Most Common Holiday Season Legal Issues
The holiday season is a time for rest and relaxation, but that doesn’t mean our countries laws simply go on holiday. We’re still susceptible to legal issues, even if the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful. Here at the Huerta Law Firm, we stand by our clients every step of the way. As such, we’ve compiled a few of the most common legal quandaries one may find themselves in during the holiday season. Give us a call today to schedule your free consultation.
DWI
Although this holiday season is already starting to look much different than those from years past, many people may still decide to imbibe as they celebrate. Even though most workers tend to have at least a few days off, police officers will still be on the lookout for drunk drivers. In fact, local police departments tend to have stronger forces out on the street during holidays so you might find yourself getting pulled over or finding yourself in a DWI checkpoint while you’re on your way home from a Thanksgiving or Christmas get-together.
Drunk driving has a chance of becoming much more prevalent during the cold months since consuming alcohol actually lowers your body temperature, which often results in an overall feeling of warmth, even though alcohol doesn’t actually keep you warm. Regardless, one may consume more alcohol than usual, especially if the temperature is colder than normal.
Spending Christmas or New Year’s Day in a jail cell is not something in anyone’s list of yearly goals, but it can still happen. A DWI charge, even if it’s your first one, can wreak havoc in your life. With the help of a reputable law firm by your side, you won’t have to face your charges alone. Give us a call so we can go over your legal options.
Traffic Tickets
The holiday season is, perhaps, one of the busiest times of the year. A pesky virus won’t do much to stop the traditions we’ve built up. Even if things are different this year, we can still expect Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners at home, even if your guests are your roommates or your spouse. Even if our gatherings are smaller in order to lower the risk of infection, we still need to go to the grocery store to buy ingredients for our holiday dinner. Perhaps one crucial ingredient is missing so you hop into your car and speed off towards the store only to get pulled over by local law enforcement.
As mentioned previously, the El Paso Police Department doesn’t take the holidays off so you’re just as likely to get a traffic ticket on Christmas Eve as you are any other day of the year. During these situations, it’s crucial for you to be aware of your rights. Check out our previous blog to know what to do in the event of a traffic stop.
A traffic ticket can go from annoyance to detrimental in a flash so don’t let a ticket linger. Our law firm is adept at traffic law so we can guide your case towards a favorable outcome.
Slip and Fall
El Paso’s weather is very unpredictable, especially during the colder winter months. One day, we might experience warm, sunny weather, and the next, the entire neighborhood could be covered in white snow. This is a time when sleet and frost reign supreme, which can lead to slip and fall accidents.
Now, an accident taking place at your home or in your backyard as you walk out to get the mail, although tragic, won’t necessarily fall under the “slip and fall” personal injury category. Personal injuries must be linked to the carelessness or negligence of another individual or party. If the parking lot outside of a grocery store is slick with ice and you slip and fall, fracturing a bone or injuring yourself somehow, then our personal injury lawyers may be able to help.
We all do a lot of shopping during this time of year and, even though we’re all still reeling from the pandemic, odds are the winter buying frenzies won’t slow down too much. This means injuries and accidents can still take place, especially as business owners and stores begin shifting their focus on mask mandates or sanitation.
A personal injury almost always results in damages that can include medical bills and lost wages. These damages always take a toll on victims, but they can be even more detrimental during the holiday season. If you’ve experienced a slip and fall injury due to another’s negligence, then the Huerta Law Firm can help.
Car Accidents
Even if you’re planning on having a small Thanksgiving or Christmas celebration at home with yourself and your immediate family, the need to purchase ingredients (and gifts) still remains. It is the most hectic and frantic time of year, after all. A simple drive down to the local grocery store can result in a car accident. Whether you’re at fault or not, it’s still necessary to work with a car accident lawyer in order for the whole process to run as smoothly as possible.
Car accidents that incur injuries can fall into the category of personal injury. Perhaps the other driver or their insurance company may not play fairly and decide to not follow through with paying the damages. If you find yourself in this situation, then our law firm can step in to help.
Custody and Visitation Issues
The holiday season is a time for togetherness and joy, but child custody and visitation can put a damper on this joyous time. If you’ve been facing custody issues or if your ex-spouse is violating visitation rules, then the Huerta Law Firm can help. Our family lawyers understand the intricacies of child custody law so no detail will slip by us. Give us a call today so we can get to work on your child custody case.
The Huerta Law Firm is Here For You, All Year Long
Just because the issues listed here are related to the holiday season doesn’t mean they don’t occur during times when we aren’t celebrating. No matter what you’re facing, the Huerta Law Firm can help. Give us a call today to learn more.