News today by mail adds me to those lawyers selected for inclusion in the 2009 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in both specialties of Non-White-Collar Criminal Defense and White Collar Criminal Defense. Special thanks to my peers for their vote of confidence in the criminal defense services I provide. Now back to work – maybe on your case.Continue Reading Best Lawyers In America 2009
September 2008
So You Want To Plead Guilty – Idaho Appellate Court Says Lawyer Must Consider Mental State
By Chuck Peterson on
I am not a psychologist – and I don’t play one on this blog, but the Idaho Court of Appeals has decided that criminal defense lawyers need to pay attention to their clients’ mental states at the time they enter a plea of guilty. In Ridgley vs State of Idaho, decided August 6, Judge Lansing held that the appellant’s…
Looking for Hidden Assets
By Chuck Peterson on
Posted in Crime Victims, Fraud
I am in the process of looking for hidden assets of a potential judgment debtor (assuming we win the case and get the judgment) and came across another blog that focusses on this challenge. Check out Asset Search Blog for info on this subject. Very interesting. In my case, we are looking for assets to satisfy a potential fraud…
Dear John – You Are Invited To Appear At A Grand Jury
By Chuck Peterson on
Posted in Constitutional Law
Someone asked me today what he should do about a letter he received "inviting" him to appear at a federal grand jury. To appear or not appear, that is the question. Not really! When a federal prosecutor has you in his or her sights, you may get a "target" letter, letting you know that your liberty is in the balance.
Continue Reading Dear John – You Are Invited To Appear At A Grand Jury
Dancing With The Devil – Appeals Court Says No Dance, No Deal
By Chuck Peterson on
Posted in News
In an interesting Idaho Court of Appeals decision, the writing is on the wall for anyone cutting a cooperation deal that requires the Defendant to assist a drug task force by “identifying, apprehending, and convicting those people involved in the use, distribution, and manufacture of controlled substances.” No drugs – no deal! In State v. Chacon, Judge Lansing finds…
Continue Reading Dancing With The Devil – Appeals Court Says No Dance, No Deal
Bar Results Bring New Peterson Lawyer
By Chuck Peterson on
Posted in News
Congrats Courtney Peterson – new lawyer!! Classes, study groups, tests and then the mother of all tests – the Bar. I always knew you would do it! Way to go!Continue Reading Bar Results Bring New Peterson Lawyer
Choose Your Lawyer Wisely
By Chuck Peterson on
Posted in Criminal Defense, DUI
I was just looking at Virginia Attorney Bob Battle’s website, and his advice on choosing a lawyer to represent you if you are charged with driving under the influence. The advice makes sense whether you are headed to court in the great South or the Northwest. Survey says: choose wisely! As a client in a criminal case in Idaho…
Preliminary Hearings Safe In Idaho
By Chuck Peterson on
Posted in Trials
I just returned from a meeting of the Idaho Criminal Rules Committee during which we considered a question posed by a Magistrate Judge: Why do we waste valuable court time with preliminary hearings? Couldn’t we just eliminate them and reduce the court’s work? Sure – and maybe we should just get rid of those nagging, time consuming jury trials! Seriously…
Boise DUI – when is defendant arrested?
By Chuck Peterson on
Posted in DUI
I had this issue again, yesterday, in a Boise DUI (driving under influence) case before an Ada County Magistrate Judge. The answer may not be as simple as the City of Boise would argue. They contend that an arrest does not occur until the handcuffs are on the defendant – and that usually does not occur until after the field…