Category Archives: Criminal Defense
Las Vegas couple pleads guilty to fake insurance scam
Michael and Melissa Woodward pleaded guilty Wednesday to state tax fraud and other charges. The Woodwards were charged with 11 counts each, including grand theft, tax fraud, residential burglary, theft from an elder and selling insurance without authorization. The couple are alleged to have scammed 240 to 250 elderly people in San Diego County and … Read More
Peugh vs. United States
On June 10, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of PEUGH vs. UNITED STATES, Case # 12-62, in a 5-4 opinion, ruled the Ex Post Facto Clause of the U.S Constitution was violated when the newer 2009 version of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines was applied because it provides (an increased risk of) a much greater punishment when … Read More
Evidence from hidden camera was properly authenticated, court ruled
An Ohio doctor was charged with sexual misconduct after his inappropriate sexual comments were secretly taped by one of his patients. Larry Lee Smith argued before the Court of Appeals that the hidden camera violated his due process rights, but the court found that the secret tape was proper and did not violate any of … Read More
Ex-CIA Edward Snowden is source of leaked NSA reports
29-year-old Edward Snowden, a former technical assistant for the Central Intelligence Agency, provided information to journalists about the secret U.S. electronic surveillance program. He revealed his identity voluntarily in a video interview on the U.K. Guardian‘s website. Snowden is currently residing in a hotel in Hong Kong. It remains to be seen whether or not … Read More
Auto theft sting operation results in 64 arrests
After eight months of investigation, 64 people were arrested on Tuesday in connection with a network of North County auto theft rings. “Operation Perfect Storm” had undercover detectives begin to infiltrate multiple unrelated operations starting in August, California Highway Patrol Commander Scott Parker said. The officers then proceeded to set up a storefront to buy stolen … Read More
Supreme Court Ruling Allows DNA Samples After Arrest
The US Supreme Court ruled on Monday that it is legal for the police to take a DNA sample at the time of an arrest for a serious crime. The ruling came about after a court in Maryland said it was illegal for a police to take Alonzo King’s DNA. King was arrested for felony … Read More
Four IRS employees will be interviewed in a Congress probe
IRS employees John Shafer, Gary Muthert, Liz Hofacre and Joseph Herr will all be interviewed by Congressional investigators as a part of the probe. One employee, Holly Paz, has already been questioned. It has not yet been determined who, exactly, was targeting groups with “Tea Party” or “patriot” in their names. This is what the … Read More
The California Supreme Court deals with insulin-administration case
The California Supreme Court will be hearing a case that will determine whether school employees can administer insulin to diabetic students, rather than only licensed nurses. This case will set a precedent for protecting the rights of schoolchildren with diabetes or other medical conditions. The problem here is that insulin is a tricky thing. The … Read More
Fundraiser for shooting victim
A fundraiser was held for Will Barton, a courageous young man who survived being shot in the head during a violent crime spree during October of 2012. He was one of two people who were shot, and his condition was considered by doctors to be “unsurvivable” Miraculously, he is alive and doing much better than … Read More
Body Found in Missing Woman’s Car in Kearny Mesa
Homicide detectives were called to an area of Kearny Mesa south of State Route 52 for the report of a suspicious death on Thursday. San Diego police officers were in the 7700-block of Convoy Court on official business when they discovered a person dead inside a vehicle. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, the … Read More