The Charleston Gazette ran a story today about additional claims of police harassment and police racism by the Montgomery police.  The story is here.  According to the report, the FBI is now also investigating the claims.  So far one civil lawsuit has been filed due to the alleged claims of police brutality, harassment, and racism.

The annual chili night is tonight in Beckley starting at 5:00.  

Rist Law Offices will be at Chili Night serving up two types of chili - a traditional chili and spicy hot southwestern chili rojo.  We will also be answering legal questions free of charge all night.  Look for the blue banner with the fall leaves.  See you there!

In the latest chapter of the saga of the alleged police brutality in Montgomery, the Charleston Gazette reported today that a lawsuit has been filed against the City of Montgomery and Police Chief Pete A. Lopez.  The story is here.  The story reports that the suit seeks punitive and compensatory damages.

The Register-Herald reported today that the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department is investigating allegations that a black man was beaten by a pair of Montgomery, WV police officers on Friday night.  The article is here.  The article reports that the victim of the beating was charged with battery on a police officer, disorderly conduct, and obstruction of justice.  The wife of the victim was reported to have been charged with battery on a police officer, disorderly conduct, obstruction of justice and open container.

The Charleston Gazette reported yesterday that one Montgomery, West Virginia police officer was fired and another was placed on administrative leave Saturday after the alleged beating of a black man on Friday.  The story is here.  The story reports that two Montgomery officers allegedly hit a black victim over the head repeatedly with a blackjack, repeatedly kicked him, and sprayed him with mace at close range.  Allegations of a racial slur, an officer licking a victim on the neck, and saying a vulgar comment during an interrogation are also reported in the article.

Brutality, racial slurs, and harrassment have no place in our society and more should be expected from officers of the law.  Actions such as these can be challenged by an experienced West Virginia crime victim attorneyin civil court.  Victims of police brutality, racial slurs, or police harassment could recover compensation for medical bills, psychological or psychiatric treatment, lost work and damages for pain and suffering in a civil case. 

If you believe that you are the victim of police brutality or police harrassment, contact a crime victim attorney from Rist Law Offices to discuss your case.  We can be reached toll free at 866-982-5299.

The Register-Herald reported yesterday that three people were injured in an accident involving a drunk driver.  The story is here.  The description of the accident is shocking.  The report notes that the drunk driver ran a stop, struck another car, and then ran into the deck of a home.  The police reported that the driver had a Blood Alcohol Content of .123 (.08 is the legal limit in West Virginia).  What makes this story even more shocking is that it occurred at 7:45 in the morning.

There are several victims in this case that could have civil claims against the drunk driver:  the people in the car who were struck by the drunk driver and the people who own the home that was struck by the drunk driver. 

When dealing with a drunk driving accident in West Virginia, it is important to discuss your case with an experienced West Virginia drunk driving accident attorney before settling with an insurance company or negligent driver.  We recommend this because other parties could be at fault who are not easy to identify at first, including bar owners, restaurant owners, convenience or grocery store owners, or any other person or business who supplied alcohol to the drunk driver if they knew that the person was intoxicated. 

Rist Law Offices offers free consultations to clients involved in drunk driving accidents.  We can be contacted toll free at 866-982-5299.  We do not charge drunk driving accident victims to meet with us to discuss their case, even if they decide not to hire an attorney.

The Herald-Dispatch reported yesterday that a seventeen year old girl was raped at an apartment complex in East Pea Ridge.  The report is here.  The assailant was described in the article as a white male in his 20s, medium slender build, with short, dirty blond hair.  Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or the Sheriff’s Office Detective Unit at 304-743-1594. 

If you, a family member, or a friend have been the victim of rape or sexual assault, your options are not limited to a criminal trial.  Rist Law Offices can help rape or sexual assault victims to seek monetary damages in civil court against any parties who caused the crime or failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the crime.  Rist Law Offices is sensitive to the issues that are being faced by crime victims and we work to help crime victims through referrals to counselors, filing claims against the West Virginia Crime Victim Compensation Fund, and by filing civil litigation if the facts of the case support a civil action.

If you, a family member, or a friend need help with a crime victim case, call crime victim attorney Thomas Rist toll free at 866-982-5299.  We will take the time to thoroughly discuss every aspect of your case to make sure that you can make an informed decision about your options.  We do not charge anything for meeting with crime victims and all facts of the case will be kept strictly confidential.  You can also contact Thomas Rist through the Rist Law Offices website at www.helpwv.com.

An article in the Charleston Gazette covers a lawsuit that was filed in May alleging that police officers in the Smithers and Montgomery areas of West Virginia harassed a victim and violated his rights.  The article is here.  The article also details a lawsuit filed this month alleging that a police officer tried to shake down a cab company.

While the facts of these particular cases were not discussed thoroughly in the article, it should be noted that any police officer has to abide by strict rules when dealing with the public.  Although the police have an important job to perform in protecting the public, this function should not circumvent the rights of citizens.  We are blessed in West Virginia with many hard working police officers who do an excellent job keeping us safe.  In my work as a prosecutor I dealt with a number of excellent officers who took a great deal of pride in their work.  However, if an officer goes above the law and causes damages to a person or property, they could be liable in a civil case for damages.   

If you believe that you or a loved one have been the victim of police brutality, police harassment or you feel that the police have violated your rights, contact a crime victim attorneyfrom Rist Law Offices to discuss your case.  We offer a free, confidential consultation to all crime victims.  We also handle cases throughout West Virginia and will meet with you anywhere to discuss your case.

A story in the Register-Herald yesterday reported that the possibility of making inmates work to pay for their upkeep was presented to a legislative panel.  The story is here.  The report did not mention which legislative panel was reviewing the proposal, but it did note that money earned by convicts could be used to pay for restitution to the victims of their crimes. 

If this system was put into place, the restitution could assist West Virginia Crime Victims in paying for medical needs and getting back on their feet after a crime.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (”MADD”) is asking the public to write letters to Governors and university presidents to support the 21 law.  A blog post by MADD regarding the request can be found here.  In the same post, MADD states that an estimated 25,000 lives have been saved by the 21 law. 

Drunk driving is a serious problem in West Virginia.  A story on public radio, covered on my injury victim blog, noted that 129 people were killed by drunk drivers and 2,600 were injured in 2006 alone.  If you are against the lowering of the 21 law, go to the MADD site for more information about sending a letter to Governor Manchin.

If you or a loved one have been injured by a drunk driver, it is imperative that you discuss your case with an experienced West Virginia Drunk Driving Injury Attorney.  These cases generally have severe, life altering injuries associated with them.  Expert witnesses who can testify to the blood alcohol content of the violating driver as well as accident reconstruction experts who examine the scene will be necessary witnesses that should be hired immediately after an accident.

For more information about hiring a West Virginia drunk driving injury attorney, contact me toll free at 1-866-982-5299.