Legal Briefs | Criminal Defense

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This section contains the latest news, information, and updates about litigation associated with criminal defense attorneys, lawyers, and legal firms. This information includes current law firms who specialize defending the accused in a trial by jury. These updates also provide information about current high-profile crimes and trials.

Criminal Defense Need a Criminal Lawyer ? Former Military Contractor Convicted of Participating in Scheme to Steal Large Quantities of Fuel from U.S. Army in Afghanistan Raschad L. "Sean" Lewis, a former fuel section employee of Kellogg Brown and Root Inc. Need a Divorce Lawyer ? ACLU Files Lawsuit Seeking Disclosure of Still-Secret Torture Documents The requested documents include legal memos authored by John Yoo and Steven Bradbury , who were lawyers in the Bush administration Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel , as well as documents sent by the Bush White House to the CIA. Need a Bankruptcy Lawyer ? Thomas C. Green Recognized as Top White Collar Lawyer at the Chambers USA Awards for Excellence 2009 At an awards ceremony on June 11, Sidley Austin LLP partner Thomas C. Green was recognized as the outstanding lawyer in the area of white collar crime and government investigations by Chambers and Partners. LegalMatch helps lawyers nationwide develop and market their practices. Pharmaceutical Company Manager Sentenced for Off-Labeling A Branchburg, NJ, woman was sentenced today for violating the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, for marketing the drug Bextra for uses and dosages that were not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Need an Employment Lawyer ? Maryland Man Sentenced in Florida for $535 Million Surety Bond Fraud United States Attorney A. Brian Albritton announces that U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard today sentenced William Raymond Miller to 10 years and one month in federal prison for mail fraud and wire fraud. Military Contractor Convicted in Afghanistan Fuel Theft Scheme Raschad L. "Sean" Lewis, a former fuel section employee of Kellogg Brown and Root Inc. Pfizer - Bextra: drug rep manager gets fine and probation A Branchburg, NJ, woman was sentenced today for violating the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, for marketing the drug Bextra for uses and dosages that were not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Pharmaceutical Company Manager Sentenced For Off-Label Marketing A Branchburg, NJ, woman was sentenced today for violating the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, for marketing the drug Bextra for uses and dosages that were not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Defense attorneys move to remove DA's office in Rubio case For a second time defense attorneys for accused child killer John Allen Rubio have filed a motion to remove the Cameron County District Attorney's office from prosecuting the case. Questionable Credentials for Arson Expert in Christie Scott Trial BELLA MINSON ITEM ON THE CAPITAL MURDER TRIAL OF CHRISTY MICHELLE SCOTT AND I T. EXPERT WITNESS WHO TESTIFIED TODAY YOUR ENGINE AND RULES THE PROSECUTION 'S ARSON EXPERTS LILLIAN TESTIFY WILLIAMS FACTOR THE BEDROOM WAS SECURE LUCENT SCOTT TUROW DETERMINED THAT ROOM THROUGH THE FIRE STARTED LUCENT DEAD IN THE WATER WHO 'S NEVER KRISTIN 'S GOES ... Paying for the Blagojevich Defense Rod Blagojevich's legal bills are currently being paid from the "Friends of Blagojevich" campaign fund. Sides debate need, funding for defense, prosecution The days of $130 indigent defense cases have long been over. But officials say the reality of the days of job losses in district attorneys' offices are already here. Defense Department Contracting Officer Pleads Guilty to Tax Charges Tijani Ahmed Saani, a former civilian employee of the U.S. Department of Defense, pleaded guilty today to filing false tax returns for tax years 2003 through 2007, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and Assistant Attorney General Christine A. Varney of the Antitrust Division. Former Contracting Officer Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax Returns Saani, 53, a former resident of Kuwait City , Kuwait , worked as a contracting officer in Kuwait from 1994 until his arrest in May 2008 . GSA Contractor University Loft Company to Pay U.S. $400,000 to Resolve Contract Fraud Allegations Firm Allegedly Violated Provisions of U.S. Trade Agreements Act WASHINGTON , June 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following an investigation of alleged false claims and contract fraud, J Squared Inc., d/b/a University Loft Company, has reached a settlement with , the Justice Department announced today. Man Convicted in Washington for Scheme to Steal Excess Government Property FAA Employee's Relative Convicted in Scheme to Steal Excess Government Property Relative Profited from Scheme to Illegally take Government Boats, Plane, Cars and Electronics BRADLEY A. GARNER, 51, a Canadian citizen who resides in Palm Desert, California, was convicted of Wire Fraud and Theft of Honest Services, Mail Fraud, and Unlawful Monetary ... Group Works to Disbar Torture Lawyers Profile Blogroll Archives Posted on: July 1, 2009 9:09 AM, by Ed Brayton A group called Velvet Revolution is targeting 12 Bush administration attorneys for disbarment for their role in justifying and providing legal cover for the torture of detainees. FAA Employee s Relative Convicted in Scheme to Steal Excess Government Property BRADLEY A. GARNER, 51, a Canadian citizen who resides in Palm Desert, California, was convicted of Wire Fraud and Theft of Honest Services, Mail Fraud, and Unlawful Monetary Transaction today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma, Washington. Willingboro Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of Crack Cocaine and Illegal Possession of a Handgun A Willingboro man pleaded guilty today to crack cocaine distribution and gun charges, Acting U.S. Attorney Ralph J. Marra announced. Former Contracting Officer Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax Returns Tijani Ahmed Saani, a former civilian employee of the U.S. Department of Defense, pleaded guilty today to filing false tax returns for tax years 2003 through 2007, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and Assistant Attorney General Christine A. Varney of the Antitrust Division. Newark man's sentencing delayed due to murder, witness tampering ... - Newark Star-Ledger Star-Ledger file photo A 2008 photo of Derek Hunter, who pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter and weapons charges in May. Hunter's sentencing has been delayed because his attorney, Paul Bergrin, is currently facing charges for murder and witness ... Report: Nev. public defenders need lighter loads - Las Vegas Sun Public defenders in the Las Vegas and Reno areas face overwhelming caseloads that result in a lack of "competent and diligent" assistance to poor people charged with crimes, a new report states. The report from the Spangenberg Group and the Center ... Trial begins in Las Vegas casino gunfire case - PR Inside LAS VEGAS (AP) - A defense lawyer cast a 2007 Las Vegas Strip casino shooting by a 53-year-old unemployed house painter as a bid for attention from a severely depressed and broken man who hoped police would shoot him dead. ?The evidence is ... Defendant opts to proceed with trial - New Haven Register Johnnie Arthur stood before a judge Tuesday at Superior Court in Milford and in a matter of a minute went from demanding his lawyer be fired to demanding his lawyer stay on to immediately begin jury selection for his trial on attempted murder. Arthur ... Defense lawyer says New York, New York shooting "a cry for help" - KTNV A defense lawyer in Las Vegas cast a 2007 casino shooting by a 53-year-old unemployed house painter as a cry for attention from a broken man who hoped police would shoot him dead. Deputy public defender Bita Khamsi said jurors should consider that ... Okla. Couple Held in Burial, Excavation of Girl - FOX News HELENA, Mont. ? An Oklahoma couple has been arrested in Montana for investigation of burying a young girl then digging up her remains and moving the body from state to state for more than a year, authorities said Tuesday. Abel Wolf, 35, and Denise ... Philadelphia opens Mental Health Court - Philadelphia Inquirer When Philadelphia police shot and killed a homeless man brandishing a utility knife Friday in the concourse near City Hall, it had special meaning for state Supreme Court Justice Seamus P. McCaffery. Twenty years ago, McCaffery told an audience of ... Contra Costa public defender retires after 35-year career speaking for ... - Contra Costa Times MARTINEZ ? In his 10 years as Contra Costa County's top public defender, David Coleman ruffled the feathers of more than a few prosecutors, yet they say they'll miss him. "The guy has been a constant thorn in our side, in a good way," Deputy ... Young Lawyers Division of State Bar honors local attorney - Tifton Gazette Amy R. Stone of the Tift County Public Defender?s Office received an Award of Achievement for Outstanding Service to the Public, presented by the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia on June 19 during the organization?s annual ... Prominent lawyer dies - Pueblo Chieftain Brian T. Knight, a longtime and prominent Pueblo lawyer, died unexpectedly Friday at his home, according to the county coroner and sheriff's offices. Knight was 65. A divorce lawyer schooled at the University of Colorado, Knight had been licensed to ... DA: Public defenders talked to child witness against mother's wishes - New Orleans Times-Picayune Orleans Parish public defenders violated criminal procedure when they repeatedly tried to interview the 12-year-old girl at the center of an aggravated rape and kidnapping case against the wishes of the child's mother, prosecutors alleged Monday ... Nixon approves, vetoes final bills from 2009 session; among them bills ... - Primebuzz.kcstar.com Tops among the vetoes was Senate Bill 37 , which would have capped caseloads for public defenders in the state's judicial system. Public defenders, who represent defendants in criminal trials who can't afford their own lawyers, have been chronically ... Jay Nixon vetoes public defender bill - St. Louis Post-Dispatch JEFFERSON CITY ? Legislation setting maximum caseloads for public defenders wouldn?t solve the overburdened system?s problems, Gov. Jay Nixon said today. Nixon vetoed the bill ( SB37 ), along with more than a dozen others. The actions wrapped ... Nixon vetoes Missouri public defender legislation - Columbia Missourian JEFFERSON CITY ? Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed legislation intended to lighten the caseloads of Missouri's public defenders as he cleared his desk Monday of bills passed during the 2009 session. Nixon also vetoed various bills that he said lacked consumer ... Charity probe search debated Lawyers ask a federal judge to suppress ... - Register-Guard An Ashland man facing tax fraud and money laundering charges in connection with an Islamic charity he co-founded has asked a federal judge to suppress all evidence the government obtained as a result of a 2004 search of the organization?s ... State Supreme Court reverses Traylor manslaughter decision - Union More than five years after Tyler Lason's death, the vehicular manslaughter case against the driver in the crash that killed the 9-year-old western Nevada County youth has been reinstated. On Monday, the California Supreme Court reversed the appellate ... Nicholas J. Lisi, Phila. lawyer, dies at 68 - Philadelphia Daily News LIKE ALL PHILLIES fans, Nicholas J. Lisi had his ups and downs with the team over the years, but he had the pleasure of watching the boys on their way to World Series victories in 1980 and last year. He attended the first game of the 1980 World ... Woodbridge attorney named to NJBIZ 'Forty under 40' John Hogan, a shareholder with the township-based law firm Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, was named by NJBIZ as a member of the 2009 class of "Forty Under 40.'' Selected by an independent panel of judges, the Forty Under 40 awards program honors men and women working in New Jersey who have been making headlines in their field and who share a ... BRIEFS PLAINFIELD - Kean University will has two small business workshops coming up in the Business Resource Center on the second floor of the Department of Labor Building, 200 W. Second St. Buxton Properties' grand deficit sends condo, homeowner associations scrambling Among the victims are owners of the Arbor Heights condos at 3001 58th Ave. S in St. Sex Offender Begs for More Jail Time Marquez is one of many sex offenders who have run afoul of a patchwork of laws designed to protect the public from sexual predators. Gruesome photos will be allowed at carjacking trials Motions hearings continue this week in the carjacking case that is getting bloggers' attention all over the country. Longtime defense attorney Bill Minkner dies of cancer He was a giant. Fearless. The best trial attorney in the county and a man who loved his work. Samir Cabrera's attorneys ask to continue sentencing hearing Samir Cabrera's attorneys have again filed a motion to try to continue his sentencing date - which is set for 10 days from today - for 45 days. Comparing white-collar apples and drug dealing oranges at sentencing This local article , headlined "Lawyers question Fumo's sentence: The former state senator appears to have gotten off easy for misusing $2.4 million in taxpayers' money, defense attorneys and prosecutors say," highlights the challenges of making sentencing comparison between different types of crimes involving different types of offenders. Conn. judge considers new trial in party killing Testimony has ended in a hearing that could lead to a new trial for a man convicted in the fatal shooting of a teenager at a party in Plainfield in 1998. Women's Rights Activist and Lawyer Violently Arrested in Iran, Says Amnesty International July 17 - Amnesty International fears the wave of arrests of civil society activists in Iran is intensifying after lawyer and human rights activist, Shadi Sadr, was violently arrested in Tehran this morning on her way to Friday prayers. Sources: Felon arrested in McNair killing Federal prosecutors announced gun charges Friday against a convicted murderer who admitted he sold the pistol that was used to kill ex-NFL quarterback Steve McNair. Judge considers trial in party killing Testimony has ended in a hearing that could lead to a new trial for a man convicted in the fatal shooting of a teenager at a party in Plainfield in 1998. Woman sentenced in fatal stabbing of her mother A jury in April found Tomasa Ramirez, 38, guilty of second-degree murder and personal use of a deadly or dangerous weapon. Felon arrested in gun sale of McNair killing Federal prosecutors announced gun charges Friday against a convicted murderer who admitted he sold the pistol that was used to kill ex-NFL quarterback Steve McNair. Cabrera tries again to delay sentencing date Samir Cabrera's attorneys have again filed a motion to try to continue his sentencing date - which is set for 10 days from Friday - for 45 days. Panel Tosses Contempt Sentence Against Lawyer for 'Sarcastic' Expression Lawyers who have a hard time keeping a poker face when they don't like a judge's ruling can take heart in a decision issued last week by the Georgia Court of Appeals. Lawyer misses cut for judgeship in wake of Adams case Bob Weaver successfully defended Portland Mayor Sam Adams against sexual abuse charges. How Fumo's fate stacks up against others' sentences "It's not murder. It's not robbery," said U.S. District Judge Ronald L. Buckwalter before sentencing former State Sen. Public Defender's Office close to edge Dammeyer The sour economy makes it harder for some people accused of crimes to pay for lawyers, and they are more likely to turn to the Ventura County Public Defender's Office for legal services, officials and attorneys say. Eric Sharp's Blog: N.y. court to rule on rules for America's Cup challenge Two billionaire leaders of America's Cup teams return to court Tuesday for another round of enhancing their lawyer's pension plans. A Matter of Opinion? THERE will be admirers of Floyd Abrams, the most famous First Amendment lawyer in the country, who are surprised to learn that he represents a corporation widely regarded as Part of the Problem in the economic meltdown. Khadr shows Guantanamo 'legal aid' is among the best The newest turnover in the legal team of Canadian-born terror suspect Omar Khadr shows the charged detainees at Guantanamo Bay enjoy the privilege of extensive high-value legal representation. Chances of OJ winning release? Dep ... Few in Nevada legal circles believe O.J. Simpson has any real chance at freedom when the state's Supreme Court justices consider letting him trade a prison cell in rural northern Nevada for a golf course in Miami while he appeals his conviction in a gunpoint hotel room heist. OJ Simpson getting unusual shot at winning release from Nevada high court In this Oct. 3, 2008 file photo, O.J. Simpson reacts as he is found guilty on 12 charges, including felony kidnapping, armed robbery and conspiracy at the Clark County Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas. Intellivest Securities Research, Inc. Confirms Its Policy of Not... Intellivest Securities Research, Inc. , a Georgia registered investment advisor and publisher of research reports distributed as third party research through its affiliate, Intellivest Securities, Inc., announced today that in response to a New York Times article published on July 19, 2009 it is confirming to the public that it has not, and does ... Wedding crasher? headed to jail - Norristown Times Herald COURTHOUSE ? A former hotel housekeeper dubbed ?the wedding crasher? by prosecutors is headed to jail on charges he stole more than $14,000 in monetary gifts from a newlywed couple celebrating their marriage at an Upper Merion hotel. Albert ... Blood-alcohol test up for runs - News-Star A West Monroe police sergeant said Samuel Johnson had an overbearing odor of cologne about him as he stumbled and nearly fell out of the vehicle he had driven halfway off the road. Johnson had collected five charges of driving while intoxicated ... Justice Watch - Daily Business Review ome of the finest jurists and attorneys in South Florida paraded into a top-floor conference room in a downtown Miami courthouse to make their case for becoming the next federal judge or U.S. attorney. Only six were left standing ? three for each ... Chances of OJ winning release? Depends who you ask What really has them abuzz is that Nevada's only appellate court agreed to schedule oral arguments Aug. Waging the fight on the other side - Philadelphia Inquirer Long before there was Vince Fumo, the former state senator sentenced to 55 months in federal prison following his conviction on public corruption charges, there was former Philadelphia City Councilman Jimmy Tayoun. Tayoun pleaded guilty in May 1991 ... Oral Arguments Weds. on FISA Re-Write Law Oral arguments will be heard Wednesday. The American Civil Liberties Union will be in court Wednesday for oral arguments in its landmark challenge to the unconstitutional FISA Amendments Act , which gives the government virtually unchecked power to intercept Americans' international e-mails and telephone calls. Richard Martin Givan Richard Martin Givan died Tuesday at his Plainfield home. He was 88. Born June 7, 1921, in Indianapolis, he was a son of Clinton Hodell Givan and Glee Bowen Givan. Del. court overturns death penalty conviction DOVER - A divided state Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered a new trial for a man sentenced to death for the 2005 rape and murder of a University of Delaware student. Body parts trial: What did Kevin Vickers know? Kevin I. Vickers helped remove bone and tissue from eight bodies at two Monroe County funeral homes but didn't know consent forms were forged, his lawyer said today. Google 'comments' don't defame: UK court P2P:- In a landmark decision with tremendous importance for everyone in the UK with a net account, Google isn't liable for defamatory comments in news articles, blogs and forums displayed in its search results, a high court judge in London has ruled. The 25 Greatest Legal TV Shows: Honorable Mentions And now a dozen others our judges thought worthy of mention: Adam's Rib Nora Ephron scripted this serial adap tation of the Tracy-Hepburn classic. The 25 Greatest Legal TV Shows: The Jury ED BARK is an award-winning TV critic who blogs about all things television from his website, UncleBarky.com . A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Bark is former president of the Television Critics Association and a former board member of the George Foster Peabody Awards. Murderer Nichola s tab: $3.2 million and growing It cost more than more $3.2 million to give courthouse killer Brian Nichols a fair trial. Nichola s legal tab nearly at $3 million It cost almost $3 million in public money -- at least -- to defend courthouse murderer Brian Nichols, according to records released Tuesday. Inmate disputes his life sentence An issue with a witness on Tuesday caused the continuation until Thursday of a 31-year-old man's attempt to have his life sentence vacated. Givan led state's high court from 1974 to 1987 Richard Givan, a justice on the Indiana Supreme Court for 26 years and the court's chief justice for half that time, died Tuesday. Thomas Gleason of Springfield, accused of burning down Macedonia... Thomas A. Gleason Jr., shown in this January photo, is fighting for the right to get a haircut. Three of four men accused in slaying appear in court Three of the four men accused of participating in the May 2 slaying of Antonio Jose Maravilla-Vargas appeared in court Tuesday under tight security. Givan, Richard M., 88 Richard Martin Givan 88, died July 21, 2009 in his home near Plainfield, Indiana. Ex-state justice served 26 years Richard Givan, a justice on the Indiana Supreme Court for 26 years and the court's chief justice for half that time, died Tuesday. Vickers body parts trial begins Kevin I. Vickers helped remove bone and tissue from eight bodies at two Monroe County funeral homes but didn't know consent forms were forged, his lawyer said Tuesday. New attorney hired in fatal DUI case FAIRBANKS a ' A drunken driver convicted of killing a boy on a bicycle in 2005 has hired a new attorney. Casnovia Township man who pleaded guilty to child rape wants to withdraw plea A Casnovia Township man's child-rape case nearly set a speed record for modern Muskegon County felony courts, with Kevin Charles Miller pleading guilty last month just three weeks after his arrest. Attorney General Buddy Caldwell turns over records to defense in case ... - New Orleans Times-Picayune BATON ROUGE -- The state attorney general's office Tuesday turned over about 1,000 pages of documents to former Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. President Terry Lisotta, setting the stage for a Sept. 8 hearing to determine when or if the ... Judge Ba?ales ordered off Celis case - Corpus Christi Caller CORPUS CHRISTI ? A Tarrant County judge has removed District Judge J. Manuel Ba?ales from the Mauricio Celis criminal case. The ruling is prompting prosecutors to review actions Ba?ales has taken in the case to see if there are any legal remedies ... Defense loses ruling in Pa. legislative bonus case - Times-Leader Defendants in Pennsylvania's legislative corruption case were dealt a setback Wednesday when a judge halted efforts to call witnesses to bolster the claim that prosecutors targeted them because they are Democrats. Dauphin County Judge Rich Lewis said ... Inmate set to die for '99 murder may get reprieve - Wichita Falls Times Record News HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) ? The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals was considering Wednesday whether to stop the scheduled execution of a man after misplaced evidence surfaced related to the abduction, robbing and fatal shooting of a Dallas man a decade ... Where are Canada's health-care reforms? Wednesday, July 22, 2009 02:56 PM Where are Canada's health-care reforms? Robert Silver " I t is important to remember that health costs are increasing at a rate faster than general government revenue. Police seek Jackson manslaughter link - Detroit Free Press HOUSTON ? Authorities searched the Houston clinic of Michael Jackson?s doctor today, and his attorney said they were seeking evidence of manslaughter. Dr. Conrad Murray had been interviewed by police as a witness to the pop star?s death, but ... Accused killer's motion for new judge denied - Fond du Lac Reporter A Fond du Lac County Circuit Court judge has denied a motion for a substitute judge in a case in which a Brookfield man is accused of strangling a woman in a Fond du Lac apartment and burning her body. Judge Peter Grimm on Wednesday denied the motion ... Concealed arms reciprocity rejected by Senate - Newark Advocate The vote was 58-39 in favor of the provision establishing concealed carry permit reciprocity in the 48 states that have concealed weapons laws. That fell two votes short of the 60 needed to approve the measure, offered as an amendment to a defense ... Lawyer: Police seek Jackson manslaughter link - Modesto Bee HOUSTON -- Authorities searched the Houston clinic of Michael Jackson's doctor Wednesday, and his attorney said they were seeking evidence of manslaughter. Dr. Conrad Murray had been interviewed by police as a witness to the pop star's death, but has ... Gun control advocates claim victory in Senate - Houston Chronicle WASHINGTON ? In a rare victory for gun control advocates, the U.S. Senate on Wednesday rejected a measure allowing a person with a concealed weapon permit in one state to also hide his firearm when visiting another state. The vote was 58-39 in ... Trial for embattled dog breeder Dake Fu postponed indefinitely - Daily Gazette CHARLESTON ? The criminal court trial of a local dog breeder accused of selling diseased animals was postponed indefinitely today while dozens of residents waited for the jury selection process. Court officers would not comment on why the trial ...