Archives : wrongly convicted
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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Myrtle Beach Felony Crimes -Bomb Threats and Making False Statements
Myrtle Beach South Carolina takes bomb threats and making false statements about explosive devices seriously. Under South Carolina Code Statute 16-23-750, you could be charged with a Class D or E felony when such threat constitutes threatening to kill, injure or intimidate individuals or damage and destroy property by using or threatening to use an explosive device or incendiary device. In South Carolina, there is no statute of limitations for any felony offenses. You can be arrested and tried and convicted at any time during or after the incident has occurred. Terrorist threat charges and convictions can result in fines; jail time of not less than 1 year or more than 15 years as well as courts may order anger management and violence prevention classes for individuals convicted of such crimes.
Case Example:
Saturday night, November 12, 2011, police shut down and evacuated Wal-Mart’s in Horry County, including the Wal-Mart in Myrtle Beach when Horry County Police said a caller using a phone booth along 544, told a 911 operator that they had left a bomb in a Wal-Mart store that might go off at 9 p.m., but did not disclose the exact location. Since the threat involved all of the super centers located on the Grand Strand and neighboring Myrtle Beach area police evacuated both the Wal-Mart in Carolina Forest off highway 501 and the Wal-Mart on Seaboard St. in Myrtle Beach. Police reported that they did not find a bomb in either location. It is not the first time that Wal-Mart has had bomb threats made against it. Police are continuing their investigation to find out who made such a prank call. Police consider this type of threat a high felony offense with serious consequences.
Attorney Assistance
If you are charged with making a bomb threat or giving false information about an explosive device, you are facing serious felony charges in South Carolina and require the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney. A South Carolina criminal defense attorney can help in presenting all the facts of your case. The attorney will also investigate whether your rights were violated during police interrogation, whether you were given your Miranda Rights, and whether the police conducted any illegal search and seizure during your arrest. The attorney may also be able to help get your charges reduced, dismissed, or obtain probation, community service or attending of anger management or violence prevention classes.
Sources:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/9145703/bomb_scare_temporarily_closes_area.html?cat=8
http://www.thetandd.com/news/opinion/article_aaee4316-f8ff-11e0-8baa-001cc4c03286.html#ixzz1dmevlsAp
http://www.judicial.state.sc.us/summaryCourtBenchBook/HTML/OffensesF.htm
http://www.carolinalive.com/news/story.aspx?id=685986
http://statutes.laws.com/south-carolina/title-1
Freed Inmate Hopes to Help Others
A man in Kansas City, Missouri, was recently released from prison and hopes that his case will help others who may be falsely imprisoned in the future.
The man was convicted in 1984 for a murder that occurred during a gas station shooting in St. Louis.
However, it was discovered that one of the key witnesses in the case lied about the convicted man’s involvement in the shooting.
Prisoner’s Innocence Proven
Darryl Burton, 46, was sentenced to life in prison with no chance for parole for 50 years and was released from the Jefferson City Correctional Center last Friday when he was proven innocent.
Burton was released when his case was sent back to trial and it was revealed that witness Claudex Simmons lied about seeing Burton shoot the victim who died.
Effort to Help Other Innocent Victims
Burton is now hoping that his case will better inform the general public about the wrong imprisonment of thousands of innocent victims throughout the country.
“I come to prison thinking that this is an isolated incident, I’m the only person this has ever happened to,” Burton said. “But it does happens in more cases than we know.”
(Source: The Associated Press)
Do you know someone who has been wrongly convicted of a crime? If so, please contact us today to speak with an experienced attorney who will evaluate the case and ensure your loved ones receive the legal compensation they need and deserve.
Ohio Man Freed After 18 Years in Prison
A man who spent 18 years behind bars was recently released after he was proven innocent of his charges.
The man was charged and jailed for allegedly raping a 10-year-old girl in Ohio.
Man Accused of Rape
Robert McClendon, 52, was convicted of taking a 10-year-old relative from her backyard, blindfolding her and taking her to his house before raping her.
The victim reportedly told staff members at a hospital about the rape the day after it happened.
DNA Proves Man’s Innocence
After 18 years in prison, a lab re-examined the case and discovered that the DNA profile didn’t match evidence found at the crime scene.
The DNA was re-evaluated when DNA Diagnostics Center, a lab from Cincinnati, agreed to conduct tests on the prisoners for free.
Authorities had reportedly thrown away swabs from the victim’s medical exam, which is typically the best evidence for testing in cases involving rape.
“To be in prison for 18 years for something you didn’t do and the know you are going to walk out of court a free man, that’s a lot to take in one day,” says McClendon.
(Source: New Haven Register)
Do you know someone who has been wrongly convicted of a crime? If so, please contact us to speak with an experienced attorney who will evaluate the case and ensure your loved ones are getting the legal support they need.
New Law in NC Favors Wrongly Convicted
A new law that was recently passed in North Carolina favors those who have been wrongly convicted throughout the state.
The new law will enable people who have been convicted and put behind bars for a crime they didn’t commit to receive more compensation.
Governor Backs Law
Governor Mike Easley reportedly signed the law earlier this week and has publicly voiced his support for the new measures being implemented.
The law will help increase the amount of money North Carolina can award people who have been wrongly convicted of crimes.
It will also help innocent victims be granted a pardon of innocence directly from the governor.
Innocent People Compensated
Under the new measure, those who have been proven innocent will receive $50,000 for each year they spent behind bars.
Before the new law was introduced, the wrongly convicted in North Carolina only received $20,000 for each year spent in prison.
The erroneously convicted will also receive jobs skills training or a college education at the expense of the government.
The new compensation law reportedly took effect immediately and will reportedly be enforced for anyone who has been declared innocent since 2004.
(Source: Fox)
Have you been wrongly jailed for a crime you didn’t commit? If so, please contact us today to speak with an experienced attorney who will enable you to be compensated for your time spent in jail.
Boston Man Files Suit Against City
A man who was wrongly convicted of a sexual assault crime and spent seven years as a registered sex offender, after being released from prison, was recently proved innocent.
The innocent victim is now filing a suit against the city for the ten years he wrongly spent behind bars.
Innocent Man Convicted
Guy Randolph, 50, was convicted of indecently assaulting a little girl and battery in 1991 and spent 10 years in jail for his supposed crimes.
After being released from jail and returning to his Hyde Park neighborhood, Randolph was registered as a convicted sex offender and the community branded him as an outcast.
Randolph and his mother were even told they weren’t allowed to be approved for public housing in the city.
Justice Served
In May, a Superior Court judge exonerated him after the district attorney’s office acknowledged his innocence.
His name was immediately taken off the Sex Offender Registry and the picture of him that hung in the Boston police station for years was finally removed.
Lawsuit Filed
Randolph has filed a suit against the city and is hoping to be compensated for all the time he lost while being in prison.
"I feel as though Guy deserves compensation" says his 74-year-old mother, who he lives with. "It’s owed to him. There are lots of things he missed out on."
(Source: The Boston Globe)
Have you or someone you know been accused of a crime you didn’t commit? If so, please contact us to speak with an experienced attorney who will evaluate your case and ensure that you receive the compensation you need and deserve.
