Sex Crimes

The stigma associated with being a convicted individual, more so a sex offender, is a severe impediment that may affect an individual's ability to obtain gainful work, housing, or even relationships. Albeit there is an essential purpose for having a sex offender registry, there are also legitimate and practical reasons why an individual might want to get their name out of the registry.

What is the Virginia Sex Offender Registry?

The Virginia Sex Offender Registry is a public database that lists all individuals convicted of a sex offense in the state. The registry is designed to help law enforcement track sex offenders and protect the public.

Is it Possible to Get Out of the Virginia Sex Offender Registry?

Yes, it is possible. Generally, convicted sex offenders are categorized into three tiers, and each of these requires that an offender be listed in the registry for a specific amount of time.

However, if a convicted sex offender wishes to get their name out of the sex offender list before the mandated time to be in the registry, then they can:

• File a petition with the court to remove their name from the sex offender registry.
• Get the individual's sex conviction overturned.

It is important to note that both ways listed above require a legal process to be filed with the court, and the legal assistance of a well-experienced criminal lawyer is valuable to ensure that the best possible case is presented to the court.

What Are the Tiers of Sex Offenders in Virginia?

The Commonwealth of Virginia categorizes convicted sex offenders into three (3) different tiers. These tiers are as follows:

• Tier 1 includes offenders who have committed less serious sex offenses, such as indecent exposure. Tier 1 offenders must register with the Virginia Sex Offender Registry for ten (10) years.

• Tier 2 includes offenders who have committed more severe sex offenses, such as statutory rape or forcible sodomy. Tier 2 offenders must register with the Virginia Sex Offender Registry for twenty (20) years.

• Tier 3 includes offenders who have committed the most severe sex offenses, such as child molestation or aggravated sexual battery. Tier 3 offenders must register with the Virginia Sex Offender Registry for life.

In addition to the tier system, Virginia also has a risk assessment system that is used to determine the level of risk that a sex offender poses to the public. The risk assessment system is based on various factors, including the nature of the offense, the offender's criminal history, and the offender's treatment history.

The tier and risk assessment systems are designed to help law enforcement track sex offenders and protect the public. The tier system determines how long an offender must register with the Virginia Sex Offender Registry, while the risk assessment system helps law enforcement determine the level of supervision an offender needs.

How Can an Individual Petition The Court to Remove Their Names From The Virginia Sex Registry?

First, a person must be eligible to remove one's name from the sex offender registry before completing the required time on the list. In order to qualify, an individual must meet the following criteria:

• The individual must have been convicted of a non-violent sex offense.
• The individual must have completed all court-ordered treatment and counseling.
• The individual must have paid all restitution.
• The individual must demonstrate to the court that they no longer pose a risk to public safety.

Second, the individual must file the petition with the court for removal from the Virginia sex offender registry by:

• Filing a petition with the court that convicted you of the sex offense.
• The petition must include the following information:
  • Petitioner's name, address, and date of birth.
  • The conviction that the petition is seeking to have removed.
  • The reasons why the petitioner believes they should be removed from the registry.
  • Any supporting documentation, such as letters from the petitioner's therapist or counselor

• The court will then schedule a hearing to consider the petition.
• At the hearing, the individual will have the opportunity to present their case to the judge.
• The judge will then decide whether to grant the petition.

How Does One Get Their Sex Offense Conviction Overturned?

Another way to get out of the sex offender list is to have their conviction overturned. This is a stricter process, but it is possible if it can be proven that their conviction was obtained in error. The legal representation of a knowledgeable and reputable criminal lawyer will be extremely valuable in this challenging process.

Generally, a conviction can be overturned if it meets the following criteria:

• There was a fundamental error in the proceedings that prejudiced the convicted's rights.
• There was newly discovered evidence that would have changed the outcome of the case.
• The convicted was coerced into pleading guilty.
• The convicted were denied the practical assistance of counsel.

Our firm is here to help defend you from criminal allegations. We will listen to your side of the story, and we will dedicate ourselves to helping preserve your innocent. For a free consultation, call us today at (757) 267-4949 or contact us online.

Sometimes, it’s not enough for something to be illegal on its own. Police can arrest you for one crime, trying to prevent another.

Recently in Virginia, police conducted a large prostitution sting, claiming that it was an effort to shut down human trafficking. The flaw in this logic is evident once you think about it. Instead of spending its resources on tackling modern slavery directly, the police focus on something that might be linked to human trafficking. They would rather go after consenting adults involved in a financial transaction.

Furthermore, the department can use this sting as a public relations stunt. This operation will make it look like they are concerned about human trafficking without really facing the issue head-on.

In this article, we will broadly discuss Virginia’s prostitution laws and provide defense strategies against alleged offenses.

What Qualifies as Prostitution?

Put simply, prostitution is directly offering sex acts in exchange for money. Technically, the crime is in making the deal. Once one person overtly offers sex for money or the other person agrees to pay for sex, they have broken the law.

How Do Police Make Prostitution Arrests?

Cops can use many methods to accuse someone of prostitution, most of which involve undercover work.

• Police can pose as either prostitutes or “johns” (the person paying for sex). They can make or accept offers, depending on the situation. When posing as prostitutes, they can simply engage in “streetwalking,” where they dress in a way that makes people assume they are prostitutes. If someone stops and asks for sex, the police can easily secure their arrest from there.
• Law enforcement can place coded, online ads, either as prostitutes or johns. Popular sites include Backpage and Craigslist. Transactions like these often take place in hotel rooms. The undercover officer will be in one room, with the rest of the team in the other. When the undercover cop gives the word, the team can rush in and make the arrest.

Virginia’s Prostitution Penalties

The crime is a Class 1 misdemeanor, the highest of its kind. It can result in up to 1 year in jail and fines up to $2,500. Alleged repeat offenders can face higher penalties the more they are charged.

Defenses Against Prostitution Accusations

Insufficient Evidence

Remember, the crime rests within the actual conversation between the prostitute and their customer. Police often do not record this conversation, so you can refute that the offense ever took place. At that point, the case becomes a “he said, she said” situation, which could sow enough doubt in your case to secure your release.

You Did Not Make the Request

Words on paper are not the same as words spoken aloud. People use tone of voice and facial expressions to convey irony or sarcasm, meaning that they don’t really believe what they are saying. If a playful joke was misinterpreted as a sincere request or offer for sex, you can explain this situation to the court.

Entrapment

An undercover sting is not the same as entrapment, and police are allowed to lie about being cops.

Entrapment is more complicated than that. Essentially, it is a process where the authorities lure you into committing a crime you wouldn’t have committed otherwise.

Traditionally, entrapment is difficult to prove in court, especially in a prostitution arrest. Entrapment does, however, happen in these scenarios. For instance, an undercover officer could offer a potential john sex for money. The john refuses, but the officer keeps working in the same location.

Day after day, the undercover cop coaxes the same person, trying to get them to make an offer. Eventually, the john gives in, and suddenly finds themselves under arrest.

If you believe you were a victim of entrapment, tell your attorney every detail of your case. They can help you decide whether you have a strong claim or if you should attempt a different defense strategy in court.

Our firm is here to help defend you against prostitution charges. If you’re facing this accusation, fill out our online contact form or call us now at (757) 267-4949.

Being accused of possessing or viewing child pornography is a horrible experience. It ruins reputations, and the alleged offender can lose their job or even their housing. Furthermore, they may be forced to register as a sexual offender, limiting where they can live. All these consequences can be heaped on someone who never laid a hand on a child.

In this article, we will broadly explore the topic of child pornography allegations, specifically how they relate to Virginia citizens.

4 Ways You Could Be Falsely Accused of Child Pornography

1. Hacking

These days, simply scrolling through the internet is risky. Many websites can attach themselves to your browser, downloading and uploading material without your knowledge. This problem compounds if you visit sites featuring adult material with people engaged in consensual acts.

Furthermore, some unscrupulous actors specifically target people in internet blackmail schemes. They can place files onto your computer without your knowledge and hold you hostage with those files later.

With all this activity, you’re never fully sure of what’s on your computer or phone. It’s important to regularly run virus checks on your computer. These programs can help clean out unwanted files you never asked for, keeping you free from ugly legal problems.

2. Metadata

Metadata is extra information attached to a file. With images and videos, metadata can tell you when the file was created, who created it, where it was created, and so on.

Clever hackers can manipulate this data, creating false origin points. Doing so can implicate people who were never involved in creating or distributing these files.

3. Juvenile Communications

Age of consent laws get fuzzy as people enter adulthood. For instance, some states allow an 18-year-old to be in a consensual relationship with someone a couple years younger. Others draw a hard line at 18.

Virginia is one of these hardline states. Technically, it is unlawful for someone who just turned 18 to be in a sexual relationship with someone just one month younger.

This standard creates a problem when it comes to child pornography. Imagine an 18-year-old who shares sexual images with their 17-year-old boyfriend/girlfriend. The images are completely consensual, and no one is distributing or selling them. Technically, an angry parent could accuse the young adult of child pornography.

4. Misunderstood Images

We live our lives on social media. People post pictures of their children or even create separate profiles just for that purpose.

Completely innocent images could be misinterpreted by overzealous followers. They could accuse you of distributing child pornography, leaving you to wonder how you got into this situation.

Virginia’s Child Pornography Penalties

The state recognizes two different offenses: possession and distribution. Penalties grow more severe with each passing offense.

Possession

A first offense is a Class 6 felony. A guilty sentence can result in up to 5 years in prison and fines up to $2,500.

For a second offense or more, alleged offenders are charged with a Class 5 felony. Punishments include up to 10 years in prison and fines as high as $2,500.

Distribution

Distribution of child pornography is a more severe offense than possession. The law wants to stop the issue at its source, and it assumes that the distributor was somehow involved in creating the material.

A first-time offender faces an “unclassified” felony. If convicted, they could spend up to 20 years in prison. When the crime involves a website that takes in money to view the illicit images, the charge becomes a Class 4 felony, with prison terms of up to 10 years and fines up to $100,000.

If convicted two or more times, the penalties remain mostly the same, except there is a mandatory 5-year prison sentence.

Our firm is here to help defend you from criminal allegations. We will listen to your side of the story, and we will dedicate ourselves to helping preserve your innocent. For a free consultation, call us today at (757) 267-4949 or contact us online.

The purpose of a domestic violence protective order, or “restraining order,” is to protect a person who is suffering from emotional, physical, or sexual harassment or violence.

Each year, courts across the United States issue millions of protective orders for incidents relating to domestic violence, threats of violence, stalking, and harassment. Unfortunately, it’s estimated that approximately 800,000 of these protective orders are issued based on false allegations. Many people challenge these protective orders just to break free from the social stigma and legal repercussions that could easily ruin their careers and quality of living.

Regardless of jurisdiction, all protective orders establish:

• Who can file for an order
• What protections are granted to the petitioner
• How the order is to be enforced

When a petitioner’s request for a restraining order is granted by the court, they are legally considered a “protected person.” The person they seek protection from is referred to as the “restrained person.” If a restrained person disobeys the court order, they may face severe legal penalties, including exorbitant fines and imprisonment.

As a restrained person, follow these rules to avoid violating your protective order:

• Avoid contacting the protected person (this includes phone calls, texts, emails, social media, etc.)
• Move out if you live with the protected person
• Don’t go near the protected person’s home, work, school, or places they consistently frequent
• Get rid of any firearms you happen to own while the order is in effect
• Do not buy any firearms
• Never threaten the protected person in any way, shape, or form
• Comply with any visitation, child support, or spousal support orders (if applicable)

A violation of a protective order is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor. However, if you’re a repeat offender you could automatically be sentenced to 60 days in prison and be forced to pay costly fines. If these violations occur while you’re in possession of a firearm, you may even be charged with assault.

Retain Experienced Legal Representation

If you’re facing legal charges for violating a protective order, contact The Law Offices of Daniel J Miller. During your free consultation, we can discuss your legal circumstances and evaluate your legal options. Our experienced and trial-tested legal team can defend your rights in court and help you protect your freedom.

We have offices located in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, and more! Contact The Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller at (757) 267-4949">(757) 267-4949 to schedule a free consultation.

Courts issue protective orders, or “Restraining orders,” to provide legal protections to victims of sexual abuse, harassment, stalking, and domestic abuse.

Oftentimes, as intended, these orders can successfully prevent subsequent cases of emotional, physical, and sexual violence. But what happens if an abuse allegation is false?

Protective Orders & False Allegations of Abuse

Each year, it’s estimated that over 700,000 protective orders are issued based on false claims of abuse. The social and legal repercussions of a false allegation can have an extremely detrimental impact on a person’s standard of living.

Unfortunately, it’s not unusual for fighting family members or divorcing spouses to use protective orders as weapons against each other, believing that it will ultimately benefit their personal and legal circumstances. Luckily, there are legal options that allow you to challenge an unjust protective order.

Related Reading

• Domestic Violence
• Falsely Accused of Domestic Violence?
• How Can I Avoid Violating a Protective Order?

Types of Protection Orders

Virginia issues different types of protective orders based on the circumstances of a case and whether it’s a civil or criminal matter.

If you are served a protective order, it can have a severe impact on your personal rights and freedoms. Even accidentally violating an order can lead to expensive fines and a year in jail. Also, a protective order can prevent you from obtaining gainful employment because it shows up on your background check.

Available protective orders include:

• A family abuse protective order is issued by a judge and targeted against a family member
• A preliminary protective order is issued by a judge and lasts 15 days (or until a full hearing)
• A permanent protective order is issued by a judge and can be renewed every 2 years
• An emergency protective order is issued by a judge of magistrate and lasts 72 hours

Challenging an Order of Protection

If you’re planning on challenging a protective order, it’s important to discuss your situation with an attorney who is knowledge about state laws and the overall legal process. The first step is acknowledging which type of protective order you have been served and why it was issued in the first place.

Petitioners usually file because they’ve experienced:

• Violence
• Threats of violence or death
• Sexual assault
• Stalking
• Physical assault

How to Prove & Fight a False Order of Protection

A protective order is intended to protect a petitioner from future acts of violence. If you believe the charges are false, then you have the legal right to present your case in court.

However, you still need to respect and observe the restrictions of the protective order until a court dismisses it. You don’t want to face criminal charges and penalties for disobeying a court order.

When you’re served a protective order, you are also granted the following individuals rights:

1. Notice of a court hearing regarding the charges being made against you
2. The legal right to defend yourself against these charges

Secure Evidence

Your case depends on your ability to compile applicable evidence that can be utilized in your lawyer’s defense strategy. The court has already been influenced by one picture painted by the petitioner.

This court hearing is your chance to share your side of the story. For this reason, it’s equally important that you don’t intentionally or accidentally dispose of any evidence the court may request. This looks suspicious and won’t work in your favor.

Beneficial evidence includes:

• Your written account of the events in question
• Witness statements
• Pictures and videos
• Witness statements
• Relevant documents or text messages from the petitioner
• Phone records
• GPS records
• Applicable social media posts
• Security footage

Contact an attorney as soon as possible if you’re unable to assemble this evidence because you’ve been arrested.

Retain Legal Representation

Hiring an experienced and aggressive domestic violence lawyer is the only way to successfully challenge a protective order.

Contact The Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller if you’re ready to fight for your innocence. We can help you prepare for your trial, develop a defense strategy based on your evidence, subpoena relevant witnesses, and litigate on your behalf in court.

Clear your record today. Contact The Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller at (757) 267-4949">(757) 267-4949 to schedule a free consultation.

Not all states handle sex crime allegations like statutory rape in the same way. While federal laws do not explicitly address statutory rape, each state has its own laws and punishments for the crime as well. Understanding these laws is crucial to building a winning defense against your charges, and the Law Offices of Daniel J Miller is here to help you do exactly that.

Common defenses against statutory rape include:

• Consenting age
• Requirement of force
• “Romeo and Juliet” laws

If you have been charged with statutory rape in Virginia Beach, contact our criminal defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Daniel J Miller. We are ready to defend you.

Consenting Age

It is important to understand the consenting age for the state you are bring tried in. Generally, the legal age of consent is 18, but it can range from 16 to 18 depending on the state.

The offense is generally considered “strict liability”, meaning it did not matter if you believed that the minor was old enough to consent, or told you they were old enough to consent. However, some states now allow you to make the case that you believed, or were informed by the minor, that the minor was of a consenting age. This is not allowed in every state, and is not usable if the minor is unmistakably young, or under the age of 14.

Requirement of Force

Statutory rape is act of sexual intercourse with a minor. Unlike other types of rape or sexual crimes, statutory rape occurs when the minor seemingly consents to sex with the older individual. However, do to the minor’s age, they are unable to legally consent. Therefore, there is no requirement of force. The lack of force, and given “consent”, may often classify the case under a “Romeo and Juliet” law, depending on the state you are being charged in, and both participants’ ages.

“Romeo and Juliet” Laws

In the instance in which both participants are under the age of consent, or there is a small age difference between the offender and the minor, the crime is considered a “Romeo and Juliet” case. Some states have created a law that designates a different treatment for this case comparted to that of a typical statutory rape case.

Each “Romeo and Juliet” law varies on the state. Some states shift the level of offense from a felony to a misdemeanor. Others reduce the punishment to a probation, or a fine. The state may also decide not to list you as a registered sex offender. The treatments of this particular type of statutory rape vary from state to state, and may not be applicable in the state you are being tried in.

If you have been charged with statutory rape, contact our attorneys at (757) 267-4949">(757) 267-4949. The Law Offices of Daniel J Miller are available 24/7.

Defense Against Statutory Rape Charges

The Commonwealth has the burden of proving that the victim was unable to communicate an unwillingness to have sex beyond a reasonable doubt. Often times they succeed in obtaining convictions on the complainant’s uncorroborated claim by piecing together a case through circumstantial evidence. Proving this to be a false narrative can be a difficult task. It requires hours of research and preparation and in some instances may require the involvement of toxicologists, canvassing for eyewitnesses who may have had contact with the victim before the encounter, bar tabs, and video surveillance.

With over 25 years of criminal defense experience, our attorneys know how to work with you, and build a solid defense against statutory rape charges. Our professional and dedicated lawyers have represented men and women from these charges, and have even gotten cases dismissed or acquitted.

If you have been convicted of a sex crime, you may have been ordered to register the Virginia state sex offender registry. Registration can have social, economic, and other consequences for offenders, so many people want to know how they can get relief from registration. Below, we cover the legal process of having your name removed from the registry database.

Removal of Name and Information From the Registry

The Code of Virginia § 9.1-910 provides a way for sex offenders to have their name and identifying information removed from the registry. There are several restrictions and eligibility requirements that must be taken into account when petitioning for removal.

Individuals Restricted from Removal:

• Those convicted of a sexually violent offense.
• Those convicted of two or more offenses requiring registration.
• Those convicted of murder.

Eligibility Requirements for Removal:

• Have been registered for a minimum of 15 years (25 years for specific offenses).
• Have completed any court-ordered counseling, treatment, and restitution.

A petition must be filed with the circuit court in which you were convicted or in the circuit court of the jurisdiction you live in to have your name and identifying information removed. The court that was petitioned will hold a hearing to evaluate the petition and any evidence presented by the petitioner and any interested parties. If the court determines that there is enough evidence that the petitioner is no longer a risk to public safety, the petition will be granted, and the identifying information will be removed from the registry. If the petition is denied, the petitioner must wait 24 months before submitting a new petition.

Get Help with Your Sex Offender Registry Removal Petition

Removal from the state sex offender registry can free a person of the stigma of registration, and lift the restrictions they have been forced to face. At The Law Offices of Daniel J Miller, we are committed to protecting the rights of those convicted of sex crimes. Helping our clients find relief from registration is one way we strive to restore our clients’ rights. Over 25 years of experience our sex crimes lawyer can help you reclaim your life.

Contact our firm to schedule a free case evaluation. Call (757) 267-4949">(757) 267-4949 today.

According to the Code of Virginia, rape is defined as a sexual act done against a person’s will, by force, threat, intimidation, or by way of the victim’s “physical helplessness or mental incapacity.” What makes date rape different from other types of rape is the relationship between the victim and attacker. A rape becomes date rape if the two parties know one another, either as partners, friends, or newly introduced acquaintances. If someone accuses you of committing date rape, the consequences can be extremely severe, even life-altering. To protect yourself from wrongful conviction, learn everything you can about date rape charges, how they’re proven in court, and how best to defend your sex crime case.

Defining Date Rape

Contrary to popular belief, the act need not be violent to be considered sexual assault. If the victim in any way declines the sexual advancements, saying “no,” it is lawfully considered forced sex. Laws against rape forbid any type of sexual intercourse with a mentally or physically “helpless” person, including the disabled, drugged, or unconscious, who are unable to give consent. In many cases, date rape involves the use of disabling drugs, rendering the victim either unconscious or extremely impaired.

Date rape refers to sexual assault committed by someone with a romantic or sexual interest in the victim, as opposed to rape by a stranger. Statistically, at least half of all rapes are committed by a person the victim knew. Some surveys even say the number is more accurate around 80 percent. Traditionally, the term date rape applied to situations where the forced act of sex occurred when the victim and attacker were on a date or at a party. It could be between acquaintances, friends, a couple, or even spouses.

Proving Rape

The biggest question with date rape is consent. Because the alleged attack usually occurs between two people who know one another, whether or not mutual consent was attained is usually only discernable between those two individuals. For individuals facing charges of date rape, one of the best lines of defense is prove the alleged victim gave his or her consent. There have been cases of legitimate misunderstandings, where consent was seemingly communicated, but the other party misunderstood. However, with date rape, if drugs or copious amounts of alcohol were involved, the victim’s consent could be difficult to communicate, making the issue much more complex.

The Drugs Involved

The most common “date rape drug” is rophynol, typically called “roofies.” Other known date rape drugs are GHB and ketamine, which were more popularly used around the 1980’s and 1990’s. Sometimes these drugs caused weakness, confusion, short-term memory loss, or symptoms very similar to drunkenness. If combined with alcohol, the use of any of these drugs could be extremely dangerous, even deadly.

Penalties of Date Rape Conviction

Virginia state laws do not make specific rules for date rape, but consider date rape charge under the existing rape laws. This means a person convicted of date rape could face multiple years in prison, will be listed as a sex offender, and may have to pay steep fines. In some situations, especially where the rape was aggravated or there were multiple rapes, the person could be sentenced to decades behind bars.

Contact The Law Offices of Daniel J Miller for a free consultation regarding your criminal defense case.

After most any sex crimes conviction in Virginia, the convicted will be ordered to register as a sex offender for a predetermined amount of time. Lesser crimes may require registration for several years or a decade, but more severe crimes could require lifetime registration that is completed each year.

Regardless of how long registration is mandated, failing to register as ordered by the court can bring its own set of serious penalties.

In many situations, the first time a person fails to meet sex offender registration requirements, it is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor. Convictions for misdemeanors of this category can include a yearlong jail sentence and a fine of $2,500.

Any subsequent failure to register will be considered a Class 6 felony that could be punished by the same fine but a five-year prison sentence. Failing to register the first time if convicted of a serious sex crime, such as sexual assault or child pornography possession, is also considered a Class 6 felony.

It will be a Class 5 felony if you fail to register more than once after a conviction of a serious sex crime; Class 5 felonies can be penalized with 10 years behind bars.

Two-Tier Sex Offender Approach

Virginia uses a two-tier approach: violent and nonviolent offenses. The violent tier refers to those who are convicted of a “sexually violent offense” or murder if the murder victim was under 15 years of age or was under 18 and the murder was related to a sexual offense.

The nonviolent tier refers to those convicted of any registerable sex crime that is considered not a sexually violent crime or manslaughter, if the death occurred due to contributing to the delinquency of a child, or the abuse and neglect of a child.

Taking the Initiative to Clear Your Name

Registering to a criminal sex offender list is a frustration. Some people with busy schedules and distractions may understandably miss a registration date. Matters become all the more troublesome if registration must be completed more than once a year and for the rest of the convicted individual’s life.

If you are in such a situation, the right choice might be exploring the possibility of having your name removed from the registry, or reducing how often you need to registry.

How to Be Removed from the Sex Offender Registry

In Virginia, a court will usually only consider removing your name from the sex offender registry after you have already registered for a total of 15 years without incident. 15 years is quite a long time but may not be nearly as long as a lifetime requirement.

To request a more lenient registration schedule, you need to complete three years of registration without incident.

In addition to meeting duration requirements, you may also need to:

• Finish any counseling mandated by your sentencing
• Pass psychological examinations
• Pay in full any court-ordered restitution
• Prove you are not a “public safety threat”

The Law Offices of Daniel J Miller and our attorneys are here to help you understand your sex offender registration requirements, petition to be removed from the list, or defend your rights if you are accused of missing a registration date.

Contact our firm today to set up a free initial consultation with our team.