The Symptoms and Diagnosis

In July of 1998, I had a heavy, bronchial-type cough. My doctor said if the cough did not go away completely to come back and see him. At that time, he gave me a chest x-ray, which showed a pleural thickening on my right lung. I was sent to a respirologist who in turn sent me to a thoracic surgeon for an open chest biopsy. It was three months from when I first went to my G.P. with the cough to when I was diagnosed on Oct. 23^rd with metastatic mesothelioma.
I was told many times how I don’t fit the profile –generally men in there 60s and 70s who’ve worked in asbestos-related industries. But I had it and I was told there was nothing that could be done as mesothelioma is always incurable and fatal.

Belle’s Reaction

Many of us wonder what we’d do if told we had a terminal disease. It had crossed my mind in the past especially when I’d heard of people I know who had been given such devastating news. Of course, I couldn’t imagine what they’d be going through – but now I can.
My first reaction was disbelief. I told the surgeon, "How can you tell me I’m going to die? I don’t feel sick." To which he responded, "You soon will." And there were tears. I think it was harder on my family than it was on me. I guess they felt helpless and full of despair.
The first three days after diagnosis were the worst. I cried constantly. I didn’t eat. Then on the third day I received my first ray of hope.

Finding Hope and Help

My sister and two friends had started cruising the Internet looking for information on mesothelioma. One of the women found the Mesothelioma Web. After a 20 minute conversation the clouds started to clear away.
I became encouraged to pursue a cure or treatment. I was told that there are survivors of this disease and people who were living with it. I was advised to look into the various research that is going on.
This conversation gave me what nobody else had – HOPE –and I was buoyed. I was also hungry, all of a sudden, and I tucked into a big meal of steak and onions, potatoes, peas and carrots.
From then on, I wanted as much information as I could get – the latest up-to-date information. Not having a computer, I relied totally on my sister, Malveen, and the two friends, Judith and Rosemary. They found all sorts of information and I spent a part of each day sifting through papers, contacting doctors, researchers, and others diagnosed with the disease.
The more knowledgeable I became, the more empowered I felt. Of course, there were still plenty of tears and days when I felt that I was never going to find an answer.

Choosing a Physician

Finally, after researching, I decided the doctor I wanted to try and cure me was Dr. David Sugarbaker, chief of Thoracic Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. I spoke to him on the phone at the end of November. He told me of a new protocol he had recently started and invited me to come to Boston for an assessment , and to see if I fit the criteria for this trial. My appointment was for Jan. 5, 1999 – approximately 2 ½ months from diagnosis.
I was very nervous while sitting in the waiting room that Tuesday. I knew I fit most of the criteria. My heart was strong; my blood was good; all my other organs were normal; I had no chronic diseases or ailments – but I didn’t know if I was in Stage I or if I was beyond, which would make me ineligible for that particular trial.

Miracles Happen

Then a miracle happened. One of Dr. Sugarbaker’s staff came to tell me that a man that was to be operated on Thursday couldn’t because his disease had progressed too far. Others on the waiting list couldn’t get to Boston on time for this operating room opening. So they were offering the spot to me! Dr. Sugarbaker had looked over my reports, MRI, etc. and I fit! I felt like I’d won the lottery. I met with the doctor and spent the rest of the day doing all the hospital pre-op necessities.
The operation is called an extra-pleural pneumonectomy followed by an intraoperative heated wash. My pleura, lung, diaphragm, and pericardium were removed. Then I was washed out for an hour with a drug call Cisplatin that was heated up to 4 degrees above body temperature. A new pericardium and diaphragm were reconstructed with gortex before I was sewn up 5 ½ hours later.

Recovering

This was a very heavy operation and there is a long recovery period. I know I’m not out of the woods yet – that there may be microscopic mesothelioma cells that weren’t eliminated and have started to divide and reproduce.
But can anyone be sure that something similar is not happening in their body or that when they leave the house this morning that they will come back tonight?
What I do know is that my prognosis is infinitely better than it was at the beginning, which was 0%. Every week I notice myself becoming stronger. My stamina is increasing. To look at me you’d never know I had major surgery. The 14 ½" incision is fading. A doctor told me I’d be able to wear a bikini. That’s great news because I’ve never worn one before! Dr. Sugarbaker told me that I’ll be able to continue scuba diving but, "wait six months."

Perspective

I feel a very lucky and truly blessed woman. The road was made much easier with the strength of my family. My friends, community, total strangers and new friends helped or encouraged me.
I found knowledge was a big factor in dealing with my disease. But HOPE was the biggest inspiration!
--Belle

BOB HARTHCOCK OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, 1999

A Hard Worker and Responsible Manager

The Exposure and the Disease

Bob Harthcock had no earthly idea that the asbestos fibers he breathed in daily as part of his job, were in fact a ticking time bomb, that would one day cause the deadly cancer mesothelioma. He had no earthly idea that the white powdery substance that he brought home on his work clothes would endanger his family. He had no clue that when Jean shook out his clothes before doing laundry, this would one day cause her to suffer from asbestosis and lose 40% of her lung’s diffusing capacity.

Coping and Surviving

 Bob and Jean are people that anyone would be proud to have as neighbors. They are totally devoted to each other, to their fellow man and to their faith. They have made the best of their situation.
Like Bob, many people with this disease are told they will survive 6 to 8 months after diagnosis. Bob has been breaking records with a seven year survival as of 1999. His doctors at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston are perplexed. Bob, who is a religious man has told them "try prescribing prayer".
NOTE: Bob Harthcock lost his valiant battle with mesothelioma on May 28, 2000, after helping many others deal with this disease. Bob's great-grandson was born on the day of his death.

Austin DWI Lawyers

Dunham Law Firm has been handling Texas DWI cases since 1989 and has over 200 years combined legal experience. Many of the criminal defense lawyers are former Assistant District Attorneys with many years of trial experience. But hurry time is important for keeping your Texas Driver's License. Fill out the form to your left to have Austin DWI Lawyers with the Dunham Law Firm send you your free arrest report regarding your DWI arrest in Travis County, Texas.
The Dunham Law Firm handles Texas DWI (Driving While Intoxicated), DUI (Driving Under the Influence) and BWI (Boating While Intoxicated) cases in and around Travis County, Texas. Having Texas Board Certified Criminal Law Specialists^* and former prosecutors handling your DWI defense case in Austin can make the difference between winning, going to jail or doing DWI probation. You will find our law firm to be very knowledgeable about Texas DWI Laws and drunk driving penalties and information.
Finding an Experienced DWI Lawyer in Austin When selecting legal representation, realize that the experience of your Austin DWI Attorney in Texas is very important. The way your DWI defense case is handled will have an influence on the outcome and thus your future. Having Texas Board Certified Criminal Law Specialists^* on your side can mean the difference between obtaining a good result and a bad result. At the Dunham Law Firm, many of our criminal defense attorneys have previously been Assistant District Attorneys, spending years perfecting their courtroom skills. We know the procedures of the criminal court system and can make that system work for you.
Proven Track Record against DWI's in Travis County, Texas The Dunham Law Firm has accumulated a highly successful record of acquittals, dismissals and reductions in DWI defense. Each TX DWI is different, but note that the criminal defense lawyers at the Dunham Law Firm always start with the goal of getting your charge of driving while intoxicated in Austin dismissed or reduced to a traffic ticket.
Serious Consequences for a Texas DWI in Austin A Texas DWI charge has serious consequences. You may lose your Texas Driver's License, experience a substantial increase in car insurance rates, pay large fines and court costs, suffer a driver's license surcharge ranging from $3,000.00 to $6,000.00, and possibly face jail time.
Don't leave your future to chance. Select an Austin DWI Lawyer who will fight for you. At the Dunham Law Firm we will work for dismissal or reduction of your DWI charge. If we are successful, you may even be able to have your arrest record and fingerprints torn up! Don't let this arrest record affect your job or your future; call us immediately to discuss how we can handle your Texas DWI.
Affordable Legal Fees and Pay Plans Our legal fees are fair and competitive, especially for Texas Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist. In most DWI cases, we charge a low flat rate and often do not require any money down. The initial consultation is free. When you factor in our legal experience and proven case results, the Dunham Law Firm is a good choice for those who want the highest quality of legal representation at a fair and reasonable cost.
A Word of Warning about your Texas Driver's License You have only 15 days from the date of your DWI arrest in Texas to request a hearing on your Texas Driver's License. According to the Texas DWI laws, if you fail to request a hearing, your Texas Driver's License may be suspended and you face the probability of paying huge fines for several years. It is important that you hire quality legal representation for this hearing to challenge the license suspension. Having legal representation for this license hearing provides an opportunity for your criminal defense attorney to question the arresting police officer. Putting the police officer on the stand helps to establish his or her position, which can be very beneficial to your DWI defense case.
Texas Driver's License Surcharge (Fines) Since 2003, the Texas Department of Public Safety has been authorized to levy a surcharge on Texas Driver's Licenses suspended for DWI and alcohol related arrests. This surcharge can range from $1,000.00 to $2,000.00 per year for three years. Depending on your DWI, you could be facing a $6,000.00 fee just to keep your Texas Driver's License. Now you know why it is so important to fight your driver's license suspension.
Read more about Texas DWI Penalties.
Speak to an Austin DWI Lawyer Today Call the Austin DWI Attorneys at the Dunham Law Firm in Texas today to discuss the ways they can help you keep your Texas Driver's License and try to dismiss or reduce your driving while intoxicated charge. The TX DWI attorneys at the Dunham Law Firm will take the necessary time to explain the whole process of your driving while intoxicated charge that you face.

ABOUT MESOTHELIOMA

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer in the general population. However, in individuals that were exposed to asbestos, it is not as rare. That’s because the only known, established cause of mesothelioma is asbestos. There are experts that have speculated on other causes. There are incidences of mesothelioma with no known asbestos exposure. However, that does not mean that there was no exposure. The right questions have to be asked. The person asking the question has to be familiar with the uses and applications of the asbestos products. There are many examples where inadequate occupational histories were taken and potential exposures were not investigated.
Mesothelioma is not a lung cancer. It is not caused by smoking. It is a cancer of the mesothelial cells. The asbestos fibers are breathed in, travel through the lung and become lodged in the pleura, the thin, Saran Wrap-type membrane that lines and encases the lung. The pleura produces a special lubricating fluid that facilitates the ability of the lungs to move inside the chest during breathing. The process of irritation from the infiltration of the asbestos fibers creates changes in the cells which causes the mesothelioma. This is known as pleural mesothelioma. Less common is peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the membrane that encompasses the lining of the abdomen.
In a typical case, an individual with mesothelioma will experience chest pain (usually caused by a build-up of fluid in the pleural space called an effusion) and shortness of breath. Since many doctors, even pulmonologists, may not have expertise in the area of asbestos-related diseases, these symptoms are often considered, at first, to be attributable to other medical problems. A biopsy of the pleural tissue or fluid may reveal the cancer of the mesothelial cells and a proper diagnosis can be established. A history of the individual’s occupational exposure will in most instances be taken. The patient may or may not recall the precise nature of his exposure to asbestos. Since there is no “safe” level of exposure to asbestos. even brief, low level exposures may be enough to cause mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that strikes over 3000 individuals per year. The incidence of mesothelioma is actually increasing. That is because of the long latency period associated with this asbestos-caused cancer, i.e. the time between the exposure to asbestos and the onset of the disease, is typically at least 10 years and as many as 60 years after exposure. That means that a worker in a factory or shipyard or otherwise exposed in the 1940’s or 1950’s may not experience any symptoms of mesothelioma until this year. Click here for the occupations and activities that placed people at risk for exposure to asbestos.
For the workers who contract mesothelioma and their families, the course of this asbestos-caused cancer is devastating. If you don’t know if you have mesothelioma, and want to identify a doctor specializing in asbestos-related injuries in New York State or in other locations, click here. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, and want to explore mesothelioma treatment options,
There is presently no known cure for mesothelioma. As the disease progresses, the cancerous cells harden the pleura and spread. As time passes, breathing, sleeping and eating become more difficult. It becomes increasingly more challenging for the victim to engage in normal activities and enjoy life.
A number of treatments may be available to help contain the spread of the disease and reduce the pain associated with it. Chemotherapy, radiation and radical surgery to remove the lung and/or pleura are among the options that will be explored by the treating physician.
This disease was preventable. Many of the corporations that manufactured and profited from the sale of asbestos-containing products were aware of the hazards of asbestos. They were aware or could have been aware as early as the 1920’s. Alternative fibers were available in the 1920’s that could have been used instead of asbestos. But asbestos was cheap, and available, and was a good filler and binder. Notwithstanding the deadly hazards of this fiber, corporations chose to rip asbestos out of the earth and recklessly use it in products from the 1920’s through the 1970’s and 1980’s, until most of these products were banned in the United States and abroad. The manufacturers did not warn workers exposed to the asbestos in their products until, at the earliest, the mid-1960’s and the warnings were terribly inadequate. The result is that many Americans have unnecessarily and tragically contracted asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, other cancers and asbestosis, a scarring of the lung or pleural tissue.
The large settlements and verdicts associated with mesothelioma cases are not accidental. Jurors who have the opportunity to review the internal documents of these manufacturers and sellers of these products are outraged by the actual knowledge of these corporations and access to knowledge about the hazards of asbestos.

San Diego DUI Lawyer Darren Kavinoky is an aggressive and experienced Drunk Driving Defense attorney who has achieved more not guilty, hung jury, and case dismissal DUI verdicts than any other lawyer in the region. This San Diego DUI Attorney is frequently retained to lecture and consult across the country on the topic of DUI Defense, and has built a successful law practice from his excellent reputation as a top DUI defender.
California DUI Lawyers are often retained by judges, other attorneys, and members of law enforcement who have been arrested and charged with drunk driving. Many of the police officers who hire him have testified against his previous DUI clients in Jury Trials that resulted in acquittals.

Your best defense is the right dui attorney

Hiring the right DUI attorney to defend your case can be even more important than the strength and amount of evidence against you. Darren Kavinoky has been dedicated primarily to DWI defense for over thirteen years, focussing on criminal cases such as DUI (Driving under the Influence), Vehicular Manslaughter, Vehicular Homicide, Felony DUI charges, Minor (under age 21) Zero Tolerance offenses, DUID (Driving Under the Influence of Drugs), and related cases in San Diego County and surrounding California regions.
Your arrest has actually triggered two cases, one in Superior Court, and an administrative case with the DMV to suspend your driver's license - view our past Jury Trial results and DMV Hearing outcomes to see how we fight both very seriously, handling them independently for one flat fee.
Hiring an attorney who is known as a skilled and tenacious fighter by the local prosecutors can make a strong difference in your case, there are times when charges are never filed or later dropped entirely.

Dui only defense vs. general criminal law

1. If you're speaking to a general criminal attorney who tells you they have handled DUI cases successfully, ask them how many times in the past year they have actually taken a DWI case to Jury Trial and achieved a "not guilty" or "hung jury" verdict? Or even in the past five years? Ask them what the average burn off rate of alcohol per hour should be for a male or female based on weight? Ask them when a person reaches their peak absorption level? Ask them what they know about the partition ratio? How about the Widmark Hypothesis? How about a rising BrAC? If they can't fluently answer these questions, save your money, you won't stand a chance.
2. Is the general criminal lawyer a member of the authoritative National College of DUI Defense. Do they qualify for membership in this elite organization of DUI experts? Membership with this organization indicates that your attorney is committed to drunk driving laws and is active in the specialized DUI defense community. In 2003, the American Bar Association established DUI Defense as a specialty area of law, and the NCDD is the only organization in the nation accredited to certify lawyers in DUI related defense. The members of NCDD represent the most experienced and qualified DUI Lawyers in the nation.
3. Look for an Attorney who is a Certified Operator AND Maintenance Technician of the Intoxilyzer brand of Alcohol Breath testing machines. Darren Kavinoky is certified in the Intoxilyzer 8000, the most current breath testing equipment in use by the California Highway Patrol.
4. Look for an Attorney who is certified as both Administrator and INSTRUCTOR in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing by NHTSA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that sets the guidelines and procedures for San Diego Police Officers. It is likely that the prosecution and arresting officer in your case are trained as administrators in SFST's, you'll need an attorney who is at least as knowledgeable, but preferably qualified to teach these guidelines to the actual officers and prosecutors.
5. Confirm your Lawyer is a member of the California DUI Lawyers Association. Membership with this organization indicates that your attorney is commited to DUI and qualified to defend you if your case proceeds to trial.
6. Look for an Attorney who is a member of the California State Bar, the Trial Practice Inn of Court, and serves on the Resolution Committee of the Conference of Delegates for the California Bar.
7. Ask yourself if you would rather have a lawyer who is more qualified than the arresting officer and prosecutor regarding your BAC tests, related equipment, field sobriety tests, alcohol physiology and pharmacokinetics, or an attorney who is going to immediately try to plea your case down? If he or she suggests they are going to get you probation in lieu of jail, reduce your fines, etc., prior to examining the police report and evidence pertaining to your case, there's a good chance they've already decided to lose, and likely don't understand DUI enough to take a case to trial, nor want to. Find out! It is essential that your attorney have a reputation for going the distance, not planning your punishment by pre-convicting you. You don't need a lawyer to help you plead guilty, it's free.
8. Would you hire a general physician to perform heart or brain surgery? How proficient and specialized can you expect a general criminal attorney will be in DUI? Given its scientific and technical complexities? An attorney who spreads attention across a broad spectrum of crimes and areas of practice cannot possibly stay current and skilled enough to challenge the growing enforcement of DUI laws in today's high-tech courtrooms. A recent publication released by the American Prosecutors Research Institute names impaired driving as among the most challenging and complex cases on the docket, adding "... few other cases present a more complex and wordy statute, a greater likelihood of technical, scientific evidence, or the very real likelihood of expert defense testimony".
9. Darren Kavinoky is not a former prosecutor nor police officer. He has never held the job of throwing people in jail. We are, and always have been, staunch advocates of freedom and civil rights. He works diligently to keep his clients out of jail, and when a sentence is unavoidable, valiantly works for a rehabilitative alternative to spare his defendants from incarceration. We view imprisonment as barbaric and unnecessary punishment for DUI related offenses.
If you think you'll benefit from an attorney who is DUI dedicated and loves to win, please send us an eMail or complete a simple online case evaluation. San Diego DUI Attorney Darren Kavinoky and The Kavinoky Law Firm will give your case the personal attention it requires and be there for you every step of the way. Your problem is our problem and we will handle your case as we would want our own case handled. You may reach us 7 days a week, 24 hours a day at (619) 231-7412. After hours and weekend appointments are available. We offer a free consultation, and there is never a fee to speak with us about any matter.

Introduction to auto insurance quotes in Canada

Your auto insurance is there to protect you against financial loss if you are in an accident. Your auto insurance is, essentially, a contract between you and your insurance company. You pay a premium, and in return, the insurer agrees to pay for any losses as they are defined in your car insurance policy.

Auto insurance and the law

In Canada, it is the law to have auto insurance. Your car insurance is valid anywhere in Canada and the United States. It’s a good idea to take your proof of car insurance with you whenever you drive because you must produce it if a police officer requests. If you are found driving without valid auto insurance, you can have your driver’s licence suspended and your vehicle impounded.
In Canada, each province and territory establishes their own required minimum insurance coverage. However, you often can get options that go beyond the basics. One of the nice things about insurance is that you can modify your policy to make certain that you’ve got the exact protection you require, without paying for extra insurance you may not need.
The law does not require that you get car insurance to cover physical damages to your automobile. However, if you have a newer automobile you’ll want to protect your investment and consider purchasing Collision and Comprehensive coverage.

What does auto insurance cover?

Your auto insurance generally provides property, liability and medical coverage:

• Property coverage pays for damage or theft of your car.
• Liability coverage pays for your legal responsibility to others for bodily injury or property damage.
• Medical coverage pays for the cost of treating injuries, rehabilitation and sometimes lost wages and funeral expenses.

Welcome to San Diego County DUI Law Center's California Drunk Driving Defense Resources

If arrested for a San Diego DUI, you need a Top-Rated San Diego DUI defense lawyer. San Diego California DUI criminal attorney Rick Mueller is a highly specialized San Diego DUI & DMV defense lawyer who personally & aggressively handles your entire San Diego DUI problem.

Browse this Premier San Diego DUI Lawyer Info Source

Complete, worry-free San Diego DUI information shows you California drunk driving laws, California DUI penalties, San Diego DUI police evidence, saving your California or out of state driver's license, DMV suspensions & hearings, what must be done within 10 days of a San Diego DUI arrest, San Diego DUI courts & DMV, San Diego DUI courts, San Diego DUI breath test defenses, San Diego DUI blood test defenses, avoiding a San Diego DUI, military base DUI, San Diego DUI expungement, San Diego DUI attorney & lecturer Rick Mueller's exclusive drunk driving defense biography with extensive experience since 1983, why you need a premier San Diego DUI Specialist attorney, and what is now important to do next.

San Diego DUI Attorney Consultation

Please first take a few minutes to complete a Free San Diego DUI Evaluation to (a) find out your best San Diego DUI strategy, (b) keep you driving and (c) immediately receive helpful emails & a proposal from San Diego DUI lawyer Rick Mueller to handle your case. Or call Rick now on his cell phone at (619) 218-2997.

What you must do within 10 days of being arrested
If you need to save your California or state driver's license or privileges, your San Diego DUI defense lawyer has only ten (10) calendar days to contact San Diego DMV to schedule a hearing! Do not schedule yourself because if you contact San Diego DMV to schedule an administrative per se hearing date conflicting with your San Diego DUI defense attorney's calendar, DMV will not reschedule, meaning you may not get the San Diego DUI lawyer of your choice. There is no rush as long as your chosen San Diego DUI attorney contacts or serves DMV by the tenth day from your San Diego drunk driving arrest or your pink DMV order of suspension served on you after a San Diego DUI detention. San Diego California DMV attorney Rick Mueller has a video showing other San Diego DUI lawyers how to carefully attack & knock out just a single DMV issue (and there are many complicated DMV sub-issues) to save your driving privilege in order for you to avoid the reissue fee and/or the filing of an SR-22 Proof of Insurance Certificate.

Who is San Diego California DUI Lawyer Rick Mueller?

As San Diego's DMV Guru, San Diego DUI attorney Rick Mueller has successfully saved the driving privileges of many happy clients. San Diego Drunk Driving lawyer Rick Mueller dedicates 100% of his law practice to vigorously defending those accused of a DUI in San Diego county.

Rick is the only San Diego DUI lawyer who is the Editorial Consultant for the most comprehensive reference book for California DUI law, California Drunk Driving Law, the book known as California's Bible of DUI Defense. Rick is a Specialist member of the California DUI Lawyers Association, and a member of the National College for DUI Defense & the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Rick Mueller is the attorney for the San Diego County DUI Law Center, a Professional Corporation, which focuses on California DUI and DMV law. He has been in practice since 1983 and received his Juris Doctor degree from Chicago Kent College of Law.

On August 1, 2009, Rick taught at the Mexican American Bar Association's annual DUI seminar at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.
On September 27, 2008, Rick recently lectured on Advanced Strategies and Tactics for Handling California DMV APS Cases at the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice Annual Rules of the Road DUI Seminar, in Rancho Mirage. Rick has been a featured Speaker at numerous DUI / DMV seminars in San Diego County in the last several years and is frequently chosen to deliver lectures on the subject of defending driving under the influence cases and DMV hearings. Rick regularly speaks at Strategies in Handling DUI Cases seminars, and has spoke at the DUI & Drug Defense seminar, the Bar Association's Drunk Driving - DMV seminars, and the California Public Defenders' DUI training seminars.

Well-known and highly respected attorney Rick Mueller specializes exclusively in California DUI and DMV law. With extensive experience and valuable resources, Rick has earned a reputation in California for successfully representing DUI / drunk driving clients and is considered to be among the best DUI defense lawyers in San Diego.

Rick's knowledge is often sought out by other criminal defense attorneys in San Diego who take on DUI cases. Rick stays on the cutting edge of DUI / DMV issues in San Diego California drunk driving defense cases by keeping up with current California DUI laws, the latest California drunk driving case rulings, DUI science literature, national & California state legal treatises, and scholarly articles written in the area of San Diego California DUI / drunk driving defense.

For independent ratings of San Diego DUI attorney Rick Mueller and other lawyers so you can choose the right lawyer

* World's largest legal directory
* Unbiased Avvo Rating
* Disciplinary sanction history (none)
* Ratings and reviews from clients & other DUI lawyers

Your San Diego DUI

San Diego California DUI lawyer Rick Mueller understands how devastating an arrest for a San Diego DUI - driving under the influence of alcohol and / or drugs can be. You may have had your license taken away and / or served a pink DMV order of suspension, had you vehicle impounded, and spent the night in San Diego County jail.

You may face loss of employment, family repercussions, San Diego County Jail custody, loss of your driving privilege, huge fines, California DUI alcohol program, a vehicle ignition interlock device, vehicle impound/forfeiture, community service, trash detail, DMV hassles, high California DUI insurance rates, . You may be worried, suffering from unnecessary anxiety, and seek immediate help. You may not know what to do, how to do it, or what to do first. You really want sincere solutions to your San Diego DUI. Proper San Diego DUI help is here.

A San Diego DUI / Drunk Driving conviction can result in loss of reputation, costly fines, attendance at alcohol or education classes, suspension or revocation of your license, stigma, and increase in and / or cancellation of automobile insurance, installation of an ignition interlock device in your car, and, in perhaps, jail or prison. In San Diego California, where drivers must use freeways, and public transportation is generally lacking, losing the privilege to drive can ruin a person's employ or career, not to mention one's personal life.

San Diego DUI lawyer Rick Mueller personally handles every San Diego drunk driving case with the needed care and attention you deserve. Initially, Rick can immediately show you how to get your hard copy California driver's license back today and successfully help you get your driver's license suspension stayed (stopped) pending resolution of the DMVstop 'n snatch / administrative per se hearing. You will be free to drive anywhere in San Diego & elsewhere: to work, school, and other personal places you like to go to.

Rick will personally do a thorough San Diego DUI defense investigation & DUI discovery process, including Rick's personal review of each and every document, police report, DMV DS 367 sworn Officer's Statement, San Diego DUI test record, San Diego DUI witness statements, and your version of events by you completing the critical free San Diego DUI attorney Evaluation. San Diego DUI / Drunk Driving lawyer Rick Mueller will undoubtedly strive to successfully achieve the best possible outcome for you!

How can you know if you found a qualified San Diego California DUI Lawyer for yourself?

Various types of lawyers handle San Diego drunk driving cases, including public defenders, general practitioners, criminal defense lawyers, and DUI Specialist attorneys.
Some excellent questions to begin asking when searching for a San Diego California DUI lawyer are:
" What are his/her California DUI attorney's qualifications?
" Is he/she a Specialist member of the California DUI Lawyers Association?
" How long has he/she been a member of the National College for DUI Defense?

" Does he/she teach other attorneys in San Diego how to handle DUI cases?

" Is he/she a Contributing Editor to the Bible for California DUI Defense - California Drunk Driving Law?

" Was he/she recently asked to be a Contributing Editor/Author to the hottest/best-selling DUI book: Attacking and Defending Drunk Driving Tests?

" Does he/she maintain a library of DUI materials, books, manuals, studies, memos, points & authorities and documents solely designed to help a person accused of a San Diego County DUI?

" How much of his/her practice is DUI Defense?

" Is he/she quick and thorough when responding to emailed questions or concerns?
Whether or not you ultimately end up hiring a San Diego California DUI & DMV Defense Lawyer Specialist with this much experience, it is a smart idea to look closely at the credentials of a California DUI Lawyer Specialist in this highly complex field.

San Diego County Public Defender?

If you think you can get a Public Defender, think again. If you have a job or assets, you simply do not qualify. If you apply for a Public Defender, you will have to swear under oath. If you do meet the financial eligibility criteria for a public defender for the Criminal Court side of your DUI case: (a) public defenders do not handle DMV matters; and (b) your court appointed attorney will not be available to discuss your DUI case with you until they have been officially appointed by the Judge no sooner than the date of your first court appearance, or arraignment. Being that the 10 day grace period for requesting a DMV Licensing Hearing would have already lapsed, it is strongly recommended that you retain a qualified and proven a San Diego DUI Attorney Specialist to represent your quasi-civil matter with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

US Mail Privacy Warning: San Diego Attorneys Mail You "DUI" Mail After Your Arrest!

You may be feeling a little down. It gets more depressing when you see your mail.

Don't want persons living at your home to know you were arrested? Hurry home.
Why? San Diego attorneys send "Jail Mail."

Some San Diego lawyers pay $ for your name and address. They solicit you with outdated, invasive, and unreliable "DUI" letters.

Your mail box gets filled with embarrassing words printed on the envelopes:

"DUI"
"Drunk Driving"
"Arrested"
"Former Prosecutor"
"Court-related "
"DMV"
"Legal Advertisement"
"Urgent"
"Law Offices"
"Attorney"

If you are looking for a cheap lawyer, you may want to read some Junk Mail. (Coupons & rebates are enclosed in some letters.)
On the other hand, for obvious reasons, you probably want to retain the best San Diego DUI & DMV Defense Lawyer you can afford.

Remember: Good San Diego lawyers are not cheap. Cheap San Diego lawyers are usually not any good.

And whether or not the lawyer or attorney sending mail in San Diego are really DUI lawyers or DUI attorneys is an important Question.

The pursuit for higher education can be an expensive endeavor both financially and emotionally. For such a noble quest, it is a shame that it must be pursued under the looming shadow of overwhelming loan payments. It is well worth your time to look into the options available for consolidating your student loans. Read on to learn how to consolidate your private student loans. It may keep you from what can amount to a life sentence enforced by your creditors.

1. 
   
   Step 1
   
   List all the outstanding private student loans that you owe, listing them in order from the highest balance to the lowest. For each one, list the interest rate, pay off amounts, loan period and payment address.
   
   
2. 
   
   Step 2
   
   Review the terms on each of your current loans. Terms such as pre-payment penalties may make it prohibitively expensive to refinance a particular loan by consolidating it with another.
   
   
3. 
   
   Step 3
   
   Clean up your credit report. When you apply for to consolidate your student loans, the interest rate will be based on your credit score. It is essential that your review your credit report and make sure there are no errors, which are common on most credit reports. If you have paid off a loan or closed a credit card and it is still listed on your credit report, it can significantly affect your credit score. Make sure that any errors are corrected.
   
   
4. 
   
   Step 4
   
   Determine your objectives for consolidating your student loans. The different student loans typically do not compete on interest rates, so they are pretty similar from one education lender to the other. However, here are some objectives that you can accomplish by consolidating your student loans:*You will have a single payment rather than two or more, making it easier to manage the loan.*If one or more of your private student loans has a variable interest rate, consolidating into a home equity loan will lock in your interest rate.*You can benefit from lower monthly payments because, by consolidating the loans, the terms are re-set, extending the amount of time you have to pay-off the loan. This does come at a price, though, because you will end up paying more in interest.*If your credit score has improved by 50 to 100 points since you applied for the loans, you can save significantly by consolidating because your interest rate will be much lower.
   
   
5. 
   
   Step 5
   
   Research the different terms that are offered by different education lenders. Pay particular attention to any pre-payment penalties. Verify whether the interest rates are fixed or variable. If you apply with a co-signer, find out when you can remove the co-signer from the loan. Find out the associated costs such as loan origination fees, and whether or not you can roll them into the loan if you choose to. Find out additional incentives offered by each lender such as interest rate reduction for setting up automatic payments from your bank account.
   
   
6. 
   
   Step 6
   
   Consider the pros and cons of consolidating with non-education lenders. Consider applying for a personal loan from your bank. Consider a home equity loan.
   
   
7. 
   
   Step 7
   
   Contact one of your current loan company. They may agree to consolidate all loans at a lower rather than lose you as a customer.
   
   
8. 
   
   Step 8
   
   Short-list the education lenders (and/or non-education lenders). Compare and make your selection. Apply to consolidate your loan.