Straight Talking on The Law

On Line Attorney Reviews - Don't Take them At Face Value

Fake or not? In working on my own website, I can tell you it's really hard to get any client to take the time to post an online review. How is it then, that certain websites of local small firms and even individual lawers get dozens of reviews? And more surprisingly, all favorable? Particularly when huge concerns and websites like JC Penny are lucky to get even a few.

I have a strong suspicion that many are paid for. Either knowingly by the attorney or firm, or unbeknownst to the firm or lawyer by the firm's search engine optimization (SEO) professional. And more alarmingly, some reviews are probably done by the attorney or attorney staff themselves.

How can you spot fake attorney reviews. Here are a couple of tips, on the jump.

Oregon DUII Laws - New Requirements

 
By: Robert Harris

Oregon is considering making some major changes in the  treatment requirements for persons convicted of DUII.

Under current rules, a person convicted of DUII is required to participate in treatment for a minimum of 90 days, remain abstinent from all drugs and alcohol during that period of time and submit to urine testing to confirm abstinence.

Under the new proposed rules, a person in Oregon convicted of DUII or on a DUII diversion would be required to undergo a minimum of 50 hours treatment over six months for first offenders and 100 hours of treatment over one year for a person convicted of a second or subsequent DUII. This would substantially increase the treatment cost for DUII offenders, who would be forced to pay for the added treatment sessions and the additional testing.

There are studies that show that Increasing treatment duration can have positive effects for some persons convicted of DUII who suffer from alcohol or drug dependence. However, a significant number of people who receive DUIIs are not in need of extended treatment, and only need education and a short exposure to the treatment environment.

Unfortunately, sometimes courts and the Legislature belive in one size fits all laws. Like all types of minimum sentences, by taking the individual out of the equation, there are bound to be extra and unnecessary costs.