the corporation is aware of new requirements and is operating within the law. Increasingly, experienced corporate paralegals or paralegal managers are assuming additional supervisory responsibilities such as overseeing team projects.

Employment Situation

Employment of corporate paralegals is projected to grow 22 percent between 2006 and 2016, much faster than the average. Despite projected rapid employment growth, competition for jobs is expected to continue as many people seek to go into this profession; experienced, formally trained paralegals should have the best employment opportunities.

Corporate legal departments will increase their hiring of corporate paralegals. Insurance companies, real estate and title insurance firms, and banks also hire paralegals. Corporations are expected to increase their in-house legal departments to cut costs. Because they can perform a wide range of tasks, paralegals are also increasingly employed in small and medium-size establishments of all types.

Education Outlook

Most employers do not require certification, but earning a voluntary certification from a professional society may offer advantages in the labor market. The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) has established standards for certification requiring various combinations of education and experience. Paralegals who meet these standards are eligible to take a two-day exam. Those who pass may use the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) or Certified Paralegal (CP) credential. NALA also offers the Advanced Paralegal Certification for experienced paralegals who want to specialize. The Advanced Paralegal Certification program is a curriculum based program offered on the Internet.

The American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. offers the American Alliance Certified Paralegal (AACP) credential, a voluntary certification program. Paralegals seeking the AACP certification must possess at least five years of paralegal experience and meet one of the three educational criteria. Certification must be renewed every two years, including the completion 18 hours of continuing education.

Salary Expectations for Corporate Paralegals

Salaries for corporate paralegals depend on education, training, experience, the type and size of employer, and the geographic location of the job. Paralegals who work for large law firms or in large metropolitan areas earn more than those who work for smaller firms or in less populated regions.

In May 2006, full-time corporate paralegals at corporations received a median annual salary of $52,220.

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Court reporters usually create word-for-word transcripts of speeches, conversations, legal proceedings, meetings, and other events. Sometimes written accounts of spoken words are necessary for correspondence, records, or legal proof, and court reporters provide those accounts. They have a crucial role in judicial proceedings and at every meeting where the spoken word must be preserved as a written transcript. They are responsible for ensuring a complete, accurate, and secure legal record.

Additionally, many court reporters assist judges and trial attorneys in a variety of ways, such as organizing and searching for information in the official record or making suggestions to judges and attorneys regarding courtroom administration and procedure. Increasingly, court reporters provide closed-captioning and real-time translating services to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

Employment Situation

Court reporters held about 19,000 jobs in 2006. More than half worked for State and local governments, a reflection of the large number of court reporters working in courts, legislatures, and various agencies. Most of the remaining wage and salary workers were employed by court reporting agencies. Around 8 percent of court reporters were self-employed.

Employment of court reporters is projected to grow 25 percent, much faster than the average for all occupations between 2006 and 2016. Demand for court reporter services will grow due to the continuing need for accurate transcription of proceedings in courts and in pretrial depositions, by the increased need to create captions for live television, and by the need to provide other real-time broadcast captioning and translating services for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.

Education Outlook

The amount of training required to become a court reporter varies by specialization and the type of reporting chosen. It usually takes less than a year to become a novice voice writer, while it takes at least two years to become proficient at real-time voice writing. Electronic reporters and transcribers learn their skills on the job.

The average length of time it takes to become a real time stenotypist is 33 months. About 130 postsecondary vocational and technical schools and colleges offer training. The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) has certified about 70 programs, all of which offer courses in stenotype computer-aided transcription and real-time reporting. NCRA-certified programs require students to capture a minimum of 225 words per minute, a requirement for Federal Government employment as well. Some States require voice writers to pass a test and to earn State licensure.

Salary Expectations for Court Reporters

Court reporters had median annual earnings of $45,610 in May 2006. Earnings ranged from less than $23,430 to more than $77,770. Median annual earnings in May 2006 were $45,080 for court reporters working in local government and $41,720 for those working in business support services. Compensation and compensation methods for court reporters vary with the type of reporting job, the experience of the individual reporter, the level of certification achieved, and the region of the country.

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The duties of paralegals that work in the public sector usually vary by agency. In general, litigation paralegals analyze legal material for internal use, maintain reference files, conduct research for attorneys, and collect and analyze evidence for agency hearings. They may prepare informative or explanatory material on laws, agency regulations, and agency policy for general use by the agency and the public. Paralegals employed in community legal-service projects help the poor, the aged, and others who are in need of legal assistance. They file forms, conduct research, prepare documents, and, when authorized by law, may represent clients at administrative hearings.

Employment Situation

Employment of public sector paralegals is projected to grow 22 percent between 2006 and 2016, much faster than the average. Community legal service programs, which provide assistance to the poor, elderly, minorities, and middle-income families, will employ additional public sector paralegals to minimize expenses and serve the most people. Job opportunities also are expected in Federal, State, and local government agencies, consumer organizations, and the courts. However, this occupation attracts many applicants, creating competition for jobs.

Education Outlook

Paralegals must be able to document and present their findings and opinions to their supervising attorney. They need to understand legal terminology and have good research and investigative skills. Familiarity with the operation and applications of computers in legal research and litigation support also is important. Paralegals must stay informed of new developments in the laws that affect their area of practice. Participation in continuing legal education seminars allows paralegals to maintain and expand their knowledge of the law. In fact, all paralegals in California must complete four hours of mandatory continuing education in either general law or in a specialized area of law.

Salary Expectations for Public Sector Paralegals

Salaries for corporate paralegals depend on education, training, experience, the type and size of employer, and the geographic location of the job. Paralegals who work for large law firms or in large metropolitan areas earn more than those who work for smaller firms or in less populated regions.

In May 2006, full-time public sector paralegals in the federal government had median annual earnings of $56,080. Those working at the local government level had median annual earnings totaling $42,170, while those in state government received a median yearly income of $38,020.

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Overview for Judges

udges apply the law and oversee the legal process in courts. They preside over cases concerning every aspect of society, from traffic offenses to disputes over the management of professional sports to issues concerning the rights of huge corporations. All judicial workers must ensure that trials and hearings are conducted fairly and that the court safeguards the legal rights of all parties involved.

They over trials or hearings and listening as attorneys represent their clients. Judges rule on the admissibility of evidence and the methods of conducting testimony, and they may be called on to settle disputes between opposing attorneys. Also, they ensure that rules and procedures are followed, and if unusual circumstances arise for which standard procedures have not been established, judges interpret the law to determine how the trial will proceed.

Judges often hold pretrial hearings for cases. They listen to allegations and determine whether the evidence presented merits a trial. In criminal cases, judges may decide that people charged with crimes should be held in jail pending trial, or they may set conditions for their release. In civil cases, judges and magistrates occasionally impose restrictions on the parties until a trial is held.

Many State court judges only hear certain types of cases. A variety of titles are assigned to these judges; among the most common are municipal court judge, county court judge, magistrate, and justice of the peace. Administrative law judges, sometimes called hearing officers or adjudicators, are employed by government agencies to make determinations for administrative agencies. Some people work as arbitrators, mediators, or conciliators instead of as judges or magistrates. They assist with alternative dispute resolution—processes used to settle disputes outside of court.

Employment Situation

Overall employment of judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers is expected to grow 4 percent between 2006-and 2016, slower than the average for all occupations. Budgetary pressures at all levels of government are expected to hold down the hiring of judges, despite rising caseloads, particularly in Federal courts. However, the continued need to cope with crime and settle disputes, as well as the public’s willingness to go to court to settle disputes, should spur demand for judges.

Judges and magistrates are expected encounter competition for jobs because of the prestige associated with serving on the bench. Judges, magistrates, and magistrate judges held 27,000 jobs, all in State and local governments. Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers held 15,000 jobs, with 59 percent in State governments, 22 percent in the Federal Government, and 19 percent in local governments. Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators held another 8,500 jobs. Approximately 29 percent worked for State and local governments.

Education Outlook

bachelor’s degree and work experience are the minimum requirements for a judgeship or magistrate position, but most workers have law degrees, and some are elected. Most judges have first been lawyers. In fact, Federal and State judges usually are required to be lawyers, which means that they have attended law school and passed an examination. About 40 states allow nonlawyers to hold limited-jurisdiction judgeships, but opportunities are better for those with law experience. Training for arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators is available through independent mediation programs, national and local mediation membership organizations, and postsecondary schools.

Salary Expectations for Judges

Judges had median annual earnings of $101,690 in May 2006. ranging between more than $145,600 to less than $29,540. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of judges in May 2006 were $117,760 in state government and $74,630 in local government. Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers earned a median of $72,600, while arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators earned a median of $49,490.

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