This week the NAACP held a rally to focus on a problem that has not gone unnoticed by Alabama criminal defense lawyers.  The rally was held to focus on the disparities in sentencing for black convicts compared to white convicts.

The rally was followed by a news conference addressed by Bernard Simelton, the president of the Alabama chapter of the NAACP.  The rally specifically focused on the difference in sentencing for two men who were convicted of similar charges recently.

This year, Brian Christopher Pettibone, a black teacher from Mobile, was convicted in Baldwin County of child sexual abuse.  Pettibone’s case involved four white girls, and he was sentenced to five years each on four felony counts of enticing a child for immoral purposes, second degree sex abuse charges which resulted in a one-year term, and six months on an attempted sex abuse charge.  In all, Pettibone was sentenced to 20 years.  He was convicted by an all-white jury.

Last year, attorney John McCain had been convicted of second-degree sexual abuse, enticement and unlawful imprisonment.  The case involved two girls aged 12 and 13 years old.  He was given a six-year prison sentence.

The NAACP is using the difference in sentencing for these two men, convicted of similar crimes, to illustrate the differences in sentencing that exists for black and white convicts.  According to the NAACP, a report by the US Sentencing Commission shows that black convicts receive jail sentences that were at least 10% longer than white convicts.

The difference may not be as much a product of racial inequities or racism, as it is a result of poor criminal defense.  African Americans for instance, may be less likely to afford a criminal defense attorney in Alabama, and may have to do with an overworked public defender.  That often impacts the outcome of their cases.

California has some of the toughest laws in the country.  If you’re charged with DUI in the state, prepare for some of the harshest punishments, even for first-time drunk driving convictions.

A first-time DUI conviction in California can mean jail time for between 96 hours to six months, and fines of between $390 and $1,000.  Besides, you could lose your license for six months, and will be required to go through a DUI Program.  You may also be required to install an ignition interlock device in your car.  Further, you may be required to purchase California SR 22 insurance for a restricted license.

A second DWI conviction in California, within 10 years of the first one, will mean jail time of between 90 days and one year, and fines of between $390 and $1,000.  You could lose your license for two years and must attend a court mandated DWI program.  The California SR 22 provisions for a restricted license will also apply in this case.

In case of a third DUI conviction, jail time increases from 120 days to one year, with fines between $390 and $1,000.  You will lose your license for three years, and will be designated as a habitual offender.  You may be able to apply for a restricted license after one year.  You will need an ignition interlock device on your car, and must complete a DUI program.

For a fourth California DUI conviction, within 10 years of the third one, you can expect a prison term of between 180 days to one year, and fines of between $390 and $1,000.  You may lose your license for four years, and can apply for a restricted license only after one year.  You must install an ignition interlock device in your car, and must complete a DUI program.

From 2010, motorists in Tulare, Alameda, Sacramento and Los Angeles counties will have to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicles after even a first DUI conviction, as part of a pilot program that has been criticized by Los Angeles DUI defense lawyers.

The California moral brigade is out in full force to cast stones at 42-year-old Christine Hubbs, the Livermore woman who is facing charges of sexual assault of two teenage boys.  It’s important to Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers to step in, and point out that Hubbs continues to remain innocent until proven guilty, and that additional circumstances surrounding the alleged assault don’t really matter.

Hubbs faces 67 counts in all of sexual assault, including unlawful sex with a minor and exhibition of lewd material to a minor.  Prosecutors allege that she first made an advance towards one of the alleged victims when he was 14 years old.  After the alleged sexual assault incident in December 2008, she allegedly sent the boy sexually explicit text messages, and asked him to keep in contact with her.  There were two victims in all, and one of them was allegedly taken to a motel for sexual intercourse.  Prosecutors also say that Hubbs fueled the relationship by getting the boys expensive gifts, including video games.  She’s currently being held on $20 million bail.

It has been very amusing to see parts of the media salivating over unimportant details of the alleged assault.  The media has gone all out to paint Hubbs as a heartless Jezebel, and everything from her daughter’s personal relationships to the way Hubbs dresses has been dragged out into view for public consumption.

For instance, Hubbs apparently drove a Hummer with a license plate that had the letters “HUMDNGA” printed on it, and the media has taken silly details like this and run with the story.  There has also been much made over the allegation that one of the victims was her daughter’s ex-boyfriend. Local TV stations have been talking to neighbors who sniffed at how Hubbs dressed like a girl half her age, and gave the local children rides in her SUV.

None of this is even relevant to the case, and the media should be doing a more responsible job of keeping attention focused strongly on the facts, and nothing else.  But that, of course, would be much too boring. In the meantime, this woman’s reputation and personal life are being dragged over the coals.

A new two woman team of Criminal Defense Attorneys in Los Angeles has emerged.  Debra White and Karen Goldstein have formed White Goldstein that has three different locations in the greater Los Angeles area.  They have a location in Hollywood, Encino and Woodland Hills.

Both attorneys have worked at a larger firm and wanted to form their own practice so they could offer their clients a more personal approach.  They have dedicated the practice at White Goldstein to defending people accussed of sex crimes, drug crimes, federal crimes, DUI and more.

Debra and Karen are both experienced and tenacious lawyers who are available to represent you and protect your rights.  For more information visit their website at http://www.whitegoldlaw.com/ or call them at 877-779-3946.

Mark Pachowicz has a law practice in Camarillo, CA focusing on Criminal Law, Business Law and Family Law. His website can be found at www.pachowicz.com.