A recent US Supreme Court ruling has the potential to affect many people who have had vehicles searched by law enforcement, including at least one client of Skier & Associates. The Court in Collins v. Virginia held that the 4th Amendment’s “automobile exception” (which allows police to search an automobile…
Judges cannot allow juries to hear evidence that was obtained illegally or in violation of the 4th Amendment to the Constitution. A defense lawyer can file a “Motion to Suppress” evidence that he or she believes fits these categories. A Motion to Suppress Evidence can be a very powerful tool…
I recently became involved in a case in Federal Court in the Middle District of Alabama involving allegations that a client was part of a scheme to perform sub-standard physical examinations for Commercial Driver License holders and applicants. You can read about the case here. If you are unfortunate enough…
I am often asked by clients seeking Parole in Alabama what the entry on their Department of Corrections time sheet labeled “Parole Consideration Date” means. The answer isn’t as simple as it may appear. Basically this date is the date that the Department of Corrections (DOC) has estimated that the…
In the past few days, I have received a number of inquiries from people who have been or had a loved one denied parole or a pardon from the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles. These potential clients want to know how to appeal a ruling of the Pardon and…
A recent article got me thinking about the issue of prosecutorial misconduct and whether it has been an issue in my work. As a person who prosecuted cases for over 3 years, I take it as an affront when a prosecutor abuses his power. That person is nothing more than…
Is a police officer, without a warrant and uninvited, authorized under the Fourth Amendment to conduct a search of a vehicle parked near a residence? This is the issue the United States Supreme Court will decide next year in the case of Collins v. Virginia. I have a case in…
Restitution is an amount of money paid by someone convicted of a criminal offense. The purpose of restitution is to compensate a crime victim for actual losses incurred as a result of criminal activity. Importantly, restitution is not meant to compensate a crime victim for pain and suffering, hurt feelings,…
I have filed a Suppression Motion for a client based on a recent US Supreme Court decision, Rodriguez v. United States (2015.) The issue in Rodriguez is the extension of a routine traffic stop beyond the time necessary to write a traffic citation and what happens if incriminating evidence is…
Skier & Associates have had very encouraging recent success obtaining great results for clients before the Alabama Board of Pardons & Paroles. The last three pardon applicants we have represented have all been granted full pardons. Two of these clients were subject to the requirements of Alabama’s sex offender registration…