:root {
    /* Purser Law brand system — sampled from criminalappeals.net live CSS */
    --ink: #080808;        /* headings, footer, table head, black buttons */
    --char: #26292E;       /* site header bar, dark cards (.site-header / .bg-dark) */
    --slate: #444C57;      /* dark practice section (.bg-practice) */
    --feature: #253044;    /* feature block (.bgborderright) */
    --red: #E03F35;        /* action accent (their button hover state) */
    --gold: #F0C44D;       /* accent border / star ratings (.bgborderright border) */
    --bg: #f2f2f2;         /* light section grey */
    --paper: #ffffff;
    --heading: #080808;
    --text: #3d3d3d;
    --muted: #757575;
    --line: #e5e5e5;
    --grey-btn: #cccccc;   /* their .btn3 Book Appointment button */
  }
  * { margin: 0; padding: 0; box-sizing: border-box; }
  html { scroll-behavior: smooth; }
  body {
    font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
    color: var(--text);
    background: var(--paper);
    line-height: 1.8;
    font-size: 15px;
    letter-spacing: 0.2px;
    -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
  }
  h1, h2, h3, h4 { font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; color: var(--heading); letter-spacing: -0.5px; }
  .wrap { max-width: 1140px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 0 24px; }

  .mock-ribbon {
    background: var(--gold); color: #231400; text-align: center;
    font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 2px; padding: 7px 12px; text-transform: uppercase;
  }

  /* header — two rows like the live site: contact row above, full nav below */
  .site-header { position: sticky; top: 0; z-index: 50; background: var(--char); }
  .site-header .wrap {
    display: grid; grid-template-columns: auto 1fr; grid-template-rows: auto auto;
    align-items: center; column-gap: 32px;
  }
  .logo { grid-row: span 2; padding: 12px 0; }
  .logo img { height: 46px; display: block; }
  .header-top-right {
    justify-self: end; display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 14px;
    padding-top: 12px;
  }
  .header-phone { color: #fff; text-decoration: none; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; white-space: nowrap; }
  .header-phone .call-label { color: var(--gold); font-weight: 700; text-transform: uppercase; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 1.5px; margin-right: 4px; }
  .header-phone:hover { color: var(--gold); }
  .header-divider { color: #55596a; }
  .header-cta {
    background: var(--grey-btn); color: #000; text-decoration: none;
    font-weight: 600; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;
    padding: 7px 14px; white-space: nowrap;
  }
  .header-cta:hover { background: var(--red); color: #fff; }
  .main-nav {
    justify-self: end; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 4px 20px;
    padding-bottom: 12px; padding-top: 6px;
  }
  .main-nav a {
    color: #fff; text-decoration: none; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 600;
    letter-spacing: 1.5px; text-transform: uppercase; padding: 4px 6px;
  }
  .main-nav a.active { outline: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.55); }
  .main-nav a:hover { color: var(--gold); }
  .hamburger { display: none; }

  /* hero — their practice-header treatment, with the form IN the hero (conversion) */
  .hero {
    background:
      linear-gradient(rgba(8,8,8,0.86), rgba(8,8,8,0.86)),
      url('assets/header-practice.jpg') center / cover no-repeat,
      var(--ink);
    color: #d8d8d8; padding: 72px 0 84px;
  }
  .hero-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1.15fr 1fr; gap: 56px; align-items: start; }
  .hero .eyebrow {
    font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 3px; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--gold);
    margin-bottom: 18px;
  }
  .hero h1 { color: #fff; font-size: 44px; font-weight: 800; letter-spacing: -1.5px; margin-bottom: 22px; }
  .hero .subhead {
    font-size: 19px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.55;
    color: #fff; border-left: 3px solid var(--gold); padding-left: 18px;
    margin: -4px 0 24px; max-width: 540px;
  }
  .hero p.lede { font-size: 15.5px; font-weight: 400; color: #c9c9c9; margin-bottom: 14px; }
  .hero p.lede strong { color: #fff; font-weight: 600; }
  .hero p.lede-sub { font-size: 14px; color: #bababa; margin-bottom: 30px; }
  .cta-row { display: flex; gap: 14px; flex-wrap: wrap; margin-bottom: 32px; }
  .btn {
    display: inline-flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; gap: 10px;
    font-weight: 700; font-size: 14.5px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;
    padding: 15px 30px; text-decoration: none;
  }
  .btn-primary { background: #fff; color: var(--ink); }
  .btn-primary:hover { background: var(--red); color: #fff; }
  .btn-ghost { border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.5); color: #fff; }
  .btn-ghost:hover { border-color: #fff; background: rgba(255,255,255,0.08); }
  .trust-strip {
    display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 12px 30px;
    border-top: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.15); padding-top: 24px;
  }
  .trust-item { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 9px; font-size: 13px; color: #bdbdbd; }
  .trust-item .stars { color: var(--gold); letter-spacing: 2px; }
  .trust-item svg { width: 17px; height: 17px; stroke: var(--gold); flex-shrink: 0; }
  .trust-item a { color: inherit; text-decoration: none; }
  .trust-item a:hover { color: #fff; }

  /* founder endorsement under the trust strip */
  .founder-badge { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 14px; margin-top: 26px; }
  .founder-badge img {
    width: 54px; height: 54px; border-radius: 50%; object-fit: cover; object-position: top;
    border: 2px solid var(--gold); flex-shrink: 0;
  }
  .founder-badge strong { display: block; color: #fff; font-size: 14px; }
  .founder-badge span { font-size: 12px; color: #bababa; letter-spacing: 0.5px; }

  /* form card — white on dark hero = highest-contrast element on the page */
  .form-card {
    background: #fff; padding: 32px 34px;
    box-shadow: 0 24px 60px rgba(0,0,0,0.45);
    border-top: 5px solid var(--gold);
  }
  .form-card h2 { font-size: 20px; margin-bottom: 6px; }
  .form-card .form-sub { font-size: 13px; color: var(--muted); margin-bottom: 18px; }
  .form-card label {
    display: block; font-weight: 600; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;
    text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--heading); margin: 13px 0 5px;
  }
  .form-card input, .form-card textarea {
    width: 100%; border: 1px solid var(--line);
    font-family: 'Montserrat'; font-size: 14px; padding: 11px 13px; color: var(--text);
    background: #fafafa;
  }
  .form-card input:focus, .form-card textarea:focus { outline: 2px solid var(--ink); }
  .form-card textarea { resize: vertical; min-height: 72px; }
  .form-card .submit {
    width: 100%; margin-top: 18px; border: none; cursor: pointer;
    background: var(--ink); color: #fff;
    font-family: 'Montserrat'; font-weight: 700; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;
    padding: 15px;
  }
  .form-card .submit:hover { background: var(--red); }
  .form-card .privacy { font-size: 11.5px; color: var(--muted); margin-top: 12px; text-align: center; }
  .form-card .privacy strong { color: var(--heading); }

  /* reassurance strip directly under the hero */
  .how-band { padding: 48px 0 0; }
  .how-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); gap: 18px; }
  .how-item {
    display: flex; gap: 16px; align-items: flex-start;
    background: #fff; border: 1px solid var(--line); border-left: 5px solid var(--ink);
    padding: 20px 22px;
  }
  .how-item .expect-num {
    width: 32px; height: 32px; flex-shrink: 0;
    background: var(--ink); color: var(--gold);
    font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px;
    display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
  }
  .how-item strong { display: block; font-size: 14.5px; color: var(--heading); }
  .how-item p { font-size: 13px; color: var(--muted); }

  .byline {
    display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 14px;
    font-size: 13px; color: var(--muted);
    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line);
    padding: 22px 0; margin-top: 44px;
  }
  .byline img {
    width: 44px; height: 44px; border-radius: 50%; object-fit: cover; object-position: top;
    border: 2px solid var(--gold); flex-shrink: 0;
  }

  /* sections */
  section.block { padding: 64px 0; }
  section.block.alt { background: var(--bg); }
  .kicker {
    font-size: 11.5px; font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 3px; text-transform: uppercase; color: #8a8a8a;
    margin-bottom: 12px;
  }
  .kicker::before {
    content: ''; display: inline-block; width: 22px; height: 3px;
    background: var(--gold); margin-right: 10px; vertical-align: middle;
  }
  h2 { font-size: 29px; font-weight: 800; margin-bottom: 20px; }
  h3 { font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700; margin: 26px 0 10px; }
  p + p { margin-top: 14px; }
  section p { max-width: 820px; }
  a.inline { color: var(--ink); font-weight: 600; text-decoration: underline; }
  a.inline:hover { color: var(--red); }

  .fast-facts { margin-top: 26px; display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 14px; max-width: 880px; }
  .fact {
    background: #fff; border: 1px solid var(--line); border-left: 5px solid var(--ink);
    padding: 16px 20px; font-size: 14px;
  }

  /* video */
  .video-frame {
    position: relative; aspect-ratio: 16 / 9;
    max-width: 840px; margin: 28px auto 0;
    overflow: hidden;
    box-shadow: 0 14px 44px rgba(8,8,8,0.2);
    background: var(--ink);
  }
  .video-frame iframe { position: absolute; inset: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; border: 0; }
  .video-caption { text-align: center; font-size: 13px; color: var(--muted); margin-top: 14px; }

  /* steps */
  .steps { counter-reset: step; margin-top: 30px; max-width: 880px; }
  .step {
    counter-increment: step; position: relative;
    background: #fff; border: 1px solid var(--line);
    padding: 22px 24px 22px 80px; margin-bottom: 14px;
  }
  .step::before {
    content: counter(step);
    position: absolute; left: 22px; top: 20px;
    width: 38px; height: 38px;
    background: var(--ink); color: var(--gold);
    font-weight: 800; font-size: 17px;
    display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
  }
  .step strong { font-size: 15.5px; display: block; margin-bottom: 4px; color: var(--heading); }
  .step p { font-size: 14px; color: var(--muted); }

  /* mid-page CTA banner (charcoal, white button that hovers red — their pattern) */
  .cta-banner {
    background: var(--char); color: #fff;
    padding: 34px 40px; margin-top: 34px;
    display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between; gap: 24px; flex-wrap: wrap;
  }
  .cta-banner .msg { font-weight: 700; font-size: 18px; max-width: 520px; }
  .cta-banner .btn-light {
    background: #fff; color: var(--ink);
    font-weight: 700; font-size: 15px;
    padding: 15px 30px; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;
  }
  .cta-banner .btn-light:hover { background: var(--red); color: #fff; }

  /* defence grid */
  .defence-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 18px; margin-top: 30px; }
  .defence-card { background: #fff; border: 1px solid var(--line); border-top: 5px solid var(--ink); padding: 26px 28px; }
  .defence-card h3 { margin-top: 0; }
  .defence-card p { font-size: 14px; color: var(--muted); }

  /* differentiator — their .bgborderright treatment: #253044 with gold edge */
  .diff {
    background: var(--feature); border-left: 6px solid var(--gold); color: #ccd1e0;
    padding: 48px; margin-top: 8px;
    display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1.2fr 1fr; gap: 44px; align-items: center;
  }
  .diff h2 { color: #fff; }
  .diff p { font-size: 14.5px; color: #c9cdd9; }
  .diff .track-record {
    margin-top: 24px; border-left: 4px solid var(--gold);
    background: rgba(255,255,255,0.06);
    padding: 14px 18px; font-size: 17px; color: #fff; font-weight: 600;
  }
  .diff .qualifier { font-size: 12.5px; color: #bcc4d8; margin-top: 14px; }
  .diff .diff-photo img { width: 100%; box-shadow: 0 18px 46px rgba(0,0,0,0.4); display: block; }
  .diff .diff-photo .cap { font-size: 11px; color: #98a0b4; margin-top: 10px; letter-spacing: 1.5px; text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: 600; }

  /* process timeline */
  .timeline { margin-top: 34px; }
  .tl-item {
    display: grid; grid-template-columns: 170px 1fr; gap: 24px;
    padding: 22px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line); max-width: 900px;
  }
  .tl-item:last-child { border-bottom: none; }
  .tl-stage {
    font-weight: 700; font-size: 15px; color: var(--heading);
    display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px;
  }
  .tl-stage .dot { width: 12px; height: 12px; border-radius: 50%; background: var(--ink); flex-shrink: 0; }
  .tl-item p { font-size: 14px; color: var(--muted); }

  /* cases table */
  .cases-note { font-size: 13.5px; color: var(--muted); font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 22px; }
  .cases-table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13.5px; background: #fff; box-shadow: 0 1px 4px rgba(8,8,8,0.08); }
  .cases-table th {
    background: var(--ink); color: #fff; text-align: left;
    font-weight: 700; font-size: 12px;
    letter-spacing: 1.5px; text-transform: uppercase; padding: 14px 18px;
  }
  .cases-table td { padding: 14px 18px; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line); vertical-align: top; }
  .cases-table tr:nth-child(even) td { background: #fafafa; }
  .cases-table tr:last-child td { border-bottom: none; }
  .cases-table .court { white-space: nowrap; color: var(--muted); font-size: 12.5px; }
  .cases-table a { color: var(--ink); font-weight: 600; text-decoration: underline; }
  .cases-table a:hover { color: var(--red); }
  .table-scroll { overflow-x: auto; }

  /* reviews */
  .reviews { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); gap: 18px; margin-top: 30px; }
  .review {
    background: #fff; border: 1px solid var(--line); padding: 24px;
    display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 12px;
  }
  .review .stars { color: var(--gold); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 3px; }
  .review .quote { font-size: 13.5px; font-style: italic; flex: 1; }
  .review .who { font-weight: 700; font-size: 13px; color: var(--heading); }
  .review.placeholder { border-style: dashed; background: #fafafa; }
  .reviews-link { margin-top: 20px; font-size: 14.5px; }

  /* faq */
  .faq { max-width: 880px; margin-top: 26px; }
  details { background: #fff; border: 1px solid var(--line); margin-bottom: 12px; overflow: hidden; }
  summary {
    cursor: pointer; list-style: none;
    font-weight: 700; font-size: 15px; color: var(--heading);
    padding: 19px 56px 19px 24px; position: relative;
  }
  summary::-webkit-details-marker { display: none; }
  summary::after {
    content: '+'; position: absolute; right: 22px; top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%);
    font-size: 24px; font-weight: 400; color: var(--ink);
  }
  details[open] summary::after { content: '–'; }
  details[open] summary { border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line); padding-bottom: 14px; }
  details .answer { padding: 16px 24px 22px; font-size: 14px; color: var(--muted); }

  /* final cta (ink black) */
  .final-cta { background: var(--ink); color: #c9c9c9; padding: 76px 0; }
  .final-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 56px; align-items: start; }
  .final-cta h2 { color: #fff; font-size: 33px; margin-bottom: 18px; }
  .final-cta .form-card { border-top-color: var(--gold); }
  .final-cta .form-card h2 { color: var(--heading); font-size: 20px; margin-bottom: 6px; }
  .final-cta p { color: #bdbdbd; }
  .final-cta .contact-line { margin-top: 28px; font-size: 14px; color: #8a8a8a; }
  .final-cta .contact-line strong { color: #fff; }
  .final-cta .addr-flag { color: var(--gold); font-size: 12.5px; }
  .final-cta .big-phone {
    display: inline-block; margin-top: 20px;
    font-weight: 800; font-size: 30px; color: #fff; text-decoration: none; letter-spacing: -0.5px;
  }
  .final-cta .big-phone:hover { color: var(--gold); }
  .final-cta a.inline { color: #fff; }

  .site-footer { background: var(--char); color: #8a8a8a; font-size: 12.5px; padding: 26px 0; }
  .site-footer .wrap { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between; gap: 20px; flex-wrap: wrap; }
  .site-footer img { height: 32px; }

  .mobile-call-bar {
    display: none; position: fixed; bottom: 0; left: 0; right: 0; z-index: 60;
    background: var(--red); color: #fff; text-decoration: none;
    font-weight: 700; font-size: 16px;
    text-align: center; padding: 16px;
    box-shadow: 0 -4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);
  }

  @media (max-width: 1000px) {
    .site-header .wrap { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between; padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; }
    .logo { padding: 0; }
    .main-nav { display: none; }
    .header-top-right { padding: 0; margin-left: auto; }
    .hamburger { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 6px; background: none; border: none; cursor: pointer; padding: 8px 0 8px 16px; }
    .hamburger span { width: 26px; height: 2px; background: #fff; display: block; }
  }
  @media (max-width: 640px) {
    .header-cta, .header-divider { display: none; }
    .logo img { height: 36px; }
    .header-phone { font-size: 12px; }
    .header-phone .call-label { font-size: 10px; }
  }
  @media (max-width: 920px) {
    .hero-grid, .final-grid, .diff { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
    .hero { padding: 52px 0 64px; }
    .hero h1 { font-size: 33px; }
    .diff { padding: 34px 26px; }
  }
  @media (max-width: 860px) {
    .fast-facts, .defence-grid, .reviews, .how-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
    .tl-item { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 6px; }
    .mobile-call-bar { display: block; }
    body { padding-bottom: 58px; }
    section.block { padding: 48px 0; }
    .cta-row .btn { width: 100%; }
    .table-scroll { overflow-x: visible; }
    .cases-table thead { display: none; }
    .cases-table, .cases-table tbody, .cases-table tr, .cases-table td { display: block; width: 100%; }
    .cases-table { background: transparent; box-shadow: none; }
    .cases-table tr { background: #fff; border: 1px solid var(--line); margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 12px 0; }
    .cases-table tr:nth-child(even) td { background: transparent; }
    .cases-table td { border-bottom: none; padding: 4px 18px; }
    .cases-table td:first-child { font-weight: 700; font-size: 15px; color: var(--heading); }
    .cases-table .court { white-space: normal; color: var(--ink); font-weight: 600; font-size: 12px; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.5px; }
  }