Apr 22, 2014 | Uncategorized
Disclaimer: The following is my personal rant, not that of my firm, partner, family or anyone else.
As many of you know the person who hit and killed my sister in law while she was riding her bike is contesting the traffic tickets she received. last Thursday we along with about 100 people showed up to show support for my brother in law and his family. The trial was continued based upon the representation of the Def. attorney that one of the witnesses feared for his safety. There was no evidence produced, the attorney did not testify as to claims and the witness was not present to testify as to the supposed fear. Based upon these claims the judge granted a postponement. There were 3 other witnesses in the court room (2 police officers and another independent witness who stopped following the crash) who apparently felt no such fear.
The defense attorney is running for state’s attorney in Maryland and he posted his version of what occurred on his Facebook page (which I have set out in part below along with my comments in bold). I wonder if his platform includes if you are scared to testify I will let you slide and we will not prosecute anyone just forgive them.
“The Whitney DeCesaris trial involving the bicyclist fatality was indeed postponed yesterday; however, it was solely caused by the palpable anger in the room exhibited by certain persons in the cycling community, which intimidated a key witness in this case, causing him/her to fear for his/her safety.”
There was no anger in the courtroom, in fact it was probably one of the quietest I have seen in my almost 30 years of trying cases across the country. The intimidated “key witness” is identified by Mr. Simmons (the Defense attorney) in his post. There was no evidence that he was intimidated other than comments made to the Court by the defense attorney supposedly as an officer of the Court. I say supposedly because the term “palpable anger” describing the room must have been another room. If it were as he suggests the Judge would have taken steps to clear the Courtroom, she did not. The judge would have requested the bailiff to instruct the gallery to quiet down or be removed, she did not (probably because there was no anger and no one speaking). There was a comment made by Mr. Simmons that the witness heard people yelling his name. That is true. It was Mr. Simmons calling to see if he were present. So we have a representation by Mr. Simmons that a witness feared for his safety.
“However, when certain forces are at work to disrupt the process by threatening and intimidating witnesses, parties, and officers of the court, this system of justice becomes just like every other system of injustice in the world today.”
Apparently the palpable anger in the courtroom escalated to “forces at work to disrupt the process by threatening and intimidating” not only witnesses (actually only one if you believe Mr. Simmons to the entire system. I am surprised the SWAT and riot squads were not called out to quell this uprising in traffic court.
“This tragic event has brought two families together in the most horrible of circumstances. Mrs. DeCesaris, a nurse, stopped and immediately rendered care to Mrs. Cunningham, assisting Dr. Richard Garden with CPR. Dr. Garden took charge of her care while Mrs. DeCesaris administered mouth to mouth and attempted to manage Mrs. Cunningham’s bleeding until emergency services arrived. Dr. Garden and Mrs. DeCesaris were the only people who engaged, doing all they could to save Mrs. Cunningham’s life. Assuming for just a second, that this accident was not preventable, has anyone thanked Mrs. DeCesaris for trying to save Mrs. Cunningham’s life? Plenty have demonized her. Dr. Garden for his good deed has been intimidated by the some cycling advocates, because his testimony supports the premises that this accident was not preventable. Has anyone ever said thank you to Dr. Garden?”
Mrs. DeCesaris would never have needed to render care to Mrs. Cunningham had she not struck her bicycle from behind. How would you propose the thank you be worded Mr. Simmons? As to Dr. Garden (whom I never mentioned by name but you for whatever reason felt compelled to put his name out for all to see – a witness whom you claim was threatened ) I have actually spoken to him on two occasions and thanked him for all he tried to do and told him the family thanked him as well.
“Regardless of what history will ultimately reveal to us about this incident, one thing is sure: healing only begins with forgiveness. Without forgiveness, there can be no peace. Forgiveness is indeed for the forgiver and not the person receiving it.”
Forgiveness is generally the result of someone asking to be forgiven not where the person continues to blame everyone (anyone) else for their actions. With that said, I have forgiven her, but that does not mean she should not be held responsible for her actions in as anyone else.
I am sure it is just a coincidence that the delay will probably push the trial past your primary election for State’s Attorney, but look on the bright side, if you don’t make it in politics you can always become a fiction writer.
Mar 25, 2014 | Uncategorized
Frivolous lawsuits aren’t always the result of suits being filed, but often times are due to the defense of claims and it isn’t just in civil cases. This is a long blog and I apologize but I think the background is important. Let me start today and go back (with jumps around as I am prone to do).
I have experienced this personally as an attorney in cases. One happened when a driver was passing when unsafe hits a car head on and kills the other driver. The Defendant denies it was his fault and makes the family file a lawsuit to recover their damages. Jump ahead to trial and jury returns a judgment against the driver and company and they appeal – so the case continues. Did the Defendant have a right to deny the claim and force the family to go through a long trial and now appeal when all the evidence was that he caused the wreck? Sure. Should he have done so and put the family through the additional pain of a trial is the real question.
I have now experienced it on a personal level as well in a criminal (really just traffic tickets) case as set out below. The question again is just because you can deny and defend a claim should you? Just because you have a right does not mean you do not have choice not to exercise that right to prevent more harm.
Today I was supposed to be in Maryland to attend a traffic ticket trial. The trial was related to the woman who hit and killed my sister in law on August 21, 2013. Trish’s daughter Morgan started a petition at https://change.org/petitions/richard-a-simmons-whitney-decesaris-reconsider-contesting-whitney-decesaris-traffic-citations requesting the Driver and her attorney reconsider contesting the traffic tickets she was issued. I signed it and posted it on Facebook and within a couple of days it disappeared from my Facebook account as well as others who had posted it. Not sure why.
Here is a little background on the case. Trish was hit and killed while riding her bike outside Annapolis Maryland. She was wearing all appropriate safety equipment riding on the right hand side of the road. She was hit from behind in a no passing zone on a road with a gradual incline with a clear line of sight of almost ¼ mile. There is a lot more evidence regarding the actions (or lack of action) of the driver which need not be addressed here. The State’s attorney chose to send the case (a misdemeanor) to a Grand Jury rather than charge her. As you may know the only one presenting evidence and choosing what evidence and witnesses to present (or not present) to the Grand Jury is the State’s Attorney. The Grand Jury decided that the Driver would be issued 4 tickets. The family thought that would be the end of the story and she would pay the tickets. The Driver’s last name is Decesaris which meant nothing to me until I realized it is also the name on a Cancer Research Building and Foundation for Cancer Research. As I understand they are great charities and ironically on July 1st 2013 their dpcancerfoundation.org website had news of a Davidsonville cyclist going 1,500 miles “through the winding country roads” to raise money for cancer research. So about 50 days before Mrs. Decesaris strikes and kills a biker, the foundation that bears her family name is proud of a biker who generated money for their foundation by riding the roads. Irony is alive and well. If you are riding to benefit the foundation it is great. If you are riding not to benefit us – you shouldn’t be on the road at least if you are hit and killed by one of our family members.
The internet is an amazing thing where people can post all kinds of “information” and “facts”. The how’s and why’s of the crash that killed Trish will be debated and discussed forever because some people believe bikes should never be on any road and if they are it’s their own fault, despite the law. Some comments made on various websites and blogs have stated this in much more direct terms such as bikers deserve what they get if they choose to ride on roads. So we have a group of people who have some people who have decided that that law doesn’t apply to them as it relates to protecting bikers, but strongly support the law that allows them to defend themselves when the hit someone on a bike.
The petition is requesting the Defendant in the case to consider just paying the tickets without causing the family even more harm – just because you can. To those who will respond with it is everyone’s right to contest a claim or charge you are correct. But those people I ask are you going to defend everyone who brings a lawsuit no matter how stupid you think it is and argue that they should have their day in Court? A lawyer is not a bus. As a lawyer you do not have to take every case that comes in your door, nor should you. Just because you can defend a person doesn’t mean you have to and part of having a right is the ability to choose not to exercise it just because you can.
If the driver in my sister-in-laws case chooses to continue to fight the tickets – I will defend her right to do so but I will not defend her choice to do so.
If you would consider signing the petition I would appreciate it. If you have comments, let me hear them.
https://change.org/petitions/richard-a-simmons-whitney-decesaris-reconsider-contesting-whitney-decesaris-traffic-citations
Feb 17, 2014 | Uncategorized
It is fitting that early voting for the party primaries begins right after Valentines because it seems that some candidate’s whole campaign is essentially – I love you best. I will be the toughest on crime, I believe in same sex marriage, I will stop frivolous lawsuits, I will make sure to protect “x” or protect you from “x” … (fill in the blank) because I’m I your guy/girl. Really! Believe me.
Here is who I am supporting in the contested repbulican judicial races, D.A., and the race for district clerk:
Chief Justice, Supreme Court: Robert Talton
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 6 Jeff Brown
Justice, Supreme Court Place 8 Sharon McCally
Justice 1st Court of Appeals, Place 3 Dan Linebaugh
District Judge 268th Brady Elliott
District Attorney John Healey
County Court at Law #1 Chris Morales
County Court at Law #4 R. H. “Sandy” Bielstein
District Clerk Annie Rebecca Elliott
I haven’t listed the Court of Criminal Appeals as I do not practice before them, but welcome suggestions from my friends who are prosecutors and defense attorneys.
So how do you know who to vote for even in your own party? Here are some suggestions:
First: Ask attorneys who practice before the Judges and Justices and who have to deal with the clerks on a weekly basis. These are people who have a working knowledge of what is good and/or bad and deal with the consequences of both. They should be able to tell you who they would support and why.
Second: Read their propaganda (I mean mailers). Any decent ones are going to list the candidates’ accomplishments and biography. Here is what sends up red flags for me. Any candidate who touts that they are going to be tough on criminals, get rid of frivolous lawsuits, be more republican or democratic than their opponent, etc., etc. I know that political parties are a necessity for the backing and support of candidates (including judges and clerks) but I want an elected official who is fair to all.
I want a judge who is going to have one job and that is to enforce the laws as they exist and treat everyone equally. I want a judge who believes in the innocent until proven guilty and not one who brags about putting people in jail or being tough on crime.
If you enforce the law then usually the right thing happens, if you have an agenda then run for congress and not the bench.
I want a clerk who makes the filing and handling of document for litigation as easy as possible and is helpful when you have questions.
I believe the people who I support are the best choice for the job.
To answer a question that some will undoubtedly ask: Are you supporting the judges because they rule for you? No. In fact one of them, despite my brilliant argument, ruled against me on every motion I had recently before the Court.
I support these individuals because I have practiced before them, seen their work, read their opinions (or those of whom they are running against) and want the best judicial branch of the government we can get. I want a judiciary which treats everyone as equal and not as a statistic to appease their supporters and donators.
Nov 20, 2013 | Uncategorized
I know some of you are like me who have trouble e-filing. Whether it be do to the technology, costs or otherwise it is here and we will have to deal with it. Fort Bend District Clerk, Annie Rebecca Elliott is doing everything she can to make the transition smooth. The new eFiling portal is called TexFile. If you have been using Texas.gov it will cease and not be available after November 25, 2013. Here is some additional information from our District Clerk:
In an effort to make this transition as smooth as possible, our office will be simultaneously accepting eFilings via the TexFile portal and Texas.gov until November 25, 2013. We strongly encourage filers to start using one of the Electronic Filing Service Providers (EFSP) certified by the OCA (LINK) to accept filings through the TexFile portal prior to that date. This will allow my office to assist with any technical problems that may arise as Texas.gov will cease to exist after November 25, 2013.
In order to submit eFilings via the TexFile portal, your firm must choose and register with an EFSP. Once an EFSP has been chosen, please visit their website for specific instructions/FAQ’s.
There are certain business processes specific to the Fort Bend County District Clerk’s Office that will need to be followed in order to ensure that your filings are transmitted successfully. The District Clerk E-Filing Business Process – Frequently Asked Questions are available for your review at the following LINK.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, just give us a call at (281) 633-7630 or (281) 341-4509. We will be happy to visit your office, assist you through the process and answer any questions you may have along the way.
The best news about this is the Fort Bend District Clerk is great about helping you with the transition to eFiling. Did you read the last sentence above–They will come to your office to help you learn the process. That’s right your office. Now that’s service.
Aug 13, 2013 | Uncategorized
A war on women seems to be the preferred catch phrase for any limitations whatsoever on abortion. The cry of it’s a choice and the woman’s body so she should decide is compelling, but for the fact it leaves out the fact that her choice could take the life of a child who is not given a choice in the matter (what if the baby was a girl – is it then a war on future women?)
The latest great cry and outrage is over Texas HB2 which depending on your interpretation is a ban on abortion (it is not) or nothing more than lip service for those wanting a ban on abortion (it is not that either). What it is in my opinion is something which has been needed for some time, minimal regulation and implementation of safety requirements to protect women.
The argument is sure to be made that I am a man (true) and a catholic (also true) so I can’t possibly have any real input into the discussion. I guess that would be the same as only gun owners (yes to that as well) are able to discuss gun rights and regulations. It seems that there is a great uproar over things that need to be regulated (guns, sodas, smoking, light bulbs, religion, energy, etc., etc.) but the health and safety of not only a baby, but as importantly the health and safety of the mother is what creates an uproar. WOW!
So what does this draconian bill do? In essence two earth shattering regulations (tongue firmly in cheek):
1st: Restrict elective abortions at 20 weeks or later, but there are exceptions: The Act does not apply to abortions that are necessary to avert the death or substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman or abortions that are performed on unborn children with severe fetal abnormalities.
2nd: Requires that the physician performing or inducing an abortion:
a. must, on the date the abortion is performed or induced, have active admitting privileges at a hospital that:
1. is located not further than 30 miles from the location at which the abortion is performed or induced; and
2. provides obstetrical or gynecological health care services; and
b. shall provide the pregnant woman with:
1. a telephone number by which the pregnant woman may reach the physician, or other health care personnel employed by the physician or by the facility at which the abortion was performed or induced with access to the woman’s relevant medical records, 24 hours a day to request assistance for any complications that arise from the performance or induction of the abortion or ask health-related questions regarding the abortion; and
2. the name and telephone number of the nearest hospital to the home of the pregnant woman at which an emergency arising from the abortion would be treated.
BUT WAIT– there is a global get out of regulation free exception:
The prohibitions and requirements do not apply to an abortion performed if there exists a condition that, in the physician’s reasonable medical judgment, so complicates the medical condition of the woman that, to avert the woman’s death or a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function, other than a psychological condition, it necessitates, as applicable:
(1) the immediate abortion of her pregnancy without the delay necessary to determine the probable post-fertilization age of the unborn child;
(2) the abortion of her pregnancy even though the post-fertilization age of the unborn child is 20 or more weeks; or
(3) the use of a method of abortion other than a method described.
So the big uproar is over not allowing abortions after 20 weeks. Not being good with math, I got out my handy dandy calculator and determined that is five months. That seems like a long time to wait to have an abortion especially when that is on the brink (or over it in some instances) of viability of the baby if delivered.
The other big issue is the requirement that the doctor have hospital privileges at a hospital not further than 30 miles away that provides OBGYN services; provided a phone number for the woman to call if complications and the name and number of the nearest hospital to her home if an emergency arise.
I would think that would be something that everyone would support. The risk, no matter how small that something could go wrong and could endanger the life of the mother should be reduced as much as possible. Having these requirements seems like common sense and the fact that they didn’t exist before would seem to be something more in the lines of a war on women in that they aren’t protected in case something were to go wrong. Now that safeguards are in place there is uproar over the restrictions on the right to abortion. Without even getting into the “right” what about the right to have a safe procedure and the right to have a safety net is something goes wrong? In most things in life those fighting regulation and change are not the people we see on the news – gun owners, single mothers, etc., but the companies that stand to lose millions of dollars if regulations are passed. Follow the money and the war on women will really lead to a WOW moment.
