Former Fayetteville police officer arrested in connection with rape
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"Food As Punishment: Giving U.S. Inmates 'The Loaf' Persists"
The title of this post is the headline of this interesting new NPR segment. Here are excerpts: In many prisons and jails across the U.S., punishment can come in the form of a bland, brownish lump. Known as nutraloaf, or...
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NLJ: Disabled Passenger Takes Airport Pat-Downs to First Circuit
NLJ: Disabled Passenger Takes Airport Pat-Downs to First Circuit by Sheri Qualters:
=> Read more!
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"Number of cops killed by gunfire in 2013 dips to 33, lowest since 1887"
Crime & Consequences links to this article from FoxNews.com.
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Local man finds possible child porn in tablet bought at pawn shop
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Florida "Breaking Bad" winner arrested on drug manufacturing charges
From the TBO online, a case of life imitating art...
28-year-old Ryan Carroll was arrested after a Tuesday morning raid by local police in Fort Myers, Florida. After a tip from a package delivery service, police obtained a search warrant for his home and two others. After the raid, the suspect was arrested for possession of synthetic narcotics, resisting arrest without violence and operating a drug house, among other charges.
In Florida, not altogether that unusual. What makes this story interesting is that Ryan Carroll was a self-proclaimed "biggest fan" of the beloved AMC television series "Breaking Bad". The show, about an ill high school teacher who turns to trafficking in meth to support his family, was a critical and commercial hit.
Ironically the defendant won a national contest to see the series finale alongside the cast. He also won an autographed "haz-mat" suit similar to the one worn by the lead actor. The police confiscated that in the raid along with drug manufacturing supplies.
During an interview after he won the contest, the jubliant Carroll told a local news station ""It's just so addicting, it's such a good show. I think it's addicting because people can relate to the main character."
It appears that this was not all the suspect could relate to the main character for. Perhaps inspired from the show, the defendant appears to have started a drug manufacturing business himself. Police confiscated over one million dollars worth of illegal drugs. A total of three houses were raided, each house having a specific link in the drug trade. One house was used for manufacturing, one house for storing the marijuana and the last house was used for shipping the drug throughout the United States and Mexico.
Mr. Carroll was considered the ringleader of the group. Using a cement mixer to concoct his product, he managed to build a rather large manufacturing base of operations.. Some neighbors expressed shock that drug trafficking could occur in their nice neighborhood. Other neighbors, when interviewed mentioned suspicious activities like constant UPS pick up and delivery as well as expensive cars coming to the defendant's house at all hours of the day and night.
As of the time of this writing, Carroll and company are still in the county jail. His Florida drug defense lawyer was not available to comment.
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What is Proof Beyond A Reasonable Doubt in a drunk driving trial?
Those charged with a Massachusetts OUI offense understand that it easy to get arrested for drunk driving. Many believe they should not have been arrested. The question becomes whether or not the prosecutor has the proper evidence to obtain a...
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The Truth About Winning an Appeal of a Criminal Conviction - and Why a Highly Capable Attorney is Essential
Winning an appeal from a criminal conviction is a rarity; in fact, reversal rates (meaning the court of appeals reverses a conviction) fall between approximately 5% and 15% of all criminal appeals across the nation, according to studies that have been conducted in some of the largest U.S. cities. Does this mean you hardly stand a chance if you have been convicted of a crime in Michigan, and appeal your conviction? It all depends on the skill and experience of your Michigan criminal appeals attorney.
Unfortunately, there are many people who remain behind bars today simply because their defense attorney was not effective, or did not properly advocate on behalf of the client. There have been countless defendants who have appealed their conviction, only to have the Michigan Court of Appeals uphold it. Essentially, this means the defendant goes back to prison and finishes serving out his or her term, even if it means life behind bars. What may have prevented this?
A criminal defense lawyer who is thoroughly involved and attentive to the client's case. There is more to it than having charges dismissed, or winning at trial. For instance, may a defendant have faced greatly reduced penalties had he or she negotiated a plea bargain with prosecutors? Possibly. In many cases, defendants are poorly educated or may not even be able to read well. When handed copies of court documents, the defendant still has no clue what is going on. This is why it is critical defendants have a good criminal defense attorney, one who is dedicated to informing the client throughout every stage and who will advocate for an agreeable plea bargain when the situation warrants it.
The fact of the matter is that defendants deserve an attorney who will enlighten them regarding every option, because it is the defendant's future and freedom which is at stake. All too often, a defendant goes to trial never aware that there may be a plea agreement which would substantially reduce penalties. The defendant ends up being found guilty, sentenced to decades or even life in prison. At this point, if a defendant decides to appeal the conviction, he or she had better have a thoroughly experienced and qualified Michigan criminal appeals lawyer given the odds of winning mentioned above.
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Charged with OWI in Michigan Over the Holidays? An Attorney Can Help You Get it Back
The New Year's holiday has just passed, and no doubt many Michigan residents were charged with OWI after partying the New Year's Eve night away. Having your driver's license suspended is not a good way to start the new year, however if you were one of the misfortunate ones who now find yourself without driving privileges, there is help. The first step is to contact a highly experienced Michigan driver's license reinstatement attorney.
If it is your first OWI offense, your license was likely suspended for 30 days, which will be followed by restricted driving for 150 days. However, if your BAC (blood alcohol content) was .17 or more, this is considered Super Drunk in Michigan, and often results in a one year suspension. By consulting with a skilled lawyer, it may be possible for you to obtain a restricted license, which is a license that allows you to drive to and from work, school, or for other "necessary" purposes.
If you were charged with OWI and have been convicted of Operating While Intoxicated in the past 7 years, the sanctions on your license are even more worrisome. Your driver's license was likely revoked, which is more serious than a suspension. Unlike a suspension in which a driver typically gets his license back following the suspension period, a revoked license requires going before the DLAD/DAAD (Driver License Appeal Division). Even then, there is no guaranteed your driver's license will be reinstated, as the process is complex and the burden of proof that you are no longer drinking alcohol and are not a risk for drinking alcohol in the future tough.
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Can I file an appeal after I plea guilty in a federal or state criminal case?
Generally, when a person pleads guilty, they give up the majority of constitutional rights including the right to trial and the right to present evidence. After a guilty plea a person only has limited rights to appeal including from an illegal or excessive sentence. In California state court if a person wants to appeal from [...]
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Marijuana DUI Law in Colorado Raises Intoxication Questions
Colorado Legalizes Recreational Marijuana Use, but Restrictive Marijuana DUI Laws Seriously Limit Consumption On January 1st, 2014, Colorado’s new marijuana legislation will go into effect, allowing stores to sell marijuana for recreational use. However, the state has put several restrictions on sales in place, including limiting customers to one ounce, at a cost of around […]The post Marijuana DUI Law in Colorado Raises Intoxication Questions appeared first on South Carolina DUI Defense Lawyers | Strom Law Firm, L.L.C..
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Car Crashes Into House, Killing Resident, Leads to Felony DUI
Car Crashes into House in California, Killing Resident in his Bed, Driver Arrested for Felony DUI On Sunday, December 29th, a drunk driver crashed into a house in Orange County, killing a man asleep in bed. The driver had minor injuries, and was arrested on felony DUI charges. According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the vehicle […]The post Car Crashes Into House, Killing Resident, Leads to Felony DUI appeared first on South Carolina DUI Defense Lawyers | Strom Law Firm, L.L.C..
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Poor Vehicle Maintenance Can Bring New Jersey Drivers that Much Closer to a DWI Arrest
Beware the ever-present danger of being pulled over for a simple vehicle equipment violation, as it could possibly open the door to an even more costly drunk driving arrest. This may sound like an odd warning, but as professional DWI defense lawyers, my colleagues and I are well aware of the number of individuals who have been charged with drunk driving following a traffic stop for vehicle infractions as basic as a burned out taillight.
The fact of the matter is that not replacing a simple $10 light bulb can in some cases lead to hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines, fees and auto insurance premium increases. Unfortunately, by the time many drivers realize their vehicle may have a problem, a police stop is already well underway. And, if the driver has had some beer, wine, or a mixed drink recently, then there is a good chance that a DWI summons may be on the way, along with that inevitable vehicle equipment violation.
As New Jersey drunken driving defense attorneys, we know how human nature can affect the outcome of many aspects of life, not to mention traffic stops and drunken driving arrests. My law firm has represented dozens upon dozens of drivers who may or may not have indulged themselves to excess prior to getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. And, it's difficult to predict how a certain amount of alcohol is going to affect any one person.
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Yet Another California Real Estate Investor Pleads Guilty to Rigging Bids
Anthony B. Joachim, Stockton, California, an Eastern California real estate investor pleaded guilty to conspiring to rig bids and commit mail fraud at public real estate foreclosure auctions in Eastern California. The defendant entered his guilty plea in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California in Sacramento. Joachim was originally indicted by a […]
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Mortgage Fraud Mastermind Gets 11 Years in Prison
Lloyd Gardley, 60, currently in federal custody in Pahrump, Nevada, the mastermind of a Las Vegas mortgage fraud scheme that caused approximately $15 million in losses to the lenders and financial institutions, has been sentenced to just over 11 years in federal prison for his guilty pleas to conspiracy and fraud charges. The defendant was […]
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Recent MS Appellate Court Decisions.
Lowe v. State. The Mississippi Supreme Court reversed Lowe’s convictions for exploitation of a child in the Free State of Jones, on December 12, 2013. The State alleged that Lowe used his computer to download sexually explicit images of children under the age of 18, five counts. The State’s investigation centered around the forensic examination […]
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Will Cheek Swabs Be Used in Massachusetts to Detect OUI Alcohol and Drugs?
Just prior to the New Years weekend I saw a rash of articles talking about how DUI checkpoints in southern California were being set up not only with breathalyzer test machines but also cheek swab tests. Much of this is...
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Real Estate Appraiser Admits Conspiring with Borrower to Submit False Valuation
Darryl Glasco, 54, North Tonawanda, New York, a licensed New York State appraiser, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, a fine of $ 1,000,000, or both. According to the plea, the defendant conspired with James P. Vasiliou, Jr., a borrower, to submit […]
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Senior Federal Judge Ends His Popular Blog
Nebraska senior Federal Judge Richard Kopf, whose excellent blog Herculies and the Umpire I've written about a few times here and here, has decided to pack up his keyboard and quit blogging. I'm really sorry to see him go. His blog was...
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Judge: Cameron County corruption beggars belief
On New Year's Day, the Valley Morning Star published an extensive account of judicial and prosecutorial corruption in a story tiled "Judge: Hard to believe depths of Cameron County corruption." The story began:An extensive federal investigation found corruption in the Cameron County’s legal system and judiciary to be so pervasive that most people probably wouldn’t believe it — “unless they heard it themselves,” U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen said in 2013. Hanen made his statement on Dec. 3, as he sentenced Austin attorney Marc G. Rosenthal to 20 years in jail and ordered him to make restitution of more than $13 million for bribing former 404th state District Judge Abel C. Limas. The jury found Rosenthal paid Limas for favorable court rulings in civil cases, bribed witnesses, filed false personal injury cases, directed ex-state Rep. Jim Solis and others to pay funeral home directors and ex-Brownsville Navigation District police Chief George Gavito to refer cases. It also found he arranged to manipulate case assignments at the Cameron County District Clerk’s Office, and paid persons to pose as witnesses and to provide false statements, and testimony.On that same day that the jury returned its verdict on Rosenthal, attorney Ray R. Marchan was supposed to report to federal prison in Fort Worth, following his June 18, 2012 conviction on six counts of racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, aiding and abetting extortion and mail fraud. He was sentenced to 3.5 years in jail.Instead, Marchan jumped to his death from the Queen Isabella Memorial Bridge.This month, the same judge is expected to sentence former Cameron County DA Armando Villalobos as part of the same web of corruption. Judge Hanen ordered that numerous ethical violations exposed in these cases be reported to the state bar and other authorities. Here's how the article concluded:Hanen said that the court had heard witnesses and seen exhibits that show uncharged illegal acts and violations of disciplinary rules.“Some of this evidence was presented to the jury and some of it was not,” Hanen also said. “In fact, defense counsel requested, and this court felt duty-bound by law to give an instruction to the jury to disregard these ethical violations in reaching its verdict,” Hanen stated.“The U.S. Attorneys and federal agents involved in the trial of this case are hereby ordered to provide the appropriate authorities at the State Bar of Texas, Chief Judge Ricardo Hinojosa of the Southern District of Texas and the Chief Judge of the Fifth Circuit or his designee a copy of this order and, if they so request, the evidence of the multiple ethical violations committed by multiple attorneys involved in this case.“This includes the evidence not presented at trial and covers all attorneys involved, not just the defendant,” Hanen ordered.He continued: “This court has great admiration for the trial bar and the benefits that trial lawyers (both prosecution and defense) provide to society. It is their vigilance, among others, that ensures that the system of justice works and that the rights of all Americans are protected.”“That being said, nothing can do more harm to society than an individual, (or a group of individuals) armed with a law license (or working for someone armed with a law license) that has no moral compass, no respect for the rules governing ethical conduct and no respect for the truth. Some of the acts or omissions may be considered minor; some may have been inadvertent,” Hanen wrote.“Nevertheless, there were some acts that were neither minor nor accidental mistakes, and the individuals that committed these acts, in this Court’s opinion, should not be allowed to practice law anywhere.”
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