Archives : false imprisonment

Imhoff & Associates Secures Release of Wrongfully Convicted Client Luis Galicia and Dismissal of Child Molestation Case

San Diego (California) – Defense Attorney Shannon Dorvall of the Imhoff & Associates Law Firm, one of the largest multi-jurisdictional criminal defense firms, escorted her client Luis Galicia into the arms of his loving family upon his release after successfully getting her client’s case dismissed by the First District Court of Appeals on November 23, 2011. Luis served four years after a trial court convicted him for sexual molestation of his sister Araceli Galicia. At the original trial, the state’s doctor testified that she believed that Araceli had been forcibly raped, despite the testimony of the doctor for the defense, who stated he disagreed with the state’s evidence. Even though Araceli recanted her testimony and said that the charges were not true, the trial jury convicted Luis Galicia, and the sentence handed down was two 15 to life sentences.

The family hired the Imhoff firm to file an appeal on Luis’ behalf. While awaiting the Judge’s response in the appeal case, the family took Araceli to two doctors who examined her and disagreed with the state’s doctor, both stating that Araceli’s hymen was intact and that she had never had sex. The Imhoff firm also filed a Writ of Habeas Corpus on Luis Galicia’s behalf with the First District Court of Appeals, who agreed to order a hearing, and the Imhoff firm was also successful in obtaining the cooperation of the San Diego District Attorney’s Office to review the new medical evidence. The District Attorney agreed to have the Children’s Hospital also review the trial photos and examine the girl, and they agreed also that she had never had sex. The District Attorney testified at the hearing that the trial evidence was nonsense. The Judge ordered the case dismissed and the release of Mr. Galicia.

The Imhoff firm believes that no family should have to endure the ordeal that the Galicia family has gone through. Unfortunately, innocent people can be accused of all sorts of crimes they have not committed. If a person is arrested or charged with a sex crime, these are serious charges and can ruin a person’s reputation and life as well as destroy their family’s lives. Imhoff & Associates believes in justice and that all persons are innocent until proved otherwise. That is why the Imhoff legal defense team vigorously defends their clients by specializing in the most innovative legal services defense strategies and treats their clients with the utmost dignity and respect.  The firm’s outstanding and skilled defense attorneys work diligently and creatively to offer the highest level of service to our clients and uphold the principles and standards upon which this firm was founded by providing service to clients with members of the firm available 24/7.

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Three Charged with Kidnapping, Torture

Two women and one man in Tracy, California face criminal charges for allegedly kidnapping and keeping a 17-year old young man chained within their home.

The young man, only identified as “Kyle,” had been in the custody of his aunt, Caren Ramirez, for over the past year. Ramirez—along with Michael Schumacher and Kelly Lau—are the three adults that face criminal charges in this case.

The three defendants face criminal charges including:

• Torture
• Kidnapping
• False imprisonment

If convicted, each of these defendants faces over 15 years in jail.

History of Kyle’s Imprisonment

According to authorities, Kyle’s recent imprisonment was only the latest incident in a string of abusive situations Kyle has escaped. After taking him away from his abusive father a few years ago, Sacramento County Child Protective Services (SCCPS) had placed Kyle in a foster home, which he ran away from due to abuse.

Defendants Have History of Child Abuse

In an effort to keep him with family, SCCPS then placed Kyle with Ramirez. However, in 2007, Ramirez was arrested for child abuse after she was caught beating Kyle with:

• Sticks
• Brooms
• Kitchen utensils

In the incident report, authorities found serious bruises all over Kyle’s body. While Ramirez received probation for this abuse, she was eventually arrested when she failed to appear in court.

At this point, SCCPS placed Kyle with another family in the Sacramento area—from which he also ran away. Since this 2007 disappearance, no one—except Ramirez, Schumacher and Lau—knew where Kyle was.

Kyle’s Escape

The details of Kyle’s recent imprisonment have only come forth after Kyle jumped over an 8-foot fence to escape the Ramirez house. Earlier this week, Kyle—wearing only boxers and a 3-foot padlocked chain around his foot—ran into a nearby gym and begged employees to hide him from his captors.

Employees took him in, called authorities and fed Kyle while they awaited police. Despite being 17 years old, Kyle was so emaciated that he appeared to be about 5 years younger, according to the gym’s employees.

Local authorities are still investigating the details of Kyle’s past year at the Ramirez house. They haven’t specified the precise nature of his recent abuse.
A trial date has yet to be set for this case.

(Source: Los Angeles Times)

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$30,000 Settlement Reached in False Arrest Case

A woman living in Syracuse, New York, recently reached a settlement in the suit she filed against the city for her false arrest and imprisonment.

The arrest occurred four years ago and since this time the woman, was arrested on drug charges and despite her pleads with the officers, was taken to the Auburn Police Station.

Law Enforcement Agents Make False Arrest

Teresa Morris says she was getting ready to leave for work on the day when three law enforcement officers came to her home and arrested her on cocaine-related charges.

Morris, who was 39 at the time, was handcuffed in front of her son and taken to the police station where she was questioned, fingerprinted and photographed.

Mother Spends Day in Jail

After three hours of being in jail, the officers realized they had the wrong person, apologized, and took her home, with her handcuffs still on.

According to the suit filed by Morris, she suffered from post-traumatic stress syndrome. She filed the suit against the city claiming false arrest and imprisonment, assault and battery and for the violation of her constitutional rights.

The case was settled this week and Morris was compensated $30,000 in damages for the incident.

(Source: Syracuse.com)

Have you or someone you know been falsely arrested? If so, please contact us today to speak with an experienced attorney who will enable you and your loved ones to be compensated for any wrongdoing.