All posts by Torrence Howell

Dealing with an Embezzlement Charge? What you Should Do Now

Have you been charged with embezzlement in Southern California? Here’s what you should know about embezzlement and what can be done to prevent an embezzlement conviction.

What is embezzlement?

Dealing with an Embezzlement Charge? What you Should Do NowThere are two aspects to an embezzlement charge. One, embezzlement indicates a betrayal of trust. That’s what distinguishes it from a regular theft charge. Secondly, the intention to deprive someone of what is rightfully theirs is another aspect of embezzlement. In other words, it’s a charge that’s closely related to fraud. An embezzlement charge cannot stand if both aspects of its definition do not apply.

For example, if you have access to a company credit card and you spend some money on a fancy dinner for yourself, this could be considered embezzlement because the credit card was faithfully entrusted to you, and you fraudulently used someone else’s (or the company’s) money to purchase the fancy dinner.

However, if you used the company credit card to buy a new printer and ink cartridges for the company, that wouldn’t be considered embezzlement because you didn’t use the finds for your own benefit.

Legal nuances

So what’s the difference? It can be hard to understand the legal definition of embezzlement and figure out how to effectively defend yourself against an embezzlement charge. That’s why you need a lawyer who specializes in embezzlement defense—Attorney Torrence L. Howell is Southern California’s best choice for an embezzlement defense attorney.

Potential consequences of conviction

If you are convicted of embezzlement, California law allows for some harsh penalties. The circumstances of your case and the amount of money that has been effected can make penalties vary. If less than $950 is involved, it will be a misdemeanor charge, which carries penalties of up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Grand theft embezzlement is a charge where over $950 was involved, and penalties are a fine $1,000-10,000 and 1-3 years in prison. If you have more than one embezzlement charge, penalties can multiply according to each charge. Additionally, if the victim of the embezzlement was a senior citizen, an elder abuse charge may also be brought.

Unparalleled experience

Attorney Howell has successfully worked on many embezzlement cases over his multi-decade career, so you can trust him to provide you with qualified advice, counsel, and representation throughout your embezzlement case. Depending on your specific circumstances, he may be able to acquire a dismissal of charges, a reduction of the charges, or completely prove your innocence. No matter the outcome of your case, you can rest assured that Attorney Howell will do everything he can to defend your rights at every step.

Schedule a free consultation with Attorney Howell himself at your earliest convenience by calling (909) 920-0908 or emailing info@torrencelhowelllaw.com.

Top Advice for a Victim of Domestic Violence

If you’re a victim of domestic violence, please know that you’re not alone. Though it might sometimes feel like you’re trapped with no way out, there are many legal protections offered to you by the state of California. Learn about your options below.

What qualifies as domestic violence?

Top Advice for a Victim of Domestic ViolenceThe state of California takes domestic violence claims extremely seriously. There are so many forms of domestic violence that can be prosecuted against, including:

  • Physical abuse
  • Threats of violence
  • Harassment
  • Mental abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Child abuse
  • Spousal abuse
  • Domestic partner abuse
  • Financial abuse
  • Other forms of abuse will also likely qualify

If you’re not sure whether what you’re experiencing could be considered abuse, the best course of action is to contact Attorney Torrence L. Howell, Southern California’s premiere family law attorney, for a free, completely private consultation. He understands the delicate nature of domestic violence charges, and he will do everything in his power to ensure your safety is protected.

What’s the point?

You might be wondering why you should contact Attorney Howell—what can he really do to help? Actually, he can secure immediate legal protection on your behalf through an emergency protective order. This order last for 5 days, and it will be issued immediately proceeding and initial hearing without the alleged abuse in attendance. Then Attorney Howell will petition the court for a 21-day restraining order from the California family law court, or a permanent restraining order that can take effect for up to 5 years.

Worried about your finances?

If your abuser controls the finances in your relationship, you can still leave and get legal protections without completely losing financial support. If you’re married, Attorney Howell can help you get a temporary alimony order that will allow you to live apart from your partner without having to worry about finances.

Don’t wait

When it comes to domestic violence, it can be hard to come forward and stand up for yourself. While many incidents of domestic violence start with verbal threats, they frequently escalate to physical violence. Don’t wait until it gets to that point and your physical safety is in danger—stop the abuse in its tracks right away by calling Attorney Howell for a free consultation today. He’ll go over all your options with you without pressuring you to do anything. He has worked on hundreds of domestic violence cases over the years, so he has a unique perspective as a result of his extensive experience. You can trust his advice and count on it every day.

Call (909) 920-0908 or email info@torrencelhowelllaw.com to confidentially schedule your first consultation with Attorney Howell today.

Best Small Business Attorney in Orange County, California

Best Small Business Attorney in Orange County, CaliforniaSo you have a small business in Orange County, California. Congratulations, that’s so awesome! But do you know that in order to keep growing and serving your customers, you should really enlist an accomplished lawyer to offer you legal advice and guidance? At first, it might seem like an unnecessary expense—something small business owners avoid like the plague—but it will save you so many headaches down the line.

Contractual obligations

For example, when you hire Attorney Torrence Howell to be your small business legal advisor, you won’t have to stress about making the language of your contracts exactly right. Attorney Howell will thoroughly review each one of your contracts and make specific suggestions to thoroughly protect your business’ assets. Legal language in contracts can be confusing, so leave all that to Orange county’s business law expert, Torrence L. Howell.

Grow with you

As your Orange County business grows, so do your legal needs. What’s wonderful about Attorney Howell is that he has decades of experience working with both small and large business owners, so he has the expertise and experience to guide you through all legal matters that arise as you grow. When you start working with Attorney Howell as a small business owner, you’ll be able to rest assured that you have a lawyer you can trust to serve you well as your business becomes more successful. You won’t have to scramble to find a legal representative if complex legal situations arise—you’ll already know just who to call in Orange County.

You’re a top priority

Perhaps you’ve worked with a small business attorney in Orange County before. Did you have a bad experience? Maybe you needed to reach the attorney quickly, but your phone calls and emails weren’t returned in a timely manner. That will never happen when Attorney Howell is your attorney. Your needs will always be a top priority, and Attorney Howell will return phone calls and emails as quickly as possible, often within 1-2 business days. You won’t have to chase him down or clamor for his attention—as soon as you contact him, he’ll listen to you and spring into action to resolve your legal issue in Orange County or one of the surrounding areas.

Business law specialties

Attorney Howell can meet any business law needs for your small or large business in Orange County, California. His business law specialties include:

  • Business litigation
  • Breech of contract
  • Business disputes
  • Change of ownership and structure
  • Contract law
  • Corporations and LLCs
  • Lease agreements
  • Partnerships

Schedule a free meeting

Come meet Attorney Howell to determine whether he’s the right choice to fulfill your business law needs. Initial consultations are always free, and you’ll always meet with Attorney Howell personally. Schedule one at your convenience by calling (909) 920-0908 or emailing info@torrencelhowelllaw.com.

Benefits of Getting a Divorce Lawyer who Specializes in Family and Business Law

Benefits of Getting a Divorce Lawyer who Specializes in Family and Business LawIf you and your spouse have decided to split, it’s time to hire a divorce lawyer to give you expert advice and represent your best interests every step of the way. Having a trustworthy lawyer on your side is absolutely indispensable, even if your divorce will likely proceed uncontested. An experienced lawyer will make sure the terms of your divorce are equitable for both parties and especially pay attention to your side of the bargain, making sure you get your fair share in your divorce settlement.

Divorce and business law

What about if you or your ex has a business, or if you jointly own one? Then you would definitely benefit from getting a lawyer who specializes in both family and business law. Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell has been practicing family and business law in Southern California for over 29 years—consider putting his wealth of experience to work for you!

Mediation and litigation

He seamlessly helps you navigate complicated divorce situations with perfect ease. If disputes arise, he will expertly mediate between both parties to ensure a great solution comes about. If you end up having to go to court to resolve disagreements, he will tenaciously represent your best interests throughout litigation.

Schedule your first appointment with Attorney Howell today

When you schedule a free initial consultation with Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell, he will meet with you personally to discuss your situation. Right from that first meeting, Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell will begin crafting your legal strategy and providing you with excellent legal advice.

Fair, honest pricing from the get-go

At your initial consultation, Attorney Howell will provide you with estimate pricing that you can expect to pay to get your divorce or other legal matters resolved. He will also discuss potential variables that could increase or decrease the amount you will be expected to pay. For example, if you attend your first consultation and explain that you and your ex would like to proceed with an uncontested divorce, your legal expenses will be relatively low. However, if in the course of setting the divorce terms, you or your ex suddenly contest one or more of the issues, finalizing your divorce terms could turn into a grueling process when mediation, litigation, and other measures become necessary.

Since Attorney Howell specializes in both family and business law, he can expertly advise you on complex legal matters that could arise during your divorce. He knows how important it is to keep your business as intact as possible, and will wisely counsel you on the proper steps to take to ensure the ideal outcome in your case.

Contact information

Schedule your free, in-person appointment with Attorney Howell. Your stress levels will decrease dramatically when you realize that your divorce is in great hands with Attorney Howell. Call (909) 920-0908 or email info@torrencelhowelllaw.com to schedule your initial consultation today.

Are you a victim of the Ashley Madison data hack? What you should do now

Are you a victim of the Ashley Madison data hack? What you should do nowAre you in the process of separating from your spouse and your data from the Ashley Madison website was recently hacked? What a stressful situation! Here’s what you should do now to make sure your rights are protected. This breach of privacy is basically unprecedented in the U.S., so it’s helpful to know where to start defending yourself.

Get a lawyer you can trust

The first and most important action you should take is to get a lawyer on your side. Torrence L. Howell is the best divorce lawyer in the Upland CA area, and with over 20 years of experience, you can trust him to advise you well and work hard to defend your best interests every step of the way.

False information

The information the hackers leaked has no guarantee of accuracy. It’s possible that many of the email addresses listed as users of the site were used falsely by hackers. It’s an especially trying time for those who are being falsely accused of intending to commit adultery using the Ashley Madison website. If your reputation is at stake and you’ve done nothing wrong, you should also contact attorney Torrence L. Howell immediately. There are legal actions that can be taken to ensure you receive proper compensation from Avid Life Media, the parent company of Ashley Madison.

Family and business law specialties

For those who are in the midst of divorce proceedings, Torrence L. Howell is the ideal choice for a divorce lawyer if you have a small business because he specializes in family and business law in Upland CA and all surrounding areas. Dividing property and other assets fairly, with the goal of keeping the small business intact, will be his top priority while serving as your legal advisor and representative for your divorce proceedings.

Divorce and privacy law

His knowledge about divorce and privacy laws in California is extensive, which will give you an edge in divorce proceedings since your case involves the Ashley Madison website data hack. He will do everything in his power to present your side of the case faithfully and make sure the divorce occurs as equitably as possible.

What to do if your Ashley Madison data could be leaked in the future

This data hack has really shaken up divorce proceedings in California, and the full affects of this hack have yet to be fully seen. If you have used the Ashley Madison website in the past, and you’re afraid this will negatively impact your divorce if your spouse or ex-spouse finds out, contact attorney Torrence L. Howell for a free initial consultation. He will confidentially discuss your legal options and recommend the best course of action to take based on your specific situation.

Contact info

Schedule your free in-person case evaluation today by calling info@torrencelhowelllaw.com, emailing info@torrencelhowelllaw.com, or sending an online message via the Contact Us button at the top right of this page. When your reputation, financial security, and divorce terms are at stake, don’t hire just anyone to be your divorce lawyer. Go with attorney Torrence L. Howell of Upland, California.

Why Getting a Cheap Divorce can Really Cost You

Why Getting a Cheap Divorce can Really Cost YouWhen you’re dealing with the emotional stress of a separation and divorce from your spouse, it can be incredibly tempting to get the cheapest divorce possible. But it’s important to be cautious when it comes to saving money on your divorce—the consequences could affect your life for many years down the road. Here are some important considerations when thinking about getting a cheap divorce.

Do I need a lawyer?

If you have uncontested divorce terms, meaning you and your ex have been able to reach agreements on every aspect of the divorce terms, then you might be considering petitioning the court for a divorce without even consulting with a lawyer at all. It is possible to fill out all the paperwork on your own and arrange for your ex to be served.

Legal expertise can be helpful

However, there are some essential deadlines and fine print that can be extremely challenging to fill out on your own. You might be unknowingly accepting unfair divorce terms if you try to figure it all out on your own.

You’ll have much more peace of mind if you consult with Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell about your divorce before finalizing your decision to do it on your own. He will meet with you one-on-one for a complimentary initial consultation, so you have nothing to lose if you make a free appointment. He may be able to provide you with legal information or advice that you would’ve never known if you had tried to muscle through your divorce by yourself.

One way it’s beneficial to save $$$

While you might reconsider hiring a lawyer, there is one very wise way to save money on your divorce, which is to make sure it’s uncontested. If there are some issues you and your ex need to work out before finalizing the divorce, attend mediation outside of the courts.

Mediation is when both spouses meet with a third party who helps them negotiate their differences and reach equitable agreements. This will save you a boatload of money on litigation costs and saves you from having a judge hand down a verdict that doesn’t adequately take into account both parties’ needs and wants.

Contact information

If you have any divorce questions or concerns, or if you want Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell to start working on your case right away, call Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell at (909) 920-0908 to set up a complimentary initial consultation. He will begin to tailor his legal advice to your specific situation and start developing an excellent strategy to achieve your divorce as painlessly as possible, for both you and your ex’s sake.

For a Southern California divorce lawyer you can trust to take your case seriously and treat you with complete respect every step of the way, go with Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell.

Proposition 47: Find out if you qualify for resentencing

Proposition 47: Find out if you qualify for resentencingWhen Proposition 47 passed California voters last November, it sent huge waves through the entire US, prompting many other states to push for criminal justice reform as well. The effects of Proposition have freed thousands of Californian inmates from prison, reduced sentences for past convictions, and lightened up current in-process sentences drastically.

 Do you qualify for resentencing?

Did you know that if you’ve been convicted for a nonviolent crime at any time in the past, you may qualify for resentencing? If it’s a felony conviction, it could even be downgraded to a misdemeanor!

 Consequences of Proposition 47

Proposition 47 is allowing many Californians to start living normal lives again, some after many years of challenges resulting from a felony conviction. If a felony conviction is removed from your record, it will likely be a lot easier to acquire steady employment and housing. Interpersonal relationships might be easier to foster, too, because you won’t have to explain any charges on your record from the outset, since criminal records are available publicly online, where anyone can see them. The social and economic stigma can be incredibly hard to deal with, so if there’s even a remote possibility that a felony conviction could be overturned, you should absolutely look into it.

Charges that are formerly resulted in felony convictions that are now misdemeanors include:

  • Drug possession
  • Shoplifting
  • Credit and check fraud
  • Forgery
  • Theft
  • Possession of stolen goods

 Important stipulations

The proposition stipulates that these are only misdemeanor charges if the amount of money affected as a result of the crime is less than $950. The maximum prison sentence for these crimes is now only one year, whereas it used to be three years. Drug possession is now a misdemeanor for all drugs, including heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and other illegal drugs.

 Three Strikes Law info

Even people who were sentenced during California’s harsh “three strikes’ law” may petition to be resentenced. So it’s not “game over” for you—look into resentencing today.

 Contact Attorney Howell to get resentenced

Just call Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell at (909) 920-0908 or email info@torrencelhowelllaw.com to schedule a free, no-risk initial consultation today. Attorney Howell is Southern California’s best criminal defense attorney who specializes in criminal, family, and business areas of law. He also has been focusing on Proposition 47 cases since its passage in November 2014, so he knows all the ins-and-outs of the resentencing petition process to achieve the ideal outcome.

He will meticulously apply every section of Proposition 47 to your case so that you will be resentenced and potentially have a felony conviction removed from your record, or if your case is currently in-process, he will make sure your innocence is proven or secure the lightest possible penalty.

To get a criminal defense attorney who will fight for you and deliver great results, contact attorney Howell for a free consultation today!

Phone: (909) 920-0908

Email: info@torrencelhowelllaw.com

Helpful Advice About Resolving Child Custody Issues

Helpful Advice About Resolving Child Custody IssuesHere at Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell, we’re always thinking about ways to serve our valued clients better. The dual focus of our firm is on family and business law in Southern California. Family and business issues deserve our full attention because outcomes of these cases impact Californians dramatically every day. If you’re having a family or business legal problem, the best choice for excellent legal advice and representation is Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell. Attorney Howell has decades of experience dealing with complicated legal issues, including child custody issues. Read on for some important considerations to make when thinking about child custody issues.

Try to keep things in perspective

Everyone knows that divorce can be complicated. Emotions run high, legal matters can get overwhelming, and the pain of separating from a partner can be tough to deal with at times. Depression is pretty common during a divorce, making matters even more difficult when all you want to do is crawl under your covers and stay there.

But something that can help is keeping in mind that nothing is permanent. Maybe you and your partner will decide to split today, but get back together a year from now. Maybe you’ll work out one custody and visitation agreement now, but amend it many times in the future. Try to take everything in stride and keep it in perspective. It’s not a life-or-death, permanent situation, though it can feel like the end of the world sometimes.

Talk it out as much as possible

When dealing with child custody issues, no one knows your kid(s) better than you and your former spouse. Only you both can truly know what’s best for him or her, so even though it’s hard to speak with your ex about anything when divorce is happening, try to swallow your pride (at least temporarily) and work out child custody and visitation agreements together. It will be much more likely that you will reach an decision you both can live it when you agree on it outside of the California court system. While a judge will try his or her absolute hardest to determine the best setup for the child’s best interests, the judge will still basically be a stranger to you and your family. Even if you can’t work things out on your own and petition the court to resolve your and your ex’s disagreements for you, the court may order you to mediation anyhow.

Avoid going to court—let Attorney Howell help

For the ideal outcome for the child and to save a boatload on legal fees, it’s best to attend mediation and work out child custody agreements outside of the court. We at Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell can help you with this—mediating between both parties and always looking out for your child’s best interests.

Attorney Howell has successfully helped divorcing couples reach agreements through mediation that didn’t seem possible previously, so make an appointment today to see how he can help your situation. He can also give you tailored legal advice about achieving a satisfying outcome in your specific case. Just call (909) 920-0908 or email info@torrencelhowelllaw.com to schedule a free initial consultation with Attorney Howell.

How to Get a Restraining Order in California

How to Get a Restraining Order in CaliforniaImportant note: If you feel you are in immediate danger, stop reading and call 911 to get help right away.

Relationships can be tough, and if you feel the need to get a restraining order against someone to ensure your safety and security, it helps to know the proper procedure. California law allows for anyone to request a restraining order, and many people have found restraining orders incredibly helpful protective measures.

If you’re being threatened or have endured violence, please schedule a complimentary consultation with Torrence L. Howell today by calling (909) 920-0908, emailing info@torrencelhowelllaw.com, or sending an online message at the right hand side of this page. Don’t wait—get the help you need today.

The following kinds of behavior are grounds for acquiring restraining orders:

  • Stalking, whether in-person or online
  • Making threats of violence made against you, your children, other family members, or pets
  • Sending harassing phone, text, email, or social media messages
  • Physical abuse (such as punching, kicking, hair pulling, burning, chocking, and many others)
  • Mental abuse (such as constant criticism, forced isolation, fear by intimidation, mind games, name calling, guilt trips, threats to reveal intensely personal information to others, and more)
  • Sexual abuse (including as marital rape, forcing sex after physical violence, treating victim in a sexually demeaning manner, forging the victim to pose for sexually explicit photos or video, and more)
  • Child abuse (such as deliberate physical harm, sexual abuse, verbal or emotional abuse, harm to a pet in front of a child, a child physically intervening in the abuse of a parent, and threats against a child, including violence and kidnapping)
  • Spousal abuse (including physical violence of any kind, marital rape, withholding reproductive control, withholding money or employment to make the spouse financially dependent, emotional and psychological abuse, threatening, and more)

Basically, if the spouse, partner, or other family member behaves in any way that makes you feel afraid and powerless, it’s time to call Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell for immediate help.

Don’t just sit back and put up with it—get the help you need today. The first action attorney Howell will take is securing an emergency protective order, which gives you immediate protection from the abuser for 5 days following an initial hearing. The abuser does not to be present for the hearing to occur successfully.

Other restraining order options

Attorney Howell can also help you secure a 21-day temporary restraining order from California’s family law court or a permanent restraining order which can be effective for up to 5 years.

Financial concerns

If you’re worried about losing the financial support from your spouse, attorney Howell can also assist you with acquiring a temporary alimony order that will allow your basic needs to be taken care of while you live apart from your abuser and seek out legal measures to punish abuse and prevent it from happening again in the future.

The bottom line is, you don’t have to put up with abusive behavior in any form. Get the help you need now by scheduling a confidential, free consultation with Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell today by calling (909) 920-0908, emailing info@torrencelhowelllaw.com, or sending an online message at the right side of this page.

How to Get a Divorce in Southern California

How to Get a Divorce in Southern CaliforniaIf you’re pondering getting a divorce in the Upland, California area, it’s important to know the proper procedure so you won’t have to deal with any unexpected bumps along the way.

Start here

The key starting point is by finding a lawyer you can trust. This lawyer will be by your side every step of the way, guiding your decisions by offering qualified legal advice. It’s best to find a lawyer who specializes in family law and divorce cases—someone who has lots of experience working with divorcing couples in the Upland, California area. Someone who is trustworthy, responsible, and pays close attention to detail will make sure your divorce case sails through without any trouble.

Wisdom and compassion

Getting a divorce is a major life event, and you need someone who will compassionately guide you through the process. The ideal choice for a divorce attorney in the Upland, California area is Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell.

Specialized divorce know-how

Attorney Torrence L. Howell brings a wealth of expertise and specialized knowledge about divorce. He has helped hundreds of divorcing couples successfully reach agreements on divorce terms, including child custody and visitation, asset division, and alimony terms, and he knows just what to do in straightforward divorce cases to the most complicated divorce disputes.

Representation in court

He will do everything in his power to help both parties reach equitable agreements on divorce terms, but if going to court to resolve disputes becomes necessary, he will tenaciously represent your best interests in divorce court. He will serve you in mediation before attending court procedures, at court dates, in court-mandated mediation, when your divorce is finalized, and every other step in-between.

Simple divorces need attorney Torrence L. Howell, too

Even if you and your former spouse seem to agree on all divorce terms, it’s still important to enlist Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell to help you navigate the divorce process. The state of California requires various documents to be meticulously filled out, and Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell can help you make sure they are done correctly so your divorce can be finalized as soon as possible.

It’s also helpful to have attorney Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell on your side if you’re initiating a divorce because he can handle serving your former spouse with divorce papers—one task that you definitely can’t take care of on your own.

If you decide not to hire a divorce attorney to advise you along the way, you risk agreeing to unfair divorce terms, including those that relate to the division of property, alimony, child support, or child custody agreements. With divorce attorney Torrence L. Howell at your side every step of the way, you can confidently enter divorce negotiations with all of the pertinent information about your and your former spouse’s rights and responsibilities.

Whether you’re gearing up for a relatively simple divorce or you’re worried about the possibility of many months of court litigation, schedule an initial consultation with Upland’s best divorce attorney, Torrence L. Howell to discuss the specifics of your situation and receive expert legal advice right away.

Call (909) 920-0908 or email info@torrencelhowelllaw.com to get started today.