Monthly Archives: September 2013

Private Probation Firm Illegally Extended Sentences, Judge Finds

"Last week, a Georgia county judge ruled that Sentinel Offender Service had illegally extended the sentence of Mantooth and potentially thousands of others who were required to pay the firm monthly probation fees, and was illegally ordering electronic monitoring for misdemeanor offenders — prohibited by state law — while charging probationers for their own monitoring. Other named plaintiffs in the pair of cases were hauled off to jail and/or subjected to electronic monitoring for alleged probation violations six years after their probation had ended for minor offenses like possession of marijuana and no proof of insurance." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPrivate Probation Firm Illegally Extended Sentences, Judge Finds

Missouri cops now using 80,000-volt ‘stun cuffs’ on prisoners

"The Sheriff’s Department in Buchanan County, Missouri has begun using 80,000-volt enhanced handcuffs for prisoner transfers and some court appearances while dismissing potential safety concerns, KQTV-TV reported on Monday. The 'stun cuffs,' as they have been called, are tied around a prisoner’s arm or leg and can be operated via remote control from as far as 100 yards away. His department is currently using only two pairs, valued at $2,200 apiece, citing 'bugs and kinks' that need to be corrected before more are ordered. In one demonstration, an unidentified officer from another department was seen flailing on the ground after being shocked while wearing the device." Continue reading →

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New trial for Florida mom serving 20-year term for shooting at wall

"The 1st District Court of Appeal ordered the retrial after ruling a judge had not properly instructed the jury that convicted Marissa Alexander. But the appeals court decided the judge properly blocked Alexander from using the state’s 'Stand Your Ground' law in her defense. The 33-year-old Jacksonville woman said she fired the bullet into a wall in 2010 to scare off her husband because he was threatening her. A jury rejected her self-defense claim and convicted Alexander of discharging a firearm, triggering the 20-year term under the state’s mandatory minimum guidelines for gun crimes." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew trial for Florida mom serving 20-year term for shooting at wall

JPMorgan chief Jamie Dimon negotiates fine amount with U.S.

"JPMorgan Chase chief Jamie Dimon held talks with the Department of Justice Thursday on a possible $11 billion deal to settle alleged violations, a source close to the matter said. Dimon and US Attorney General Eric Holder met in Washington amid intense negotiations to wrap up a slew of misbehavior allegations against JPMorgan, the biggest US bank by assets. Earlier this week reports said JPMorgan had offered $3 billion to the Justice Department to settle some or all of the charges it faces, against reported demands for $20 billion from the department. The talks focused on a number in the range of $11 billion, but the Justice Department has also reportedly insisted on the company admitting guilt." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJPMorgan chief Jamie Dimon negotiates fine amount with U.S.

The FBAR Fundraiser and the Penalty Jackpot

"This reminds me of the treatment of Ms. Curran – an elderly widow – in Florida. You may remember her as the woman who paid – and may well have been coerced into a 21 million dollar FBAR penalty based on accounts she inherited from her late husband - I repeat accounts owned by her late husband. One blogger referred to this as a 'Penalty Jackpot for the IRS'. Yup, definitely a good return for a small amount of work. The facts in the Curran case are here. But, for those of you who think IRS Penalty Abuse is restricted to rich Homelanders you should take the time to read this submission to the Ways and Means Committee from this disabled 68 year old British born woman." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe FBAR Fundraiser and the Penalty Jackpot

Judge ejects Sikh from court for refusing to remove ‘that rag’ from his head

"The officers who pulled Singh over believed that his kirpan — a ceremonial 'sword' worn by Sikhs that poses as grave a danger to the public as the crosses donned by many Christians — was a 'dangerous weapon,' despite the fact that it had been sewn into the waistband of his pants. Singh tried to educate the lead officer by 'show[ing] him, and other officers present, videos stored on his phone and on Youtube about the Sikh faith.' The officers responded with mockery, one of them allegedly referring to Sikhs as 'depraved' and 'terrorists.' As if that was not humiliating enough, when Singh returned to Pike County to contest his arrest, presiding Judge Aubrey Rimes ejected him from the courtroom." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJudge ejects Sikh from court for refusing to remove ‘that rag’ from his head

End Civil Asset Forfeiture

"A recent New Yorker article has awakened many Americans to the scourge of civil asset forfeiture in which police can seize property without charging anyone with a crime and pocket the proceeds. Many police organizations call the proceeds of civil asset forfeiture a vital source of funding. Scott Bullock, senior attorney at the Institute for Justice, describes the practice and the best avenues for reform." Continue reading →

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Felony Friday: Man Charged For Killing Deer That Ate His Weed Plants

"Felony charges were filed against one poor soul, which highlights the State’s refusal to recognize property rights and the idiocy of the drug war. A Glasco, N.Y. man had his world come crashing down after a neighbor snitched on him for killing the deer that were eating his marijuana plants. Barry J. Brice learned a hard lesson from his run-in with the law. Not only does the State own the deer that destroy your garden, they also dictate what plants are allowed to be grown. Statists would claim that Mr. Brice got what he deserved for growing an illegal plant and killing deer without a license. They would rejoice at the prospect of Mr. Brice being locked in a cage for committing 'crimes' without victims." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFelony Friday: Man Charged For Killing Deer That Ate His Weed Plants

IRS Seizes Small Store’s Bank Account. It’s Asset Forfeiture. It’s Legal.

"This man runs a small store. His insurance company insures against theft for only $10,000 per robbery. So, his daughter waited until there was $9,000. Then she deposited the money in the bank. An IRS agent seized the money. She charged 'structuring.' The IRS requires you to report cash deposits in excess of $10,000. It also prohibits 'structuring' — deposits just under $10,000. 'How will I pay my workers?' he said. 'I don’t care,' she replied. She handed him her card. The Internet may give the story enough coverage to convince the IRS agent’s superior that the bad publicity isn’t worth $35,000. Otherwise, this man is out of business." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIRS Seizes Small Store’s Bank Account. It’s Asset Forfeiture. It’s Legal.

Stefan Molyneux: The Truth About Bitcoin

"Stefan Molyneux looks at the rise of Bitcoin and discusses it's history, mining, fees, altcoins, regulatory hypocrisy, worldwide awareness, comparisons to gold, anonymous transactions, possible government attacks and what the future holds for the decentralized cryptocurrency." Continue reading →

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