Batavia Family Law Blog

How big of a deal is a DUI/OVI?

On behalf of Douglas A. Ball, Attorney at Law posted in blog on Wednesday, October 11, 2017.

When happy hour turns into "how did it get so late," it can be easy to make the decision to hurry up and drive yourself home. After all, you have to work in the morning. But when this choice turns into an arrest for DUI/OVI, you may be rethinking everything.

On one end of the spectrum, it can feel like the worst mistake you've ever made. On the other end, you know at least three other people who have gotten DUIs. You also wonder if perhaps it would just be easier to plead guilty, deal with the repercussions, and put this embarrassing incident behind you. You keep wondering, just how big of a deal is a DUI/OVI?

Why Working With Your Ex On A Custody Plan May Be The Best Choice

On behalf of Douglas A. Ball, Attorney at Law posted in blog on Friday, June 23, 2017.

When you are going through a divorce, emotions are already high. While some divorces are more contentious than others, none are ever easy. If children are involved, it’s even more complicated. Not only are you dealing with your own myriad of feelings, you have your children’s emotional well-being to consider as well.

Your kids have always been, and will continue to be, your top priority. So when it comes to custody, it seems impossible to remove emotion from the equation. Any lingering anger, animosity or resentment you feel for your ex comes bubbling back to the surface when you think about losing time with your kids.

DUI Field Sobriety Tests - Should I take the tests?

By Douglas A. Ball of Douglas A. Ball, Attorney at Law on Wednesday, March 15, 2017.

One of the constant questions that I am asked about from somebody who has been pulled over under of suspicion of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs of abuse is whether or not they should take the standardized field sobriety tests or any other field sobriety tests or exercises offered by the police officer or peace officer making such a request.

What to do if your teenager is arrested

On behalf of Douglas A. Ball, Attorney at Law on Thursday, October 6, 2016.

Raising children is challenging. Raising teenagers is just downright hard. Trusting them to make the right choices is one of the most difficult aspects of the whole parenting process. And just when they have started to earn your trust, inevitably, there will be a setback.

When that setback is simply staying out past curfew or skipping a class, you're disappointed. When you get a call that they've been arrested, your emotions are all over the place. You'll worry about their safety and well-being. You'll be angry and disappointed and scared and sad and you won't know what to do or where to begin. You'll feel like a failure (you aren't).