A Paperless Law Office
Law Offices of Maximilian A. Stovall is a paperless law office because it is very tech oriented
In today's fast-paced world, time is a precious commodity, and everyone is looking for ways to save time and be more efficient. The Law Offices of Maximilian A. Stovall (LOMAS) understands this, which is why we have gone paperless. Being paperless has enabled us to better serve our clients, and we believe it sets us apart from other law firms.
At LOMAS, we are very tech-oriented. We use the latest technology to streamline our operations and provide quick and efficient services to our clients. Going paperless was a natural step for us, and it has been one of the best decisions we have made.
Being a paperless law office has numerous benefits. First and foremost, it allows us to save time. We no longer have to spend hours sifting through piles of paper documents. Instead, we can quickly and easily access all of our client's files electronically, from anywhere, at any time. This means that we can respond to our clients' needs much faster than other firms.
Additionally, being paperless has enabled us to be more environmentally friendly. We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint, and going paperless has allowed us to do that. We no longer use paper, ink, or toner, which means that we are not contributing to the depletion of natural resources or the generation of waste.
Going paperless has also allowed us to better serve our clients. We can easily share documents and information with our clients electronically, which makes it more convenient for them. We also have a better system for organizing and managing our client's files, which means that we can quickly find the information we need to provide the best possible legal representation.
In conclusion, the Law Offices of Maximilian A. Stovall is a paperless law office that is focused on using technology to better serve our clients. Being paperless has allowed us to save time, be more environmentally friendly, and provide better service to our clients. If you are looking for a modern law firm that is committed to efficiency and innovation, then LOMAS is the right choice for you.
An arrest is a disorienting experience. Whether it happens to you or someone you love, the hours immediately following an arrest in Washoe County are critical — and what happens during that window can significantly affect the outcome of a criminal case. At the Law Offices of Maximilian A. Stovall, we handle criminal defense for clients across Northern Nevada, including Reno, Sparks, and the surrounding Washoe County area. Here is a clear, honest breakdown of what to expect in the first 72 hours after an arrest — and what you should do to protect your rights. Hour 0–2: The Arrest and Booking Process When someone is arrested in Washoe County, they are taken into custody by law enforcement — typically the Reno Police Department, the Sparks Police Department, or the Washoe County Sheriff's Office — and transported to the Washoe County Detention Facility (WCDF) in Reno for processing. Booking involves: Recording personal information and the alleged offense Photographing and fingerprinting Confiscating and inventorying personal property A health screening Being assigned to a housing unit within the facility During this process, law enforcement may attempt to question you. This is the most important moment to remember your rights: You have the right to remain silent. Use it. You are not required to answer questions beyond providing basic identifying information. Anything you say — even something that seems innocent or helpful — can and will be used against you. Politely and clearly invoke your right to remain silent and your right to speak with an attorney before answering any questions. Hour 2–24: Initial Appearance and Bail Under Nevada law, a person who is arrested must be brought before a judge or magistrate for an initial appearance without unnecessary delay — typically within 48 to 72 hours, though in practice it often happens faster in Washoe County. At the initial appearance (sometimes called an arraignment for misdemeanors), the judge will: Inform you of the charges against you Advise you of your rights Make a determination about bail Understanding Bail in Washoe County Bail is the amount of money required to secure your release from custody while your case proceeds. In Washoe County, bail may be: Set according to a standard bail schedule for common offenses (meaning you can potentially post bail before seeing a judge) Set by a judge at the initial appearance based on the nature of the offense, your criminal history, ties to the community, and flight risk Denied if the judge finds sufficient grounds — typically for serious felony charges or if you are considered a danger to the community If bail is set, it can be paid in full (cash bail) or through a licensed bail bondsman, who typically charges a non-refundable premium of around 10–15% of the bail amount. Having an attorney present at the initial appearance can make a meaningful difference. An experienced Washoe County criminal defense attorney can argue for reduced bail or release on your own recognizance (OR release) by presenting evidence of your community ties, employment, and family obligations. Hour 24–72: What Happens While You Wait If bail has not been posted and you remain in custody, the next major milestone is the formal arraignment on felony charges (for misdemeanors, this typically happens at the initial appearance). During this window, several things are happening simultaneously: The Prosecutor's Office Is Reviewing the Case After arrest, the case is forwarded to the Washoe County District Attorney's Office (for felonies) or to the City Attorney's Office (for misdemeanors in Reno or Sparks). Prosecutors review the police report and evidence to decide whether to file formal charges, reduce charges, or decline to prosecute. This review period is a critical window. An attorney who moves quickly and contacts the prosecutor's office early can sometimes influence charging decisions before they are locked in. Evidence Is Being Collected — By Both Sides Law enforcement is building their case from the moment of arrest. Your attorney should be doing the same — identifying witnesses, preserving surveillance footage (which is often overwritten within days), and requesting police body camera footage and dash camera footage while it still exists. Time is genuinely of the essence here. Evidence that exists on Day 1 may be gone by Day 10. You May Be Contacted by Law Enforcement Again Detectives or investigators may attempt to contact you again after booking — by phone, in person, or even by reaching out to your family members. Do not speak with law enforcement or investigators without your attorney present. This applies even if they suggest that cooperating will help you. Direct all contact to your attorney. The Single Most Important Thing You Can Do: Call an Attorney Everything in the criminal justice system moves faster than most people expect. Charging decisions get made. Bail hearings happen. Evidence disappears. Witnesses' memories fade. The sooner you have an experienced Reno criminal defense attorney in your corner, the more options you have. The Law Offices of Maximilian A. Stovall provides criminal defense representation across Washoe County and Northern Nevada. We understand the local courts, the prosecutors, and the procedures — and we move fast when our clients need us. Common Charges We Handle in Washoe County DUI (first offense through felony DUI) Drug possession and distribution Assault and battery Domestic violence charges Theft and property crimes White-collar offenses Weapons charges If you or someone you care about has been arrested in Washoe County, do not wait to get legal help. The first 72 hours matter — and so does having the right attorney by your side from the very beginning. Contact the Law Offices of Maximilian A. Stovall Serving criminal defense clients in Reno NV, Sparks NV, Washoe County, and all of Northern Nevada. Available for urgent consultations. Contact us at maxstovalllaw.com or call our Reno office today.
Choosing the right family law attorney in Northern Nevada is one of the most consequential decisions you can make during a divorce, custody dispute, or adoption. The stakes are high — your children, your finances, and your future are all on the line. Yet many people make costly mistakes during the hiring process that set their case back before it even begins. At the Law Offices of Maximilian A. Stovall, we regularly meet with people who have had difficult experiences with other attorneys — or who come to us unsure of how to evaluate their options. Here are the five most common mistakes we see, and how to avoid them. Mistake #1: Hiring Based on Price Alone It's natural to worry about legal fees, especially when you're already facing the financial stress of a divorce or custody battle. But choosing an attorney solely because they charge the lowest hourly rate is a trap that often costs far more in the long run. Family law in Nevada is complex and highly fact-specific. An inexperienced or understaffed attorney who takes longer to understand your case, misses procedural deadlines in Washoe or Douglas County courts, or fails to properly argue the NRS factors for alimony or child custody can produce outcomes that no amount of money can easily fix. What to do instead: Ask about value, not just price. What is the attorney's experience with cases like yours? How familiar are they with local judges and court procedures in Reno and Minden? Do they have a clear strategy from day one? Mistake #2: Failing to Verify Local Experience Nevada family law is statewide, but court culture is deeply local. A Washoe County Family Court judge in Reno may have different tendencies when evaluating parenting plans than a Douglas County judge in Minden. Local knowledge — knowing how courts are run, what judges prioritize, and even how to navigate filing requirements — is a real and meaningful advantage. Many people hire attorneys from large firms based in Las Vegas who have little familiarity with Northern Nevada courts. Others hire generalist attorneys who handle everything from DUIs to wills and treat family law as a side practice. What to do instead: Ask your attorney directly: How many family law cases have you handled in Washoe County? Douglas County? Have you appeared before the specific judges assigned to family law matters in these courts? Mistake #3: Waiting Too Long to Hire an Attorney Timing matters enormously in family law. Nevada courts operate on strict procedural schedules, and the choices made — or not made — in the early stages of a case can define its entire trajectory. For example, if your spouse has already filed for divorce and you delay retaining an attorney, you may miss the window to request temporary orders for child custody, spousal support, or use of the family home. If you are dealing with a child custody modification, failure to act promptly when a material change of circumstances occurs can weaken your position significantly. What to do instead: Contact a family law attorney in Reno or Minden as soon as you know legal action is likely — even before papers are filed. An initial consultation costs very little compared to the cost of being caught flat-footed. Mistake #4: Choosing an Attorney Who Is Not a Good Fit for Your Goals Not every family law case requires scorched-earth litigation. And not every case can be resolved peacefully. The mistake many people make is hiring an attorney whose approach doesn't match their situation. If your primary goal is to preserve a cooperative co-parenting relationship after divorce, hiring an attorney known for aggressive courtroom tactics may escalate conflict and harm your children. Conversely, if you are dealing with a spouse who is hiding assets or refusing to negotiate in good faith, hiring someone who only pursues settlement may leave money and rights on the table. What to do instead: In your initial consultation, be clear about what matters most to you — minimizing conflict, protecting your finances, ensuring maximum parenting time, or reaching a quick resolution. A good attorney will tell you honestly whether their approach aligns with your goals. Mistake #5: Not Asking About the Full Team Handling Your Case Many attorneys advertise their personal credentials prominently, but in practice, your case may be primarily handled by a junior associate or paralegal you never met at the consultation. This is not always a problem — strong teams can serve clients well — but it becomes a serious issue when you expect senior-level attention and don't receive it. At the Law Offices of Maximilian A. Stovall, we believe in transparency. When you hire our firm, you know exactly who will be working on your case and what role they will play. Whether your matter involves family law, appellate advocacy, or criminal defense, our team — including our appellate attorney Lucas Glanzmann — works collaboratively to bring the right expertise to your case. What to do instead: Ask at the outset: Who will I actually be working with day-to-day? Who will appear in court on my behalf? How accessible is the lead attorney if I have questions? What to Look for in a Family Law Attorney in Reno or Minden, NV As you evaluate your options, here are the qualities that matter most: Demonstrated experience with Nevada family law cases in Washoe County and Douglas County courts Clear, honest communication about what your case realistically involves and what outcomes are achievable A track record of both negotiating fair settlements and litigating effectively when necessary Transparent billing and team structure — no surprises A firm that treats you as a person, not just a case number Contact the Law Offices of Maximilian A. Stovall Serving clients in Reno NV, Minden NV, Carson City, Sparks, Gardnerville, and all of Northern Nevada. Schedule your consultation today at maxstovalllaw.com or call our Reno or Minden office.
