What Ever Happened to the Occupy Movement?

Occupy Wall Street Aftermath

When the protest movement known as Occupy Wall Street began, the demonstrators gathered in New York City’s financial district to voice their displeasure with what they perceived as unequal economics and social corruption. Proclaiming themselves to be the 99 percent, a term coined for the group’s image as the American majority, the protestors congregated in Zuccotti Park on September 17, 2011. This was the first of several similar demonstrations held in financial districts, public parks, and college campuses across the nation.

Ex-Lions Receiver Arrested in San Clemente

What appears to be a tragic downward spiral, Titus Young (formerly of the Lions) was arrested in San Clemente for Burglary, Resisting Arrest, and Assault on an Officer -- his third arrest in single week. Orange County Sheriff's Department responded late Friday night to a suspect supposedly inside a residence. When deputies arrived to the scene they had eventually found Young outside the residence attempting to flee on foot. After a brief struggle Young was finally detained. He was later booked on $75,000 bail on the charges mentioned above....

How Racial Profiling Leads to Civil Rights Violations

“I’m a scholar, not a criminal”–reads the UsChangeMovement

Many students and citizens are enraged by what has occurred at the USC campus on friday where 79 police officers responded to a racially diverse house party of USC students. What resulted was a handful of arrests as well as allegations of excessive force (some of which was prudently recorded by witnesses). What appears most shocking of the entire event, however, is that a predominantly white house party was going on just across the street–with little or no disturbance. Reports have suggested that the manner in which the two houses were treated was shameful.

High Ranking OC Officer Destroys Evidence After Learning of Man’s Suicide in Jail

It is with deep regret that a bad apple has once again tainted the honor and integrity of the hardworking men and women within the Fullerton Police Department.

On November 1, a former Fullerton corporal plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of destroying evidence and another misdemeanor for vandalism. He was charged for smashing the only audio recording of his arrest of a man for suspicion of DUI–only to have that man tragically take his own life in jail after he was booked.

Preserving Your Rights During a Protest or Riot

Like many cities across the country from time to time, an important protest suddenly erupts into a riot and the usual appears: a wave of uploaded videos and photos from cell phones into countless social media arenas.

Unfortunately, many people don’t prepare for the chaos that happens at these violent encounters. Phones get destroyed, confiscated, lost, and in some cases tampered with so that evidence can never be used.

The following is a compilation of what you can do to minimize damage to your phone, protect yourself from injury, and preserve your own constitutional rights at a protest when the heat gets hot.

Can Police Search Your Cell Phone Texts???

In a case that began in the Superior Court of San Mateo, police officers seized and searched the cell phone that belonged to a defendant after executing a search warrant for his home. By the way, the search warrant never listed cell phones as items that can be seized.

Supreme Court to Review Police Misconduct Tazing

Malaika Brooks was seven-months pregnant and with her 11 year old son in the car when whe was pulled over for speeding one day in 2004.

The two Seattle police officers who had pulled her over cited her for driving 32 mph in a 20 mph zone. Although she accepted the ticket once handed to her, she did not want to sign it because she had incorrectly believed it would have been an admissin of guilt had she done so.

Journalist Arrested During Occupy Wall Street Acquitted

The case against a local journalist that had been involved in one of the Occupy Wall Street (OCW) arrests had his case dismissed on Tuesday after Judge Sciarrino found him not guilty of disorderly conduct.

Social Media for Lawyers & Avoiding Ethical Pitfalls: Seminar Success

I would like to thank Chapman University School of Law for their hospitality and their gracious assistance in last week’s MCLE on Social Media advertising and ethics seminar.

Kelly Thomas Case Preliminary Hearing

The two officers who have been charged by the Orange County District Attorney’s office for the killing of Kelly Thomas, a mentally ill homeless man, have completed their preliminary hearing after three days of testimony.