New Website

Please visit our new website at http://www.cslawonline.com for information regarding our law firm and the services that we provide. Remember that we are a fully bi-lingual office that provides quality legal representation to the latino community. As always let us know what you think.

Serious Problems with Eyewitness Testimony

How many times have you heard your client tell you repeatedly that he or she was not the person that committed the offense. And how many times have you been in the courtroom where the victim pointed out your client without hesitation. Unfortunately this story often ends the same way in courtrooms across the United States, with a conviction and lengthy prison sentence. 60 minutes has a wonderful special on what many of us have believed but rarely have been able to prove in a courtroom. Namely that many of these identifications are flawed, oftentimes through nobody's fault. Lets figure ways of using this information to make sure that no innocent person is wrongfully convicted.

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THE END OF AN ERA?-The death of billable hours

In these dire economic times, we often forget to look at any positives that may come from experiencing hardship and suffering. As the saying goes "that which does not kill us, only makes us stronger". The "death" of major banks, investment houses and law firms can help us take a long hard look at our own business model and how we can survive and prosper in any economic condition.

Law firms may have to take a good and hard look at whether the concept of billable hours is one that can survive the test of a recession. Long the harbinger of many young associates, billable hours can probably attest to the low morale and job satisfaction of many in the legal profession. Furthermore some argue that it has also helped lower the general public's opinion of the the legal profession and lawyers as well. I think the time is ripe for an innovative look and approach to billing. Now is the time for changing outdated billing methods that not only serve to alienate our clients but also serves as a primary factor in the high burn out rate in our profession. Do you agree? What are other possible innovative methods to billing clients?

Billable Hours Giving Ground at Law Firms
By JONATHAN D. GLATER
Published: January 30, 2009

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/30/business/30hours.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Governor Announces New Program to Help Save Homeowners From Foreclosure

Governor Jon Corzine officially announced a program at helping the many homeowners facing foreclosure. According to the estimates as many as 60,000 New Jersey homeowners could lose their homes to foreclosure this year. The Governor together with the Attorney General's Office aim to help those in need. Lawyers, including myself, have been trained to become mediators in order to help homeowners negotiate with mortgage companies and hopefully keep their homes. Armed with credit counsellors, attorney's hired by legal services and a new group of trained mediators, homeowners maybe able to renegotiate interest rates, payment plans and maybe even reduce the principal owed. I encourage others in our profession to dedicate some of their time to helping our neighbors avoid foreclosure, and receive some excellent training as well. By contacting the AOC and serving as volunteer mediators, attorneys can get some excellent training and information and also go back to what initially made us become lawyers: HELPING OTHERS.

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CBS 60 Minutes reports on new trends in Death by DWI/DUI prosecutions

60 Minutes has taken a look at how some prosecutors, including the Nassau County District Attorney, are changing the way defendants are charged in cases where a DWI results in a death. Instead of the usual manslaughter charges that have been the norm, these prosecutors are now charging defendants with Murder charges. Should these defendants be charged with murder statutes? Do you think that this will spread to other jurisidictions? Will there really be a deterrent effect as a result of these more serious charges?


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