Mahopac Legal Blog

New crash pilot programs change the way police respond to crashes

On behalf of Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock posted in motor vehicle accidents on Wednesday, February 12, 2020.

A new crash response program in New York went through a trial program in Staten Island in 2018. Interestingly, though the program changed police response methods to only going to vehicular accidents involving personal injuries, many people were not happy with the change.

The New York Police Department call the program a success, but motorists don't always agree. Why? If the police don't go to the scene of a crash with property damage, people might not call tow trucks or could try to drive away with their cars in poor shape. Without a police report, crashes can become cases of conflicting information and false claims. That makes everything harder on insurance agencies, who have to try to decide on who's telling the truth and come up with a settlement.

Alcohol can fool you: Know the short-term effects on your body

On behalf of Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock posted in dwi on Tuesday, February 4, 2020.

When you get drunk, your body is not functioning properly. Alcohol enters your blood through the stomach and small intestine. Then, it goes up to the brain and slows your body's functions. Alcohol slows down how you think and react. It can change the way you act and cause you to make poor decisions.

Alcohol doesn't kill brain cells, but you should know that it does make it harder for the neurons of the brain to communicate. That's why you lose coordination and see changes in your behavior. You might notice slurred speech and a loss of balance.

Speeding is a deadly habit many drivers won't break

On behalf of Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock on Tuesday, February 4, 2020.

A driver who has never exceeded the posted speed limit is a rare thing. Most everyone has pressed on the accelerator when running late for work, having too many errands or trying to get home after a long, tiring day. Unfortunately, speed is often a critical factor in many accidents, and it can be a deciding factor in whether an accident results in fatalities.

More than 26% of fatal traffic accidents involve a driver who was speeding. This does not always mean the driver is going faster than the posted limit, but it does mean the traffic, weather or road conditions are not safe for the speed the driver was going. If you have recently suffered injuries or lost a loved one in an accident, there is a good chance speed was a factor.

Probation may be an option after conviction

On behalf of Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock posted in criminal defense on Wednesday, January 29, 2020.

When people get in trouble with the law, the one consequence that may concern them most is going to jail. Jail time means being away from your loved ones, time in which you cannot work to earn money or further your career, and separation from everything that is familiar to you. This is why many who are convicted of crimes hope the court will sentence them to probation instead.

While probation may feel like a relief compared to going to jail, it is far from a get-out-of-jail-free card. Understanding what the court expects of you during your probationary period can help you avoid mistakes that may send you back to jail, perhaps for an extended time.

What are some good reasons to work with a defense attorney?

On behalf of Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock posted in criminal defense on Wednesday, January 29, 2020.

You know that the fact that you're facing a criminal charge is serious, so you've looked into working with an attorney. You also know that you have the potential to represent yourself, which costs less and, you believe, is a possible option.

It's truly better to work with someone else if you're facing criminal charges, not just because you deserve to have someone else on your side. Working with an attorney means that you can rest easier knowing that they are familiar with the law and will take steps to protect your interests.

Do you know the penalties for an aggravated DWI offense?

On behalf of Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock posted in dwi on Friday, January 24, 2020.

Driving while intoxicated is a danger to yourself and can be a danger to others. That's the primary reason why it's illegal to do so.

In New York, a DWI has extremely harsh penalties. Did you know that there is a jail term for many of the charges that you could face and be convicted of if you drink and drive? These penalties are even harsher if you are accused and convicted of an Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (AGG DWI) charge for having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .18% or higher.

Do you want to be a snowbird? Consider your estate plan

On behalf of Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock posted in estate planning on Tuesday, January 14, 2020.

Are you a snowbird? Do you love to travel south in the winter but always call New York your home? If so, you need to remember to plan for this in your estate plan.

Living in two states, either with two homes or rental properties, can be exciting. It can also be a complex situation to address in your estate planning documents.

What causes sideswipe accidents?

On behalf of Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock posted in motor vehicle accidents on Friday, January 10, 2020.

One common kind of traffic accident is called a sideswipe accident. With a sideswipe accident, one vehicle hits the other with its side. For example, two vehicles may be traveling next to each other on the highway. As a driver attempts to move over a lane, they may not notice that a driver is already there. As a result, both vehicles hit their sides together, resulting in a sideswipe accident.

Sideswipe accidents are caused by many different factors, but there are a few common causes, too. Some include:

Not checking the lane next to the vehicle before merging over
Merging without moving quickly enough to completely pass and overtake a vehicle in the other lane
Poor weather conditions, which make it hard to see
Breaking the speed limit, which can result in changing lanes too quickly or being unable to correct before hitting someone
Driving while distracted, which can lead to a car traveling out of its lane

Would two heads be better than one in administering your estate?

On behalf of Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock on Thursday, January 9, 2020.

You had enough on your plate trying to decide how to divide your estate and figure out who will receive what assets after you pass away. Now, you face the daunting challenge of choosing someone to serve as the executor of your estate.

You probably see pros and cons in each of the people you have to choose from and can't quite make up your mind. Perhaps, your interests would be better served by choosing two people to administer your estate. That way, you could get the best qualities of each person, but it may not all be good news.

What do you do if you accidentally shoplifted and were caught?

On behalf of Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock posted in criminal defense on Thursday, January 2, 2020.

You didn't intend to be where you are now, facing criminal charges for a crime you didn't even plan on committing. The store you went into has a strict policy for pursing shoplifters, but you didn't mean to shoplift. You were carrying around items you want to try on, and you had tried on some. You picked up those items to put them back and forgot about one that was slung over your bag. Now, you're facing charges and are frustrated with the entire situation.

Having a criminal defense attorney can help. Your criminal defense attorney is there to help improve the outcome of your case. They can negotiate on your behalf and work to get the case dropped, too.

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