DUI Lawyer in Florida DUI Lawyer in Florida
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954.514.9955

500 East Broward Boulevard #1710,
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33394

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Richard Della Fera admin 2019-01-02T16:32:26+00:00

STATE CRIMINAL DEFENSE

Being charged with a crime is a difficult and stressful experience.

CIVIL LITIGATION

Resources

FEDERAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE

APPEALS/POST CONVICTIONS

ARREST/PRE-FILING REPRESENTATION

About

STATE CRIMINAL DEFENSE

Being charged with a crime is a difficult and stressful experience.

FEDERAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE

ARREST/PRE-FILING REPRESENTATION

APPEALS/POST CONVICTIONS

CIVIL LITIGATION

Resources

About

Michael John Burgart

I wish I could give him more than five stars. Professional, courteous, knowledgeable, and easy to talk to. Highly recommended!
2017-01-11T11:40:29+00:00
I wish I could give him more than five stars. Professional, courteous, knowledgeable, and easy to talk to. Highly recommended!
http://www.rdfattorney.com/testimonials/michael-john-burgart/

Randall Grantham

Richard is a very highly skilled attorney who actually enjoys the practice of law. He is dedicated to his clients and represents them zealously.
2017-01-11T11:46:31+00:00
Richard is a very highly skilled attorney who actually enjoys the practice of law. He is dedicated to his clients and represents them zealously.
http://www.rdfattorney.com/testimonials/randall-grantham/

John rizzo

I wanted to help a very good friend resolve an unusual situation that ended up wth him being charged with felony. The best thing I did was refer to Richard Della Fera. After 11 months he had his case dismissed and could return to his real life.
Having a person like Richard on your side gives you the confidence and peace of mind that you have choosen a great professional, meticulous, brilliant, reliable and honest attorney. He is a pleasure to deal with and a gentleman like no other, especially in this area of the law.Thanks Richard I will never forget what you have done to help my buddy.
2017-01-11T11:49:16+00:00
I wanted to help a very good friend resolve an unusual situation that ended up wth him being charged with felony. The best thing I did was refer to Richard Della Fera. After 11 months he had his case dismissed and could return to his real life. Having a person like Richard on your side gives you the confidence and peace of mind that you have choosen a great professional, meticulous, brilliant, reliable and honest attorney. He is a pleasure to deal with and a gentleman like no other, especially in this area of the law.Thanks Richard I will never forget what you have done to help my buddy.
http://www.rdfattorney.com/testimonials/john-rizzo/

Nancy Harrington

Knows a lot snd always helpful
2017-01-11T11:51:20+00:00
Knows a lot snd always helpful
http://www.rdfattorney.com/testimonials/nancy-harrington/

Jan Demarinis

Rich was extremely helpful and comforting to have on my side. He knows the law and enthusiastically pursues every available defense option. He navigates the legel system well and made it easy for me to understand the process and my case. I am glad he was my lawyer! I highly recommend him.
2017-01-11T11:54:40+00:00
Rich was extremely helpful and comforting to have on my side. He knows the law and enthusiastically pursues every available defense option. He navigates the legel system well and made it easy for me to understand the process and my case. I am glad he was my lawyer! I highly recommend him.
http://www.rdfattorney.com/testimonials/jan-demarinis/

Daniela Ricchi

RDF helped our family in a very difficult time for us. He is the attorney you want on your side and you can count on: not only highly professional, brilliant and talented, but also supportive, personally committed, caring and affective. he...
2017-01-11T12:04:53+00:00
RDF helped our family in a very difficult time for us. He is the attorney you want on your side and you can count on: not only highly professional, brilliant and talented, but also supportive, personally committed, caring and affective. he...
http://www.rdfattorney.com/testimonials/daniela-ricchi/
Copyright 2016 | All Rights Reserved.

Practice—What is a Deposition?

1. It is a good idea to meet with your lawyer before the deposition to talk about the case and what to expect at the deposition.
_______ True _______ False
True.

2. Depositions aren’t as important as trials.
_______ True _______ False
False. It is just as important as trial testimony and may be used in a trial.

3. A judge will be at the deposition to resolve disputes that may arise during the deposition.
_______ True _______ False
False. The lawyers are responsible for conducting the deposition in a professional manner.

4. You are not under oath.
_______ True _______ False
False. The court reporter will swear you in.

5. Your lawyer can advise you during the deposition.
_______ True _______ False
False. You cannot ask your lawyer for advice before you answer a particular question.

6. You lawyer may make objections during the deposition.
_______ True _______ False
True. However, in most situations you will still have to answer the question.

7. Your lawyer can instruct you not to answer a question.
_______ True _______ False
True.

Your lawyer may do this when he or she has a serious disagreement with the lawyer taking the deposition about whether the lawyer is entitled to know the answer to the question. The most common situation is a question that requires you to divulge private or privileged information. Otherwise, lawyers can ask you pretty much whatever they want.

8. You don’t have to tell the lawyer taking the deposition about things your spouse has said
or done.
_______ True _______ False
True. Conversations you have with your spouse and things you know about your spouse do
not have to be disclosed.

9. You can go back and correct/clarify something you said earlier while you are under oath.
_______ True _______ False
True.

Practice GIVING CREDIBLE TESTIMONY

1. It’s a good idea to provide the information the lawyer seems to want to know, even if he or she has not yet asked you a direct question.
_______ True _______ False

False.
Don’t volunteer any information. It’s the lawyer’s job to ask questions that will elicit the information. If he or she doesn’t do it, it’s a lost opportunity. Too bad for the lawyer.

2. It never hurts to elaborate on your answer.
_______ True _______ False

False.
Elaborating on your answer is the same thing as volunteering information. Wait for a specific question instead.

3. If you know about a document that the lawyer taking your testimony hasn’t shown you, you should mention it.
_______ True _______ False

False.
Again, don’t volunteer information.

4. You should reply promptly to the lawyer’s questions.
_______ True _______ False

False.
Do not reply until you have thought over the question. Take your time if you need to.

5. If your lawyer objects, don’t answer the question unless your lawyer tells you that you can answer.
_______ True _______ False

True.
The objection may force the other lawyer to change the question or to drop the subject. Again, don’t volunteer!

6. If you don’t understand a question, you should ask the lawyer to rephrase it.
_______ True _______ False

True.
Make sure you clearly understand every question.

7. If you don’t remember something, you should just say so.
_______ True _______ False

If you don’t remember, you don’t remember. That’s the truth.

8. You should make a little joke from time to time to break up the tension.
_______ True _______ False

False.
First, your little jokes will be transcribed, without the benefit of your tone of voice, your expression, or your gestures. It will almost surely be misinterpreted or twisted to your disadvantage. Second, the other lawyer probably doesn’t have a keen sense of humor during testimony.Third, the tension in the room is not your problem. Stay on task.

Witnesses are often confronted with difficult questions during testimony. 

Test your skills with some of these practice questions. 

Chose the better answer as a witness

Isn’t it true the car was blue? (the car was green)

    a. I should know but my memory is not great.
    b. Honestly I think it was green
    c. No

Was the light red or green?

    a. Neither
    b. It was yellow

Double negative example

Do you know vs Do you have any information on

    It is OK to say “I don’t know”
    “I don’t remember at this moment.” you can ask to see something the cross examiner is referring to
    “I don’t understand”

TOP 10 DOS & DON’TS WHEN ANSWERING/TESTIFYING IN COURT

Do

Tell the truth (it’s ok to say I don’t know)

Pay attention, focus, concentrate, listen so you clearly understand the question

Take your time—pause to think before you speak

Answer outloud, and answer only the question asked

Answers should be brief—short, concise and in full sentences (yes or no if appropriate)

Be serious

Do look at the questioner

Stop talking & listen when an objection is made

Summarize whenever possible

Request a recess if you need a break and/or to confer with your lawyer

Don’t

Don’t assume or guess

Don’t answer a question you don’t understand

Don’t volunteer information

Don’t explain your thought processes

i.e. if asked when, don’t answer “had to be December bc in January I was already away…”

Don’t lose your temper

Don’t help the questioner

Don’t agree with the questioner unless you agree with all of the question

i.e. if asked …

Don’t interrupt

1. Arrive Early—you MUST be on time—parking, security, finding courtroom all take extra time.

2. Dress nicely.

3. Don’t use cell phone, chewing gum, candy, or chewing tobacco, while testifying.

4. Review attorney’s instructions.

5. Bring any checklists, documents, notes to show your attorney before.

6. Be completely honest with your lawyer.

7. Visit the courthouse/court room in advance of your hearing.

8. Silence your cell phone!!!

Witness testimony can be uncomfortable and awkward. Use these tips to prepare yourself to give credible testimony.

Posture

Body language tells a story.  Comfortable, natural, sit up straight-gives a witness more credibility.

Expressions

Facial expressions are very telling.  Maintain eye contact, avoid smirking, eye rolling, frowns… when being questioned.

Verbal Responses

Try not to sound rehearsed, avoid long pauses and short one word answers.  If needed, explain why you can’t recall certain facts or dates during a deposition.

Fidgeting

Try to avoid moving around too much.  Keep your hands comfortably on the table to maintain good posture and stillness.

Clothing

Wear light colored/neutral comfortable clothing with minimal patterns.  You need to be comfortable to maintain composure so as not to be mistaken as hiding something and to remain credible.

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