Ring in the New Year Safely!

Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true.

-       Alfred, Lord Tennyson

As 2013 draws to a close, Connor & Connor Pllc would like to wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year.  New Years Eve is a time to celebrate. However, please be safe when celebrating and keep a few things in mind:

1.             You have a right to say “NO.”: If you are stopped by a police officer and they ask to search you or your car or your home, you can say “No.” You do not have to consent to a search.  It does not give a presumption of being guilty if you say “no.” Therefore, if you are pulled over or you are stopped, remember your right to say “no.” If you do not consent to the search, the officers have to get a search warrant, unless there are exigent circumstances such as the officer believes and individual’s safety is at risk.

Too often we are contacted by individuals who knew they had something in their trunk, but gave consent for the officers to search their trunk. Do not give consent. Even if you do not have anything illegal in your trunk or your house, you still do not have to give consent. So take a moment and think before you answer the question “May I search your ____.”

2.             You do not have to answer the officer’s questions.: It is your right to refuse to answer a question. If an officer is holding you, you do not have to answer the questions of the officer. Now sometimes, you may want to answer the officer’s question, for instance if he asks if you are a medical marijuana patient and you are, you may want to answer “yes” and show him your valid medical marijuana patient card. However, you do not have to answer the questions.

3.             You can request to speak with your attorney. If an officer is holding you or has arrested you, you can request to speak with your attorney. State very clearly, “I will not answer your questions until my attorney is present. My attorney is Connor & Connor Pllc and can be reached at 702-750-9139.”

Unfortunately, these rules won’t always keep you safe. Sometimes, officers use unjustified force or excessive force. Last New Year’s Eve such an incident occurred.  (Click here to learn more). If you have been the victim of excessive force, please contact Connor & Connor Pllc.

If you or a loved one have suffered excessive force at the hands of law enforcement, you may be entitled to compensation. Please do not hesitate to contact the attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc today.  The attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc are licensed to practice law before all Nevada state and federal courts. We serve clients from all socioeconomic segments of our community and we will fight to ensure that you receive compensation for your injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured, contact one of the attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc as soon as possible for a consultation.  Any delay could negatively affect your legal rights.  You may contact the firm through email at info@connorpllc.com or by phone at (702) 750-9139 or visit www.connorpllc.com. You may also visit the firm's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/ConnorConnorPllc.

Unwanted Anal Cavity Searches

Perhaps most colonoscopies are unwanted, but people should not be forced through traumatic anal cavity searches at the hands of local law enforcement without substantial probable cause. Yet, that is just what appears to have happened to multiple individuals.

As reported yesterday on the Las Vegas Criminal Defense Blog, a man has filed a lawsuit against law enforcement for violation of his civil rights because he was forced to undergo 8 separate and invasive anal cavity searches ranging from x-rays to colonoscopy because police claimed he was "clenching his buttocks." Now today it is being reported that another individual suffered a similar fate. For more information click here.

Every person has a right to not be subjected to excessive force by law enforcement. Police are there to protect the citizens; not to harm them. Certainly being forced to multiple invasive anal cavity searches is excessive force, but there are many other things that would qualify as well.

If you or a loved one have suffered excessive force at the hands of law enforcement, you may be entitled to compensation. Please do not hesitate to contact the attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc today.  The attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc are licensed to practice law before all Nevada state and federal courts. We serve clients from all socioeconomic segments of our community and we will fight to ensure that you receive compensation for your injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured, contact one of the attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc as soon as possible for a consultation.  Any delay could negatively affect your legal rights.  You may contact the firm through email at info@connorpllc.com or by phone at (702) 750-9139 or visit www.connorpllc.com. You may also visit the firm's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/ConnorConnorPllc.

Video Shows Alleged Police Brutality

A Chicago woman is suing the police department for nearby Skokie Village after she suffered serious facial injuries while in police custody. 

After being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence Mrs. Cassandra Feuerstein was taken to the local jail for booking. A video taken at the scene depicts Mrs. Feuerstein being led to the door of a jail cell just before she was violently shoved from behind by a uniformed officer. The male officer shoved Mrs. Feuerstein with such force that the 110 pound woman was flung completely across the cell and into the concrete bench. The video shows Mrs. Feuerstein's face striking the bench after which she is seen lying motionless on the ground for several seconds. When she raises her head blood is seen pouring from her face and pooling on the floor before officers return to assist her. Mrs. Feuerstein allegedly required facial reconstruction surgery for her injuries, including the installation of a metal plate in her head. The full video is available here (warning, the video is extremely graphic and viewer discretion is advised): 

Victims of police brutality and their families could be entitled to compensation for their injuries. If you or a loved one have been a victim of police brutality contact the attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc today for a consultation.  The attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc are licensed to practice law before all Nevada state and federal courts. We serve clients from all levels of our community and we will fight to ensure that you receive compensation for your injuries. You may contact the firm through email at info@connorpllc.com or by phone at (702) 750-9139 or visit www.connorpllc.com. You may also visit the firm's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/ConnorConnorPllc. 

How to Avoid Hiring a Bad Lawyer

When most people hear the words "personal injury attorney", the first image that jumps into their head is that of the sleazy ambulance chaser or the guy whose ad appears during every commercial break. Unfortunately, the public's perception of personal injury attorneys is largely negative and sadly that perception is not entirely unearned. In this article I will explore some of the ways people can make a more informed decision when looking to hire a lawyer. 

Volume Firms: 

We have all seen the lawyer whose face is plastered on every billboard within 50 square miles of the city, we have seen their annoying ads on tv and listened to their awful radio jingles that get stuck in your head for the rest of the day. Most personal injury attorneys who saturate their local market with their ads are what I refer to as "volume firms". Volume firms are law firms that operate by bringing in as many cases as they can. Their ads often offer promises of "a fast check" or "getting you all the money that you deserve". The problem with these firms is that they exist solely make money as quickly as possible. Consequently, I would avoid hiring a volume firm at all costs. 

To learn more tips about a personal injury case and hiring an attorney, click here. 

Las Vegas Police Appeal Wrongful Death Lawsuit

According to Fox 5 Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has appealed a federal judge's decision to allow the case to move forward after denying the Department's motion for summary judgment. The appeal will have the likely affect of delaying the trial for at least a year while the case moves to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, California. The plaintiff and her attorney describe the appeal as a delaying tactic by the Department in the hopes that they will simply give up their case, but the plaintiff and her attorney said they have no plans to drop their lawsuit. The full Fox 5 article is available here. 

The wrongful death lawsuit stems from an incident in September 2009 where former Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Officer Derek Colling shot and killed 15 year old Tanner Chamberlain as Tanner grasped his mother in a headlock while holding a knife. Tanner suffered from bipolar disorder and was having a bipolar episode at the time. Tanner's mother, Evie Oquendo, repeatedly shouted at Officer Colling begging him not to shoot her son, but Colling ignored her pleas and shot Tanner in the head, killing him instantly. Officer Colling who already had one fatal shooting prior to this incident was later fired from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department after severely beating a man for video taping officers in his yard. The video tape incident is available here:

The Department later recommended a $100,000.00 settlement to the man who former Officer Colling beat in the video. This lawsuit and several more like it come on the heels of several high profile incidents involving the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. The Department has been embroiled in numerous controversies where it has engaged in questionable shootings and used excessive force against arrestees or suspects.

If you would like to learn more about police brutality, click here. 

Victims of police brutality and their families could be entitled to compensation for their injuries. If you or a loved one have been a victim of police brutality please do not hesitate to contact the attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc today.  The attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc are licensed to practice law before all Nevada state and federal courts. We serve clients from all levels of our community and we will fight to ensure that you receive compensation for your injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured, contact one of the attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc as soon as possible for a consultation.  Any delay could negatively affect your legal rights.  You may contact the firm through email at info@connorpllc.com or by phone at (702) 750-9139 or visit www.connorpllc.com. You may also visit the firm's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/ConnorConnorPllc. 

25th Death in 2013

Today the man accused of driving under the influence and causing the death of a 15-year-old boy went to court. Arturo Castillo appeared in court and denied being under the influence when a deadly crash occurred on Saturday. Robert Brown, age 15, was a passenger of Castillo's and was killed in the crash that occurred near Rainbow and Lake Mead. Unfortunately, Mr. Brown's death was the 25th death in Metro's jurisdiction in 2013.

According to the KSNV My News3, bail was set at $250,000. The prosecution requested five additional days to prepare the complaint against Mr. Castillo. Mr. Castillo denies being under the influence but the police report indicates that he admitted to smoking marijuana and drinking beers. He also allegedly failed a field sobriety test and preliminary breathalyzer.

While Mr. Castillo will face criminal charges, he may also face a civil lawsuit by the family of Robert Brown for wrongful death. People or families that have suffered injuries or loss of a family member due to the fault or bad acts of another may be entitled to compensation.

If you or a loved one have been injured, you may be entitled to compensation. Please do not hesitate to contact the attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc today.  The attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc are licensed to practice law before all Nevada state and federal courts. We serve clients from all socioeconomic segments of our community and we will fight to ensure that you receive compensation for your injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured, contact one of the attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc as soon as possible for a consultation.  Any delay could negatively affect your legal rights.  You may contact the firm through email at info@connorpllc.com or by phone at (702) 750-9139 or visit www.connorpllc.com. You may also visit the firm's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/ConnorConnorPllc.

7 Year Old Seriously Injured When Hit By Truck

A 7 year old boy was hit by a truck today in North Las Vegas. According to NBC My News 3, the boy ran between two cars and then into the street. He was struck by a truck. According to police the truck was not speeding.

Image from NBC My New 3

The boy has been rushed to University Medical Center. At this time, the driver is not expected to face charges. 

If you or a loved one have been injured, you may be entitled to compensation. Please do not hesitate to contact the attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc today.  The attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc are licensed to practice law before all Nevada state and federal courts. We serve clients from all socioeconomic segments of our community and we will fight to ensure that you receive compensation for your injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured, contact one of the attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc as soon as possible for a consultation.  Any delay could negatively affect your legal rights.  You may contact the firm through email at info@connorpllc.com or by phone at (702) 750-9139 or visit www.connorpllc.com. You may also visit the firm's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/ConnorConnorPllc.

CDC Issues New Warning Regarding Meningitis Outbreak

This week the Center for Disease Control issued a new warning regarding the meningitis outbreak that occurred approximately six months ago when the New England Compounding Center (NECC) shipped thousands of steroids contaminated with fungus. The issue is that the fungus is slow growing and thousands of patients who were previously cleared are now becoming ill.

14,000 individuals were infected with the tainted steroids. Thousands of those were cleared in October 2012 but now many of those individuals are turning up sick. Thus, the CDC issued a warning that individuals who were previously cleared should again be checked.

Sixty Minutes is airing a special regarding the distribution of these tainted drugs. NECC was able to distribute the drugs without oversight from the Food and Drug Administration because it was a compounding pharmacy. This means that it was supposed to create the drugs for an individual and not mass produce medicines. However, in this special, an employee reveals that NECC was distributing medicines to hospitals and clinics knowing that the lists of names were fraudulent because they contained such names as "Homer Simpson" or "Jane Doe."

48 individuals have lost their lives due to the tainted drug. Over 700 individuals have become ill and are suffering great pain in trying to fight the meningitis.

The attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc are licensed to practice law before all Nevada state and federal courts. We served clients from all socioeconomic segments of our community and we will fight to ensure that you receive compensation for your injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured by a bad drug, contact one of the attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc as soon as possible for a consultation. You may contact the firm through email at info@connorpllc.com or by phone at (702) 750-9139 or visit www.connorpllc.com. You may also visit the firm's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/ConnorConnorPllc.

Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Las Vegas?

According to the Las Vegas Sun, Senator Tick Segerblom (D - Las Vegas) wants Nevada to authorize medical marijuana dispensaries and he has developed a plan.

Currently there are approximately 3,600 medical marijuana permit holders. However, there is no legal manner in which these permit holders can purchase marijuana.

Senator Segerblom proposes for-profit dispensaries that would be strictly regulated. The Senator's plan was laid out after the Senate Judiciary hearing in which the legal ambiguity surrounding the state's constitutional provisions allowing for medical marijuana was addressed.

Currently the medical marijuana laws are being considered in an ongoing case. However, currently there is an ambiguous situation in which the law permits medical marijuana permit holders to possess marijuana but does not allow them to cultivate or purchase it. Thus, Senator Segerblom's plan attempts to address this uncertainty or ambiguity.

Steve Yeager of the Office of the Public Defender for Clark County stated, "It puts people in an absurd position where people have this right but no realistic way to really exercise it."

Other states around the nation have approved the use of medical marijuana and dispensaries for the drug. These include Colorado, Arizona, California, Oregon, and Washington. However, under federal law the use or possession of marijuana is illegal.

Please do not hesitate to contact the attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc today.  The attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc are licensed to practice law before all Nevada state and federal courts. We serve clients from all socioeconomic segments of our community and we will fight for you. If you or a loved one has been injured or if you have pending criminal charges, contact one of the attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc as soon as possible for a consultation.  Any delay could negatively affect your legal rights.  You may contact the firm through email at info@connorpllc.com or by phone at (702) 750-9139 or visit www.connorpllc.com. You may also visit the firm's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/ConnorConnorPllc.