It’s not uncommon to find yourself in some kind of legal trouble at some point in your life. The police may suspect you of committing a crime, or you’ve found out a family member could end up deported soon.
If you’re looking for an attorney on short notice, it’s important to know all of the different fields of law in your area and who practices them. For example, a more rural area won’t have as many lawyers working in employment law as an urban area.
Here are five different types of lawyers in Parramatta that you should know about if you find yourself in trouble.
1. Criminal Lawyer
Criminal law refers to the set of laws made for punishing people who break the law and commit crimes. It’s one of the most important legal systems in the world, as it forces the court system to prove a person’s guilt before they can face punishment.
A criminal lawyer works to defend individuals who have been accused of committing a crime. In contrast, a prosecuting lawyer’s job is to prove without a doubt that someone has done the crime.
You won’t always need to call a criminal lawyer for every little dispute. For example, it would be a waste of time and money to hire an attorney if you got a speeding ticket.
The best time to reach out to one is if the police want to talk to you about anything that you feel is out of line or unnecessary. They may want you to share information on a colleague, your workplace, or even a family member. Even if you’re completely innocent, an attorney can help prevent you from accidentally implicating yourself in the crime or giving false information.
In the rare instance in which you find yourself accused of a crime, a criminal lawyer is your best line of defence. They have experience navigating the system and know how to prove your innocence.
2. Immigration Law
Immigration law is a serious issue wherever you are in the world. As long as people are moving into your country, they’ll need some kind of representation in legal matters they may not fully understand.
One of the main jobs of an immigration lawyer is walking you through the procedure of becoming a Canadian citizen.
In order to become eligible, you must become a permanent resident, meet the residency requirements, and pass a citizenship test, among other requirements. However, what trips a lot of people up is the paperwork.
An attorney can help you find the appropriate paperwork, fill them out, and file them on your behalf.
Immigration lawyers in Parramatta can also help you if you run into any legal troubles directly linked to your immigration status. Permanent residents who have committed a crime can lose their status and potentially get deported from Canada. Your attorney will work their hardest on your behalf to avoid a conviction and deportation.
3. Workers Compensation
Workers’ compensation lawyers handle legal dealings regarding workers’ compensation claims. More specifically, they help an employee go to court against an insurer if they refuse to provide coverage for injuries sustained while in the workplace. You can also rely on a compensation lawyer to walk you through the process of filing a claim.
Between 2018 and 2019 alone, Australia spent more than $1,068.1 million on their compensation claims. However, most of them were paid far later than expected or not at all.
Hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer for your claim is essential if you want to receive your claim at all and in a timely manner.
First of all, look at their experience in the field and past success rate. Not all lawyers work in this field, and you want someone who knows what they’re doing.
You should also find out how they expect to get paid. Many lawyers in other fields expect payment based on the hours worked. Most compensation attorneys work off of a contingency fee, which means they get paid a percentage of whatever amount you won in your case.
4. Family Law
Sydney lawyers who deal with family law are tasked with a variety of issues such as marriage dissolution, child custody, and matters of guardianship. They also handle protection orders against domestic violence, name changes, and juvenile cases.
Family lawyers end up involved in cases where a child has been abandoned or neglected by their parent. They can help transfer custody of a child to another family member and assign guardianship. You can also turn to one if you’re a victim of domestic abuse and are unsure of where else to turn.
The best result an attorney can hope for is avoiding a court proceeding. Parties can reach an agreement outside of court and rely on their lawyer to formalise the arrangements. Mediation may also lead to more amicable relations after the case has been resolved.
5. Property Law
A Parramatta lawyer specialising in property law deals with the ownership of real property and personal property. They may work with a family or individual to handle the signing of wills and estate planning. A property lawyer will also get involved in disputes over the property after an individual’s death.
You should contact a property lawyer if you’re creating a contract or lease, validating a title, or if you have suffered some kind of personal property damage.
Personal property attorneys usually charge an hourly rate to represent them in court. They may charge either an hourly or flat rate to review documents.
Find the Right Lawyers in Parramatta
Looking for the right lawyers in Parramatta shouldn’t be a difficult task. Luckily, there are some law offices that house lawyers with varying specialities.
Barwick Boitano Lawyers has catered to clients in the Sydney area for over three decades. Our lawyers specialise in fields including but not limited to workers’ compensation claims, motor vehicle accidents, criminal law, and divorce law. Visit our website to see our legal team and contact us if you have any questions.