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Most people do not expect the Federal government to seize their property. Yet in Federal asset forfeiture cases, that is exa
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Read MoreForensic evidence can often play a significant role in determining a person’s guilt or innocence in criminal cases. Ho
Read MoreFor years in Harris County, Texas, indigent defendants were systematically denied personal recognizance bonds. As they were
Read MoreIf you or a loved one is charged in a Federal criminal case, it can be an incredibly challenging and stressful time. We alwa
Read MoreMost people do not expect the Federal government to seize their property. Yet in Federal asset forfeiture cases, that is exa
Read MoreFamily violence charges are severe. The consequences can be long-term. If you are charged with a misdemeanor or felony famil
Read MoreForensic evidence can often play a significant role in determining a person’s guilt or innocence in criminal cases. Ho
Read MoreFor years in Harris County, Texas, indigent defendants were systematically denied personal recognizance bonds. As they were
Read MoreIf you or a loved one is charged in a Federal criminal case, it can be an incredibly challenging and stressful time. We alwa
Read MoreMost people do not expect the Federal government to seize their property. Yet in Federal asset forfeiture cases, that is exa
Read MoreFamily violence charges are severe. The consequences can be long-term. If you are charged with a misdemeanor or felony famil
Read MorePosted by: Robert Fickman
Category: The Meaning of America by Robb Fickman
Friends- How we treat juveniles in this system is as disgraceful as anything I have ever seen.
It is one thing to provide ineffective assistance of counsel to adults. It is an entirely different and more odious thing to provide ineffective assistance of counsel to Children. I will defer to the reader to opine whether any children in Harris County were likely to have recieved ineffective assistance of counsel in 2012 based on the Auditors Statistics. I thank my colleague, lawyer and civil rights advocate Randall Kallinen, for obtaining and sharing the Auditor’s Statisticswith me. The link to the statistics is below.
The National Advisory Commission on Criminal Justice Standards and Goals recommends no more than 200 juvenile cases a year. In 2012 the Harris County Auditors Records show that at least 5 lawyers handled over 200 juvenile appointed cases. This does not include their other appointed cases or their retained cases. The lawyers and their reported appointed Juvenile cases for 2012 are as follows:
Geraldo G. Acosta 284 Juvenile cases, handled in 291 days;
Jerry Michael Acosta 301 Juvenile cases
Michelle Bush 282 Juvenile cases
Oliver W. Sprott Jr. 255 Juvenile cases
Mark A. Castillo 229 Juvenile cases
Query: Mr. Geraldo Acosta, how do you handle 284 juvenile cases in 291 days? I think we all know, but I would be happy to publish your answer.
Robb Fickman, Houston
2012 Juvenile records
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0By1E7SWXMpKnZng1QWs0OTN4ZVE/edit
Full Disclosure: Windi Akins is one of my 8 office-mates. She was paid $64K for one case. That was a murder caseinvolving a girl whose father was sexually abusing her. The child shot her father in the back. Windi worked on the case for 3 years. Motions took 2 weeks. Trial lasted 4 1/2 weeks. Windi won the case. Windi won HCCLA s 2012 Lawyer of the Year Award for her outstanding work on this case.
The client, a Houston area medical assistant, was accused by her estranged husband of assaulting her in her family home. The defense showed that the complainant had a history of alcohol abuse and violence. The defense demonstrated that the police failed to conduct an adequate investigation of the initial charge, No charges should have ever been accepted.
The client believed to be facing potential Wire Fraud Charges related to SBA PPP loan applications. Investigation of applications for PPP loans and PPP forgiveness demonstrated that the Client had at all times acted in a lawful manner. Investigation demonstrated no fraud was committed by the client. Case closed.
Client was charged by Federal Indictment with making a social media post that threatened Malicious Damage and Destruction of a Building by Means of Fire and Explosives in violation of Federal law. The Defense showed that Client was a law-abiding citizen. The Defense further showed that the alleged threat was not made with any criminal intent.
The client, a public official with a long history of public service, was accused by a former girlfriend of engaging in non-consensual sexual relations. The Defense investigation and analysis showed through a detailed timeline that the allegation made absolutely no sense. Phone records, including calls and texts, were relied on to help establish an accurate timeline. The Defense met with law enforcement and reviewed a detailed package that exonerated the accused.
The client, a young Black male, was driving his car when police pulled him over for no apparent reason. It looked to be a profile stop. The client was accused of possessing a controlled substance in his vehicle. The Defense showed that there was no lawful basis for the police to stop the Client’s car. The Defense also showed that there was no lawful basis for the search of the Client’s car. It was a bad search, so the seized evidence was not admissible.
Client charged in Federal Indictment In “Operation Wrecking Ball” with 55 named co-defendants. Client faced seven charges. Client was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Conspiracy to Engage in Money Laundering. Client was also charged with four counts of Distribution of Cocaine and one count of Money laundering.
Allegations involved client’s alleged use of his home to distribute cocaine. Government’s lengthy investigation involved numerous wiretaps, surveillance, video, pole cams, search warrants, vehicle stops and use of cooperating co-defendants.
Client went to trial with four remaining defendants. After a two-week trial, Judge granted Motion for Acquittal on four of the seven charges. Jury found Client Not Guilty of remaining three charges.
Client charged in Federal Court with two counts of Wire Fraud related to Five SBA EIDL loan applications. The Government alleged the client, a Houston professional, defrauded the Small Business Administration out of over $150,000. The Government also found the intended loss was over half a million dollars. The Client faced up to 20 years in prison on each count. The Defense investigated the case and negotiated a deal that included the Government not opposing a probation. The Federal Guideline calculation was for a prison sentence and the Probation Department recommended a prison sentence. Attorney Fickman submitted a 90 page Defense Sentencing Memorandum asking for Probation.
The client, a Houston area medical assistant, was accused by her estranged husband of assaulting her in her family home. The defense showed that the complainant had a history of alcohol abuse and violence. The defense demonstrated that the police failed to conduct an adequate investigation of the initial charge, No charges should have ever been accepted.
The client believed to be facing potential Wire Fraud Charges related to SBA PPP loan applications. Investigation of applications for PPP loans and PPP forgiveness demonstrated that the Client had at all times acted in a lawful manner. Investigation demonstrated no fraud was committed by the client. Case closed.
Client was charged by Federal Indictment with making a social media post that threatened Malicious Damage and Destruction of a Building by Means of Fire and Explosives in violation of Federal law. The Defense showed that Client was a law-abiding citizen. The Defense further showed that the alleged threat was not made with any criminal intent.
The client, a public official with a long history of public service, was accused by a former girlfriend of engaging in non-consensual sexual relations. The Defense investigation and analysis showed through a detailed timeline that the allegation made absolutely no sense. Phone records, including calls and texts, were relied on to help establish an accurate timeline. The Defense met with law enforcement and reviewed a detailed package that exonerated the accused.
The client, a young Black male, was driving his car when police pulled him over for no apparent reason. It looked to be a profile stop. The client was accused of possessing a controlled substance in his vehicle. The Defense showed that there was no lawful basis for the police to stop the Client’s car. The Defense also showed that there was no lawful basis for the search of the Client’s car. It was a bad search, so the seized evidence was not admissible.
Client charged in Federal Indictment In “Operation Wrecking Ball” with 55 named co-defendants. Client faced seven charges. Client was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Conspiracy to Engage in Money Laundering. Client was also charged with four counts of Distribution of Cocaine and one count of Money laundering.
Allegations involved client’s alleged use of his home to distribute cocaine. Government’s lengthy investigation involved numerous wiretaps, surveillance, video, pole cams, search warrants, vehicle stops and use of cooperating co-defendants.
Client went to trial with four remaining defendants. After a two-week trial, Judge granted Motion for Acquittal on four of the seven charges. Jury found Client Not Guilty of remaining three charges.
Client charged in Federal Court with two counts of Wire Fraud related to Five SBA EIDL loan applications. The Government alleged the client, a Houston professional, defrauded the Small Business Administration out of over $150,000. The Government also found the intended loss was over half a million dollars. The Client faced up to 20 years in prison on each count. The Defense investigated the case and negotiated a deal that included the Government not opposing a probation. The Federal Guideline calculation was for a prison sentence and the Probation Department recommended a prison sentence. Attorney Fickman submitted a 90 page Defense Sentencing Memorandum asking for Probation.
Forensic evidence can often play a significant role in determining a person’s guilt or innocence in criminal cases. However, forensic evidence is not infallible and can sometimes be challenged.
In Houston, years ago, the Houston Police Department came under critical …
For years in Harris County, Texas, indigent defendants were systematically denied personal recognizance bonds.
As they were indigent, they could not afford to hire a bondsman. As they were systematically denied PR bonds, they remained in jail.
Ultimately, this led …
If you or a loved one is charged in a Federal criminal case, it can be an incredibly challenging and stressful time. We always fight and try to find a way to win the case. Nevertheless, after weighing the evidence, …
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