Mahopac Legal Blog

Do you have reason to update your estate plan?

On behalf of Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock on Thursday, March 14, 2019.

Having an estate plan is immensely useful. If you have already created your plan, you may feel as if you are ahead of the game. While you should certainly feel proud and accomplished for taking a step that many people in New York and elsewhere put off until it is too late, it would be wise for you to remember that you need to update your plan as well.

If you do not review and update your will periodically, you run the risk of having outdated information and essentially having an estate plan that does not do you or your family any favors. The relevance and applicable nature of the information in your plan are just as important, if not more so, than actually creating the plan in the first place.

Fight back against any DWI charges you face

On behalf of Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock posted in dwi on Thursday, March 14, 2019.

A DWI changes your future the moment you're convicted. It can start affecting you as soon as the initial arrest, making it hard to get to work or forcing you to miss time from school or work due to court dates.

A DWI can be issued if you're drunk while driving, impaired by illicit drugs or if you're driving dangerously due to prescription drug interactions. Regardless of the reason for impairment, if you are impaired, you're a danger to yourself and others. A significant level of impairment is what the police look for, and it's what they want to hold you accountable for.

What charges can be filed for drunk or impaired driving?

On behalf of Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock posted in criminal defense on Thursday, March 7, 2019.

DWI crimes can be penalized harshly in New York, so if you're thinking of drinking and driving, it's better to reassess your options. New York's DUI laws are designed to combat drunk driving, which means they are strict and harsh.

You will be considered legally intoxicated once your blood alcohol content (BAC) reaches .08 percent. At that point, you can legally be arrested for driving while intoxicated. Keep in mind that you may also face arrest at a lower limit if you are driving dangerously, though the charges may be less.

What should you do if you're stopped for a DWI?

On behalf of Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock posted in dwi on Friday, March 1, 2019.

A DWI changes the course of your life, at least in the short term. It can have lasting consequences, depending on how many times you've faced DWI charges and how high your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was over the limit.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported that over 1.4 million people were arrested for driving under the influence in 2010. Sometimes, that was due to alcohol, while other times it was drugs or a combination of drugs or alcohol.

Black ice and winter hazards don't mean you can't make a claim

On behalf of Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock posted in motor vehicle accidents on Wednesday, February 20, 2019.

In winter accidents, it can sometimes be difficult to determine fault. Both drivers might struggle with a slick area of a roadway, or one might lose control due to black ice.

Winter weather poses a threat to everyone on the roads, but the interesting thing is that the weather won't stop someone from being at fault in a collision. The authorities expect those who are using the roads to be educated enough to do so safely. They expect that you are able to navigate the roads despite the conditions or that you'd otherwise choose to stay home or pull over.

A good defense relies on honesty and trust

On behalf of Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock posted in criminal defense on Thursday, February 14, 2019.

There are many concerns people have about working with criminal defense attorneys. Some believe that an attorney might not believe them and not take the case as seriously as they would for someone who they feel is innocent. Others believe that they'll end up being turned over to the police if they tell the attorney they're guilty or explain their situation fully.

There are a few things that you should know about working with a defense attorney. First of all, defense attorneys are there to help you regardless of their personal feelings. Their job is to protect your rights -- including the right to remain innocent until proven guilty. It's also their job to try to keep you from being convicted and to help reduce any penalties you face if you are convicted.

Is an ignition interlock device mandatory after first DWI?

On behalf of Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock on Thursday, February 14, 2019.

After facing a charge for driving while intoxicated, you may wonder what the outcomes of your case will be. Because each situation like this is unique, your results and the case itself will differ from those of others who have faced similar charges. Understandably, you may feel overwhelmed, simply by the fact that police have charged you with a crime.

Before letting yourself feel intimidated by the situation, you may want to remember that you have legal options and the right to defend against any allegations made against you. Still, you may wonder what could happen if the court does return a conviction for your case.

Should my estate plan discuss euthanasia or assisted suicide?

On behalf of Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock posted in estate planning on Friday, February 8, 2019.

When you are planning for old age and beyond, you'll be making changes to your estate plan. Your estate plan is a group of important legal documents that dictate what you'd like to see happen if you are unable to make decisions for yourself or if you pass away.

One thing you can address in your estate plan is the preference you have for medical care. New York does not allow "mercy" killings or euthanasia, which is when an elderly or terminally ill person could choose to die over continuing to fight for life. However, New York does allow life-saving treatments, life-sustaining machines and life-sustaining procedures to be withdrawn if the person does not wish to be revived once the vital organs have shut down.

What are 4 steps to take before driving?

On behalf of Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock posted in motor vehicle accidents on Thursday, January 31, 2019.

Winter driving is one of the most important things to talk about throughout the year. By the time winter arrives, drivers need to be prepared to do what they have to do to stay safe. That means knowing how to control their vehicles in inclement weather.

There are a number of things you can do before you start driving that will put you in a better position to get where you're going safely. Here are four things to do before you put your car into drive.

Here's what to know about the criminal charge process

On behalf of Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock posted in criminal defense on Thursday, January 24, 2019.

When a crime is committed and you're arrested, your opportunity to defend yourself starts immediately. It's important that you don't say or do anything that can result in a conviction. That means not talking about what you were doing, trying to explain yourself or admitting to a crime in hopes that it will help your case.

Criminal cases go through a few phases. To start with, there is the arrest. This is when people should reach out to their attorneys so that they can have the situation assessed and receive information on what they should or should not say.

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