New Orleans Criminal Defense

In 2007, many American urban leaders were introduced to urban gun violence; the newest dilemma eroding the integrity of our “best practice society.” No more simple solutions and punch line words of deterrent like “JUST SAY NO!” Urban gun violence in America is more real to us on a daily basis than that of an imminent terrorist threat.  

In the 1992 Oklahoma City bombing, approximately 2,000 people, who were on American soil, were killed. In 1999, the 911 attack on the World Trade Center, approximately killed 3,000 people, who were on American soil. Since 2007, almost every urban city in America has experienced and reported a dramatic rise in assaults by gun violence. And in some more notably urban cities like Philadelphia, New Orleans, Chicago and Oakland, the rise in homicides by gun violence speaks volumes to the issue that every Mayor of every Urban City and every Governor of every State in the United States must address; “Why are young Black Males Carrying Guns!”  

It would be understandable if this were 1889 when Black People in America were fighting to get the United States to enact an Anti Lynching Bill. However, we are way past those days and now no one is hunting down Back Males, but, other young Black Males who are carrying guns. A 1998 report, issued by the American Pediatric Association, sited that gun violence was the leading cause of death among Black Males aged between10 to 34 years (Pediatrics Vol. 105 No. 4 pg 888). In addition, Black Males, of ages between 15 to 19 years have the highest death rates of firearm related homicide. Now, there are two problems with this information.

The first is that this data was not released until 2000  The second is that the Urban Community Partners-leaders, officials, educators, medical providers and politicians have failed to devise a concise strategy, both in curtailing and curing this problem.  

Urban gun violence is a disease and should be treated as such getting all of the “Bells and Whistles” treatment, resource and funding. After all, if children and youth are the future of America, “we’ll get what we pay for.” Maybe, that is just it. Maybe, so little is being done to develop our children and youth into leaders, so that, we are now seeing the grim reality of decades of budget cutting. In the 1990’s,  when many Art and Music programs were moved, de-funded, or just not planned into our public school curriculums we did not know what the long-term outcome would be. Now, we are trying to remedy both current and future youth of the ill-effects of the urban gun violence epidemic, by inviting them to elaborate Art programs or after school Craft programs in attempts to steer them in a positive direction.  

Imagine you had paid for an economy flight ticket for the busiest time of the year! Then once you got on the plane and realized it was not comfortable, you ask if you could change your seat. But, if every seat was filled, it would not matter how much money you had to upgrade you seat. Because you failed to prepare properly, you had sealed your fate.  
 

Originally published here.

Each year Morgan Qunito Press publishes the Most Dangerous States In America. Well the 2009 rankings are out and we’ve summarized the findings below. The rankings are based on numerous factors, with the most obvious being violent crime per capita. Did your state make the list? Our home state of Louisiana took home the dubious distinction as being the second most dangerous state in the country to live in! Now that’s something to be proud of, even better both New Orleans and Baton Rouge ranked in the top ten of the most dangerous metropolitan areas to live in.

TOP TEN MOST DANGEROUS STATES IN THE COUNTRY

No. 1: Nevada
Sadly enough, Nevada has held the number 1 spot for six consecutive years.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 8
Burglary: 8
Murder: 6
Motor Vehicle Theft: 1
Rape: 7
Robbery: 1

No. 2: Louisiana
Our home state went from the tenth most dangerous in 2007 to second most dangerous in 2008 and we’ve held on to number two for 2009! Louisiana is the murder capital of the nation.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 2
Burglary: 3
Murder: 1
Motor Vehicle Theft: 17
Rape: 24
Robbery: 18

No. 3: South Carolina
Ranked number three South Carolina has the highest rate of assaults in the country.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50)

Assault: 1
Burglary: 4
Murder: 5
Motor Vehicle Theft: 14
Rape: 10
Robbery: 17

No. 4: New Mexico
New Mexico’s has serious crime problems.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 5
Burglary: 9
Murder: 4
Motor Vehicle Theft: 7
Rape: 2
Robbery: 22

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No. 5: Florida
Tourist friendly Florida? The fifth most dangerous state in the nation is sure to feel the decrease in tourism as a result.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 6
Burglary: 6
Murder: 12
Motor Vehicle Theft: 11
Rape: 20
Robbery: 3

No. 6: Tennessee
Tennessee ranks in the top five in both assault and burglary.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 3
Burglary: 5
Murder: 15
Motor Vehicle Theft: 18
Rape: 17
Robbery: 8

No. 7: Alaska
Alaska is plagued with having the highest number of rape cases. There could be a correlation with alcohol abuse.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 4
Burglary: 34
Murder: 15
Motor Vehicle Theft: 16
Rape: 1
Robbery: 34

No. 8: Arizona
Arizona made some improvement, as a result they went from number five to number eight on the dubious list.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 19
Burglary: 14
Murder: 8
Motor Vehicle Theft: 2
Rape: 32
Robbery: 14

No. 9: Maryland
Maryland has the second-highest murder and robbery rate.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 9
Burglary: 23
Murder: 2
Motor Vehicle Theft: 6
Rape: 45
Robbery: 2

No. 10: Michigan
Michigan has two of the most dangerous cities in America ini Detriot and Flint. Unfortunately, due to the extreme economic downturn in the state they are sure to move up next year.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 12
Burglary: 17
Murder: 10
Motor Vehicle Theft: 9
Rape: 3
Robbery: 19

We hope you were lucky enough to not see your state listed; but it really doesn’t matter as crime in general is on the increase. Violent crime continues to spike, the combination of the economy, culture and drug/alcohol abuse. When can we expect things to get better? I don’t see that happening. I see home and personal security becoming one of this nations number one priorities over next decade.

Billions of dollars are already spent each year by consumers and business to protect themselves and investments. These amounts are likely to double or triple over the next ten years. Surveillance systemswill become common place in homes, apartments, and town homes. As a way to deter crime as well as help to help catch and prosecute criminals.

Advances in non-lethal self defense products will continue and taser like technology will be improved upon. Defense sprays such as pepper spray and Mace are likely to be present in nearly every household. If feared gun legislation passes and further restricts our second amendment rights, the non-lethal self defense product industry will progress at even faster rates.

Originally published here.

LOS ANGELES, CA — June 16, 2010 – Jamon R. Hicks with The Cochran Firm Los Angeles office has been recognized by IMPACT and the National Bar Association (NBA) as one of the Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40. This award was established to recognize talented individuals (age 40 and under) within the African American legal community who have achieved prominence and distinction.

Mr. Hicks will be recognized for this honor August 8, 2010 at the 85th Annual NBA Convention in New Orleans.

The NBA is the nation’s oldest and largest association of predominately African American and minority attorneys and judges. Recipients of the Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Under 40 demonstrate a strong commitment to empowering, uplifting, and advocating within the legal community. They represent a cross‐section of legal professionals: solo practitioners, government lawyers, judges, academicians, corporate counsels, young elected officials, and others lawyers who are using their law degree in innovative ways. Recipients were selected based on their achievement, innovation, vision, leadership, and legal community involvement.

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In addition to his recognition as one of the Nation’s Best Advocate of the Year, Mr. Hicks is a candidate for the special awards of Excellence in Leadership, Service, Activism, and Innovation. Online voting for these prestigious awards is available at www.nationsbestadvocates.com/candidates.

Mr. Hicks joined The Cochran Firm in 2010. He practices in the areas of civil litigation and criminal defense and represents plaintiffs in state and federal courts. His civil litigation experience involves wrongful death, catastrophic personal injury and police misconduct cases. He also has litigated numerous felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, such as attempted murder, battery, assaults on peace officers, driving under the influence, and drug and gun possession. In addition to practicing law, Mr. Hicks is a member of the adjunct faculty at Loyola Law School as a Trial Advocacy Professor.

Founding partner of The Cochran Firm, Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. was active in the NBA and received the NBA Gertrude E. Rush Award. Mr. Hicks carries on this tradition of excellence.

About The Cochran Firm

Founded over 30 years ago by famed attorney, Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr., The Cochran Firm, as it is known today, has established itself as one of the premier trial advocacy firms in the United States. With 27 offices in 16 states and the District of Columbia, The Cochran Firm is a diverse group of some of the most highly-experienced and respected men and women dedicated to bringing quality representation for injured people, their families and the ordinary citizen. Recognized nationally for their achievements in the courtroom, attorneys with The Cochran Firm have attained litigation results which have significantly impacted the law, communities, and industry practices.

Originally published here.