US Army Private Chelsea Manning was sentenced to 35 years in military prison for leaking classified government material to the website Wikileaks. © Juan Osborne for Amnesty International. Chelsea Manning is serving a 35-year prison sentence for leaking classified US government documents to the website WikiLeaks. From her prison cell in Kansas, Chelsea tells us why speaking out against injustice can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Why did you decide to leak documents about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? These documents were important because they relate to two connected counter-insurgency conflicts in real-time from the ground. Humanity has never had this complete and detailed a record of what modern warfare actually looks like. Once you realize that the co-ordinates represent a real place where people live; that the dates happened in our recent history; that the numbers are actually human lives – with all the love, hope, dreams, hatred, fear, and nightmares…
Chelsea Manning: ‘Why speaking out is worth the risk’
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Spending Bill Denies Funding for Federal Medical Marijuana Raids in Approved States
Thanks to the passing of a little known amendmment inserted via amendment into the omnibus spending bill by by sponsors Rep. Dana Rorsbacher and Samm Farr, the DEA will be unable to conduct medical marijuana raids in states that allow medical pot. ... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
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** Update ** One Vehicle Crash Eastbound I86 near the Airport Way Exit 56
IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE - generated by our News Release ListServer DO NOT REPLY --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Idaho State Police District 5 5205 South 5th Ave. Pocatello, Idaho 83204-2299 (208) 236-6466 FAX: (208) 236-6068 For Immediate Release: 12/17/14 8:13 a.m. Please direct questions to the District Office ***** UPDATE ***** All lanes are now open. DSP Initials ks / is ****************** Idaho State Police is currently investigating a crash in the east bound lanes of Interstate 86 near milepost 56, near the Airport. Currently the eastbound lanes are blocked due to emergency personnel assisting at the scene. Please use caution in the area and expect delays. Further information will be provided as it becomes available. DSP Initials ks / do -------------
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Legale Nacktaufnahmen von Kindern können Hausdurchsuchung rechtfertigen
Eine Wohnungsdurchsuchung benötigt lediglich einen Anfangsverdacht. Dieser wird in der Praxis schnell von den Gerichten angenommen. Die Wohnung dient als Rückzugsort des Einzelnen und unterliegt daher dem besonderen Schutz der Verfassung. Eine Hausdurchsuchung bzw. Wohnungsdurchsuchung greift massiv in die Privatsphäre eines Menschen ein und ist daher an besonders strengen Voraussetzungen gebunden. Neben der Anordnung durch einen Richter ist vor allem ein Anfangsverdacht bezüglich einer Straftat notwendig. Das Bundesverfassungsgericht lehnte nun jedoch eine Verfassungsbeschwerde ab und bestätigt erneut, wie gering in der Praxis diese Anforderungen an einen Anfangsverdacht tatsächlich sind. Der Beschwerdeführer soll im Jahr 2007 Nacktaufnahmen von Kindern und Jugendlichen erworben haben. Dabei soll es sich um sogenannte“ Posing-Bilder“ gehandelt haben. Diese waren bis zur Gesetzesreform im Jahr 2008 jedoch strafrechtlich nicht…
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Former Mayor Convicted of Mortgage Fraud After 12 Day Trial
Mortgage Fraud Blog. Marie Lucie Tondreau, a/k/a Lucie Tondreau, 54, former North Miami Mayor, was convicted by federal jury after a 12 day trial for her recruitment of straw buyers and other conduct in an $8,000,000 mortgage fraud scheme. As shown at trial, between December 2005 and May 2008, co-defendant Karl Oreste, 56, Miramar, Florida, president of KMC Mortgage Corporation of Florida (KMC Mortgage), a mortgage lending business in North Miami Beach, identified residential properties in South Florida that were for sale. Oreste and Tondreau, who at the time was a community activist, hosted several radio show programs in the South Florida area in which they advertised the services offered by KMC Mortgage. Oreste and Tondreau recruited and paid some of the listeners who responded to those advertisements, as well as other individuals, to pose as borrowers and purchase properties identified by Oreste. Oreste and co-defendant Okechukwu Josiah Odunna, a/k/a O.J. Odunna,” 49,…
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John Cruden
John Cruden has finally been confirmed as the new Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division. In his statement announcing the confirmation, Eric Holder praised John: “John has already devoted more than two decades of his life and service to the department – enforcing our nation’s environmental laws; protecting our air, water, land, and wildlife; defending federal agencies; and honoring U.S. treaty rights and obligations to Native Americans. From Exxon Valdez to Love Canal to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, John Cruden has consistently demonstrated the tenacity, the leadership, and the strength of character that represents the very best that this Department of Justice has to offer. He is uniquely qualified to lead this division’s efforts to meet the challenges posed by climate change, illegal wildlife trafficking, pollution, and natural resource management, among many other pressing…
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Mr. Recidivism, a/k/a What Happens When We Give Them Early Release
Remember Edward Dorsey? He was the defendant in Dorsey v. United States, in which the Supreme Court, 5-4, walked past the federal Savings Statute, 1 USC 109, to find that the Crack Pushers Bonanza Bill Fair Sentencing Act applied retroactively for the benefit of those convicted on or after the day it was signed into law, regardless of its effective date.What happens when we make lighter drug sentencing retroactive? Easy -- the druggie gets out earlier. And what happens then? Easy again -- he gets back in business. Why would he do anything else when he sees that we've lost our nerve?The Sentencing Commission, in its rush to give breaks to drug dealers, has danced and pranced around their actual recidivism rate. In fact, although the Commission understandably seems a bit reluctant to say so out loud, the drug recidivism rate is a staggering 77%.With that in mind, I bring you today's news in the form of a…
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Former Collateralized Mortgage Obligations Bond Trader Sentenced for Securities Fraud Scheme
Mortgage Fraud Blog. Douglas Green, 50, Boca Raton, Florida, a former collateralized mortgage obligation bond trader was sentenced to 30 months in prison for engaging in a fraudulent trading scheme in which he manipulated the prices of CMOs by millions of dollars over a period of four years. The defendant previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson to one count of securities fraud. Judge Wolfson imposed the sentence in Trenton, New Jersey, federal court. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: From May 2004 through June 2008, Green was a registered representative associated with Crocker Securities, a broker dealer that used the clearing services of Pershing LLC. Pershing, which is based in Jersey City, New Jersey, is one of the largest clearing firms in the United States. As Crocker’s clearing firm, Pershing received payments and securities from Crocker and handled record-keeping for the securities Crocker…
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Terror Around the Globe
It's a grim day in the news today. Here are several articles from the WSJ:Qasim Nauman, Safdar Dawar, and Saeed Shah report on the horrifying story of the Taliban in Pakistan taking over a school and methodically shooting schoolchildren in the head, killing 141 people. That anyone with any political or religious cause, however fanatical, could deliberately and specifically target children for mass murder staggers the imagination.Rebecca Thurlow and Lucy Cramer report from Sydney on the rememberance of the deceased hostages Katrina Dawson and Tori Johnson. Mr. Johnson, the cafe manager, grabbed the perpetrator's gun when he saw an opportunity, beginning the termination of the siege and the freeing of all but himself and Ms. Dawson. There is also a report that "Ms. Dawson was shielding her pregnant friend from gunfire."Sony Pictures has received threats of terrorist attacks on showings of its comedy film "The Interview," which…
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Detailed examination of how local costs may slowly kill the death penalty
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Sony Cancels Release of "The Interview"
Following threats by hackers to launch attacks on theaters who show "The Interview", a comedy movie by Sony Pictures about a planned assassination attempt on North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Sony announced yesterday it is canceling the release of... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
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Can You Negotiate Or Plea Bargain A DWI Down To A Minor Traffic Violation In New Jersey?
Prosecutors in New Jersey are prohibited from negotiating plea bargains that would reduce a DWI charge to a lower traffic violation. This is one of many reasons why it’s vital to work with an experienced DWI attorney who can put pressure on the other side and make them re-think their case. As a general rule, if a prosecutor believes they can’t win a case, they’ll drop it. There are many ways to make a prosecutor nervous when it comes to challenging a DWI in New Jersey. Experienced DWI attorneys know how to question stops, field sobriety tests, and even Alcotest results. You can fight back against a DWI charge in New Jersey, and with attorney Matthew Reisig on your side, you can win. Call 732-625-9660 for experienced help in beating a DWI charge in New Jersey.
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Thursday Open Thread
Our last open thread is full. Here's a new one, all topics welcome. [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
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Can I Be Charged With Refusal If I Decline The Field Sobriety Test But Consent To The Alcotest In New Jersey?
No, refusal is a charge related to violating what is known as New Jersey’s Implied Consent law. Basically, when you accept a driver’s license in New Jersey, you give consent to provide a chemical sample (usually breath) to police if they believe you are driving while intoxicated. Field sobriety tests are not part of the implied consent law, but you should understand that refusing them may cause your judge to take a dimmer view of your case. There are reasons why you may have declined, and it’s important that you have a knowledgeable advocate who can present the facts of your case in the most beneficial way. Most police officers aren’t certified in administering field sobriety tests, and if things like the weather or traffic conditions made performing them feel unsafe, the court may take a more favorable view of your choice. Attorney Matthew Reisig has beaten more than 1,000 DWI charges for clients in all New Jersey counties. Call 732-625-9660 today for a…
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Highlighting that marijuana (law) is coming to more law school classrooms
The National Law Journal has this lengthy new article headlined "Law Schools Firing Up Marijuana Law Classes." I was pleased to have been interviewed by the author of the piece, and here are excerpts discussing some of the activity going on in this space: Who has legal authority to establish...<img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MarijuanaLaw/~4/OcWaIO_05MQ" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>
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What Is Careless Driving In New Jersey?
Careless driving is a lower, but related, charge to reckless driving, and a driver will usually be cited with it if they’re found to be at fault in a minor traffic accident. It alleges that you were driving without due caution, and in a way that could endanger people or property. Fines for careless driving run as high as $200, and it will put two points on your license, which may affect your insurance rates. If you already had points on your license, you may have more problems to contend with, including license suspension. Don’t risk your right to drive – call an experienced New Jersey careless driving attorney today. Matthew Reisig defends clients in all New Jersey counties. Call 732-625-9661 for a free consultation. The post What Is Careless Driving In New Jersey? appeared first on New Jersey Criminal Defense Attorney - Matthew Reisig.
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Can I Go To Jail For Driving Without Insurance In New Jersey?
On a first offense, no, but if you’re caught a second time, you face up to 14 days in jail. As a first offender, you’ll still face fines up to $1000, a license suspension of up to a year, and community service to be determined by the court. There are defenses to driving without insurance. In some cases, an insurer will improperly cancel a policy without notifying the driver. The prosecution must prove that you knew, or reasonably should have known, that your vehicle was uninsured. In fighting the case, showing a consistent record of payments for your policy can be powerful evidence that you had every reason to believe that your vehicle was covered. The prosecution must also show that your vehicle is principally garaged and registered in New Jersey. If you’re an out of state driver from a locale with different standards, you have a defense against conviction. Your best choice is to work with an experienced attorney who knows how to defend against driving…
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Judge Pauley Agrees to Stay Peixoto Case Challenging Legitimacy of SEC Enforcement Action
Yesterday, Judge William H. Pauley granted the parties’ request to stay Jordan Peixoto’s suit challenging the SEC’s administrative case against him. In an Order Instituting Administrative Proceedings, the SEC alleged that Peixoto engaged in insider trading when he bought put options in Herbalife before hedge fund Pershing Square publicly announced its negative view of the company. Peixoto then filed a federal court lawsuit to enjoin the administrative action in which he argued that such administriave proceedings are unconstitutional for reasons we explained more fully here. Now, however, the Division of Enforcement has asked the Commission to dismiss the administrative case...
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What’s The Penalty For Leaving The Scene Of An Accident Where There Was Only Property Damage In New Jersey?
Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious charge in New Jersey, but in cases where there were no injuries, the penalties are less severe. Still, you should expect to face a six month license suspension, a fine as high as $400, and up to a month in jail. The good news is that these cases often hinge on eyewitness testimony, which can often be impeached. If the prosecution can’t demonstrate your involvement beyond a reasonable doubt, they are unlikely to win in court. For this reason, prosecutors will often be willing to accept deals that can save you enormous hassle and leave your record unblemished, usually with restitution as the core component. Attorney Matthew Reisig works with clients all over New Jersey as a strong advocate for justice when they are charged with a crime. Call 732-625-9661 for a free consultation today. The post What’s The Penalty For Leaving The Scene Of An Accident Where There Was Only Property Damage In New Jersey? appeared first on New…
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Treasure Valley Law Enforcement Unite to Stop Impaired Driving While Conducting Virtual Ride-Alongs on Twitter
IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE Teresa Baker Public Information Officer Headquarters 700 S. Stratford Dr., Meridian 83642 (208) 884-7122 Fax (208) 884-7087 For Immediate Release: 12/18/14 at 8:20 a.m. MERIDIAN - Law enforcement officers from across the Treasure Valley are teaming up to stop impaired driving this holiday season. The Boise, Caldwell, Meridian and Nampa Police Departments and the Idaho State Police, as part of the Treasure Valley DUI Task Force, are joining together to enforce impaired driving laws through the holiday season. Just as important as enforcement action is raising the public's awareness of the dangers of driving after drinking too much, using illegal substances or even taking over-the-counter or prescription medication that affect motor skills "Whether you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, prescription or fillicit, the message is the same, don't get behind the wheel," says Idaho State Police Sgt. Jason Cagle. …
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