The Orange County, California, “Kelly Thomas” case involves several police officers being charged with crimes for allegedly assaulting and killing Kelly Thomas. The key question being looked at this week during the preliminary hearing is whether or not the officers were justified in their conduct and whether or not there is sufficient evidence to prosecute the officers in the criminal case. [update- Judge found sufficient evidence and officers will be prosecuted]

Below is the unedited video of the incident. You decide.

According to the Orange County Register Newspaper (good link of Kelly Thomas resources/updates…), the videotape, shown in public for the first time during the preliminary hearing Monday, showed an escalating situation that abruptly became violent when Ramos (police officer) put on rubber gloves and said, “Now, you see my fists? … They’re getting ready to f— you up … if you don’t start f—– listening.”

Within moments, Ramos and another officer strike Thomas with a baton before taking him to the ground, according to the video, and land on him as he begins screaming “I’m sorry dude! … I’m sorry! … I can’t breathe, dude … I can’t breathe, sir! Please, help!” and later “Help, Dad! Dad! Help me, Dad!”

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Join us live on Spreecast (Monday, May 14, 2012 at 11 a.m. PDT) to discuss the Kelly Thomas case in more detail (live video discussion). If you are unable to participate in the live “real-time” Spreecast, please use this same link to watch the recorded discussion at your leisure…

http://www.spreecast.com/events/kelly-thomas-case

– Martina Vigil (Orange County Criminal Defense Attorney)

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To read testimonials from other lawyers (like this one), click here…

“Mitch is one of those attorneys who has it all-talent and skill, compassion for his clients, and the ability to communicate well with anyone he meets. This is one of the best combinations for a trial attorney and he is one of the best.”

–Joyce J. Sweinberg (Personal Injury attorney practicing out of Langhorne PA)

Here is the California Auto Body Repair Consumer Bill of Rights that should help answer most of your questions. Phone numbers and links are also provided. If you still have questions, feel free to call.

A Consumer is entitled to:

1. Select the auto body repair shop to repair auto body damage covered by the insurance company. An insurance company shall not require the repairs to be done at a specific auto body repair shop.

2. An itemized written estimate for auto body repairs and upon completion of repairs, a detailed invoice. The estimate and the invoice must include an itemized list of parts and labor along with the total price for the work performed. The estimate and invoice must also identify all parts as new, used, aftermarket, reconditioned or rebuilt.

3. Be informed about coverage for towing and storage services.

4. Be informed about the extent of coverage if any, for a replacement rental vehicle while a damaged vehicle is being repaired.

5. Be informed of where to report suspected fraud or other complaints and concerns about auto body repairs.

6. Seek and obtain an independent repair estimate directly from a registered auto body repair shop for repair of a damaged vehicle, even when pursuing an insurance claim for repairing the vehicle.

Complaints within the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Automotive Repair

Complaints concerning the repair of a vehicle by an auto body repair shop should be directed to:

Toll Free (866) 799-3811
California Department of Consumer Affairs/Bureau of Automotive Repair
10240 Systems Parkway
Sacramento, CA 95827
Complaints are also accepted at the Bureau of Automotive Repair web site.

Complaints within the jurisdiction of the California Insurance Commissioner

Any concerns regarding how an auto insurance claim is being handled should be submitted to the California Department of Insurance at:
(800) 927-HELP or (213) 897-8921
California Department of Insurance
Consumer Services Division
300 S. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Complaints are also accepted at the California Department of Insurance web site.

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And here’s one of our prior blog post with written instructions and a video…

Click here to read the article!

Jurors in California may want to leave their smartphones at home thanks to a new law passed earlier this year that bans jurors from accessing Twitter, Facebook or going online to receive or provide information about the trial.

“Non-sequestered jurors are exposed to more information in today’s world,” says Mitch Jackson, a partner at Jackson & Wilson. “In the old days, all they needed to do was avoid listening to the radio, reading the newspaper or watching a couple of channels on the television. Today, jurors are exposed to an incredible amount of information simply via the homepage on their computer.” More on California’s new law, Mitch’s comments and the entire article here…

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Several other interviews…

What makes us different…

Defective Firestone tires on Ford Explorers took the lives of at least 271 people and seriously injured many more before the companies issued the largest tire recall in history. Internal company documents would later show that the two corporations had known of the deadly tire separation and associated rollover problems for years but had done everything they could to hide it. They were undeterred by federal regulators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which only had the power to impose a maximum fine of $925,000.

It was through the civil justice system that Donna Bailey was able to obtain some measure of justice. As part of her settlement, Ford agreed to release internal documents about the tire and rollover problems, and executives visited her to personally apologize.

Thanks to cases like that of Donna Bailey, the civil justice system publicly highlighted the problem and forced the companies and regulators to take action.