America's Criminal Defense Group - Our Legal Blog

Recently CNN reported that a trailer park in Pinellas County, FL had become somewhat of a haven for convicted sex offenders. One resident, a registered sex offender named Michael, called the park a “paradise.” He is just one of thousands of registered sex offenders across the nation dealing with the strict rules regulating what he can and cannot do on a daily basis. As he puts it, “as a sex offender, you’re told, you can’t do this . . . can’t go near a park, school, bus stop, church . . . but we do want you to do this . . .  just not “here.”  Well, the problem, according to Michael and many other people in his position, is that the definition of where “here” is, is becoming more restrictive everyday.  Unlike any other crime, where a prison sentence is imposed and the convicted felon serves his time, a sex offender has the added burden of registering, sometimes for life, as sex offender.  http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/17/trailer.sexoffender/index.html?iref=newssearch#cnnSTCVideo

Recently in California, residents passed Proposition 83 (Jessica’s Law), requiring newly convicted sex offenders to submit their persons to life-time monitoring by the state. Now, California law enforcement officials are feeling the added burden and expense of developing affordable programs to carry out the intent of the bill’s writers and the desires of the voters.  http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-offenders19oct19,0,6116786.story?page=1&coll=la-home-center  This law, and others like it across the nation, are being challenged by criminal defense attorneys who feel the law is unconstitutional. With the added difficulty of deciphering the meaning of laws, figuring out who the laws apply to (does it apply to dangerous sex offenders, or the 19yr old-boy who had sex with his 17-yr old girlfriend, or both), and implementing some process of enforcement, we may see more of the sex offender parks springing up around the nation.  As a Sgt. from the Pinella’s County Sheriff Sex Offender Tracking unit put it, “They’re gonna see us in here very, very frequently, and we’re gonna make sure they are abiding by the registration requirements.” Maybe this is the answer. Create parks designated for sex offenders only.

Hey Nation, get ready, because here comes ”SEX OFFENDER LAND!”

Within the last 48 hours there have been two major incidents involving our youth at school. First, Asa Coon, shot and wounded two students and two teachers at SuccessTech Academy in Cleveland, OH.  Second, a home-schooled teenager who had apparently amassed a cache of weapons, including a hand grenade, and had sought to recruit another boy, was charged with solicitation to commit terror for a possible school attack in PA. Since then, videos and photos have been leaked showing the terror that some of the students faced, as well as images of the weapons that were gathered. It appears that in both incidents, the two suspects were the victims of taunts and being bullied by other students. http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/11/student.arsenal/index.html   http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,301065,00.htmlhttp://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,301065,00.html

These tragic incidents are a perfect example of why school officials are now taking a strict approach when responding to any hint of terrorism among students. A simple blurb in a school writing assignment, or a once innocent comment intended on venting one’s frustration will undoubtedly be taken out of context – all because school officials can no longer afford to brush rumors aside. Parents need to watch their children more closely than ever before. Prepare yourself. The onslaught of students being accused and charged with terrorist threats at school is about to increase nationwide. The criminal defense attorneys at America’s Criminal Defense Group are proactive when it comes to defending this type of allegation. Early communication between your child’s criminal defense attorney and law enforcement is the key to protecting your child from being labled the next “Columbine Wannabe.”

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It was reported by the LA Times on Thursday, Oct. 4, that the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Dept. conducted a five-city “arrest contest.” According to the report, the contest, dubbed “Operation Any Booking,” coordinated by Lt. Tatreau, aimed at making as many arrests as possible in a 24-hr period. The contest involved the five southeast LA cities of Lakewood, Bellflower, Paramount, Artesia, and Hawaiian Gardens. Tatreau described the contest as a morale booster and “a friendly competition to have a little fun” for “bragging rights.” Los Angeles officials are now investigating all arrests made during the “competition” to check the validity of those arrests. One attorney from the Public Defenders office is contending that “the activities of the deputies may not have been prompted by what they saw but rather by the pressure of producing greater arrest numbers for the competition.” http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-game5oct05,1,893269.story.

This blatant abuse of police authority is a disgusting demonstration of what is wrong with the current criminal justice system. A spokesman for the Sheriff, Steve Whitmore, is on record stating”these are good, solid arrests,” without investigating the acts of the officers. When are the police going to realize that their actions have a tremendous effect on peoples’ lives??? Is this what it’s come to . . . is this the only way to boost morale in the Sheriff’s dept? It certainly would be a shame if anyone arrested during the Sheriff’s little contest was factually innocent, and they ended up pleading guilty because they couldn’t afford good legal help. America’s Criminal Defense lawyers strive everyday to help out people who find themselves in the position of fighting unfounded criminal charges. If you need help, don’t hesitate in calling our law office. http://www.americascriminaldefense.com/

Jacksonville University running back Rudell Small had drug charges dropped against him by prosecutors after it was discovered that a competing teammate planted the marijuana in his room. Small, a freshman running back, had won the starting spot over Junior running back Cecil Coltrane. Coltrane admitted to police that he planted more than 20 grams of marijuana in Small’s dorm room, and reported this to authorities. http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-pot5oct05,1,7058199.story

Small successfully maintained his innnocence, undoubtedly under immense pressure from school and local authorities. After he was suspended, it would not have been surprising to see such a young athlete succumb to the pressure. He was smart though, and fortunately for him, a reall investigation was conducted, and the true perpetrator was discovered. Authorities now are deciding whether to charge Coltrane. America’s Criminal Defense attorneys know that client’s innocence can be proven, as long as there is time and an understanding client. We fight for all of our clients, and sometimes we are able to get police to really look to the facts, and get our clients out of trouble.

Fashion designer Anond Jon had his 59-count indictment unsealed Thursday, Oct. 5. He faces a total of 59 sexual assault charges, including forcible rape, lewd acts upon a child, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, sexual battery by restraint and attempted forcible oral copulation. The DAs office has said there are a total of 20 victims, ranging in ages 17-27. Jon has been in custody since March, 2007, and is being held without bail (likely because he is not a US citizen). http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/la-me-jon5oct05,1,3112547.story

This is a case where Jon’s original attorney in March, 2007, made a statement to the media professing his client’s innocence to the forcible rape charges, however also mentioning that he believed one of the girls he was involved in was 18 years old (legal age of consent in CA). Sound like an admission of statutory rape to you??? This is why it is critical to retain an experienced criminal defense attorney. Like this case, an attorney must be experienced in handling not only the court room, but also the media, as often times high-profile cases start outside of the courtroom. Remember, anything you, or your attorney say, may be recorded and later used against you. This is why you must be aware of what you say and how it might be interpreted. America’s Criminal Defense attorneys have extensive criminal defense experience, and know how to handle high profile cases, especially when it comes to dealing with the media. Sometimes it’s better to deal with a client’s case in the courtroom, and avoid becoming a media whore!