George J Nelson
attorney at law
Family Law, Personal Injury, DUI
ABOUT GJN
George's practice areas include DUI Law, Family Law, and Personal Injury Law.
Representing you with a high level of commitment, experience and skill, George takes the time needed to research your case and provide the best legal representation in the Western South Dakota area.
The Law Office of George Nelson is available to represent you in the following Western South Dakota Counties: Pennington, Meade, Lawrence, Custer, Fall River, and Jackson.
Get in touch with any questions about availability or more info, or fill out our contact form at the bottom of the page.
CONTACT
gjnlaw@gmail.com
2640 Jackson Blvd, Rapid City, SD 57701
605-719-9470
SERVICES
DUI Cases
Let George Nelson help you understand your charges, become aware of your rights under the law, and identify illegal police actions (such as failure to read Miranda Rights). Determining which defenses apply to your case can make all the difference.
Injury Cases
When you choose The Law Office of George J. Nelson, you're working with a former prosecutor who understands the law as it applies to your case in South Dakota. Bringing legal representation in early is important for the best possible outcome. Schedule now and protect your rights.
Family Law
If you’re currently going through a family law matter such as a divorce or a child custody battle, you already know how difficult it can be to keep your emotions in check. You may be having a hard time making decisions or reaching resolutions with your spouse, partner, or family member.
Rails-to-Trails Litigation: Your Rights and Compensation
When a railroad stops using its corridor, landowners expect to regain possession of that land. However, a federal law allows this land to be converted into recreational trails without the landowners' consent. Some states have requested that a portion of state-owned rail in (like those in south-central South Dakota) be converted to a public trail, and the federal government granted this request.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Do you have to be “drunk” to be guilty of drunk driving?
No. Years ago, a drunk driving charge meant someone was “drunk” in the way all of us commonly understand. But today, intoxication as we know it is not required for one to be guilty of drunk driving. During the last ten years laws against drunk driving have changed radically, and today they are much more severe.
You may not think you are drunk. Those around you may not think you are drunk. Indeed, for the purpose of every other situation except driving, you may not even be considered drunk. But your condition may be enough for you to be found guilty of a drunk driving offense under the current definition of the law. And if you are convicted, you will suffer some very harsh penalties.
What should I do if I have been injured?
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury caused by someone else’s negligence, the actions you take immediately after the incident could potentially affect your life in the future. While each incident is different, there are general considerations. You should first seek medical attention. If the incident involves something like medical malpractice, calling 911 may not be an option. If calling 911 is not appropriate, you should take every step to document the negligence that has occurred either to family members or through other doctors. This documentation may include requesting any witness names (and their contact information) and incident reports. If possible, you should also take photos of the scene – even if you only have a cell phone camera. You should also seek competent professional advice as soon as possible to help determine if you have a personal injury claim. The Law Office of George J. Nelson has extensive experience in investigating personal injury claims, and can help determine if you have a valid claim, and if you do, who is the responsible party and what compensation may be available to you.
How can I get a dissolution of marriage (divorce) in South Dakota?
In general both parties need to agree that the marriage is “irretrievably broken”– in other words it cannot be put back together through marriage counseling or any other means. Generally speaking, few people ever contest whether the marriage is irretrievably broken. Also, one party to the marriage must be a South Dakota resident immediately preceding the filing of the petition for divorce. If the divorce is contested, you will have to assert grounds for the divorce (e.g., adultery, extreme cruelty, etc.).
DISCLAIMER: The answers provided on this website are not substitutes for the advice of an attorney. No person should ever apply or interpret any law without seeking the help of an attorney. The attorney needs to know the facts of your situation and be aware of any changes in the law before forming and giving an opinion on it. You should not read the responses herein to propose specific action or address specific circumstances, but only to give you a sense of general principles of law that might affect the situation you describe. Application of these general principles to particular circumstances must be done by a lawyer who has spoken with you in confidence, learned all relevant information, and explored various options. Before acting on these general principles, you should hire a lawyer licensed to practice law in the jurisdiction to which your question pertains.
