The Supreme Court has refused to halt the execution of an Oklahoma inmate who claims he is mentally incompetent and ineligible for the death penalty.
The justices said in an order Tuesday that they will not grant a stay of execution to 56-year-old Garry Thomas Allen, who is set to die by lethal injection Tuesday evening at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.
Allen was convicted in the shooting death of his fiancée outside a children's day care in Oklahoma City in 1986.
Allen's attorneys had argued that he was incompetent when he entered a guilty plea in the case and that his mental condition has continued to deteriorate. Appellate courts have rejected those claims.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Pittsburgh Expungements & Pardons Lawyer
An arrest or criminal conviction can hurt your employment opportunities, career advancement, educational opportunities and even your personal relationships. If you have been arrested for a crime, your arrest may show up in a criminal background check - even if you were found not guilty. With the rise of the Internet, anyone can find out if you have been arrested or convicted of a crime.
There may be a legal remedy for you. If you have been arrested, but not convicted, an expungement can clear your record of a criminal arrest.
For people seeking the expungement of a criminal conviction in Pennsylvania, the news is not as positive. Convictions for summary offenses may be expunged after 5 years. Unfortunately, if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, you are not eligible for expungement.
However, there is another process in the state of Pennsylvania for people with a criminal conviction. That process is the pardon process. In the state of Pennsylvania, there is a Board of Pardons which accepts pardon applications and grants pardons. Obtaining a pardon is not easy, but it is possible for people with limited criminal convictions.
Contact Our Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Attorneys
If you have an arrest and/or conviction record in Pennsylvania, please call me at 412-429-4360, email me at info@gbmlawpittsburgh.com or contact me through this website and I will provide you a free consultation and let you know if an expungement or pardon may help you regain your good name. Visit us on the web for more information http://www.gbmlawpittsburgh.com/attorney-profile
There may be a legal remedy for you. If you have been arrested, but not convicted, an expungement can clear your record of a criminal arrest.
For people seeking the expungement of a criminal conviction in Pennsylvania, the news is not as positive. Convictions for summary offenses may be expunged after 5 years. Unfortunately, if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, you are not eligible for expungement.
However, there is another process in the state of Pennsylvania for people with a criminal conviction. That process is the pardon process. In the state of Pennsylvania, there is a Board of Pardons which accepts pardon applications and grants pardons. Obtaining a pardon is not easy, but it is possible for people with limited criminal convictions.
Contact Our Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Attorneys
If you have an arrest and/or conviction record in Pennsylvania, please call me at 412-429-4360, email me at info@gbmlawpittsburgh.com or contact me through this website and I will provide you a free consultation and let you know if an expungement or pardon may help you regain your good name. Visit us on the web for more information http://www.gbmlawpittsburgh.com/attorney-profile
Monday, June 18, 2012
New York SEC Attorneys - Herskovits Law
Employment claims brought by securities industry participants involve issues unique to the securities industry. Having represented broker-dealers and registered representatives, we have substantial experience with both sides of these disputes and have prosecuted or defended claims for Form U5 expungement, unpaid deferred compensation (including Restricted Stock Units), enforcement of employee forgivable loans (EFL), broker-dealer raiding, unpaid bonuses or commissions, and wrongful termination.
Over the past five years, Robert Herskovits has successfully prosecuted a significant number of EFL cases brought on behalf of Jefferies & Company, Inc. and smaller broker-dealers. As a small law firm, we remain free from many of the conflicts associated with larger firms, and have defended a multitude of EFL cases brought by various broker-dealers. When defending an EFL case, we structure a defense designed to achieve a resolution with a significant discount to the Note's unpaid balance.
Herskovits Law has expertise in both prosecuting and defending claims for securities industry participants involved in issues in the securities industry. Having represented numerous employees, their reputation for effective advocacy by advancing their clients' interests from the outset of each case has been acknowledged in the New York Securities Industry. See http://www.herskovitslaw.com/.
Over the past five years, Robert Herskovits has successfully prosecuted a significant number of EFL cases brought on behalf of Jefferies & Company, Inc. and smaller broker-dealers. As a small law firm, we remain free from many of the conflicts associated with larger firms, and have defended a multitude of EFL cases brought by various broker-dealers. When defending an EFL case, we structure a defense designed to achieve a resolution with a significant discount to the Note's unpaid balance.
Herskovits Law has expertise in both prosecuting and defending claims for securities industry participants involved in issues in the securities industry. Having represented numerous employees, their reputation for effective advocacy by advancing their clients' interests from the outset of each case has been acknowledged in the New York Securities Industry. See http://www.herskovitslaw.com/.
Houston Auto Accident & Insurance Claims Law Firm - The Salazar Law Firm, PLLC
If you've been involved in an auto accident caused by speeding, drunk driving (DWI), unsafe lane changes, following too closely, running red lights & stop signs, reckless truck drivers, or any other cause, the Salazar Law Firm ask you to keep the following in mind: Insurance companies are in the business of making money, not paying policies. If the insurance company is giving you the run-around, call an attorney today.
If you've been injured in an accident, your claim may be significantly weakened if you don't take the right steps. Get medical treatment for your pain and injuries as soon as possible. Insurance companies pay close attention to “lapses in treatment” and whether or not you sought treatment immediately after the accident happened.
The Salazar Law Firm is a Houston based firm that has expertise in defending clients facing auto accidents and insurance claims. Their attorneys understand the physical, emotional, and financial burden an car accident or personal injury can be on an individual and their families. Their goal is to lessen the stress for their clients by managing the complex procedures with insurance companies, medical facilities, and opposing insurance defense lawyers. They have the experience you need and give the attention you deserve. Visit http://www.hurtinhouston.com/ for more information.
If you've been injured in an accident, your claim may be significantly weakened if you don't take the right steps. Get medical treatment for your pain and injuries as soon as possible. Insurance companies pay close attention to “lapses in treatment” and whether or not you sought treatment immediately after the accident happened.
The Salazar Law Firm is a Houston based firm that has expertise in defending clients facing auto accidents and insurance claims. Their attorneys understand the physical, emotional, and financial burden an car accident or personal injury can be on an individual and their families. Their goal is to lessen the stress for their clients by managing the complex procedures with insurance companies, medical facilities, and opposing insurance defense lawyers. They have the experience you need and give the attention you deserve. Visit http://www.hurtinhouston.com/ for more information.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
UnitedHealth plans to keep overhaul elements
Insurer UnitedHealth Group Inc. sees some parts of the health care overhaul as sound medicine and plans to keep them regardless of whether the law survives an upcoming Supreme Court ruling.
The nation's largest health insurer said Monday that it will still cover preventive care like immunizations without charging a co-payment, which is the fee usually paid at the doctor's office, and it will continue other popular, initial provisions of the law.
The overhaul, which aims to provide coverage for millions of uninsured people, started unfolding in 2010 after health insurers fought bitterly to block its passage. Challenges to the law from states and other groups opposed to it wound their way through the court system to the Supreme Court, which heard arguments on the law's constitutionality in March.
The court is expected to issue a ruling later this month that could strike down the entire law or parts of it or uphold it.
Despite deep divisions about President Barack Obama's law, UnitedHealth's announcement underscores the staying power of some of its reforms.
The nation's largest health insurer said Monday that it will still cover preventive care like immunizations without charging a co-payment, which is the fee usually paid at the doctor's office, and it will continue other popular, initial provisions of the law.
The overhaul, which aims to provide coverage for millions of uninsured people, started unfolding in 2010 after health insurers fought bitterly to block its passage. Challenges to the law from states and other groups opposed to it wound their way through the court system to the Supreme Court, which heard arguments on the law's constitutionality in March.
The court is expected to issue a ruling later this month that could strike down the entire law or parts of it or uphold it.
Despite deep divisions about President Barack Obama's law, UnitedHealth's announcement underscores the staying power of some of its reforms.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Probation charge dropped against tanned NJ mom
Court officials say the New Jersey mom accused of taking her then-5-year-old daughter into a tanning booth is no longer on probation in a separate case.
Patricia Krentcil is free on $2,500 bond on the child endangerment charge.
The arrest in Nutley got the attention of authorities in Camden County. That's where Krentcil was sentenced to five years' probation in 1999 for credit card theft, forgery and theft for writing bad checks. In 2001, a bench warrant was issued for her failure to appear at a probation hearing.
Court officials in Camden County on Friday say her probation had been terminated and she would not be required to appear in court.
Krentcil is due back in court next month in the tanning case. She says she never took her daughter into a booth.
Patricia Krentcil is free on $2,500 bond on the child endangerment charge.
The arrest in Nutley got the attention of authorities in Camden County. That's where Krentcil was sentenced to five years' probation in 1999 for credit card theft, forgery and theft for writing bad checks. In 2001, a bench warrant was issued for her failure to appear at a probation hearing.
Court officials in Camden County on Friday say her probation had been terminated and she would not be required to appear in court.
Krentcil is due back in court next month in the tanning case. She says she never took her daughter into a booth.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Sydney Criminal Lawyers - Section 10 states a No Conviction case.
Section 10 states a No Conviction case. It is when you are guilty or a criminal offence or a major traffic offence but the Court establishes not to charge you with a criminal conviction or licence disqualification. Section 10 of the Crimes Act 1999 is a powerful sentencing procedure and gives the courts the power to deal with guilty individuals by:
- dismissing the charges completely
- discharging the individual into a good behaviour bond for 2 years or less or
- discharging the individual into an intervention program such as a drug and alcohol program or a traffic offender program.
This essential eliminates all high penalties and indicates that there is no criminal conviction, no fines, and in driving cases, no licence disqualitication.
All criminal charges and driving charges are available to get a section 10. However, the court considers many factors when making their decision whether to grant a section 10 to an individual:
(a) the person's character and history, age, health, and mental condition,
(b) the trivial nature of the offence,
(c) the extenuating circumstances in which the offence was committed, and
(d) any other matter that the court thinks proper to consider.
Your chances of getting a section 10 are better if you can provide some materials in court that show you are otherwise of good characther, the offence was convicted during a difficult time in your life, or you have taken steps on improving underlying issues which may have led you to commit the crime or traffic violation from the beginning.
Sydney Criminal Lawyers can help with a no conviction recorded for a criminal or traffic charge you have been convicted of. If you are trying to gain a section 10 on your criminal defence charge, and believe you have extenuating circumstances, our attorneys can help. Call us at (02) 9261 8881 to find out your penalty, make an appointment or have a lawyer call you! Visit us at http://www.criminallaw.com.au/section-10-dismissal for more information.
- dismissing the charges completely
- discharging the individual into a good behaviour bond for 2 years or less or
- discharging the individual into an intervention program such as a drug and alcohol program or a traffic offender program.
This essential eliminates all high penalties and indicates that there is no criminal conviction, no fines, and in driving cases, no licence disqualitication.
All criminal charges and driving charges are available to get a section 10. However, the court considers many factors when making their decision whether to grant a section 10 to an individual:
(a) the person's character and history, age, health, and mental condition,
(b) the trivial nature of the offence,
(c) the extenuating circumstances in which the offence was committed, and
(d) any other matter that the court thinks proper to consider.
Your chances of getting a section 10 are better if you can provide some materials in court that show you are otherwise of good characther, the offence was convicted during a difficult time in your life, or you have taken steps on improving underlying issues which may have led you to commit the crime or traffic violation from the beginning.
Sydney Criminal Lawyers can help with a no conviction recorded for a criminal or traffic charge you have been convicted of. If you are trying to gain a section 10 on your criminal defence charge, and believe you have extenuating circumstances, our attorneys can help. Call us at (02) 9261 8881 to find out your penalty, make an appointment or have a lawyer call you! Visit us at http://www.criminallaw.com.au/section-10-dismissal for more information.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Miss. high court takes ex-gov pardons case
The Mississippi Supreme Court said Wednesday it will take up the legal
challenge to the pardons ex-Gov. Haley Barbour gave out in his last days
in office.
State Attorney General Jim Hood, a Democrat, wants to invalidate dozens of the 198 pardons that Barbour, a Republican, handed out before his second four-year term ended Jan. 10. Ten of the people were still incarcerated when they received reprieves.
Only about two dozen of the people pardoned followed the Mississippi Constitution's requirement to publish a notice about their reprieves in their local newspapers for 30 days, said Hood, who wants the others invalidated. Barbour has said the pardons are valid and that he gave them because he's a Christian and believes in second chances.
Most of the people who could lose their pardons already served their sentences and have been out of prison for years. Some of them were convicted of comparatively minor crimes as far back as the 1960s and 1970s and have never been in trouble again.
Five of the pardoned are being held on a temporary restraining order issued by Hinds County Circuit Judge Tomie Green. The Supreme Court extended that order until it can rule on the matter. It set a hearing for Feb. 9 and said it would try to rule quickly.
State Attorney General Jim Hood, a Democrat, wants to invalidate dozens of the 198 pardons that Barbour, a Republican, handed out before his second four-year term ended Jan. 10. Ten of the people were still incarcerated when they received reprieves.
Only about two dozen of the people pardoned followed the Mississippi Constitution's requirement to publish a notice about their reprieves in their local newspapers for 30 days, said Hood, who wants the others invalidated. Barbour has said the pardons are valid and that he gave them because he's a Christian and believes in second chances.
Most of the people who could lose their pardons already served their sentences and have been out of prison for years. Some of them were convicted of comparatively minor crimes as far back as the 1960s and 1970s and have never been in trouble again.
Five of the pardoned are being held on a temporary restraining order issued by Hinds County Circuit Judge Tomie Green. The Supreme Court extended that order until it can rule on the matter. It set a hearing for Feb. 9 and said it would try to rule quickly.
Appeals court set to hear Alabama trademark suit
A federal appeals court is set to hear arguments in the trademark
infringement case between sports artist Daniel Moore and the University
of Alabama, whose football program is portrayed in a number of his
works.
They present their cases to the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta on Thursday.
The university filed suit in 2005 alleging that Moore violated trademark law in painting scenes from football games by showing Crimson Tide players in their crimson and white uniforms without permission.
The suit also contends that Moore reissued previously licensed prints without paying royalties.
A federal judge's ruling in 2009 found that Moore's paintings and prints were protected but that other items ? like coffee mugs ? weren't. Both sides appealed.
"The University of Alabama believes the court ruled correctly when it found that Daniel Moore and his company engaged in activities that infringe on the University's trademarks," university spokeswoman Deborah Lane said in a statement. "While we regret the necessity of having to involve the courts in this matter, the lawsuit was necessary since UA must protect the value and reputation of our trademarks, name, colors, indicia and logos, by determining who uses them, as well as when and how they are used."
Moore denied violating trademark laws and said his art constitutes free speech protected by the U.S. Constitution.
They present their cases to the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta on Thursday.
The university filed suit in 2005 alleging that Moore violated trademark law in painting scenes from football games by showing Crimson Tide players in their crimson and white uniforms without permission.
The suit also contends that Moore reissued previously licensed prints without paying royalties.
A federal judge's ruling in 2009 found that Moore's paintings and prints were protected but that other items ? like coffee mugs ? weren't. Both sides appealed.
"The University of Alabama believes the court ruled correctly when it found that Daniel Moore and his company engaged in activities that infringe on the University's trademarks," university spokeswoman Deborah Lane said in a statement. "While we regret the necessity of having to involve the courts in this matter, the lawsuit was necessary since UA must protect the value and reputation of our trademarks, name, colors, indicia and logos, by determining who uses them, as well as when and how they are used."
Moore denied violating trademark laws and said his art constitutes free speech protected by the U.S. Constitution.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Accused White House shooter to appear in DC court
A man accused of firing an assault rifle at the White House is expected
to appear in court in Washington. Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez is
scheduled to appear in federal court Monday at 1:45 p.m.
Ortega was arrested last week in Pennsylvania. The Idaho Falls, Idaho, resident is accused of driving by the White House on the evening of Nov. 11 and firing at the White House from his vehicle. Authorities say one of the rounds he fired cracked a window of the first family's living quarters.
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama were away, and no one was injured.
Ortega was arrested last week in Pennsylvania. The Idaho Falls, Idaho, resident is accused of driving by the White House on the evening of Nov. 11 and firing at the White House from his vehicle. Authorities say one of the rounds he fired cracked a window of the first family's living quarters.
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama were away, and no one was injured.
Guilty plea planned in Palin lawyer harassment
A 20-year-old Pennsylvania man has agreed to plead guilty to a federal
charge of making harassing phone calls in a case involving Sarah Palin's
lawyers.
Shawn Christy filed notice Monday in U.S. District Court that he intends to plead guilty in an expected plea agreement with federal prosecutors.
Christy plans to plead guilty and be sentenced Dec. 1, according to the document filed by Mary Geddes, assistant federal defender.
Federal prosecutors were not immediately reachable by phone late Monday. Earlier, Assistant U.S. Attorney Retta-Rae Randall said the harassing telephone calls charge carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Christy and his father, Craig Christy, both of McAdoo, Pa., face accusations of placing harassing interstate phone calls to the former Alaska governor's lawyers in early August. Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, had been granted state restraining orders against them.
Both men pleaded not guilty in the case in September.
Shawn Christy filed notice Monday in U.S. District Court that he intends to plead guilty in an expected plea agreement with federal prosecutors.
Christy plans to plead guilty and be sentenced Dec. 1, according to the document filed by Mary Geddes, assistant federal defender.
Federal prosecutors were not immediately reachable by phone late Monday. Earlier, Assistant U.S. Attorney Retta-Rae Randall said the harassing telephone calls charge carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Christy and his father, Craig Christy, both of McAdoo, Pa., face accusations of placing harassing interstate phone calls to the former Alaska governor's lawyers in early August. Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, had been granted state restraining orders against them.
Both men pleaded not guilty in the case in September.
NY top court clears probe of inflated appraisals
New York's top court has cleared the state attorney general to pursue
allegations that First American Corp. and subsidiary eAppraiseIT
inflated property appraisals under pressure from client Washington
Mutual.
The Court of Appeals says federal regulations do not pre-empt state claims alleging fraud and violations of real estate appraisal rules.
Then-Attorney General Andrew Cuomo brought the 2007 civil suit alleging the practice contributed to the national subprime mortgage crisis.
Washington Mutual collapsed in 2008 and became the nation's largest bank failure ever.
Six top court judges ruled that Congress envisioned "a robust partnership with the states" in aiming to prevent real estate appraisal abuse.
In a dissent, Judge Susan Read says the suit challenges a bank's federally regulated mortgage practices.
The Court of Appeals says federal regulations do not pre-empt state claims alleging fraud and violations of real estate appraisal rules.
Then-Attorney General Andrew Cuomo brought the 2007 civil suit alleging the practice contributed to the national subprime mortgage crisis.
Washington Mutual collapsed in 2008 and became the nation's largest bank failure ever.
Six top court judges ruled that Congress envisioned "a robust partnership with the states" in aiming to prevent real estate appraisal abuse.
In a dissent, Judge Susan Read says the suit challenges a bank's federally regulated mortgage practices.
Defendant in $670M scam enters guilty plea in Va.
A man who cooked the books for a $670 million insurance industry scam
pleaded guilty Monday to charges he helped mislead thousands of
investors worldwide.
Jorge Luis Castillo, 56, Hackettstown, N.J., entered pleas in U.S. District Court to conspiring to commit mail and wire fraud in U.S. District Court. He is scheduled for sentencing May 22 and could receive up to 20 years in prison and fined up to $250,000.
Castillo, who originally was scheduled for trial in 2012, will assist the government's prosecution of Minor Vargas Calvo, 60, the president and majority owner of Provident Capital Indemnity Ltd., a Costa Rican company. He is scheduled for trial in February. He has pleaded not guilty to similar charges.
The government called Castillo a "gatekeeper" for Provident. As a certified public accountant, he cast himself as an "outside auditor" and falsely reported a rosy financial picture for the company, which had a global client base.
"This is truly an international fraud in scope," U.S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride said in a conference call after Castillo entered his plea. "As a result of Mr. Castillo's crimes, a lot of people lost life savings to life settlement companies because of the worthless guarantees that Mr. Castillo helped create.
Jorge Luis Castillo, 56, Hackettstown, N.J., entered pleas in U.S. District Court to conspiring to commit mail and wire fraud in U.S. District Court. He is scheduled for sentencing May 22 and could receive up to 20 years in prison and fined up to $250,000.
Castillo, who originally was scheduled for trial in 2012, will assist the government's prosecution of Minor Vargas Calvo, 60, the president and majority owner of Provident Capital Indemnity Ltd., a Costa Rican company. He is scheduled for trial in February. He has pleaded not guilty to similar charges.
The government called Castillo a "gatekeeper" for Provident. As a certified public accountant, he cast himself as an "outside auditor" and falsely reported a rosy financial picture for the company, which had a global client base.
"This is truly an international fraud in scope," U.S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride said in a conference call after Castillo entered his plea. "As a result of Mr. Castillo's crimes, a lot of people lost life savings to life settlement companies because of the worthless guarantees that Mr. Castillo helped create.
Texas asks court to stop redistricting plan
The Supreme Court has been asked to stop a federal court from
implementing a state redistricting map in Texas that could increase
minority representation in the state Legislature.
The state's attorney general, Greg Abbott, filed the request with the high court on Monday. The court-drawn map was drafted after minority groups challenged the original plan passed by the Republican-dominated state Legislature.
The map drawn by the San Antonio-based federal court could lead to greater minority representation and give Democrats a chance to add as many as a dozen seats in the Legislature. Abbott and other Republican leaders have denied that any of the legislature's redistricting maps would diminish minority voting power.
The court-ordered map will remain in place until the legal fights are resolved.
The state's attorney general, Greg Abbott, filed the request with the high court on Monday. The court-drawn map was drafted after minority groups challenged the original plan passed by the Republican-dominated state Legislature.
The map drawn by the San Antonio-based federal court could lead to greater minority representation and give Democrats a chance to add as many as a dozen seats in the Legislature. Abbott and other Republican leaders have denied that any of the legislature's redistricting maps would diminish minority voting power.
The court-ordered map will remain in place until the legal fights are resolved.
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