Anchorage Legal Issues Blog

Is swatting a serious crime?

On behalf of Kalamarides & Lambert posted in criminal defense on Sunday, September 8, 2019.

The Internet gives people a measure of anonymity, which can lead to them saying or doing things they would not think about doing in person. People in Alaska and elsewhere need to understand that there is a line that can be crossed, even online where they feel they are safe enough to get away with anything. You may have heard about the online prank known as “swatting,” without realizing the serious repercussions that can result from this type of joke.

As you may know, the swatting prank receives its name from pranksters’ intent of drawing armed law enforcement or SWAT teams to an innocent person’s address. These pranks usually stem from disagreements over online games, but targets can also include celebrities, political figures or public buildings. The “swatter” makes a false call to authorities, usually indicating violence, and provides the target’s address for law enforcement.

You defended yourself and your family, but you may face charges

On behalf of Kalamarides & Lambert on Thursday, September 5, 2019.

Your home is your safe haven. When you walk through the doors, you can relax, be with your family and otherwise enjoy your home. One day or night, someone violated the sanctity of your home.

Perhaps you own a gun, and you used it to defend yourself and your family from the intruder. Now, authorities consider pressing charges against you for murder or assault with a deadly weapon. What defense options does Alaska law allow you?

A strong parenting plan will benefit the whole family

On behalf of Kalamarides & Lambert on Friday, August 30, 2019.

When you opt for divorce, one of your main concerns will be to protect the best interests of your children. You understand that your personal decisions as an adult can significantly impact the youngest members of your family, and you want to do everything possible to minimize the negative effects of your divorce on the kids. One way you can do this is by drafting a strong and thoughtful parenting plan.

A parenting plan is a little different from a custody order in that it outlines how you and your spouse will want to parent together. This is a plan that works when two Alaska parents agree to work together for the benefit of their children. It is a personal and sometimes difficult process that requires both you and the other parent to set aside temporary emotions in order to parent well together for years to come.

Is an alimony payment order unchangeable?

On behalf of Kalamarides & Lambert posted in family law on Friday, August 9, 2019.

Alaskan residents who get a divorce may have to deal with alimony payments. If you are paying spousal support, you may be wondering just how set in stone these payments are. We at Kalamarides & Lambert are here to discuss that.

Many people who pay spousal support or alimony worry about what they will do if they ever get into financial trouble. For example, what if you lose your job? What if your paycheck takes a serious hit? What if you end up with a medical condition that costs you a lot of money? Your support payments are determined based on your financial standing at the time of the divorce. However, there is no guarantee that this financial state will be the same months or years after your divorce terms were finalized.

Helping yourself and your kids through divorce

On behalf of Kalamarides & Lambert on Wednesday, August 7, 2019.

Parenting comes with numerous ups and downs. Some days, you may feel as if everything is in your favor and that you are the best parent you can be. Other days, you likely doubt every decision you make and wonder whether your children are growing up as best as possible. These feelings affect every Alaska parent, and you may be questioning your decisions even more now that you and your spouse are getting a divorce.

Right now, your plate is overflowing with tasks. You will likely need to have meetings about your divorce case and have to obtain documents and information relating to your case all while also likely going to work and trying to take care of your kids. Understandably, you feel overwhelmed.

What are workers' compensation benefits?

On behalf of Kalamarides & Lambert posted in workers' compensation on Friday, July 26, 2019.

When you get hurt on the job in Alaska, you may sometimes think you are entirely responsible for your care. However, you usually have access to workers' compensation and it is important for you to know what these benefits are and how they can help you.

Most of the time, your employer is legally obligated to give you certain benefits if you incur an injury while performing your job. According to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, employers generally have to make sure you receive disability and medical benefits. This means they have to pay all of the medical expenses associated with treating your injury. In some situations, you may have to give the name of your insurance company to your care providers in order for your employer to cover these expenses. In other situations, you may be responsible for your medical bills. If this is the case, it is a good idea to keep all of the receipts associated with your care so the insurance company can reimburse you. You may want to look over your company's workers' compensation policies so you know how your company handles these payments.

How is trespassing considered a crime?

On behalf of Kalamarides & Lambert posted in criminal defense on Sunday, July 14, 2019.

With a title like America’s Last Frontier, it comes as no surprise that people in Alaska like to explore. Whether hunting on privately owned grounds that appear to be unused or doing some urban exploring in an abandoned building, you might not realize you could face trespassing charges. While relatively minor compared to other types of crimes, you should understand that a trespassing charge can come with serious penalties.

How do I know whether I am trespassing, you may wonder? Alaska statutes explain trespassing in further detail. If you enter privately or publicly owned property without permission or remain on property after someone in authority has told you to leave, you could face a misdemeanor trespassing charge. You could face additional, more serious criminal charges if it is determined you ventured on land or entered a dwelling with the intent to commit a crime.

What does your boss have to do if you suffer injuries on the job?

On behalf of Kalamarides & Lambert on Saturday, July 6, 2019.

Getting hurt on the job is an overwhelming experience for many Alaska employees. It's not easy to know what to do next or how to navigate the steps that will follow if you want to file a workers' compensation claim. It can help to learn more about your rights and what to expect in the event that you find yourself injured in work-related incident.

There are certain things you can expect from your employer after a work accident and when you need to file a workers' compensation claim. It is in your interests to know these things so that you can better protect your rights and seek the support you deserve. If you were in a work accident, you are entitled to certain benefits that can help you get better and move forward.

Joint custody a useful but sometimes difficult arrangement

On behalf of Kalamarides & Lambert on Thursday, July 4, 2019.

Wanting what is best for your children has likely been on your mind since the birth of your first child and possibly even before. Though you may have tried your best to help them grow and learn without suffering unnecessarily, you likely now worry about how your pending divorce will affect their well-being.

Children are amazingly resilient, and yours will undoubtedly get through the divorce and willingly face the changes ahead. Of course, you and the other parent have the task of finding the child custody arrangements that will work best for the kids. Like many other parents in Alaska, you may feel that joint custody could prove the most viable option.

Understand your DUI risks during the Fourth of July holiday

On behalf of Kalamarides & Lambert posted in criminal defense on Monday, July 1, 2019.

Like most people across the country, you may be looking forward to celebrating the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. At the law offices of Kalamarides & Lambert, we want you and other Alaska residents to make it home safely after the festivities, as well as to avoid drunk driving consequences.

You may already realize that law enforcement considers Independence Day to be a peak time for drinking and driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 237 people were killed in drunk driving incidents over the 2017 Fourth of July holiday, making up 39% of all motor vehicle fatalities. Does this mean you should avoid drinking at all during the celebration? Of course not – however, you may take precautions that can keep you and others safe, as well as protect your driving record. These include the following:

Designate a friend to stay sober and drive everyone home.
Alternately, take a taxi or an Uber home.
Decide on a reasonable amount to drink, and avoid getting “blackout drunk.”
Bring non-alcoholic beverages to the festivities, as well.
Consider holding your party at home and offer a safe place for your guests to sleep it off.