Monthly Archives: May 2015

Life After Bankruptcy

By Moneer Kheireddine

LIFE-AFTER-BANKRUPTCY, BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY, TAMPA LAW FIRM, BLICK LAW FIRMFor those with debt, bankruptcy can seem like the worst case scenario and something you would never want to put yourself through. However, others may see it as a fresh start or a new beginning on your financial life, which you haven’t been able to get a hold of. In truth, when you file for bankruptcy you should expect a very large change to occur in many parts of your life, and know that the struggles you will go through are simply steps on the path towards recovery.

Your life after bankruptcy will take some getting used to. Getting loans, a credit card, or anything else financially related will be very difficult. And when you finally are able to receive some form of credit, your interest and the fees you pay will be out of this world. However, there is still hope! While bankruptcy will remain on your credit report for ten years, rebuilding credit is the first step to getting back on the track to redemption and moving past this point in your life.

LIFE-AFTER-BANKRUPTCY, BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY, TAMPA LAW FIRM, BLICK LAW FIRM, CHAPTER 7 However, filing bankruptcy can have affects you never even expected. Since everyone that has any sort of financial relation to you will check your credit report, you may see different aspects of your life effected from bankruptcy. You may see your insurance go up, you may be declined from employment because of it, or your place of employment may become notified. Your life will encounter drastic changes, and some will be more difficult to cope with than others.

However, not all is lost. Your life isn’t over, we are here to aid in this process! We here at Blick Law Firm believe it’s simply an admittance of need. Sure, things will become more difficult, but it is nothing that you cannot overcome, and Blick Law is here to help you through it with legal advice, counseling, and any other form of assistance you may need. We treat our clients like family, and if you find yourself needing helping when you are going through this tough time, know that we are here to offer a helping hand. Bankruptcy doesn’t mean the end; it simply means it’s time for a new beginning.

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Cuban Immigration

By: Moneer Kheireddine

CUBAN-IMMIGRATION, BLICK-LAW-FIRM, TAMPA-IMMIGRATION-ATTORNEYImmigration. It has been a long, highly debated and highly controversial topic between many Americans throughout the years. Some believe that we should accept anyone who wishes to enter our borders and become a citizen. Some say we should deny them. Others say we should just allow children. Throughout the years, it seems we still don’t fully understand where we stand, but many parents, children, and families are constantly being affected by our laws and handling of immigration law. And with the United States taking steps for the first time in fifty years to normalize relations with Cuba, some people believe it may be time to re-examine our outdated methods.

Due to our normalization of relations with Cuba, it will become much simpler for Americans to travel to Cuba and vice-versa. That will make the wet-foot, dry-foot policy which we currently have in place not really needed, according to several politicians. While the current administration currently states that the policy will remain, Cuban officials are calling for a stopping of the policy in order to stop the United States from draining skilled workers and citizens from Cuba. Thanks to the fear that the policy may change, we are finding a growing number of refugees attempting to reach the United States before the removal of the policy happens.

CUBAN-IMMIGRATION, BLICK-LAW-FIRM, OBAMA, TAMPA-IMMIGRATION-ATTORNEY Even though many years have passed since the policy was originally enacted in 1995, it seems there isn’t a clear cut directive of whether or not we should keep the policy or move forward due to changing political circumstances. People are still as torn as ever on the policy, and there doesn’t seem to be a clear cut solution to the issue. However, as people continue to debate this issue, more and more Cuban immigrants are migrating to the United States, whether to escape economic persecution or political persecution, and families are being split apart by the current legal laws.

However drastic these changes may seem, always remember that Blick Law is here to help regarding immigration matters. You can always call for a free consultation and we are happy to assist you in any way that we can. Immigration and moving to a new country is always difficult, and so if you or someone you know needs help being guided towards the lengthy process, we urge you to give us a call so that we can help.

 

 

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DUI | Do’s And Don’ts | Criminal Law Tampa

By: Moneer Kheireddine

Gavel, Alcoholic Drink & Car Keys on a Gradated Background - Drinking and Driving Concept.Drinking and Driving. Using these two words in a sentence is an ultimate taboo for many Americans, as the long-term consequences and issues that occur from Drinking & Driving can have long lasting effects, both in your life and in others. Many people often drink and drive for a few central reasons; maybe they don’t think they are too drunk, maybe they don’t have another ride, or maybe they don’t want to leave their car behind. However, if people knew the real truth behind drunk driving, the thought of drinking and driving would weigh much more heavily on their heads.

Every 53 minutes in America, someone is killed in a drunk driving crash. That equals around 27 people every day whose lives are lost because someone didn’t want to leave their car behind. In 2011, 9,878 people were victims of drunk drivers. 9,878 families lost someone they loved because a drunk driver didn’t want to pay taxi fare. 211 children were killed in drunk driving crashes in 2010, 62% of which were riding in the car with the impaired driver. Two hundred and eleven children lost their lives because someone in their family did not believe they were “too drunk to drive”. The statistics don’t lie and the bottom line is this; You should never Drink & Drive.

However, we here at Blick Law Firm believe in the saying of which our nation was founded upon; innocent, until proven guilty. There are always exceptions to the rules and we are here to defend your rights as a citizen, and to ensure that you do not receive a DUI that you do not deserve, which may impact your ability to acquire jobs, drive, and ultimately impact your freedom as a citizen. Here are precautions to take in many situations where you may run the risk of receiving a DUI.

  1. Don’t put yourself in that situation. Don’t drive if you’ve had even one drink.
  2. The statement of “not feeling drunk” will never work, because of the legal limit being .08% BAC, for a large amount of people you will not feel drink even though you are past the legal limit.
  3. If an Officer stops you for something other than traffic violations, he may still arrest you on a DUI. You could have been driving perfectly and he pulled you over for a taillight, and if he suspects you may have been drinking he has the right to question you.
  4. A field sobriety test is a collection of simple tests to try and see if your coordination, balance, and other factors of your brain are impaired by alcohol. This test comes before the breathalyzer, and you have the right to refuse the test. There is no penalty for doing so.
  5. You have the right to refuse the first breath analysis before you are actually arrested. If you have had even half a drink in the last hour, refuse the test. You may not, however, refuse the second test, which occurs after your arrest. This test either requires a blood test or a breath analysis, and is legally binding.
  6. Always be kind with the officer, no matter what your personal opinions or beliefs may be. Be careful with how you answer his questions and mindful of the consequences. You are under no obligation to get the officer more information than what is one your driver’s license.
  7. BAC and alcohol tolerance do NOT go hand in hand.If you can take five shots and feel fine, that does not change the fact that your BAC is way above the normal limit. Don’t assume because your tolerance is high, that your BAC is as well.

DUIIn the end, always remember the risks you take if you choose to drink & drive, and that it does not only affect you, but everyone around you as well. One paid cab ride, while seeming expensive and an inconvenience, equals out to much more than the years of fines, grief, and regret that come alongside a possible DUI charge. If you or someone you know ever find yourself in need of legal advice or counseling in regards to DUI’s or any other cases, remember that Blick Law is here to help you every step of the way at 813-931-0840.

Have you ever been the victim of a DUI? Do you have an opinion on DUI laws and how they impact our lives? Share your opinion or story in the comment section below!

Posted in Blick Buzz, Blog, Criminal Law, DUI | Leave a comment

Personal Injury Services | Tampa Law Firm

Written By: Moneer Kheireddine

road-accidenT Generally, most people in the world have a schedule. They have a set way that they do things; their own, personalized, rule of order. Each and every day they follow the same times, the same roads, and the same tasks. This is the reason why we find so much comfort within order. However, this is also the reason why auto accidents tend to affect us to such a large extent. Something entered our lives that broke our normality.

Try to imagine some of your own, personal accidents as a reference to how these people who are victims of a personal injury feel. Remember how you felt when these unexpected occurrences happened in your own life and the confusion and pain you felt as a result. Now, imagine the same accident, but take into consideration the fact that the accident was not caused by you, but by someone else’s recklessness, which directly caused you pain and suffering. The impact that these accidents have on your life can be life altering and detrimental, and in the confusion you may not know who to turn to or ask for help. This is where we come in.

Blick Law Firm is the firm you can turn to in your time of legal need! To us, every client is treated with the upmost care and respect, and we try to help you every step of the way on your road to recovery and return to normalcy. We offer services ranging anywhere from automobile accidents, to slip and falls, medical malpractice, and everywhere in between. If you are injured in any way, give us a call, because we want to help. Our consultation services are at no cost to you, which provides you with an opportunity to receive free legal advice! Call Blick Law Firm today to speak to a trusted personal injury attorney to guide you and your loved ones back on a road to recovery!

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Were you the victim of life altering medical malpractice? Think Quick, and Call Blick. Was your friend caught in an automobile accident? Think Quick, and refer them to Call Blick. Did the neighbors Rottweiler get out again and manage to inflict a severe bite wound on you? Think Quick, Call Blick. No matter the situation, no matter the cause, we are here to help. If you, or someone you know, have been the victim of any form of personal injury, our doors are always open. Free consultation is available, and we are happy to assist anyone in their time of need.

Here at Blick, our motto is “Helping The Hurting”, a motto contrived and founded upon helping those who have suffered in this world. We believe that everyone deserves to be treated with decency and respect, and uphold the values of helping everyone who walks through our doors. If you know of anyone who needs help through personal injury, or you yourself are a victim and are in need of assistance, we highly encourage you to at least give us a call at 813-931-0840, or schedule a consultation online at www.BlickLawFirm.com.

Remember, Blick is here to help, no matter the circumstance. If you are ever in doubt, Think Quick, and Call Blick.

Have you ever been the victim of personal injury? Have you found help within the Blick Law family? Do you have an opinion on Personal Injury laws within America? Leave a comment in the comment section below!

Posted in Blog, Criminal Law, Media Releases, Personal Injury | Leave a comment

Social Media Privacy

By: Moneer Kheireddine

 

Social Media: A New Generation of Evidence?

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As this generation of tech-savvy individuals grows up, we as a society find ourselves in more situations where our advancing usage of the internet and social media contributes to a very thin border of what violates the rights of citizens, and what doesn’t. This debate has been widespread and heavily discussed since modern media came into existence, and will continue to be discussed until definite guidelines are set in regards to what is private within social media and what isn’t. Take, for example, earlier this month the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit stated that the usage of a rap video and images of tattoos from defendant Melvin Colon’s Facebook page did not violate his First Amendment rights by giving this information to the Jury.

 

Melvin Colon as well as Earl Pierce and Joshua Meregildo were convicted in 2013 of murder, conspiracy, racketeering, firearms offenses and narcotics trafficking due to their actions on behalf of the Courtlandt Avenue Crew, a notorious street gang. In recent years, the usage of rap lyrics, photos, and other information shared on gang members and criminals Facebook’s has caused concern among citizens. Americans are growing more and more distressed everyday about what exactly is private in this newly digitized world.

social-media

 

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and many other social media outlets have been consuming more and more of our lives. We share our opinions, our ideals, our (not always so eloquent) photos, each and every day. People might share things they might not necessarily want to be shown in a courtroom, and yet most tend to share them anyways. The truth is, in this day and age, anything you share can and will be used against you in a court of law. If you want to take steps to minimize the chances of information that you post being used against you, whether in the courtroom, when pursuing employment, or anything in between, we here at Blick Law Firm are here to help. Here are some tips to consider:

 

  1. Make sure your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram profiles are set to private! Ensure that no one except your friends has access to your accounts.
  2. If you post something and immediately regret it after, don’t be afraid to delete it! You never know what might come back to haunt you.
  3. Take time every couple of months to go through some of your older posts and photos and see if there is anything you should remove, or that might make you look bad. You don’t have to delete them, but you can always set it to only be viewed by you or select friends.
  4. Try googling your name and seeing what comes up! This allows you to see what’s public knowledge and what anyone can find by simply looking up your name.
  5. Always remain respectful and courteous, especially on social media. Nothing you say is anonymous, and people will know that you said it.
  6. If you know a big job interview (or something of that nature) is coming up, professionalize your social media! You wouldn’t want employers getting the wrong idea.

If you ever have any questions concerning what is appropriate to post, if you find yourself in need of legal advice, or know of anyone who is, we highly encourage you to contact us here at Blick Law Firm at 813-931-0840. We pride ourselves on always being here to help the hurting and those in need. Think quick, call Blick!

 

Do you have an opinion on how social media is impacting our lives? Do you believe that it is/is not constitutional to use social media in the courtroom? Do you constantly keep tabs on your social media profiles? Share your opinions and views in the comment section below!

 

Posted in Blog, Media, Personal Injury | Leave a comment