You may have heard ‘no contest’ and ‘guilty’ used interchangeably in discussions about plea deals. On the surface, they are very similar and often result in the same outcome concerning criminal charges. But, is a guilty plea the same as no-contest plea? Pleading no contest means that you accept the conviction but avoid admitting guilt. […]Continue reading
A Civil Protective Order (CPO) is a tool used by someone who believes that a family member or romantic partner has committed or threatened to commit acts of violence against them. There are two parties to CPO litigation: (1) the petitioner, who files the CPO petition; and (2) the respondent, whom the CPO petition is against. In […]Continue reading
Are you looking for long-term protection from an abuser? If so, a civil protection order in Washington DC may be the solution that you are seeking. At Bruckheim & Patel, we understand how difficult it can be to take legal action against your abuser and want to provide you with helpful information about the steps […]Continue reading
Body-worn camera footage allows the viewer to see first-hand what a police officer does and is intended to solve problems of officers fabricating and exaggerating events that transpired during the course of their official work duties. To devise a competent and successful criminal defense strategy, one must get the best possible understanding of the arrest. […]Continue reading
On May 3, 2019, DC Law 22-311 went into effect. The amendment changed Title 23 of the District of Columbia Official Code to eliminate the criminal statute of limitations for first, second, third, and fourth-degree sexual abuse. It extended the statute of limitations for violations of required reporting of abused or neglected children. It also […]Continue reading
Updated on August 16th, 2023 at 09:10 pm This age-old question has surely come up at some point in your lifetime and you may even claim to know the answer. Fortunately, we have the research to either back, or destroy, your hypothesis. Spoiler: the answer will shock you. Do Men or Women Cause More Accidents? […]Continue reading
Updated on August 25th, 2023 at 08:23 pmIn DC, while both a civil protection order and a civil restraining order are civil in nature, they are not the same. A restraining order is much broader in application, being applicable to anyone. A civil protection order only applies to those within an intrafamilial relationship such as […]Continue reading
There has been a significant increase in pedestrian fatalities in D.C. in recent months, particularly pedestrians getting killed in traffic crashes. The latest accident occurred on May 2nd around 2:30 a.m., when a car struck and killed a pedestrian at the intersection of N. Capitol Street and Florida Avenue, Northwest. Unfortunately, this is not a […]Continue reading
In the frantic moments that follow the arrest of either you or a loved one, do not panic, we are here to help. What is a defense attorney? A defense lawyer provides legal representation to a defendant in a lawsuit or criminal prosecution. Typically, the defendant directly hires a criminal attorney. The criminal defendant will […]Continue reading
The right to film a police officer is often highly questioned. In an age where almost everyone has cell phones in their pockets, knowing your constitutional rights is important. So, is it illegal to film a police officer? In Maryland and DC, police officers are public figures and as such, don’t enjoy a reasonable expectation […]Continue reading
