Law Office of Matthew Konecky - January 2021

Law Office of Matthew Konecky - January 2021

THE KONECKY

JOURNAL

561.671.5995 | 954.272.6187 | www.matthewkoneckypa.com 110 SE 6th Street, Suite 1700, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 4440 PGA Blvd., Suite 204, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410

JANUARY 2021

New Year, New Expectations

W ith a new year comes new trends. As a result of the pandemic and various many jurisdictions across the state and country, jury trials have resumed only on a limited basis. Hearings, by and large, are continuing on Zoom, and I expect that to be the case for a long time to come. Going into 2021, the new, big legal trend will be to embrace the digital platform. I anticipate this is going to force the big firms to make major changes in order to adapt. It may even force older attorneys into retirement — those who are unwilling or unresponsive to the shift to digital. community lockdowns, the legal landscape has changed. In Palm Beach County, as with My overall sentiment is that the people who adapt and embrace change will thrive. Those who refuse to accept change will be swallowed up. The world is going to move on without them. It’s a harsh reality, but then again, we’ve learned a lot about harsh realities over the past year. In other words, we won’t be going back to the “normal” way of doing things. Learning a new way of doing things isn’t easy. It takes a lot of time and effort and often money. You have to be willing and able to adapt to the changing world. For instance, people need to know how to hold an online evidentiary hearing or an online deposition. This is something I’ve been doing for a while now.

than in front of people, which changes the dynamic. But it’s more than just conveying information — you still have to look professional while doing it. There was a brief time when attorneys could get away with handling a case via video from the iPhone. Now, you have to have the right technology. You want to look and sound good, in a literal sense, so you don’t want subpar equipment cutting you off mid-sentence. That can cause all kinds of problems. It also highlights the need for a good internet connection to handle the video and audio. On top of it all, you need a good support staff who can handle this type of approach to the practice of law. Luckily and thankfully, we have experience with the technology we need to look and sound good on behalf of clients. I can’t say enough about our brilliant young staff. They know how to deal with technology and all the issues that are bound to pop up every now and again. Going into 2021, we’re in a great place to handle whatever the year might throw at us. 2020 was a learning experience, but we adapted and made the changes necessary to deliver for our clients. As we ramp up the new year, I invite you to check out our redesigned website if you haven’t already. Another one of the benefits of the lockdown last year was that we were able to create a ton of new content, including articles and videos just for you or anyone who may have legal questions. Be sure to visit MatthewKoneckyPA.com to take a look!

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Taking the courtroom online does require some getting used to. You have to convey information across a screen rather

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Download these books today ! When it comes to the legal process, you may have a lot of questions. Well, I have answers! Right now, I am offering my two resource books for free. YOUR LEGAL RESOURCE Some people claim that being in a flow state is a form of meditation and that learning how to meditate can help you reach it. To that end, apps like Headspace and Evenflow (for iPhones only) are great places to start! Before you know it, you’ll be finding the flow like a pro. focus (goodbye, distractions!), a sense of clarity, feelings of happiness and pleasure, and the impression that all obstacles ahead of you have disappeared. That makes accomplishing your goals feel like less of a struggle. It’s no wonder high-achieving hobbyists, workers, and creatives crave the feeling! HOW CAN YOU GET IN A FLOW? Usually, a flow state isn’t planned — it just happens. In a BBC article, author Steven Kotler describes flow as “a happy accident.” But he also notes that we can make ourselves “more accident-prone.” To set yourself up for a flow state, find a quiet place to work and choose an activity that’s difficult but meaningful for you. Ideally, it should be something you’ve already put work into perfecting. If you’ve never tried painting before, you probably won’t find flow on your first attempt, but an experienced painter could achieve it while mastering a new technique. How to Find Your Flow in 2021 Is Deep Focus the Secret to Success?

“Matthew is an expert in his field. He is highly knowledgeable and adept at what he does. One of the biggest takeaways for me in hiring Matthew for his services was that he took the time to listen, understand me as a person, and fully understand all aspects of my case. Should you find yourself in need of legal representation (criminal or otherwise), I definitely recommend Matthew Konecky. He is EXCELLENT! He will get you the results you’re looking for!” –Michael R. AMESSAGE FROM THE FAITHFUL Have you ever started working on an important project and looked up at the clock after what felt like minutes only to find that hours had passed? If you have, you’ve probably experienced “flow state,” aka the Holy Grail of concentration and achievement. WHAT IS A FLOW STATE? Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi describes a flow state as a “focus that, once it becomes intense, leads to a sense of ecstasy, a sense of clarity: you know exactly what you want to do from one moment to the other; you get immediate feedback.” That sounds complex, but you can also think of flow as being “in the zone.” And it might be the key to achieving your New Year’s goals. That’s because a flow state almost always coincides with tackling a difficult task, and when you’re in a flow state, even the most challenging things feel relatively easy. WHY ARE HIGH ACHIEVERS OBSESSED WITH FLOW? Flow state doesn’t only happen for people with desk jobs. You can get it while running, playing chess, dancing, or climbing a mountain, and it’s considered the Holy Grail because it has a host of benefits. According to the meditation app Headspace, those perks include heightened

‘My Loved One Has Been Arrested’ The second edition of my first book is now available for download. Inside the second edition, you will find out what happens after your case, how to remove mugshots, and what to do if you were the one arrested. If you want a physical copy, please contact our office today. ‘What You Must Know About Your DUI Case’ Being convicted of a DUI charge can drastically change your life. Learn what goes into a DUI case and what your first step should be. Head over to MatthewKoneckyPA.com today for your FREE downloads!

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DUI LAWS AND MARIJUANA What to Know Going Into 2021

D id you know that DUI laws also apply to driving under the influence of marijuana? Even if you used marijuana legally, driving under the influence of marijuana is a crime regardless of the state you are located in. If you get pulled over when you are under the influence of any substance and you do poorly on the basic roadside sobriety exercises but still blow under the limit, you may be asked to provide a urine sample. Authorities collect this sample in order to try to detect a chemical or controlled substance such as marijuana. If you refuse any test, you may face serious consequences. Normally, when these tests occur, it’s difficult to prove what controlled substance may have been in your system at the time you were pulled over. In fact, marijuana can stay in the body and be detected up to 30 days after use,

so urine tests can be unreliable. This gives an experienced criminal defense attorney a strong argument that the results should not be admitted at trial. While it’s more difficult to prove driving under the influence of marijuana than alcohol, if you admit you are high to the officer, you can be arrested. As always, anything you say can and will be used against you. If you’re pulled over by the police and you have a joint or pipe that is actively being used in the vehicle, that’s a strong indication to the officer that you could be under the influence of marijuana.

Penalties of a Marijuana DUI •

License suspension of 180 days to a year Fines ranging from $500 to $2,000 Up to a year jail (if this is not a first-time offense)

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Substance abuse treatment

Term of probation

What Police Look For •

The Marijuana Breathalyzer In 2019, Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh developed a device to help law enforcement accurately detect if a driver is under the influence of marijuana. The device is capable of measuring THC, the psychoactive compound found in marijuana, through a user’s breath. The device isn’t widely used just yet, but it may be in the near future.

Erratic driving or weaving

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Slurred speech

The odor of marijuana in the car

Glassy or bloodshot eyes

Slow motor skills

Impaired cognitive function

Driving too slowly

MEME CORNER

Cooking With Ashley

EASY ONE-POT LENTIL SOUP

Directions

Ingredients

1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat and sauté garlic, shallots, carrots, and celery for 4–5 minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste. 2. Add potatoes to pot, along with more salt and pepper. Sauté for 2 minutes. 3. Add vegetable broth and herbs, then bring soup to a simmer. 4. Add lentils, stirring until soup returns to a simmer. Then, turn the heat to low and cook soup uncovered for 15–20 minutes. 5. Finally, add kale and additional salt and pepper as needed. Cook for 3–4 minutes, thin soup with additional vegetable broth as needed, and serve!

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2 tbsp coconut oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 shallots, diced

4 large carrots, sliced thin 4 stalks celery, sliced thin

Sea salt, to taste

Black pepper, to taste

3 cups red potatoes, cubed

4 cups vegetable broth

2–3 sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme, chopped 1 cup uncooked green lentils, rinsed and drained

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2 cups chopped kale

Inspired by MinimalistBaker.com

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24/7 emergency services

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INSIDE 561.671.5995 | 954.272.6187 www.matthewkoneckypa.com 4440 PGA Blvd., Suite 204 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410

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What Can We Expect From the New Year

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How to Find Your Flow in 2021 Hear From Our Clients

How DUI Laws Apply to Marijuana Easy One-Pot Lentil Soup

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Give Yourself the Boost of Getting Outside

Let That Fresh Air Fuel You 4 TIPS TO MAKE GETTING OUTSIDE EASIER

Hunkering down and waiting for the dark and chilly winter season to pass sounds pretty nice. But the reality is, if we deprive ourselves of time outside, we do ourselves a big disservice both mentally and physically. Staying indoors all day affects your energy and mood, which makes it hard to get anything done, so here are four easy tips to make it easier to get a little fresh air. 1. MAKE IT A PRIORITY. Getting outside means making the conscious effort to do so. If you want to reap its benefits, you have to decide to make it a priority in your day-to-day schedule. If you make the act important to you, you have more motivation to actually do it. 2. USE MORNINGS EFFECTIVELY. Waking up and getting the day started can be hard. But studies have shown that natural light helps decrease your melatonin production, which means you feel ready to face the day sooner. So, set yourself a second alarm to head outside and take a quick walk around the block just after waking. Don’t even wash your face or grab coffee. Just get out there. 3. TAKE YOUR WORK OUTSIDE . If you’re working from home, take some work outdoors. Phone and virtual meetings are a great outdoor option, especially if you’ll just be an active listener and aren’t

required to do any work simultaneously. Attach a note to your meeting reminders to get yourself set up outside five minutes before you start.

4. CREATE A SCHEDULE. It might feel strange to set reminders throughout the day to step outside, but you easily get wrapped up in activities and overlook breaks, and these reminders are exactly what you need. Start with 10-minute blocks three times a day. If you stick to them, soon you won’t need a schedule to get outside anymore. Winter weather may be cold, but even when you’re bundled up under a jacket and scarf, just 5–10 minutes outside can do wonders for your mood and energy for hours.

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