Columbia Legal Issues Blog

Facing charges for DUI/DWI can be daunting

On behalf of Law Offices of Marc A. Ominsky posted in dui/dwi on Tuesday, September 17, 2019.

Drinking and driving is generally considered to be an unsafe driving practice in Maryland and elsewhere. Regardless of this fact, it is a frequent occurrence and facing charges for DUI/DWI can be a scary experience. That fear can be significantly enhanced if another person was seriously injured or killed as a result of the accident.

In an incident on a recent Tuesday night, a motorcyclist was struck by a driver who was attempting to make a left-hand turn. The driver hit the motorcycle as he was turning into a driveway. The motorcyclist was seriously injured.

Maintaining mental stamina is important during divorce

On behalf of Law Offices of Marc A. Ominsky on Friday, September 13, 2019.

Going through any major change in life can bring about mixed emotions. Even if you know the change is for the best, you may still worry about what it could mean for your future. In particular, you may have concerns about how you will handle your pending divorce.

Whether you are the person who initiated the proceedings or your spouse broke the news, you now face a complex process ahead. During this time, you may easily feel overwhelmed and want to focus on making the right decisions regarding your case. While participating in your case is certainly wise, you also need to help yourself handle the personal changes that will come along with ending your marriage.

Chapter 12 bankruptcy can provide relief for family farmers

On behalf of Law Offices of Marc A. Ominsky posted in bankruptcy on Tuesday, September 3, 2019.

Farmers are a vital part of the American economy as they provide food to people in the United States and around the world. Farmers in Maryland and elsewhere have faced economic challenges caused in part by weather related issues, and newly imposed tariffs are also having an impact. As a result, there has been an uptick in filings for bankruptcy under Chapter 12, which allows farmers to reorganize their debt and pay it back on a seasonally adjusted schedule.

The year 2019 was particularly hard for farmers where the weather was concerned. A very wet spring delayed the planting season, which, in turn, had a negative impact on crop yields. This, coupled with the effect the farmers felt from the tariffs, has led to a difficult year for American farmers.

Scooters can become involved in motor vehicle accidents

On behalf of Law Offices of Marc A. Ominsky posted in motor vehicle accidents on Thursday, August 22, 2019.

Summer is a time when people head to the beach for a little rest and relaxation. Scooters have become a popular form of transportation this summer as can be seen in the beach communities of Maryland. Like motorcycles, they may be hard to see and drivers need to remain vigilant in order to prevent motor vehicle accidents. A tragic accident in Ocean City resulted in the death of a young man.

The incident occurred when the 20-year-old was riding a scooter along Route 50. A car driven by a 21-year-old male was attempting to make a U-turn on the highway near Inlet Isle. The accident happened about 8:30 p.m.

Drunk driving the cause of many motor vehicle accidents

On behalf of Law Offices of Marc A. Ominsky posted in motor vehicle accidents on Wednesday, August 7, 2019.

Summertime is a time for socializing with friends and enjoying the warm weather. Often the experience includes alcohol. It is possible for a person to not be aware of how alcohol may impact his or her ability to safely drive a car. Impaired drivers cause many of the fatal motor vehicle accidents that occur in Maryland.

Early on a recent morning police were called to the scene of a crash where a vehicle had collided with a utility pole. When officers arrived, there was no sign of the driver but they found a passenger who was unconscious. The passenger was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of severe trauma produced by injuries suffered in the crash.

Bankruptcy can provide a new beginning

On behalf of Law Offices of Marc A. Ominsky posted in bankruptcy on Thursday, July 25, 2019.

Contrary to the view of some that bankruptcy is a sign of failure, it can actually provide a solution to a difficult problem. Bankruptcy can provide an opportunity for a new beginning in Maryland and a clean slate from which to rebuild a solid financial future. What leads a person to bankruptcy is frequently circumstances completely beyond one's control. Divorce and medical bills can cause one to incur unanticipated debt.

A couple who are facing divorce may be able to facilitate an equitable settlement through filing for bankruptcy. A couple who has significant consumer debt, that may be difficult for the couple to manage as newly single people, can possibly alleviate the debt through a bankruptcy filing. Freeing themselves from the heavy debt load enables the two to start building a new and more secure financial future. Likewise, bankruptcy could provide relief from extensive medical bills accrued through an unforeseen illness.

If a California officer asks you to exit your vehicle

On behalf of Law Offices of Marc A. Ominsky on Sunday, July 21, 2019.

Summer is in full swing, and you've been enjoying some down time, perhaps attending a concert or two, going to the beach, or getting together with friends for a backyard barbecue. These types of activities often include alcohol consumption, which isn't necessarily a problem but might be if you drink then get behind the wheel of a car to drive.

Driving under the influence of alcohol is a crime in California and all other states. The easiest way to avoid an arrest, of course, is to abstain from alcohol if you plan to drive. That doesn't guarantee anything, however, because there have been many incidents where perfectly sober people have been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. If a police officer pulls you over and asks you to get out of your car, you can bet he or she thinks you've been drinking.

Motor vehicle accidents increase on holiday weekends

On behalf of Law Offices of Marc A. Ominsky posted in motor vehicle accidents on Thursday, July 11, 2019.

Holiday weekends come with stories of parades, fireworks and family get-togethers. They also come with news of traffic fatalities. Holiday traffic often leads to an increased number of motor vehicle accidents and deaths on Maryland highways. The recent holiday weekend proved no exception.

A wrong-way accident on the inner loop of the beltway resulted in the death of a young woman. She was driving north on the beltway when her vehicle was struck by a Ford F150 driving south on the northbound side of the divided highway. It is not known how the vehicle came to be driving in the wrong direction.

Chapter 7 bankruptcies sometimes caused by student loan debt

On behalf of Law Offices of Marc A. Ominsky posted in bankruptcy on Tuesday, June 25, 2019.

The issue of student loan debt is one that has been a frequent topic of conversation in the media in recent weeks and months. The amount of outstanding student loan debt in 2019 is believed to be about $1.5 trillion. A large amount of that debt is held by millennials. In Maryland and elsewhere, many of them are struggling to find good paying jobs and are unable to repay their loans, causing them to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

An estimated 32% of people who filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 had student loan debt that was a significant cause of bankruptcy. Chapter 7 allows a person with low income to file for debt liquidation where Chapter 13 allows for debt reduction. Student loans are not normally discharged, or forgiven, in a bankruptcy proceeding. For those with student loans filing Chapter 7 that means that the funds freed up by the discharge of credit card debt would often go to pay student loans.

Bankruptcy can come to a farmer's aid

On behalf of Law Offices of Marc A. Ominsky posted in bankruptcy on Tuesday, June 11, 2019.

Agriculture is a vital industry in Maryland and across the United States. It is an industry that is greatly reliant on weather and good or bad weather can make or break a farmer's year. Debt is a reality in most people's lives and as long as it is managed does not necessarily lead to a financial crisis. When an event occurs that is beyond one's control, a managed situation can quickly spiral into a crisis. Bankruptcy can provide tools to help one survive the crisis.

The weather across the nation has been atypical for some time now. Farmers are feeling the pinch as it is impacting planting schedules. In another state, the number of bankruptcies involving farmers has increased significantly. The problem has escalated in the last year and is causing stress and mental health issues among the farm community.