Rules to Remember for New Years!

Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true.

-       Alfred, Lord Tennyson

As 2013 draws to a close, Connor & Connor Pllc would like to wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year.  New Years Eve is a time to celebrate and a time to resolve to change. However, please be safe when celebrating and keep a few things in mind:

1.             You have a right to say “NO.”: If you are stopped by a police officer and they ask to search you or your car or your home, you can say “No.” You do not have to consent to a search.  It does not give a presumption of being guilty if you say “no.” Therefore, if you are pulled over or you are stopped, remember your right to say “no.” If you do not consent to the search, the officers have to get a search warrant, unless there are exigent circumstances such as the officer believes and individual’s safety is at risk.

Too often we are contacted by individuals who knew they had something in their trunk, but gave consent for the officers to search their trunk. Do not give consent. Even if you do not have anything illegal in your trunk or your house, you still do not have to give consent. So take a moment and think before you answer the question “May I search your ____.”

2.             You do not have to answer the officer’s questions.: It is your right to refuse to answer a question. If an officer is holding you, you do not have to answer the questions of the officer. Now sometimes, you may want to answer the officer’s question, for instance if he asks if you are a medical marijuana patient and you are, you may want to answer “yes” and show him your valid medical marijuana patient card. However, you do not have to answer the questions.

3.             You can request to speak with your attorney. If an officer is holding you or has arrested you, you can request to speak with your attorney. State very clearly, “I will not answer your questions until my attorney is present. My attorney is Connor & Connor Pllc and can be reached at 702-750-9139.”

Unfortunately, these rules won’t always keep you safe. Sometimes, officers use unjustified force or excessive force. Last New Year’s such an incident occurred.  (Click here to learn more). If you have been the victim of excessive force, please contact Connor & Connor Pllc.

If you feel that the police searched you or your property without probable cause, contact Connor & Connor PLLC today.  The attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc are ready to defend Nevadans facing criminal charges in either state or federal court. We serve clients from all socioeconomic levels of our community and we will fight the charges with everything in our power to make sure your rights are protected.  Our rates are reasonable and we are willing to negotiate  payment plans if necessary on a case by case basis.  Unlike some law firms, Connor & Connor Pllc is able to accept payment by credit or debit card.  All funds will be placed in our client trust account until earned by the attorney working the case.  If you are facing criminal charges, contact one of the attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc as soon as possible for a free consultation.  You may contact the firm at info@connorpllc.com, (702) 750-9139 or visit www.connorpllc.com. You may also visit the firm's page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/ConnorConnorPllc.

Squeezing Your Buttocks = Probable Cause?

Recently a New Mexico man filed a lawsuit against a local law enforcement agency for being forced to endure:

1. an abdominals-ray
2. an anal exam performed by doctors using their fingers
3. a second anal exam performed by doctors using their fingers
4. three separate enemas
5. the man was forced to defecate so his stool could be searched multiple times
6. another x-ray was performed
7. then the man was forced to undergo a colonoscopy

The reason this man was forced to undergo such invasive procedures is that officers claim that after he was pulled over for a routine traffic stop, the man "appeared to be clenching his buttocks." The law enforcement officers believed that was probable cause to search his buttocks and they obtain a search warrant from a local judge.

Does clenching one's buttocks give the police probable cause to perform multiple anal searches? What is probable cause? When do police need probable cause to search a person or someone's property?

To learn more about probable cause and to watch a video regarding this particular case, click here.


If you feel that the police searched you or your property without probable cause, contact Connor & Connor PLLC today.  The attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc are ready to defend Nevadans facing criminal charges in either state or federal court. We serve clients from all socioeconomic levels of our community and we will fight the charges with everything in our power to make sure your rights are protected.  Our rates are reasonable and we are willing to negotiate  payment plans if necessary on a case by case basis.  Unlike some law firms, Connor & Connor Pllc is able to accept payment by credit or debit card.  All funds will be placed in our client trust account until earned by the attorney working the case.  If you are facing criminal charges, contact one of the attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc as soon as possible for a consultation.  You may contact the firm at info@connorpllc.com, (702) 750-9139 or visit www.connorpllc.com. You may also visit the firm's page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/ConnorConnorPllc.

Will there be a Green Rush in Nevada?

Nevada Senate Passes SB 374 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Dispensaries.

In a historic vote of 17-4 the Nevada Senate has passed a bill legalizing medical marijuana dispensaries (a Las Vegas Review Journal article on the vote is available here, http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/nevada-legislature/marijuana-dispensary-bill-clears-senate-heads-assembly). The bill received wide bipartisan support in the Senate, but it must return to the State Assembly for hearings and a vote before being sent to Governor Brian Sandoval for his signature. Timing is becoming a critical issue as the Nevada Legislature adjourns midnight on Monday June 3, 2013. 

The bill will allow for the opening of medical marijuana dispensaries, cultivation facilities and facilities that produce edible products. However, the bill will also take away the ability for medical marijuana patients to grow their own marijuana once a dispensary begins operation within the county in which they reside. This aspect of the bill has been met with stiff resistance from medical marijuana advocates who feel that it robs them of their ability to control the production process of their medicine, forcing them into the marketplace where it will cost them roughly ten times as much to purchase their medicine from the dispensaries. 

Nevertheless, as the bill will allow for what has been termed “the green rush”. Clark County will be allowed 40 licenses for dispensaries, which will create jobs and generate huge amounts of money for the state’s struggling budget. The licensing fees are steep ($20,000.00 for a dispensary plus a $5,000.0 application fee) and patients will be charged a $10.00 excise tax each time they purchase their medicine from a dispensary on top of whatever fees the dispensary charges. All in all it is estimated that the medical marijuana industry could reach over two billion dollars in revenue in less than five years. 

To learn more about this very hot topic click here. 

The attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc are ready to assist clients negotiate the complicated nature of Nevada’s medical marijuana laws. If you have a question relating to medical marijuana in the state of Nevada do not hesitate to contact us as soon as possible. 

Major Changes Possible for Nevada Medical Marijuana Law

There is currently a bill pending in the Nevada State Legislature that would make big changes to the state's medical marijuana laws. Nevada voters overwhelmingly approved a measure to allow for the medicinal use of marijuana in November, 2000. Unfortunately, since that time patients approved for use of marijuana have been stuck in legal limbo with no real legal means with which to acquire their medicine. 

The present state of Medical Marijuana Law in Nevada:

At present medical marijuana laws in Nevada could most politely be described as "ambiguous". At worst the present state of the law could be described as a contradictory mess and a complete failure on the part of our elective representatives to follow the will of the citizenry. Either way, the state's medical marijuana laws are in desperate need for major revision. 

Perhaps the biggest ambiguity in Nevada's medical marijuana law is that patients who suffer from certain chronic and debilitating conditions are allowed to  possess, cultivate and use limited amounts of marijuana. Specifically, patients may possess up to one once of usable marijuana plus three mature plants and four immature plants. Unfortunately, it is illegal to purchase the seeds needed to grow the marijuana plants. It is also illegal to buy, sell, import or distribute marijuana (or its seeds). Clearly, this presents a problem as patients are literally left with no way to legally acquire medicine they are legally allowed to have.

To learn about the proposed changes to the medical marijuana laws, click here. 

Nevada Legislators Head to Arizona for Marijuana Trip

According to the Las Vegas Sun, members of the Nevada State Legislature are heading to Arizona for a tour of that state's medical marijuana dispensaries.  The full article is available here. The trip comes at a time when the Nevada Legislature is considering options for allowing medical marijuana dispensaries in Nevada. According to the article, five Nevada Senators and one Assemblymen will head to Phoenix to tour a medical marijuana dispensary and a grow house which were set up under Arizona's new rules. Under Arizona's rules marijuana may be distributed to patients from nonprofit dispensaries. Under the Arizona law marijuana may not be cultivated by any patients authorized to do so who live within 25 miles of a state certified dispensary. 

Nevada State Senator Tick Segerblom (D), a Las Vegas attorney, organized the fact finding mission. Senator Segerblom hopes to close the contradiction in Nevada Law which provides for a constitutional right to use marijuana for medical purposes, but prohibits patients from purchasing marijuana. Most people agree that this contradiction in laws is patently absurd and needs to be resolved. Other legislators who will be in attendance include Mark Hutchinson (R-Las Vegas), Scott Hammond (R-Las Vegas), David Parks (D-Las Vegas), Ruben Kihuen (D-Las Vegas) and Assemblywoman Michele Fiore (R-Las Vegas). 

Senator Hutchinson, a conservative Republican and highly regarded Las Vegas attorney, was quoted as saying "I will definitely support a procedure for safely, securely and legally dispensing medical marijuana because the constitution requires us to do it". At present, Senator Segerblom has a bill pending in the house judiciary committee which would allow for marijuana dispensaries in Nevada. The bill is widely expected to pass the committee and end up before the senate for a possible vote. 

Under current Nevada law individuals with debilitating medical conditions may qualify for a medical marijuana registry card. Individuals interested in qualifying for a medical marijuana may visit providers such as the Health and Wellness Center to see if their conditions qualify. 

For more information of Nevada Medical Marijuana laws continue reading here. 

Nevada Medical Marijuana Laws

The attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc. defend Nevada residents and companies who are facing charges, or need legal advice relating to medical marijuana. In order to assist our potential clients we have provided the following list of frequently asked questions and a summary of Nevada’s medical marijuana laws.

Is Medical Marijuana Legal in Nevada?

The answer depends which government you are dealing with. Without getting too deep into a history lesson, our republic is made up of 50 state governments and the Federal Government of the United States of America through the concept of “Federalism”. Historically most governmental power was vested in the states, but in the latter part of the 19th century our nation saw an unprecedented shift in power to the Federal Government. With regard to medical marijuana, is important to understand that the Federal Government of the United States prohibits marijuana possession, transportation, cultivation or use for any purpose. Thus, in the eyes of the Federal Government, marijuana is always illegal. However, many state governments have changed their laws to allow for the use of marijuana for medical purposes.  On November 7, 2000, sixty five percent of voters in Nevada chose to amend the State Constitution to allow for the use of marijuana for medical purposes making Nevada one of the few states that has enshrined a right to use marijuana for medical purposes in its Constitution. Article IV Section 38 of the Constitution of the State of Nevada states: 

    

To find out more, click here. 

Accused Shooter Fights Extradition to Las Vegas

According to NBC news, Ammar Harris, accused of being the shooter in the recent Las Vegas strip rolling gun battle, is fighting his extradition to Las Vegas. Attorneys for Harris appeared in court today in Los Angeles, California requesting that Mr. Harris' identity in the shooting be proven before he is required to appear in court in Las Vegas, Nevada. The California Court set a hearing for March 14.

Ammar Harris is accused of shooting at Kenny Cherry Jr. causing Kenny's car to crash into a taxi. The taxi instantly caught fire and the two individuals inside were killed. The shooting allegedly occurred shortly after Kenny Cherry Jr. and Ammar Harris got into an argument at Aria  on the Las Vegas strip. Ammar Harris will face criminal charges in Las Vegas, however, first he is fighting his extradition here.

Gun charges can result in serious criminal penalties. The attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc are ready to defend Nevadans facing criminal charges in either state or federal court. We serve clients from all socioeconomic levels of our community and we will fight the charges with everything in our power to make sure your rights are protected.  Our rates are reasonable and we are willing to negotiate  payment plans if necessary on a case by case basis.  Unlike some law firms, Connor & Connor Pllc is able to accept payment by credit or debit card.  All funds will be placed in our client trust account until earned by the attorney working the case.  If you are facing criminal charges, contact one of the attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc as soon as possible for a consultation.  You may contact the firm at info@connorpllc.com, (702) 750-9139 or visit www.connorpllc.com. You may also visit the firm's page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/ConnorConnorPllc.

Manhunt continues for Vegas shooting suspect.

According to local law enforcement a manhunt continues for a man suspected of being involved in the shooting last week that left three people dead including aspiring rapper, Kenny Clutch. Las Vegas Metro Police are searching for a man named Amma Harris who they believe to still be in the Las Vegas area.  Police has also warned others who may be assisting Mr. Harris that they could face criminal charges as well. The full news article relating to Mr. Harris is available here. As always Mr. Harris is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

The attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc are ready to defend Nevadans facing criminal charges in either state or federal court. We serve clients from all socioeconomic levels of our community and we will fight the charges with everything in our power to make sure your rights are protected.  Our rates are reasonable and we are willing to negotiate  payment plans if necessary on a case by case basis.  Unlike some law firms, Connor & Connor Pllc is able to accept payment by credit or debit card.  All funds will be placed in our client trust account until earned by the attorney working the case.  If you are facing criminal charges, contact one of the attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc as soon as possible for a   consultation.  You may contact the firm at info@connorpllc.com, (702) 750-9139 or visit www.connorpllc.com. You may also visit the firm's page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/ConnorConnorPllc. 

Rapper Kenny Clutch Killed in Vegas Shootout

According to CNN, a rapper named Kenny Cherry Jr. aka "Kenny Clutch" was among those killed in a shootout on the Las Vegas Strip  early this morning. The  full CNN article is available here.  Fox 5 Vegas reported that the gun battle resulted from a dispute that occurred in local hotel. The full Fox 5 article is available here. According to Fox 5, after the initial shooting occurred Mr. Cherry drove through a red light striking a taxi cab which burst into flames, killing the driver and his passenger. 

Gun charges can result in serious criminal penalties. The attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc are ready to defend Nevadans facing criminal charges in either state or federal court. We serve clients from all socioeconomic levels of our community and we will fight the charges with everything in our power to make sure your rights are protected.  Our rates are reasonable and we are willing to negotiate  payment plans if necessary on a case by case basis.  Unlike some law firms, Connor & Connor Pllc is able to accept payment by credit or debit card.  All funds will be placed in our client trust account until earned by the attorney working the case.  If you are facing criminal charges, contact one of the attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc as soon as possible for a consultation.  You may contact the firm at info@connorpllc.com, (702) 750-9139 or visit www.connorpllc.com. You may also visit the firm's page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/ConnorConnorPllc.

Three People Killed in Gunfight on Las Vegas Strip

According to local news station KLAS, three people have been killed in what is being described as a rolling gun battle on the Las Vegas Strip. Details remain sketchy, but the full article is available here. It was also reported by Fox News that the shooting involved at least five vehicles including a local taxi cab.  The Fox News video is available here. From the video it appears that the taxi cab was completely burned out by the time law enforcement arrived at the scene.  We will follow up on this post when more details become available.  

Picture from Abc

Gun charges can result in serious criminal penalties. The attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc are ready to defend Nevadans facing criminal charges in either state or federal court. We serve clients from all socioeconomic levels of our community and we will fight the charges with everything in our power to make sure your rights are protected.  Our rates are reasonable and we are willing to negotiate  payment plans if necessary on a case by case basis.  Unlike some law firms, Connor & Connor Pllc is able to accept payment by credit or debit card.  All funds will be placed in our client trust account until earned by the attorney working the case.  If you are facing criminal charges, contact one of the attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc as soon as possible for a consultation.  You may contact the firm at info@connorpllc.com, (702) 750-9139 or visit www.connorpllc.com. You may also visit the firm's page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/ConnorConnorPllc.

Las Vegas Homeowner Shoots Intruder

According to Foxnews, a Las Vegas homeowner shot and killed an intruder who was attempting to break into his home with two other individuals.  The man who had reportedly been a burglary victim recently was home with his wife and children at the time of the attempted break in. The homeowner reportedly retrieved a handgun from his bedroom before opening fire on the intruders.  One of the intruders died of his wounds, another was injured in a motor vehicle accident with a police officer who arrived at the scene.  A third suspect remains at large. 

This incident comes at a time when the debate regarding the role of guns in our society is raging among our lawmakers and in the media.  At this time it appears that the homeowner will not face any charges as a result of his actions. While the use of deadly force should always be a last resort, Nevada law does provide fairly broad protections for people to defend themselves.  For example, Nevada has some of the least restrictive gun laws in the nation allowing for both open and concealed carry of firearms.  Although, concealed carrying of firearms in Nevada requires a permit and is subject to a variety of limitations. Additionally, Nevada law does not require a victim to retreat from an unprovoked attack. Further, Nevada statute NRS 41.095  provides for the legal presumption that it is reasonable for a person who is lawfully in their home to use deadly force against an intruder or person attempting to break in. However, in spite of Nevada laws meant to protect the rights of citizens to defend themselves, there are often gray areas where Nevadans can face prosecution for the use of deadly force in self defense.  For example, determining whether a person was in reasonable fear of imminent death or bodily harm can largely be a matter of opinion.  Further, the decision on whether to pursue charges against a person claiming self defense is often left up to the local District Attorney who can be subject to immense political pressure to do so (as in the Trayvon Martin case).  Persons claiming self defense can also find themselves in serious trouble if it is unclear as to who the initial aggressor was or in situations where the victim knew the aggressor as in domestic violence situations.

Nevadans who use deadly force in self defense should cooperate with law enforcement, but should not answer questions without first seeking the advice of a competent criminal defense attorney.  If you are facing criminal charges relating to the use of deadly force in self defense, or any other criminal charges, you should contact an attorney immediately.  The attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc are ready to defend Nevadans facing criminal charges in either state or federal court. We serve clients from all socioeconomic levels of our community and we will fight the charges with everything in our power to make sure your rights are protected.  Our rates are reasonable and we are willing to negotiate  payment plans if necessary on a case by case basis.  Unlike some law firms, Connor & Connor Pllc is able to accept payment by credit or debit card.  All funds will be placed in our client trust account until earned by the attorney working the case.  If you are facing criminal charges, contact one of the attorneys at Connor & Connor Pllc as soon as possible for a free consultation.  You may contact the firm at info@connorpllc.com, (702) 750-9139 or visit www.connorpllc.com. You may also visit the firm's page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/ConnorConnorPllc.