Defense lawyers give $10K to NM group backing independent public defender ballot proposal

Defense lawyers give $10K to NM group backing independent public defender ballot proposal

Source: Associated Press

University of Alabama Ranked Best Value Law School

In its September 2012 issue, the National Jurist has ranked the University of Alabama as the best value law school due to its 95.95 percent bar passage rate, weighted employment rate of 90 percent, and tuition cost of $18,030. Read here for more information.

Miller v. Alabama

Miller v. Alabama (No. 10-9646) and Jackson v. Hobbs (10-9647), argued separately on March 20, 2012, decided on June 25, 2012.

Issue: Whether an imposition of a life-without-parole sentence on a 14-year-old child convicted of homicide violate the Eighth Amendments’ prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment?

Holding: A sentencing scheme that mandates a life imprisonment sentence without the possibility of parole for juvenile homicide offenders violates the Eighth Amendment. Read the Court's opinion here.

Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Emanuel Cleaver II releases statement on Texas v. Holder

On Thursday, August 30th, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued its ruling in Texas v. Holder and in response Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chairman Emanuel Cleaver II said,

“Attacks on our Constitutional right to vote are underway in states across the country and today’s decision by a federal court proves these efforts can be challenged and defeated. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 guaranteed that every eligible voter in America would not be turned away from the ballot box, and blatantly discriminatory laws cannot be allowed to stand. Attempts to disenfranchise millions of voters, particularly those from African American, Asian and Latino communities must be stopped.”

Chairman Cleaver is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Missouri’s 5th district. However, in this case, the state of Texas filed a motion for declaratory judgment after United States Attorney General Eric Holder issued an objection to its Senate Bill (SB) 14 preclearance on March 12, 2012. In 2011, Governor Rick Perry signed SB 14 into law but it is yet to be effective because under section 5 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965, the state is required to obtain preclearance from the U.S. Attorney General or a three-judge panel prior to executing changes to its voter registration laws. Under section 5 of the VRA, states with a history of discriminatory voting practices are required to obtain preclearance from the U.S. Attorney General or from a federal district court in Washington, D.C. If SB 14 were implemented, any Texan voter who votes in person would be required to present photo identification prior to receiving a ballot. Holder claimed that this newly created law had a retrogressive impact on minorities. Further, under section 5, the burden of proof was upon Texas to show that its restrictive voting law changes did not have a retrogressive affect upon minorities. However, the federal judges thought differently and concluded that Texas had failed to show that SB 14 would not have a disproportionate impact upon minorities, including African Americans and Latinos.

Voter id laws have ignited a heated debate in American politics. In actual fact, in 2011 a few states, such as Wisconsin, Mississippi, Rhode Island and Kansas passed new voter identification laws. However in states such as Missouri, Montana, North Carolina and New Hampshire, legislation aimed at requiring voters to present proof of identity before voting was vetoed by their respective Governors. Also, in 2011, states such as Texas and South Carolina passed stricter voter id laws and several civil rights organizations, civic groups and other advocates from across the country argue that these laws are retrogressive in nature since a majority of those who will be harmed under these kinds of laws includes minorities, elderly and disabled individuals. According to studies issued by the Brennan Center For Justice, populations who would receive adverse treatment under new restrictive voting laws includes the 11 percent of eligible voters who are unable to obtain photo identification, including free government issued identification because of various factors such as having access to a vehicle, limited ID-issuing agency business hours and living more than 10 miles from a state issuing ID agency.

Nevertheless, proponents of voter id laws argue that these laws are necessary to prevent fraud or impersonation. The CBC was established in 1971 and since this time has lead the fight in protecting the voting rights of underrepresented people in this country and the provisions of the VRA. It has sponsored and co-sponsored legislation that guarantees all American citizens have the opportunity to vote.

To learn more information about the CBC and its role in protecting the voting rights of Americans, you can visit their website at http://thecongressionalblackcaucus.com.

Also, the Brennan Center For Justice has issued several in depth studies relating to voter id laws and is available on its website, in addition to its legal advocacy role in voter rights court cases.

President Obama's Weekly Address

President Obama's Weekly Address (09/15/12)


 President Obama's Weekly Address (09/01/12)


President Obama marks the second anniversary of the end of our combat mission in Iraq by honoring our nation’s extraordinary servicemen and women.



President Obama's Weekly Address (08/25/12)
In his weekly address, President Obama speaks to the American people about the critical need to strengthen and preserve Medicare for our country's seniors and future generations.

The Drug Pradaxa Linked to Fatal Bleeding

Blood thinners such as Pradaxa and Warfarin, which is generally known by its brand name, Coumadin, are prescribed to prevent blood clots. Here is a recent article describing how the anticoagulant drug, Pradaxa has been linked to fatal bleeding:

Pradaxa Linked to Fatal Bleeding

Motor Club of America Total Security Package

Unfortunately, motor vehicle accidents do occur, and in many instances, people are seriously hurt or injured and require medical treatment at the emergency room, trauma center or hospitalization. Insurance companies generally offer medical benefits and property damage coverage to pay for costs associated with a car accident, but up to a certain dollar limit. In some states, medical coverage is a requirement. With increasing costs of medical care and vehicle repairs several individuals often find out they do not have enough coverage to pay for medical costs, or damage to property outside of their policy coverage and usually encounter an overwhelming financial burden. 

What to do if your auto insurance policy benefits are not enough to pay for medical costs or property damage.

You should join an established motor club such as the Motor Club of America, which is commonly known as MCA. For 86 years, MCA has been protecting drivers and non drivers in the United States and Canada with products and services who find themselves in a difficult situation. When you enroll as a member in MCA's Total Security package, you will be able to obtain many benefits among which include nationwide emergency roadside services 24/7 "Sign & Go"Towing  Service With Towing Up To 100 Miles To The Destination of YOUR CHOICE or Call The Provider of YOUR CHOICE For Up To $100.00, up to $500 in emergency cash paid directly to you for costs associated with emergency room treatment for injuries covered in a motor vehicle accident, receive $150 per day up to one year for vehicle accident related injuries that requires hospitalization,  and in the event of your death due to a vehicle accident, your estate will receive a $10,000 Accidental Death benefit.

Additional Benefits of the MCA Total Security Package and Cost 

The MCA Total Security package offers so many great benefits to cover you or a family member for most kinds of motor vehicle emergency situations for only $19.95 per month. You never have to worry about not speaking to someone because as a MCA member you will be provided with a toll free number to call 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Under the Total Security Package, members receive:

• Emergency road side service 24 hours a day – if you have children you can put themon the plan as well.  If you don’t want to be broken down on the side of the road,you certainly don’t want your children broken down there either.  So you want to have this for them also.
• Emergency road side assistance for your boat trailer, your RV, your motorcycle, your duley, and your livestock trailer.
• $500 travel interruption assistance if you’re involved in an accident more than 50 miles from home, which can also be used towards the cost of a car rental for an accident. 
• Trip planning.
• $25,000 bail bond service in the event you are arrested for a covered moving traffic violation, including negligent homicide or vehicular manslaughter.
• $2000 to pay for attorney fees to defend you in a criminal proceeding  if you are charged with one of the 100 covered moving violations, including vehicle manslaughter or negligent homicide with a vehicle.
• $500 stolen vehicle reward.
• $1000 credit card protection.
• $500 in reward if anything happens to your farm equipment.
• Prescription drug, vision and dental discounts.
• $500 for emergency room benefits and over $54,000 in covered hospital benefits.
• $10,000 accidental death benefit.

How to Enroll and for more information

If you are like me who recognizes the value of these benefits, wanted the additional protection and decided to become a member, you can also enroll to become a MCA member today to get your Total Security Package started.  You can visit my website by clicking here to enroll, or to obtain further information. You can also contact me at 314-723-5633 to speak with me by telephone. 

Please be advised THIS IS NOT AN AUTOMOBILE LIABILITY INSURANCE CONTRACT AND DOES NOT COMPLY WITH ANY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAW! 

Also contact me about getting started as a Work From Home MCA Associate! Low Start Up Cost!