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

Supreme Court decisions, GPS tracking & Cameras on School Buses

Click Here To Listen: Paul Samakow on 01-25-12

Andy and Paul talked about two Supreme Court decisions.  The first involved the right to privacy vs. the right to be safe theme, where the police put a GPS tracking device on a suspected drug dealer’s car.  First convicted, the dealer claimed his 4th Amendment right to privacy was violated.  The Supreme Court eventually got the case and agreed, indicating that police needed a Warrant before placing such a device intended for “extended” use.  Thus the question becomes, what is extended use?

Next, Andy asked Paul about another Supreme Court recent decision, where the Justices ruled that a binding arbitration provision in a consumer credit card contract was legal.  Here, poor consumers who were not told about onerous expense provisions were denied of their right to file a lawsuit against the credit card companies because of a provision in the contract requiring binding arbitration.  Guess who picks the arbitrator?

Finally, Andy asked Paul about the movement in Montgomery County, Maryland to fine drivers who illegally pass school buses when the bus has it lights and STOP sign arm displayed.  Debate is going on in the county now about the amount of this potential fine, specifically whether the fine should be $100 or $250.  Paul offered that it should be $1500.

Paul’s legal tip for the day involved picking the “right” doctor if you are involved in an auto accident.   If the doctor works for insurance companies doing what they call “Independent Medical Exams,” stay away!

Labels: freedom vs. security, in the courtroom, privacy, radio show

Paul Samakow on Andy Parks Live From The Washington Times

Click Here To Listen: Paul Samakow on 01-18-12

Paul’s first time on the air with Andy found Andy asking him about his background and his interest in the law.   Paul tells us he’s a native Washingtonian who early on wanted to be a lawyer, after watching numerous Perry Mason TV programs.  Andy had Paul talk about his 31 year career a bit, and Paul made clear he is a victim’s advocate.  Paul’s legal tip of the day focused on getting good insurance coverage.  He said there’s no such thing as “full coverage” as some insurance agents would tell you, and that the premium increase from what you probably have, to obtain even $1M in liability coverage, is very small.

Labels: radio show