Pro-marijuana sentiment has been growing since Colorado and Washington became the first two states to legalize the drug for non-medical purposes.

California has one of the largest medical marijuana industries in America and is certain to be one of the next states to legalize the plant for everyday use.

Before then, come to Galadjian Law Offices with any DUI issues, including driving under the influence of marijuana. We will provide advice and assistance in your trial to help reduce your sentence or eliminate the charges.

In an age of ever-growing internet access, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain your privacy. But some items are meant to be private, such as risque photos or a sexy video.

This new law prohibits ex-boyfriends or ex-girlfriends from distributing sexually explicit material on the internet or through text message. Previously, it was difficult to prosecute these crimes because the material was voluntarily given to the distributor, meaning you couldn’t charge for stealing.

With the new law in effect, perpetrators can be fined $1000 and face up to 6 months in jail for distributing explicit images in a spiteful manner.

Now, California joins New Jersey as the two states with laws against revenge porn. Other states have tried to pass similar measures, but the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is worried that the law might violate freedom of speech laws.

Are you a victim of revenge porn?

If you are currently, or have previously been, a victim of revenge porn, contact Madeline Galadjian for a free case review. She may determine that legal action is required to stop the spread of explicit material or to compensate the affected person.

Don’t let this heinous crime go unpunished. Your privacy should be respected and thanks to this new law, you can regain control of your personal photos, text messages, and videos.

But reassurance of a happy ending will not make the ordeal any easier. Your emotions can be your worst enemy during divorce proceedings, altering how you make decisions and handle the process.

This list from the Huffington Post offers 17 common mistakes to avoid during your divorce. It is a simple, short read, but there is a lot of valuable information included. If you are beginning a divorce, review these tips and keep them in mind. Best of luck.

California governor Jerry Brown agreed to sign the bill on Friday, September 13th after the vote overwhelmingly passed in the California Senate and assembly. The one stipulation by the Federal government in these legislatures is that the identification card must clearly state that the driver is not a U.S. citizen and is thus not allowed to vote.

If you would like more information on the subject, feel free to call Madeline Galadjian at 818-769-4529 or read the full Yahoo! News article.

Before you speak with the police, you are allowed to talk to a lawyer about what you should and should not say. Before admitting o your guilt, ask to speak to your lawyer.

Should I hire an attorney?

If the court will assign you a free attorney, is it worth it to pay for one?

This is a common question that does not have an easy answer.

If you plan to plead guilty or your case is straight-forward, then it may be fine to accept a public defender instead of an attorney from a law firm.

But, as the saying goes, “you get what you pay for.” That does not mean that court-appointed lawyers are worse, or they will always lose, but you are paying for quality and attention to detail when you hire a lawyer like Madeline Galadjian.

If we take the case, we will examine it front to back and back to front. We can find weaknesses in the case against you and formulate a plan to exploit them.

Even if you do plan to plead guilty, we can be by your side to negotiate a fair punishment.

Hiring an attorney to handle a DUI, divorce settlement, or medical lawsuit will help guarantee that your voice is heard.

In the United States, this right is closely linked to the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution, which guarantees certain rights pertaining to a fair trial, specifically where it says, “No person… shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself,” which means that you cannot be forced to testify or admit your own guilt. This is why, in those same films and shows, you often hear defendants say, “I plead the fifth” in order to maintain their legal right to be silent.

One note-worthy update occurred in June 2013, when the Supreme Court ruled in the case of Salinas v. Texas that staying silent during questioning could be taken as a sign of guilt if the person had previously been answering all questions normally. In order to avoid answering a question, you must invoke your Fifth Amendment right.

Right to an Attorney

One of the other Miranda rights is the right to legal counsel. No person is allowed to be interrogated by the police before speaking with an attorney, unless he or she waives the right. This is included under the Sixth Amendment.

If you are arrested for a DUI (or other charge), make sure you ask to speak to an attorney before answering any questions. Regardless if you are guilty or innocent, saying the wrong thing could have negative consequences.

Remember, calling a DUI lawyer is not an admission of guilt, but one of your Constitutional Rights based on the belief of “innocent until proven guilty.”

1) The right to remain silent: This is the first of the Miranda rights that police read to individuals they arrest and it is important to follow. You are not required to answer any questions, such as, “how much have you had to drink tonight?” or “when was the last time you consumed alcohol?” Additionally, remaining silent or refusing to speak cannot be used as evidence of your guilt in a court of law.

2) You can legally decline handheld breathalyzers and field sobriety tests: It has been determined that the accuracy of these tests is not sufficient to hold up in court, so you are not forced to submit yourself to one. You can decline to take a field sobriety test, at which point the police are able to bring you back to the station for an official test. It is worth noting that if you are under 21-years-old or on DUI probation, you must use the handheld breath device.

3) You have the right to demand a blood test, instead of a breath test: The police may try to convince you otherwise, but demand the blood test if there is ANY chance you may exceed .08 BAC.

4) You are allowed to decline a second blood test: There is no reason to submit to this, despite what you may be told.

5) You have the right to call an attorney: Madeline Galadjian is a licensed, professional DUI Lawyer who can help you get the legal advice that you need to avoid a DUI conviction. As soon as the police offer you a chance to use the phone, call 818-769-4529 to speak with Mrs. Galadjian.

Madeline M. Galadjian Law Office offers complimentary case reviews, where we will listen to the specifics of your situation and offer general advice and tips. Mind you, we cannot lay out a play-by-play plan for how you can achieve your goals without having further discussions, but we will try our best to guide you in the right direction to start.

California Courts Government Website

In addition to our legal advice, it is in your best interest to check out the California Courts divorce or separation page. On it, they review the different means to end a marriage, show how to file for divorce, and offer analysis on how spousal support works. This website is a huge help for someone who is looking to make a fresh start and just needs guidance.

Best of luck to you during this tough endeavor. If you would like a free consultation, please call Madeline Galadjian at 818-769-4529.

Here is some advice you should remember after getting a DUI:

1) It is really important to have a DUI lawyer represent you both in court and at the DMV Hearing. Attorneys have knowledge of the law that is crucial for your defense. Don’t let one mistake ruin the rest of your life.

2) You have 10 calendar days from the date of your arrest (including weekends and holidays) to schedule a DMV Hearing- otherwise your license will be automatically suspended. Don’t waste time making this appointment!

3) Call the Law Office of Madeline M. Galadjian at (818) 769-4529 for a free consultation with an attorney. We will listen to your situation and offer some advice, free of charge.

The Law Office of Madeline M. Galadjian is open 24/7 and always available to take your calls. Best of luck with your DUI and court case.

If you need a Los Angeles attorney for your legal defense, some firms will stick you with a junior associate. Mrs. Galadjian doesn’t do that to her clients; she sees their cases through from beginning to end.

Here are some of the main services that she has experience in:

Family Law: Mainly dealing with any inter-family issue, these cases tend to get ugly. Mrs. Galadjian helps keep the dealings civil and helps her clients get the best deal. Specific areas of family law include divorce, child custody, division of property, disputes over a will, child support, and paternity tests.

Personal Injury: If you have been injured and believe you may have a legitimate case, contact Madeline. She can offer a free consultation to see if you have grounds for a lawsuit against a second party or company that caused the injury. She represents clients with slip and fall injuries, brain trauma, spinal cord injuries, car accidents, workers compensation claims, and others.

DUI Defense: A DUI can have a lasting impact on your car insurance, criminal record, and life, so get in touch with a lawyer who can defend you or negotiate a reduced sentence.

Criminal Defense: If you have been charged with a crime and require a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles, give Madeline Galadjian a call for a case review and basic strategy. She will work diligently to reduce your sentence or clear you from all charges.