Stolen Valor Act, Women’s Reproductive Rights & Phony Apps

Click HERE to Listen:  Paul Samakow on 02-22-12

Andy asked Paul about another 1st Amendment Supreme Court case.  A guy in California lied to a public audience about receiving the Medal of Honor.  This is a violation of the Stolen Valor Act, that prohibits lying about receiving military honors, awards and medals.  The 1st Amendment, of course, protects speech, so the Supreme Court must now decide if this speech is protected.  We hope not!  Our military men and women deserve the distinctions they earn and there should be a penalty for lying about such things.    Andy wanted to know what would happen if he lied about receiving some radio broadcaster’s award… Paul offered that he didn’t know of any law prohibiting such, but that Andy certainly deserved that type of recognition.

Next, Paul and Andy talked about Virginia’s anti-abortion efforts.  Governor McDonnell indicated he wasn’t going to sign a proposed law requiring an invasive sonogram for pregnant women, before they would be allowed to have an abortion.  This is a major change for the Governor, who probably changed his mind because of both political pressure, and political aspirations.  The bill as modified, not now requiring the invasive procedure, passed Virginia’s House late yesterday, after our show, and the Senate sponsor indicated she was going to withdraw it.  Good.  It was a draconian invasion of women’s rights.

Paul”s legal tip involved phony cell phone apps.  Listen for the details!

Labels: Identity Theft, abortion, free speech, radio show

Supreme Court Cases, English Skills, Sentenced To Dinner & Bowling

Click HERE to Listen:  Paul Samakow on 02-15-12

Paul had an interesting retrospective today.  He discussed the 3 most internet searched-for Supreme Court cases during 2011.  All of the top 3 had to do with civil rights and civil liberties.  Next, Andy and Paul discussed a case from Arizona, where the Supreme Court there denied a woman the right to be on the ballot for a local city council position, because of poor English skills.  Finally, Paul shared a case from Florida about a man who was sentenced to take his wife to Red Lobster and then bowling, to avoid an assault conviction.

Listen to the audio, as there is more good and interesting information.

Labels: free speech, radio show

Prop 8, UVA Murder Trial and Justice in an Auto Accident

Click HERE to Listen:  Paul Samakow on 02-08-12

With Congressman Ernest Istook sitting in as guest host for Andy, he and Paul discussed the 9th Circuit’s decision on California’s Proposition 8, which banned same sex marriage.  In a most interesting and informative conversation, they disagreed about why the Court ruled that same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

Next, Ernest asked Paul about the Huguely trial, which started today.  He’s the UVA Lacrosse player charged with 1st degree murder in the death of his ex-girlfriend, Yeardley Love.  Paul offered that the evidence described thus far in the prosecutor’s opening statement seems overwhelming.

Finally, “justice” in the context of an auto collision was described by Paul as being improbable…  who would agree to money for the damage being involved in a collision can cause?

Paul’s book, The 8 Critical Things Your Auto Accident Attorney Won’t Tell You, fully discusses this subject, and the book is available on his website for free to Maryland and Virginia residents, and through Amazon.com.

Labels: in the courtroom, radio show

The Deep Web, BP lawsuits & The Battle For Natural Corn Chips

Click Here To Listen: 02-01-12 Paul Samakow

Paul and Andy discussed “the deep web;” beyond the normal search engines, Paul described that there are numerous websites that allow searching over 550 Billion documents (compared to the “surface web,” places like Google, Yahoo, MSN, which most of us use and which contain only about 1 Billion documents).  Paul says he uses it frequently for all measure of research, including things legal.

Next, Andy wanted to know what was going on with the BP Gulf Oil Spill lawsuit.  Paul told us that like all lawyers who’d prefer to have negative things about their case not considered as evidence, the BP lawyers are making motions to exclude quite a bit of damaging evidence.  The BP trial begins February 27th; Paul promised to keep us up to date.

Finally, as the Super Bowl approaches, the “munchiest” day of the year finds Frito Lay in hot water with claims of false advertising…  claiming Tostitos are made of all “natural” ingredients, a class action lawsuit claims not so much…

And Paul’s legal tip of the day:  People often don’t realize that they do not need to purchase the “physical damage waiver” insurance when they rent a car.  Your own insurance considers the rental vehicle a substitute for the damaged car and your insurance covers anything that may happen while in the rental car.

Labels: radio show