Do you smell rotten eggs in your nearly new home? Is your metal turning black? Is the copper in your plumbing or heating and air conditioning unit corroded? If so, you may be one of the thousands of homeowners whose homes were constructed with substandard Chinese drywall. Homeowners across the country but particular in Louisiana, [...]
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U.S. Supreme Court: State’s Forensic Experts Can be Required to Testify
In one of the last decisions of the term, the U.S. Supreme Court made it clear that criminal defendants have the right to cross-examine the forensic experts who create lab reports introduced at trial. The ruling in Melendez-Diaz v. Massachussets upholds the principal that a defendant has a constitutionally guaranteed right to confront his/her [...]
Your Landlord Tenant Questions Answered
For many Alabama landlords the Landlord Tenant laws can seem like a maze of confusing rules. Not following the rules can cost landlords valuable time and money. So, in an effort to demistify the process, I will be answering some of the most commonly asked landlord tenant questions.
Today’s Question? My tenant’s utilities have been turned [...]
I was pulled over, can the police search my car?
We have been discussing common questions about criminal law.
Today’s Topic: Can the police search my vehicle if they pull me over?
If you have been pulled over for a minor traffic violation, ordinarily the police may not search your vehicle for other contraband even if you are arrested for the ticket. The important question to ask [...]
U.S. Supreme Court Limits Warrantless Vehicle Searches
The United States Supreme Court limits warrantless vehicle searches in 5-4 ruling.
I Have Been Arrested. When should I See a Lawyer?
We have been exploring common questions concerning criminal law.
Today’s Topic: When Should I See a Lawyer?
If you are arrested for a crime, particularly a serious one, you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible. A lawyer will have a better sense of what you should and should not say to law enforcement [...]
I was arrested. What does that mean?
In this Series we will discuss common questions related to Criminal Law.
Today’s topic: What is an Arrest?
An arrest is a type of detention. When you have been arrested, you are not free to leave the scene. There are other types of detentions for shorter periods that are not considered arrests. For example you can be [...]
Welcome to The Fonteneau Firm
The Fonteneau Firm is a general practice law firm with an emphasis on landlord tenant law, criminal law, personal injury, and employment law.
It is a simple fact of life that not all disputes are matters of black and white, right and wrong. When you need someone who understands that, look to the Fonteneau Firm for [...]
Landlords: Pick Your Property Manager Wisely
If you own rental property, you know that sometimes maintaining a property is time consuming. That is why many landlords choose to contract with a property management company to manage their units. Hiring a property manager can save you time but it is important to ensure that the manager complies with the landlord tenant laws [...]
Alabama Legislature May Extend Landlord Protections
The 2009 Legislative Session is in full swing in Montgomery. As with any session there are a number of bills under consideration. However there is one bill of note for landlords across the state. As you may remember, last fall Jefferson County voters passed a local law that would stop the Water Works Board from [...]
