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NOV 17
Road to justice
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A Moment for Gratitude and Reflection
Giving Thanks for a Great Year
when we’re caught up in the frenzy of daily life, we don’t have the chance to reflect on just how special certain moments are, and how fortunate we are to do the work that we do. Serving our clients is hard, for sure, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Representing great people is never less than a pleasure. Looking back on the year that was, there are a few remarkable cases that stand out. Vicki Koutsogiannis recently achieved a settlement in a car accident case that shows how much you can achieve through hard work and perseverance. In this instance, the insurance company was not even willing to offer a settlement, as they were confident our client was at fault for the accident. The police had even written them a ticket to prove it. Well, once the dust settled, that ticket was revoked, the other party was found at fault, and our client walked away with a settlement. That’s just one example of the diligent work Vicki puts into helping her clients. I’m certainly thankful that she’s a member of the team. In our criminal defense work, we had a number of noteworthy cases. One of our clients was fired by his employer mere days after his arrest. After he was found not guilty, the company rehired him. In an even more extreme case, a client was charged with serious felonies. The judge was unwilling to even consider a bond. After we demonstrated his innocence, the charges were dismissed. Whenever you can get justice for an innocent person facing overwhelming charges, you’re reminded why you got into law in the first place. Of course, given that this is our newsletter, I do have to mention the new building. We’re very thankful to work in downtown Lexington and be members of this wonderful community. I know you’re probably sick of hearing about it at this point, so I’ll just leave it at that.
When I was growing up, the holiday season always meant a huge ramp-up in business for my
parents. They owned grocery stores, and as soon as November rolled around, it was busy season. You can bet that they weren’t afraid to ask young Jim for a hand when they needed it. I may not have appreciated it at the time, but looking back, I can’t help but admire how industrious and hardworking they were. While all of my friends’ families were thinking about vacation and holiday meals, my family was concerned with keeping the shelves stocked and the aisles neat. All the while, they never failed to make the holidays feel special. I still don’t know how they achieved it. These days, it’s almost the reverse. Now, there’s no such thing as a light day at our law firm, but things do seem to slow down slightly in the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. During this time, however, we are focusing the settlements, getting resolved, and preparing for the big trials that start arriving in January. Just because the phones aren’t ringing quite as frequently doesn’t mean that we lack for cases. That’s part of the joy of being an attorney— there’s always a new case to look forward to. On a personal note, Thanksgiving isn’t the knock-down, drag-out feast for me that it is for many people. As a vegetarian (I’ve heard all the jokes already), I’m mostly focused on the side dishes. Living in South Carolina, sometimes even the Brussels sprouts have bacon in them. Nevertheless, I do look forward to the chance to spend time with family, and there are always a few sides I can enjoy. At the very least, I’ll enjoy the rolls.
I want to wish everyone reading this a wonderful Thanksgiving. Enjoy your families and your meals … and don’t worry about bringing me a turkey sandwich from your leftovers! – Jim Snell
What’s more important than any dish, however, is the chance to express gratitude and look back on the year that was. Sometimes,
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Cleaning ‘Rip-Offs’ That Actually Work
If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. But sometimes we stumble across a few hidden gems that make our lives easier. And, when it comes to cleaning house, we can all use a little “easier.” Check out these products you may have already written off and let them surprise you.
look like they can clean all your dishes or an entire load of clothes, but they actually provide the perfect amount for modern machines. You save money on detergent and machine repair! FOAM CLEANING BLOCKS Anything with “magic” in the title sounds like a scam. For this reason, you may have avoided the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and similar melamine foam products. But this is one case where the product lives up to its wild claims. Melamine foam is abrasive and can break down and remove material from fine cracks and textures, making it an effective cleaner. It can
DOLLAR STORE CLEANING PRODUCTS If you’ve ever ducked into the local dollar store to buy some Mylar balloons for your niece’s birthday party, you might have noticed the jugs and spray bottles plastered with the word “Awesome.” Surely, this knock-off soap can’t work as well as your brand-name products, right? You’d be surprised. Online reviewers sing Awesome’s praises, suggesting it should really be a higher price for how well it works. Just make sure you wear gloves when you use it. DETERGENT PODS You use too much soap in your washing machine and dishwasher. At least, that’s what the New York Times reported as the No. 1 complaint from repair people and appliance experts. Modern appliances are designed to use less water, and as soap becomes more concentrated, using too much can damage your machine. That’s what makes detergent pods so handy. They don’t
be used to whiten sneakers, clean tub scum, and remove permanent marker from your fridge.
Since the snake oil salesmen in the days of old first tricked trusting folks out of their hard-earned cash, consumers have wised up and are quick to write off perceived scams. Still, every now then you get lucky, and the cheap white sponge really does make the stove look like new. But you should still think twice before you say yes to gas station sushi.
Part of what makes the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr. so special is the wonderful collection of personalities that make up our team. Everyone is a little different, but we all come together to serve our clients. Speaking of servings, one thing we all have in common is a love of Thanksgiving. It’s a holiday of gratitude, family, and, of course, food. With that in mind, we wanted to devote a little space to letting everyone on our team share the dish they most look forward to during Thanksgiving. cooking is never less than amazing.” With an answer like that, if Jim ever gets tired of law, he could probably take up a career in diplomacy. Lee, Jim’s wife and our office manager, has a more specific answer. She loves “cornbread dressing and gravy,” two Southern classics. Jim Snell says,“My favorite dish is anything that my mother-in-law prepares. Her
and one dessert.“With dinner,” she notes, “there’s nothing I look forward to more than our casserole macaroni and cheese, which comes from my granny’s recipe. For dessert, it’s all about pecan pie.” Emily Jones, the newest member of our team, is another mac ‘n cheese fan, but she also gets excited about her family’s green bean casserole. Attorney Vicki Koutsogiannis also has a casserole at the top of her list, but her favorite version includes sweet potatoes. I guess you could call these three incredible ladies our casserole corner. Finally, we have intake coordinator Cailtyn Lovette, who didn’t hesitate before telling us that honey-baked ham takes up most of her Thanksgiving plate. If you want the recipe for any of these Snell Law favorites, contact the office and request it. We don’t know if Shannon will part with her granny’s top-secret macaroni, but everything else is up for grabs!
Snell Law Thanksgiving Favorites Dishes Our Team Looks Forward To
Shannon Williamson, the operations manager here, mentions one savory dish
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Steps to Take if You’ve Been Arrested on a Drug Crime Why a Drug Arrest Isn’t the End of the Road
Being arrested for any drug-related crime in South Carolina is serious business. Many charges carry the possibility of long prison sentences and high fines. All convictions carry the potential for a jail sentence, a mandatory criminal record, and driver’s license suspension. Due to the nature of drug cases, however, there are a number of ways charges can be resolved before trial begins. Drug crimes are different than most criminal charges. This uniqueness results from the fact that drugs are handled largely in private and by willing participants. Unlike, say, a bank robbery, where an aggrieved party will most certainly have evidence and testimony to turn over to the police, drug arrests force police to cut corners. No other type of case tests the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable search and seizure, as much as drug cases. When looking into drug arrests, police conduct should always be evaluated. Even when evidence feels overwhelming, there are multiple ways for those accused of a simple possession of marijuana or related crimes to get a second chance. One way is through diversion programs. Under this type of agreement, the defendant will submit to regular drug testing and any other
special requirements imposed by the court. If the defendant meets all requirements, their case may be eligible for expungement from their record. Pretrial intervention, which is like diversion with stricter requirements, can be an option in more serious cases. People with diagnosed addiction issues have the option of seeking dismissal of charges through drug court. Defendants may be eligible for admission into drug court even for non-drug offenses if their crimes were motivated by their addiction. Drug court is the strictest form of all diversion programs, and like pretrial intervention it requires the specific consent of the solicitor’s office.
Now, there’s no getting around the fact that drug charges need to be taken seriously. But too often, people respond to arrest with a complete sense of hopelessness. You have options, and the experienced attorneys at the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr. will help you explore them fully.
MEMEs
Brussels Sprouts
With Sausage
Looking for an easy, delicious Thanksgiving side dish? This gem requires only a few ingredients.
INGREDIENTS
•
1/2 cup water
•
2 tablespoons olive oil
•
Salt and pepper
•
3 1/3 ounces fresh, hot Italian sausage
•
1½ pounds Brussels sprouts
INSTRUCTIONS
4. When sprouts are just about done, remove cover and raise heat to medium-high. Cook,
1. Trim sprouts and cut in half. 2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, 3–5 minutes. 3. Add sprouts to skillet. Add 1/2 cup water. Add salt and pepper. Cover and cook 10 minutes or until just tender. Check them periodically and add a bit more water, if necessary.
stirring just once or twice, for a couple more minutes. The liquid should evaporate, and the sprouts should start to brown.
5. Add more salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot or warm. Serves 4.
Recipe courtesy of InTheKitchenWithKath.com.
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Inside this Issue
A Moment for Gratitude and Reflection PAGE 1
These Products Make Housework Easier! Snell Law Thanksgiving Favorites PAGE 2 Drug Arrest Details You Need to Know Brussels Sprouts With Sausage PAGE 3
Iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons PAGE 4
Thanksgiving is a holiday full of traditions, from turkey and stuffing to football and naps. Since 1924, the Macy’s Parade has grown to become not only a Thanksgiving staple but also the world’s largest parade. Over 3.5 million people attended the parade last year, with another 20 million tuning in from home. The main attraction is always the massive character balloons, which first graced the skies in 1927. Over the decades, some of these balloons have become nearly as famous as the character they depict. FELIX THE CAT When the Felix the Cat balloon appeared in 1931, it set the standard for all characters to follow. Sadly, the original balloon got tangled in wires and caught on fire, so it has been lost to history. Felix’s influence on the parade is so immense, however, that when Macy’s brought him back in 2016 for the parade’s 90th anniversary, they recreated his
original design. Without Felix’s debut, the parade might look a lot different today.
SNOOPY When it comes to balloon characters, none is more famous than the classic “Peanuts” beagle. His first balloon floated through the sky in 1968, and he’s been a regular fixture ever since. Charles Schultz’s famous pooch holds the record for most variations in a parade (eight) and most total appearances (40). Though Snoopy doesn’t come out every year, he usually closes the show when he does. PIKACHU The Pokémon mascot didn’t appear until 2001, but he’s become a star attraction, showing up every year since. Bright, expressive, and impossible to miss, Pikachu checks off all the boxes for a successful balloon character. For 16 years, those who predicted that Pokémon was just a fad have gotten a big, yellow reminder of just how wrong they were.
I con i c Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons
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