by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Often a person who is accused of a crime will learn (or suspect) that there is a warrant out for their arrest. Handling that situation the right way can have immediate and longer-lasting benefits.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear A guardianship is the legal process through which someone other than the parent of a child can legally care for the child. Guardianship are commonly used when a child’s parents are unable or unwilling to care for a child. For example, a relative may seek a guardianship of a child when the parent(s) are
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear When it comes to Child Support, handling the case as soon as possible is almost always the best course of action. That is true for the parent who is receiving child support, and for the parent who is paying child support.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear After the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) becomes involved with a family due to an abuse or neglect accusation, a Family Team Meeting is often scheduled rather quickly. Handling that meeting properly can have lasting effects upon the situation, going so far as to influence the outcome of DHS reports, juvenile court decisions, and criminal charges. For that reason, it is prudent to consult with an attorney prior to
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear There are laws at the Federal and State levels that prohibit certain people from possessing a firearm. These laws can be rather complex, and a person who is charged with unlawfully possessing a gun generally cannot avoid criminal liability by saying that they did not know they were prohibited. This article discusses the general categories of people who are barred from possessing guns, and some of the related situations that often arise.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Under Illinois law, a parent of a child can bring a custody case to have the court legally establish paternity, custody, visitation, and child support. The Illinois law that governs such cases is the Dissolution of Marriage Act, and that law applies for the sake of custody matters whether the parents were married or not. There are some differences in how cases proceed depending upon whether the parents were married, and this article discusses the scenario in which the parents are not married.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Under Iowa law, either unmarried parent of a child can seek to have the court establish their respective rights and responsibilities as parents of the child. Essentially, that involves establishing paternity, custody, physical care, visitation, child support, tax exemptions, and other similar matters.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Sometimes a person who is facing a serious criminal charge may feel afraid and compelled to do “something.” All too often, that urge to do “something” can lead a person to take action that is quite harmful to their case. An example of that that I see from time to time is when a person writes a letter to the judge as their case is pending, apologizing and asking the judge to let them out of jail. Such letters are not helpful, and can prove quite harmful. For that reason, it is wise to avoid writing such a letter to the judge.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Since the year 2011, Puryear Law has offered employees a $50/month bonus if they choose to take the training to obtain their permit to carry, lawfully obtain that permit, and lawfully and safely carry at the firm’s office. On
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Each state has its own child protective services agency. In Illinois, that agency is called the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS). In Iowa, it goes by the name Department of Human Services (DHS). A person who finds themselves facing a DHS or DCFS investigation, no matter how baseless that investigation may be, is wise to promptly seek an attorney and avoid saying or doing anything until that attorney can review the situation and provide
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear When accused of a crime, most people will naturally wish to express their innocence and explain exactly how they have done nothing wrong. It is only human nature to want to defend oneself against accusations. However, doing so can be disastrous from a legal perspective, which is why it is best to remain silent and seek an attorney at once.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear The Iowa Highway Patrol often uses VASCAR (Visual Average Speed Computer And Recorder) as a means of speed enforcement. Often, this will take the form of a police officer in a light airplane, who uses a stopwatch to
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Earlier this year, I had the honor of representing a woman named Judy, who used her gun to defend herself, her sister, and her sister-in-law after they were violently attacked in a parking lot in Rock Island County, Illinois. Much to her surprise, Judy was charged in Case Number 2010CF1076 in Rock Island County, Illinois, after telling the police about the attack she suffered. After a variety of motion hearings, we proceeded to a jury trial on February 7, 2012. The result of that trial was a verdict of Not Guilty, at which point the court ordered that Judy’s gun be returned to her right on the spot. Judy was then able to walk out of the courthouse with her pistol, return home, and accept an even better employment offer that had been on hold as she awaited trial. With Judy’s permission, I am sharing her story here.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear by Attorney Eric D. Puryear by Attorney Eric D. Puryear by Attorney Eric D. Puryear by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Below is a listing of the judges for the Iowa District 7, which includes Scott County, Clinton County, Cedar County, Jackson County, and Muscatine County:
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Below is a listing of judges for the Illinois 14th Judicial Circuit, which includes Carroll County, Joe Daviess County, Lee County, Ogle County, and Stephenson County
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Below is the contact information for the Circuit Court Clerks of each Illinois county: