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 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 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

This is a topic we find ourselves talking about every year around this time. We're a month away from July 4th which falls on a Thursday this year which will likely mean a long weekend for many people in Alabama. We receive calls every year on the days after the celebration related to DUI charges. At John M. Totten, P.C., we celebrate and appreciate the spirit of July 4th and our great nation. However, we also Read More

  The summer months are often among the most challenging for co-parents in Alabama. Your child has more free time on their hands with school out which means not only do they need more activities on their calendar but also need engaging activities that demand the attention of their parents. It's important to focus on having an effective co-parenting plan and sticking to it while being flexible when Read More

In the eyes of the law and the general public, drug charges in Alabama are not just a legal matter but also a pivotal moment that can redefine the trajectory of your life. At our law firm, we understand the gravity of these charges, whether misdemeanor or felony, and the profound impact they can have on every facet of your life. The idea that any drug charge could be considered "minor" is not just misleading—it's Read More

The aftermath of a car accident is, frankly, too late to be asking what you should be doing next. It’s important to prepare yourself before you ever find yourself in this position on the side of an Alabama road after an accident. By the time the question crosses your mind, it's usually not the time for research, especially if there are injuries involved. What you do in the immediate aftermath of an Alabama car Read More

When discussing paternity, we are looking at the legal relationship between a father and their child. This is how you secure your parental rights. Fathers who have children out of wedlock must establish paternity because it is a means of securing custodial rights. By having a basic understanding of paternity rights, you protect yourself and your child against various circumstances.  Does Every Father Need to Read More

Thousands of workplace injury incidents are reported annually in Alabama. Understanding your rights and the steps following an injury is crucial for protecting yourself, especially in terms of your financial future. In Alabama, there are laws to support workers injured on the job. They provide you with routes for workers' compensation and, in certain situations, personal injury claims. Knowing what to do and how to Read More