Anchorage Legal Issues Blog

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.

The link between firefighting and cancer

On behalf of Kalamarides & Lambert posted in workers' compensation on Tuesday, June 11, 2019.

No one wants to think about the potential dangers they face each day when they show up to work in Alaska, but the state’s firefighters often face such hazardous conditions that they simply cannot ignore the risks. At Kalamarides & Lambert, we understand that firefighters face numerous work-related hazards due to the extremely dangerous nature of firefighting, and we also recognize that today’s firefighters face an elevated risk of developing work-related cancer.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, firefighters are 9% more likely than the average American to receive a cancer diagnosis, and they are 14% more likely to die from cancer than the rest of the general population. The results of two large-scale studies concerning firefighter health and cancer revealed these figures, shining a spotlight on just how important it is for firefighters to exercise caution in their professions.

Workplace violence is a health care epidemic

On behalf of Kalamarides & Lambert on Friday, June 7, 2019.

Health care workers provide an invaluable service that benefits everyone in Alaska. As a health care worker, you are probably extremely proud of the care you provide to your patients. Unfortunately, that care you are providing often takes place in a dangerous environment. Workplace violence is a growing threat in the medical industry, and no one is immune.

Maybe you have already experienced workplace violence firsthand. Even if you have not, you probably know someone who has. According to one medical expert, workplace violence in medical facilities is an epidemic hidden from the public eye. This is perhaps because patients and visitors cause a significant number of these violent episodes.

Can you keep custody when you move out of state?

On behalf of Kalamarides & Lambert posted in family law on Friday, May 31, 2019.

If you plan to move out of Alaska after your divorce is over, it could be possible to maintain custody if it is in the best interest of your children. However, you will probably have several things to consider.

One of the best ways to accomplish your goal of out-of-state living is to work together with your spouse during the divorce or modification process. However, if this is not practical, you could still have a chance of securing the best possible future for your family. Here are a few points you may want to consider while thinking about your upcoming move.

Can a DUI affect my CDL?

On behalf of Kalamarides & Lambert on Monday, May 20, 2019.

Trucking is a major industry in Alaska and a crucial part of the state’s economic infrastructure. Truck-driving jobs are in high demand in Alaska and pay well. To drive a semitruck, you first must earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL) by training with an experienced driver and then passing a test. But if you’re convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs (DUI), your CDL could be at risk.

Understand what conspiracy means

On behalf of Kalamarides & Lambert posted in criminal defense on Wednesday, May 15, 2019.

Some Alaska residents may think they have not done anything wrong if they have not actually committed a crime. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes people may commit a crime called conspiracy if they plan to commit an offense and take some of the steps needed to carry it out.

According to Cornell Law School, conspiracy means that people are planning to commit a crime in advance. They usually have to take steps toward carrying out this plan, such as purchasing weapons or staking out a location if they plan to rob it. Conspiracy typically involves at least two people. The penalty for this offense usually depends on the particular situation. Sometimes the crime people plan to commit may be a misdemeanor and in this situation, people may not receive a penalty harsher than those generally associated with misdemeanors. In other situations, though, some people might face up to five years in jail, while others may have to pay a fine.

Alaska workers have the highest risk of death

On behalf of Kalamarides & Lambert on Thursday, May 9, 2019.

Every morning, you wake up and begin to take care of your many responsibilities. This may include getting the kids ready for school, helping your spouse with breakfasts and lunches, and maybe taking care of a few household chores before heading to work. You may discuss with your spouse the plans for the evening and maybe take something from the freezer to thaw for supper.

Your daily plan does not include receiving a call that your spouse has suffered a fatal injury in a workplace accident. Even if your loved one works in a dangerous industry, you probably put the danger out of your mind and trust that your spouse's employer provides adequate safety measures. However, if you are facing this tragedy, you may have many questions about your family's future.