Consequences for a criminal conviction in Alabama don’t just end with the punishment handed down by the criminal court. Ultimately, the impacts will spread throughout your life and impact a number of areas you may not have considered or properly prepared for. These effects can last for the rest of your life—from securing housing and employment to maintaining financial stability and protecting your reputation, a Read More

You and your ex have a duty to care for the children you have together, but what happens when your ex refuses to do their part? When your ex stops paying child support, it can create financial challenges for you and your child. Thankfully, there are options under Alabama law to pursue unpaid child support and get the money your child is entitled to. Whether through financial penalties or even more severe legal Read More

A criminal record can haunt you long after you’ve served your sentence, affecting your ability to secure a job, housing, or even pursue higher education. If you're looking to move forward and rebuild your life, expungement offers a second chance. In Alabama, expunging your criminal record can open doors that were once closed, giving you a fresh start and a new perspective on life. While the expungement process may Read More

Being injured and/or disabled can feel overwhelming, especially when it interferes with your ability to work. You want to continue supporting yourself and your family, but your situation makes it seem impossible. That’s where Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) comes in. You’ve worked hard for years and paid into Social Security, so you are supposed to be able to receive benefits from that, right? Read More

Divorce is a challenging and emotionally draining process, often requiring the guidance and support of a skilled attorney. However, many people mistakenly believe that once the court issues a final divorce decree, their legal relationship with their attorney ends. In reality, your relationship with your attorney should continue, especially when children are involved. At John M. Totten, P.C., we regularly work with Read More

The Constitution of the United States grants us many fundamental rights, including freedom of movement. One of the most common ways people exercise this right is by getting behind the wheel and hitting the road. It's essential, however, to remember that driving is not an absolute right; it's a privilege, and with this privilege comes certain responsibilities. This is where implied consent comes into play. We want to Read More

Repeat criminal offenses in Alabama come with a higher price than in most states, thanks to the Habitual Felony Offender Act (HFOA) (Alabama Code Title 13A). Your first offense might not seem life-changing, but once you have multiple felony charges, you're at risk of crossing a line that's hard to come back from. Alabama's Three Strikes Law Alabama lawmakers implemented the Habitual Felony Offender Act decades ago Read More

You see it on our homepage and in a lot of the content we produce. As a law firm, we firmly advocate for “The Power of Representation” for the people of Northern Alabama. But, what does this mean for you, your family, and your community? Ultimately, the Power of Representation is about giving everyone an opportunity to share their story, defend their rights, and live in the peace they are owed as American citizens. Read More

Divorce is an expensive process. A lot of people in Alabama want to move through their divorce without having to add the expense of a divorce attorney, but is that the right choice? It depends. As experienced Alabama divorce attorneys, we've seen it all. We've seen smooth divorce cases that have little concern. We've seen heavily contested divorces where both sides are entrenched and fight tooth and nail for Read More

We see it in the movies and sometimes even in the courtroom – people accused of a criminal offense who decline their right to an attorney and try to defend themselves. While our goal isn’t to tell you that nobody should ever attempt this, as attorneys who spend countless hours in Alabama criminal court, we would certainly never advise it. There are several questions you should ask yourself before you commit to Read More