LEX CANIS THE
My Drive Into Criminal Law Being accused of something you didn’t do is one of the worst feelings imaginable. It may feel like your life as you know it has come to an end and there’s no way out. But even when things are looking bad, don’t lose hope. I know how overwhelming these situations can be, and I know that things seem like they’ll never get better, but they will. I’ve watched and ROTC officer candidate, was accused of rape. Not only was it completely shocking, but it devastated him. I knew this gentleman very well for over three years, and I knew he wouldn’t have done something like that. I had been at that party the night the allegation happened — I knew my friend was innocent.
that I would go on active duty, and when I became tired of that, I would go to law school. But watching my friend go through this changed my perspective and understanding of what I wanted to become. Having to sit on the sidelines while my friend’s life was on the line solidified what I had been feeling. I wanted and needed to go into law. This terrible experience my close friend endured was what pushed me toward criminal defense and, more specifically, defending those accused of sex crimes. up, polygraph results submitted, and a story from the accuser that kept getting weaker, the district attorney saw that my friend was innocent and ultimately dismissed the charges. He was able to get his life back and is now living as a full-bird colonel on active duty in the U.S. Army. zone. I know that we can help you start to get your life back on track. When things look like they’re going badly, give us a call. We are here for you. It might seem like an ending, but it is really just the start of a new chapter. - Lee Berlin Berlin Law Firm • DefendingTulsa.com Today, my friend is doing great. After all of the facts of the case were finally gathered In my practice, we want all of our clients to feel confident in us and enjoy a judgment-free
a lot of people go through experiences like this, even one of my closest friends.
Because of the false claims, one of my closest friends had everything stripped away from him. All he wanted to do in life was to serve as an army officer, and his dream was brought to a screeching halt. All the goals he had and everything he dreamed about doing — it was all gone in an instant. I visited him as often as I could to listen and just be there for him. I heard about all the things he was going through — his whole life was turned upside down. Not only was his commission in the army indefinitely delayed, but his graduation was delayed, as well. As there were no attorneys who specialized in this area, there weren’t a lot of people he could turn to. He ended up getting a general practice lawyer from out of town to defend him. He wasn’t even sure the lawyer could properly defend him or prove that he was innocent so he could clear his name.
After I graduated college, I went straight onto active duty in the army as a field artillery officer. When I was able to return to college, I spent a lot of time visiting my friends and fraternity brothers and continued to enjoy the college experience as long as possible. “This terrible experience my close friend endured was what pushed me toward criminal defense and, more specifically, defending those accused of sex crimes.”
After a typical fraternity party, my close friend, who was a fellow fraternity brother
Even before this incident, I knew I would become a lawyer one day. I had the idea
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Meet Sonya the Superstar The Woman Who Does It All When a client calls the office, the first person they’ll speak to is our rockstar, Sonya. Not only is she our receptionist, but she’s our office manager, marketing director, and paralegal, and she helps with anything else around the office that needs attention. She works very hard to make sure the office runs smoothly and that our clients get the best care. When a client calls the office and speaks with her, Sonya makes sure to reassure them they are in good hands. “My thing is that whenever I talk to clients, I want to let them know that I am on their side and that they are never alone,” Sonya states firmly. It’s important that all our clients feel secure that they’ve made the right choice by calling us, and Sonya does just that. The particular aspect that makes Berlin Law so unique, in Sonya’s view, is its practice. “There are not a lot of people who do this,” she says, “and this is what we’re good at.” She enjoys her job. She sees it as challenging and rewarding at the same time and enjoys working with Lee Berlin. “He’s so nice and a great guy. His work ethic is great, and he’s a go-getter.” When Sonya isn’t in the office, she enjoys cooking and baking. “Anything and everything. I like to try a lot of different things.” Recently, she tried making a homemade chicken pot pie from scratch, which turned out really fantastic in both taste and appearance. “I’ll be really artsy when I cook,” she adds. “I like to add decorations to it.” If she isn’t indulging in her cooking pastime, Sonya also enjoys walking her small Dachshund, Charlie, with her husband, Wayne, or visiting her grandchildren. Sonya expresses what our company and the people involved are here for. We at Berlin Law Firm want to ensure that all our clients feel secure coming to us. Sonya exemplifies this through her dedication to our clients by showing them how much we care for them.
Wait —
Screen Time Is Good for Kids?
If you Google the effects of screen time on children, you’re sure to be bombarded with horror stories. Numerous articles claim that, beginning in infancy, the more time a child spends in front of a TV, phone, or computer, the worse their developmental outcomes will be. At first glance, the research is utterly conclusive. It seems we should throw out every TV in our house, smash our kids’ smartphones, and usher our children into the great outdoors as soon as possible. But what most of these studies fail to take into account is the content of the electronic media. If a child spends two hours a day bingeing episodes of “The Big Bang Theory” or screaming obscenities into a headset while playing “Call of Duty,” it’s going to negatively impact their experience of the world along with their mental and physical health. But not all content is created equal. In the past, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended strict limits on electronic engagement for kids, following the old line of thinking that any kind of screen time would be better spent climbing a tree or running in the backyard. But in October of 2016, they offered new recommendations for parents. For infants and young toddlers, the research still sides pretty heavily against the use of iPads and television. Before 18 months of age, a child lacks the cognitive capabilities allowing them to apply the lessons of technology to real life, and even after that, the APP recommends that media consumption should be limited to “high-quality programming, such as the content offered by Sesame Workshop and PBS.” But for kids ages 5 and up, parents should avoid banning screen time outright, but function as their child’s media mentor. Instead of decrying time spent building complex structures in “Minecraft” as hours that could be spent on the soccer field, we should set expectations and boundaries to ensure that children can deepen their experience of the world through media, not hamper it. The problem starts not with the screen itself, but when the consumption of media becomes problematic, replacing regular face-to-face interactions and physical activity. But with a balanced media diet, kids can have the best of both worlds.
2 Berlin Law Firm • 918-770-0172
A Book for Your Library
‘Oscar’s Adventure in the Online World’
With the increasing technological development and dependency, it’s not odd for your children to play on phones, iPads, or some other electronic device anymore. At times, it might be tempting to let your kids enjoy the thrills of the internet for hours on end, playing games or harmlessly goofing off. While this isn’t bad, it’s important to know the dangers of being online. Children might be unaware of the menaces that lurk online. Inappropriate content, scams, “friendly” chat rooms, and online bullying are a few things that may threaten your child’s safety. One way to avoid this would be to educate them to recognize anything suspicious. Make sure they feel comfortable coming to you to talk about it. Inspired Be
A recently released book might be a good way to teach them online safety. “Oscar’s Adventures in the Online World” is a story about a young boy who gets sucked into the internet through his tablet when he opens it at night. During his adventure, he runs into different characters, such as a man who scams Oscar into buying a nonexistent piano with his dad’s money. This is just one route the story can take — the book is interactive! Oscar needs the help of the reader to get him out of trouble. Its interactive nature makes it an excellent learning tool. If you want to educate your children about online threats, this book would be a beneficial addition to your library at home or even in a classroom. “Oscar’s Adventures in the Online World” was released in the U.K.
at the end of last year and can be purchased online for 16 pounds, or about $20, at nationalonlinesafety.com/online-safety- storybook. Online safety should never be taken for granted when it comes to your children. Take the necessary precautions to teach them to be careful online.
Zesty Zucchini Enchiladas
Ingredients
• 4 large zucchini
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or ghee
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups shredded cheese
Directions
1. Heat oven to 350 F. In a large skillet, heat oil. Add onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and salt to taste. Stir to combine. Add chicken and 1 cup enchilada sauce. 2. Use vegetable peeler to thinly slice zucchini. Lay out three slices, slightly overlapping, and spoon chicken mixture on top. Roll the zucchini “tortilla” and place on baking sheet. Repeat until all zucchini and chicken is used. 3. Cover the enchiladas with remaining sauce and sprinkle with cheese. Bake 20 minutes, and enjoy!
Adapted from delish.com.
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Berlin Law Firm • DefendingTulsa.com
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
8516 E. 101st Street, Suite A, Tulsa, OK 74133.
Phone: 918-770-0172 DefendingTulsa.com
Inside This Issue
The Innocent Accused Page 1
When Screen Time Is Good for Kids Meet Our Superstar Page 2
Teaching Children About Online Safety Page 3
Keeping Up With Your New Year’s Resolutions What You Need to Do to Stay On Track and Push Forward
Setting goals is the easy part. A lot of people say they want to lose weight, eat better, learn a new skill, or try a new hobby, but they don’t define their goals any further. Vague goals aren’t really goals at all. The best way to stay on track is to be as specific as possible. Understand what you need to do to accomplish your goals. Make sure you have access to the appropriate resources that will help you make progress. Resources come in all forms. Look to the people around you for accountability — your family, friends, neighbors, or colleagues. If you don’t want to involve anyone else, keep a notebook or diary to
track progress. Or if you are learning a new skill, such as a foreign language for a trip next year, the resource you need may be an app on your phone. When you bring specific goals together with the necessary resources, achieving your dreams becomes more possible than ever before. You just have to take steps to avoid falling into the mistakes listed above. Set attainable concrete goals, track your progress, and check in with someone to keep you accountable. Since it’s been a few months, take a moment to review how far you’ve come since January. What do you need to do to make 2018 your best year yet?
March is the month of springtime and rejuvenation. It’s also the time when most people have forgotten about the resolutions and goals they set earlier in the year. Have you neglected or given up your goals? If you have, you are far from alone. Most people let their goals fall to the wayside at least by March, if not long before. It comes down to four simple reasons. 1. They set goals that were out of reach or unrealistic. 2. They had zero accountability. 3. They set abstract goals. 4. They didn’t track progress.
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