Innocent people do need an attorney Too many times I have had criminal defendants come to me after a conviction. They ask if there is something I can do to help them now that the State has wrongly convicted them of a crime. Naturally I ask them why they didn’t come to me before the […]
Arrested and Not Read My Rights!
…The person in custody must, prior to interrogation, be clearly informed that he/she has the right to remain silent, and that anything the person says will be used against that person in court; the person must be clearly informed that he/she has the right to consult with an attorney and to have that attorney present […]
Rep. Mark Patterson. Innocent men never plead guilty?
So do innocent people plead guilty? I’ve read comments from the public, one theme is repeated over and over, “innocent people do not plead guilty”. But is that true? Is it really true that every innocent person takes his case all the way through trial if the case is not dismissed by the prosecuting attorney? […]
What is the difference between a criminal charge and a traffic ticket?
Infractions The other day I got a phone call and the gentleman told me he had a traffic ticket he needed me to handle. My first thought was, oh he must have gotten a speeding ticket, which is an infraction in the State of Idaho. Criminal Charge I don’t normally handle infractions since they usually […]
When can the police come into my home?
For those who follow my blog, you may get the sense that I am less than enthusiastic about the status of our rights in the United States today. Many of the laws and principles that secured our rights in the past have been eroded away by exceptions to laws that are designed to protect those […]
Do I have to show identification to a Police Officer in Idaho?
A frequent question I am asked by friends, family, and clients is “Do I have to provide my driver’s license, or other identification, to a police officer if they ask me for it?” In other words they want to know if they have a right to refuse to provide their driver’s license, or other identifying […]
Should I Hire An Attorney For My Criminal Case? [Video]
I recently made another video blog on the question, “Why should I hire a criminal defense attorney?” Please watch and share! back
I Have an Idaho Arrest Warrant, but Live Out of State, What Can I Do?
A common dilemma I get called about frequently is what to do when an arrest warrant is issued for you in Idaho, but you live in another state. This occurs under a couple different scenarios. Some Defendant’s get placed on probation in Idaho, and receive a probation violation either before or after leaving Idaho. A […]
What happens to my driver’s license after a DUI?
One of the most immediate impacts on your life when you are charged with a DUI is the license suspension. Not being able to drive, especially in Idaho, would be crippling to anyone’s life. You cannot get to work, you cannot take your children to school, you cannot go to the doctor, you cannot get […]
Should I refuse to blow into a DUI breathalyzer?
The State has two ways of proving a DUI charge. The first and most common way is to prove that a defendant was driving a vehicle while his blood, breath or urine contained .08 alcohol or higher. The reason this is the most common way of proving a DUI is that it is the easiest. […]