<![CDATA[LAW OFFICE OF VALERIE HEDLUND, PLLC - Helpful Information]]>

<![CDATA[LAW OFFICE OF VALERIE HEDLUND, PLLC - Helpful Information]]>Fri, 24 May 2024 07:04:21 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[OVERVIEW OF CRIMINAL PROCESS IN BEXAR COUNTY]]>Thu, 18 Aug 2022 05:00:00 GMThttp://vhedlundlaw.com/helpful-information/overview-of-criminal-process-in-bexar-county

]]><![CDATA[ZOOM ETIQUETTE]]>Wed, 17 Aug 2022 05:00:00 GMThttp://vhedlundlaw.com/helpful-information/zoom-etiquetteZoom Court is a Privilege and not a right. You should be dressed appropriately just as you would if you were in the courthouse in person. Decorum is important to Judges and if you violate their court rules, they could revoke your Zoom privileges and order you to attend all court settings in person.

Laptop or Desktop Computer preferred but you may use your cellphone if that is the only option.
Download Zoom - If you haven't used Zoom before, please download the app (from App Store) prior to the day of the hearing and familiarize yourself with any features you may need to use on the day – mute/unmute microphone, stop/start video
Rename to FULL Legal Name – your full name should appear and not a nickname or phone name when logged in. There are … in the top corner that you can click on to rename your profile.
Turn Video On - most courts do not allow audio only or calling in over your phone.
Position your camera properly - If you choose to use a web camera, be sure it is in a stable position and focused at eye level, if possible. Friends and Family are not permitted to be on video or in the same room with you unless they have been called to testify.
Keep yourself on MUTE your microphone when not talking
Be mindful of background noise - Find a quiet location. When your microphone is not muted, avoid activities that could create additional noise, such as televisions, radios, shuffling papers, etc.
Try to avoid talking over / at the same time as other participants
Avoid multi-tasking - Be aware you are on camera and try to avoid doing other tasks. Do NOT drive, walk around, lay down, play video games, look down at your phone, cook, laundry, etc.
Dress appropriately - Do not wear spaghetti straps, strapless or see-through shirts, tank tops, “wife” beaters, articles of clothing with explicit language.
Do not get dressed or change clothing while on video.
No hats, du-rags, wave caps, shower caps, bonnets, etc.
No Smoking/Vaping
No eating or chewing gum
No cursing or offensive language
Always remember, you are in a Court of Law while on Zoom proceedings and most judges take it very seriously. They will call you out for any inappropriate behavior or appearances. Act/dress just as you would if you were in the courtroom, in person.

]]><![CDATA[Differences between pretrial diversion, deferred adjudication, and straight probation]]>Mon, 15 Aug 2022 05:00:00 GMThttp://vhedlundlaw.com/helpful-information/differences-between-pretrial-diversion-deferred-adjudication-and-straight-probation

Information provided as a courtesy of the Law Office of Valerie Hedlund, PLLC and is for informational purposes only

Information provided is an overview only and is not intended as a comprehensive source of eligibility, program requirements, terms, definitions, structure, policies, or procedures. Texas and county law controls and is subject to change without notice. Every case is unique and should be discussed with either Valerie Hedlund or your retained/appointed attorney for qualifications.

Failure to complete all terms of probation or sentence may result in revocation of probation and the court may impose the maximum punishment from the original case; however, you are entitled a hearing before they may revoke.

]]><![CDATA[NEVER Talk to THE POLICE!]]>Fri, 15 Apr 2022 05:00:00 GMThttp://vhedlundlaw.com/helpful-information/never-talk-to-the-police

Whether you’ve done something wrong or not, NEVER voluntarily talk to the police. They are not there to “figure out what happened so you can go home.” The only thing you must do is identify yourself ... then STOP TALKING! What you should say when they start asking you questions is “LAWYER” then call me (or another lawyer) but do NOT start telling your side. Be polite and cooperative, just make sure you ALWAYS assert your rights as granted to you under the Constitution.

Do NOT voluntarily submit to field sobriety testing or admit to “I only drank 2 beers."
Do NOT go down to the station to give a statement.
Do NOT allow them to enter your home.
Do NOT allow them to search your car.
Do NOT cooperate in any way.

The police, detectives, investigators are NOT your friends and are NOT there to help you. They are there to get incriminating evidence against you and are allowed by law to lie to you.

Just remember, always properly identify yourself, give identification if asked, and then immediately say “Lawyer" ... nothing more!

Stay safe out there!
Valerie

"A fish wouldn't get caught if it kept its mouth SHUT!" - Defense Attorney Ed Garland

]]><![CDATA[BEWARE OF ADVERTISEMENTS & MAILERS FOR REQUIRED IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICES]]>Tue, 25 May 2021 22:08:04 GMThttp://vhedlundlaw.com/helpful-information/beware-of-advertisements-mailers-for-required-ignition-interlock-devicesIf you have been charged with a DWI, chances are you have received (or will receive) a letter like the one below suggesting that you are required to install an ignition interlock device. These look like they are official and appear to come from an agency within the State of Texas; however, they are mailers sent by private vendors for ignition interlock devices (IILDs). They are misleading and make it seem that it is a requirement, but if you really read the fine print, you can see they refer to "probation" which only occurs after a plea or trial.

In most cases, you should NOT be required to install a device as a condition of bond and will only be required to install IF you accept a plea bargain or are found guilty after a trial. But, as with anything, there are always exceptions (such as DWI 2nd/3rd) which may require an IILD device as a bond condition. Even then, you have OPTIONS to pick a vendor of your choice.

As with anything surrounding your court case, PLEASE contact your attorney BEFORE calling on one of these unsolicited mailings and spending money that is not required.

]]><![CDATA[Covid shutdown continues]]>Fri, 15 Jan 2021 15:39:56 GMThttp://vhedlundlaw.com/helpful-information/covid-shutdown-continuesThe Supreme Court of Texas issued the "33rd Emergency Order regarding the Covid-19 State of Disaster" on Jan. 14, 2021. ALL in-person court proceedings and jury trials are further suspended until April 1st, 2021. Unfortunately, what this means for all clients is more delays and probably long periods of no updates or new information on your case. It is impossible to predict when the courts will reopen for regular business. What was "normal" is probably no longer.

What this means for you:

Do NOT go to the courthouse for any appearances. Do NOT take what your bondsman says as fact over what I tell you. I am in direct contact with the courts on all cases and they send the attorneys all the Zoom information and updates directly. Bondsmen simply look in the system, see a date, and tell you that you have court. CALL ME BEFORE GOING AND DO NOT JUST SHOW UP THERE. Every court is handling their caseloads differently. Some are having daily dockets via Zoom and others are not having any. Most courts are not having clients appear unless they are set to plea or have a motion to revoke hearing.
Unless you want to accept a plea offer, the best strategy is to wait it out. Most prosecutors are not making reasonable plea offers right now because they know you won't be able to go to trial any time soon. As long as you can handle your bond conditions and having your case(s) pending, it is probably best to wait it out. BUT, every case is different and everyone has different consequences of their case so it is best to set an appointment with me if you want to discuss. PLEASE SCHEDULE USING THIS LINK SO THAT I AM AVAILABLE AND HAVE YOUR CASE OPEN IN FRONT OF ME: https://VHedlundLaw.as.me/
Continue to check in with your pre-trial services officer (IF you have one...many people do not) and continue to check in with your bondsman so they know you haven't fled the area and don't file with the court to come off your bond.

The 33rd EO can be found here:
https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1450329/219004.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3avlPPj4OqnGuB8G8YAwtO9WoSC3pBgown8mjJl-inO7H2aN6jojaWszU

Hang in there everybody. As anxious as you feel, know that there are thousands of other people waiting for their day in court too so you fall in a long line of people who may have been waiting longer than you. We will get through it sooner or later.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can always email me as well: val@vhedlundlaw.com

Stay safe and healthy!
Valerie

]]><![CDATA[COVID COURT OPERATIONS UPDATE FOR CLIENTS]]>Mon, 21 Dec 2020 16:53:39 GMThttp://vhedlundlaw.com/helpful-information/covid-court-operations-update-for-clientsThe Office of Court Administration for the State of Texas issued an update for court operations and jury trials on 12/17/20. Jury trials will not be taking place any earlier than Feb. 1st, 2021. It is likely that they may not begin again until late spring or summer, depending on many variables such as active CoVid cases, vaccine availability, and infection rates. Every court in Bexar County is operating somewhat independently and has their own procedures so it is important for you to check with me if you have specific questions regarding your case.

The one thing you can definitely count on is DELAYS! Nothing is back to normal and it may never be. It is the time of Zoom hearings for pretty much everything so do NOT go to the courthouse without contacting me first.

For my criminal clients:
If you are out on bond, it is very important that you continue to check in with your bail bondsman and IF you have been assigned a pre-trial services officer, you must continue to follow their directions and keep in contact with them as well. (Please note, many people are not assigned a PTS officer so if you don't know what I'm referring to, you likely were not given one and do not need to worry.) If you do not check-in, the bondsman may surrender your bond and you could be re-arrested and pre-trial services will contact the court, send a violation report, and you could be re-arrested.

Please read the post below for additional information and my advice during the pandemic. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me or schedule an appointment if you wish to discuss your case. Scheduling an appointment is always the best way ensure I am available, have your case in front of me, and am in front of my computer to access your case.

Please click here to schedule an appointment: https://VHedlundLaw.as.me/

Stay safe and healthy and I wish everyone a much better year in 2021!!
]]><![CDATA[GA-EO 22 COVID Update to clients]]>Tue, 22 Sep 2020 00:07:44 GMThttp://vhedlundlaw.com/helpful-information/ga-eo-22-update-to-clientsTo my Clients,

I know this is a stressful time for you and it feels like it will never end.  I truly feel the same way.  I wish I had better news to share but we just received notice that Governor Abbott issued Emergency Order 22 (see summary below) which modifies or suspends deadlines and trial procedures through December 1st.

For clients out on bond, please understand, the court/judge ranks your case as lowest priority since you aren’t in jail.  Defendants in jail remanded without bond or who have a high bond that can’t post it are higher priority right now.

If you are waiting for a jury trial on your case(s), misdemeanor trials will likely not happen until Spring or even summer of 2021 unless the judges here in Bexar County decide to resume sooner.  There is a lot of speculation about how trials will go but the likely order of trials will be that defendants in jail charged with capital offenses and first-degree felonies will go first, followed by lower felony cases, then misdemeanors still in jail.  Civil and criminal juries will be pulled from the same potential jury pool; therefore, civil jury trials will also take priority over criminal misdemeanor cases when urgent matters are involved like the removal of children. After those juries are assigned and trials held, they will go in order of offense date, oldest going first and alternate.

If you are wanting to plea or wait out negotiations with the State and do not currently have a date set to plea, please schedule an appointment with me to discuss your case.  Several courts are having Zoom dockets, but many are postponing all dockets until regular court operations resume.  Many court coordinators are simply moving dates out until 2021 without notifying attorneys.  Every one of them is handling things differently so if you would like to discuss your case(s), please schedule an appointment with me at the link below.

Please try to hang in there as best you can.  You can always email me or call me if you have an urgent matter.  I would prefer that if you want to have a lengthy conversation about your case, you schedule an appointment so I can set enough time aside and give you my full attention with your casefile in front of me.

Thanks so much,

Valerie Hedlund
Attorney at Law
Office:  (210) 424-4268
Email:  val@vhedlundlaw.com
Texts:  (805) 222-7405
https://www.vhedlundlaw.com
To schedule an appointment, please click https://VHedlundLaw.as.me/

SUMMARY:  Governor’s Executive Order 22 applies to court procedures on 10/1 and permits courts to modify or suspend deadlines and procedures through 12/1; requires courts to continue to use all reasonable efforts to hold proceedings remotely and to follow OCA's Guidance for All Court Proceedings; prohibits Justice and Municipal Courts from holding an in-person jury proceeding prior to 12/1; permits district, county, and probate courts to hold in-person jury trials after certain actions; permits courts to hold virtual jury proceedings in certain cases with certain technology provided to prospective jurors; extends the possession and access to a child provisions from previous orders; extends the ability for an attorney professional disciplinary or disability proceeding to conduct proceedings remotely.
]]><![CDATA[#Openwestand]]>Thu, 30 Apr 2020 20:13:16 GMThttp://vhedlundlaw.com/helpful-information/openwestand

]]><![CDATA[IMPORTANT NOTICE TO CLIENTS]]>Mon, 06 Apr 2020 15:33:36 GMThttp://vhedlundlaw.com/helpful-information/important-notice-to-clients

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