Summer 2018 Newsletter

Helping People in All Legal Situations

It is the job of criminal defense attorneys to represent those charged with crimes in court. Crimes can range in severity from a misdemeanor to a felony. Punishment can range from a minor fine or community service, to years in prison or even death.

Most of the people who come to The Decker Law Firm for a defense attorney never thought of themselves as “criminals” who would need a lawyer to defend them. They are just ordinary people, who found themselves in unexpected situations. The Decker Law Firm covers all areas of criminal defense, including, but not limited to: drug charges, embezzlement, assault, weapons charges, burglary, sex crimes, and drunk driving.

But what does a defense attorney actually do for you?

Interview & Investigation

Once we get a chance to meet you, we will begin by asking specific questions about your case. Our team will work to get your side of the story including the timeline of events, any important details, and understand the factors that led to your current situation. We plan to implement the best possible defenses and use the strengths of your case while avoiding weaknesses.

After our interview, we will investigate your case thoroughly by speaking with witnesses, questioning police, analyzing any available evidence, and evaluating the strategy of the prosecution. By gathering as much information as is relevant to your case, we hope to build a strong defense at trial – and we have 50 years of legal strategy behind us to help determine the best course of action.

Jury Selection

The jury in a courtroom can vary in size based on individual charges, however, they are always a vital component to your case. Ensuring that the jury selected is unbiased and fair towards your situation is imperative for having a fair trial. Our attorneys have been doing this for years and know what questions to ask in the pre-trial process. You can trust 50 years of legal experience on your side at all stages of your case.
Trial Participation

We will, of course, stand by you and fight for your case in court. Every courtroom experience is slightly different, but mainly our goal is to examine witnesses, cross-examine the state’s witnesses, present the theory of your case, and all manner of evidence in order to convince the jury that the prosecution has failed to meet its burden of proof.

In preparation for the trial, we will work with you to ensure you understand all aspects of your case, engage in mock-interviews to practice responses, and explain our best understanding of the prosecutions process.

Sentencing

If you are sentenced for the crime either because of a plea bargain or conviction, a criminal defense lawyer of The Decker Law Firm can represent you during the sentencing phase. We will discuss factors that can help limit the amount of time that you serve, and discuss possible alternatives to incarceration.

If you have been arrested, or if you have been charged with any kind of misdemeanor or felony charges in Virginia, contact a defense lawyer immediately. No matter what type of charges you are facing, you deserve quality legal help. Taking advantage of your right to legal counsel may have a lasting impact on your future.

Local Law Enforcement Lip-Sync Low-Down

If you feel like music is in the air, you aren’t alone! Police departments from around the country have been challenging one another to lip sync battles. Some of their videos have even gone viral, like the one showing the Norfolk, Virginia Police Department’s rendition of Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk,” featuring Bruno Mars.

Norfolk’s video had 50 million views and more than 1 million shares within the first few days, and other departments in the area have joined the online trend as well! The Norfolk Sheriff’s Department, Hampton, and Virginia Beach police departments have all released videos featuring songs from many genres as well as many local attractions like Mount Trashmore and the Oceanfront.

The trend traces back to a video in June from the San Antonio Police Department in Texas, which had an officer perform solo to *NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye.” However, our local law enforcement has taken the challenge to new heights, often involving large crowds of coworkers and family in one-shot productions!

The Decker Law Firm is always happy to support our local law enforcement officers in keeping our community safe.We are especially happy to see them entertain our community with hypnotic dance moves! Do you think our firm should join the craze? Let us know on social media!

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SUMMER TIME RECIPE
Grilled Flatbread Pizzas

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Prep Time: 10 mins • Cook Time: 5 mins • Total Time: 15 mins

~Kelsey Holt

Incredibly easy & super quick weeknight dinner, perfect for a hot summer night! Load up with your favorite toppings and you have the most delicious flatbread pizza!

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 2 flatbreads, such Stonefire Artisan Flatbread
• 1 1/2 cups chopped romaine
• 1 15 oz can chickpeas, drained
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 cup salami, cut into strips
• Handful of sundried tomatoes
• 1/2 cup banana peppers
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1//4 cup Italian dressing
• Black pepper, to taste
• Pizza sauce
• Mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat grill to medium heat and place pizza stone on grill to heat up. If you do not have a pizza stone, make sure to rub olive oil on the bottoms of the flatbreads before placing on the grill.
2. Spread pizza sauce on flatbread and top with Mozzarella cheese. I didn’t measure out either ingredient, as I based mine off my personal preference, which is extra saucy and cheesy.
3. Place flatbread on pizza stone and grill for about 5 minutes, or until the edges are crisp and cheese has melted. If you do not have stone, grill for about 3-4 minutes and check to see if the bottoms are crisp. Every grill is different so make sure you keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.
4. While the pizza grills, make your salad. Combine chopped romaine, tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes, banana peppers, salami, green onions, Parmesan, and black pepper. Toss with Italian dressing and set aside.
5. Remove flatbread from grill and top with chopped salad. Serve immediately!

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