The prosecution attempted to have a witnesses testify by Skype in the high profile George Zimmerman trial, in which Zimmerman was accused of murdering Trayvon Martin. The United States Constitution and the New Mexico Constitution both ensure a criminal defendant the right to confront witnesses, which means witnesses must testify in open court and the […]
Injury and death caused by prescription errors
The Associated Press (AP) has reported that drug overdoses are one the rise for middle-aged women across the United States, with New Mexico having one of the highest rates of overdoses resting in death. New Mexico averages about 15-19 deaths per 100,000 people. The Center for Disease Control officials think more than 70 percent of […]
Choosing a personal injury lawyer
Choosing a personal injury lawyer should not be done on the basis of who has the most memorable billboard. Ron Bell, a very well advertised “billboard” lawyer in Albuquerque, New Mexico is now being sued by a former client. The Albuquerque Journal reports: “The personal injury law firm started by Interstate 25 advertising icon Ron […]
Criminal defense and cooperating with law enforcement
When a person accused of a crime chooses to cooperate with law enforcement, he or she should, above all else, be protected from criminal reprisal. Unfortunately the Whitey Bulger trial in Federal Court is proving that sometimes the law enforcement agents are corrupt and cannot be trusted to do what’s right to keep informants safe. […]
Criminal defendants have right to a public jury trial
The New Mexico Supreme Court recently ruled that, consistent with the constitutional requirement of public trials, a trial may only be closed when “an overriding interest based on findings that closure is essential to preserve higher values and is narrowly tailored to serve that interest.” See State v. Turrietta The Court found that closing a […]