The Fourth District Court of Appeals tossed Judge Salcido’s lawsuit against the Honorable Judge Peter Deddeh and her fellow judges. The Court noted that the traditional way a lawsuit is brought, where an aggrieved litigant such as the Office of the District Attorney or a criminal defendant, appeals a judicial decision. The “Appellate Court Tosses Salcido Lawsuit”
Marijuana Legalization and Drug Laws
California laws continue to evolve favorably for non-violent offenders in possession of marijuana and other drugs for personal use. Californians will soon have the option of legalizing the use, possession and transportation of marijuana for personal use. Supporters of a ballot initiative expect to see a vote on the issue “Marijuana Legalization and Drug Laws”
Attorneys must Advise Criminal Defendants on Immigration Law
The United States Supreme Court just held that a criminal defense attorney must provide advice in this specialized area in those cases in which the law is “succinct and straightforward.” The Court noted that changes to immigration law have dramatically raised the stakes of a noncitizen’s criminal conviction. Immigration reforms “Attorneys must Advise Criminal Defendants on Immigration Law”
Roman Polanski has a Fighting Chance and Nothing to Lose
The man famous for his Hollywood movies, murdered wife, and life as a fugitive may be extradited from Switzerland to a Los Angeles, California courtroom. Polanski faces sentencing in a felony sex case over three decades old. He fled the United States jurisdiction after he pleaded guilty and before the sentencing hearing. He has “Roman Polanski has a Fighting Chance and Nothing to Lose”
Did Texas Execute an Innocent Man?
Governor Rick Perry does not want you to find out if Texas carried out the execution of a legally and factually innocent person. The Texas governor replaced the head of the Texas Forensic Science Commission just days before he and other experts were scheduled to testify at a hearing called to “Did Texas Execute an Innocent Man?”
Drug Detectives Play Wii While Executing a Search Warrant
Drug investigators have been caught on tape playing Wii games while executing a search warrant at the home of Michael Difalco. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd lamely defends his investigators by claiming that the Wii gamesmanship would not invalidate the search. Perhaps the Sheriff should read up on the law. “Drug Detectives Play Wii While Executing a Search Warrant”
Law Enforcement Is Overburdened by Misguided Laws
A kidnapped girl was discovered 18 years after her abduction at the home of a convicted parolee and registered sex offender despite the fact that law enforcement has repeatedly been in contact with the man and has visited his home on many occasions over the years. That law enforcement for “Law Enforcement Is Overburdened by Misguided Laws”
Michael Jackson’s Death Ruled a Homicide: Murder Charges Possible?
Now that the Los Angeles Coroner has ruled Michael Jackson’s death a homicide, what charges will be contemplated by the Office of the District Attorney? Two charges are possible. A second degree murder charge is possible if it can be proved that injecting Jackson with the powerful anesthetic propofol was “Michael Jackson’s Death Ruled a Homicide: Murder Charges Possible?”
Unchecked Illegal Police Search and Seizure
The United States Supreme Court in on the verge of abolishing the exclusionary rule prohibiting the use of unlawfully obtained evidence against a criminal defendant. The recent case of Herring v. United States portends a court trend in favor of illegal search and seizure at the expense of the integrity “Unchecked Illegal Police Search and Seizure”
Sneaking past the Attorney to get the Defendant: Montejo v. Louisiana
Criminal defense lawyers uniformly advise their clients to provide information to law enforcement only by and through an attorney, and for good reason. Many cases are prosecutable only because the defendant gave the police what they needed to make their case. In the past, attorneys did not have to worry “Sneaking past the Attorney to get the Defendant: Montejo v. Louisiana”