Joseph Paul Smith, Attorney

10/19/2021

https://www.wsj.com/articles/supreme-court-backs-police-in-two-qualified-immunity-cases-11634577388?st=cpkbk79hc3c9vof&reflink=article_copyURL_share

The unsigned ruling examining cases in California and Oklahoma finds officers who used force when confronting suspects can’t be sued.

01/28/2021

Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to benefit Old Catholic Churc… Ray Niblock needs your support for In Memory of Bishop David C. Smith

10/21/2020

Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Listening to Voices of Survivors

It’s important to be advocates for victims of domestic violence, but it is also essential to just listen as well. Sharing stories is a part of the October campaign which encourages the nation to mourn victims, celebrate survivors, and network for change.

Listening and believing survivors is a proactive way to educate others. When survivors tell their stories, they are letting others know that it is possible to leave an abusive situation and that they can overcome the trauma that follows.

Both men and women experience domestic violence in a relationship or marriage. Common responses for anyone experiencing abuse or violence are to express self-blame and fear of not being believed. Advocacy efforts, including listening to survivors’ victimization has improved understanding how to approach fighting against abuse and breaking the cycle. Listening to survivor’s stories has also helped people understand how men and women emotionally respond and heal differently and how each should be approached when listening to their stories.

Responding to a survivor

If your friend discloses to you that they are currently experiencing domestic abuse or they have been abused sexually, physically or emotionally in the past, this could be the first time they are telling anyone and you must listen without judgement. Letting them know they are not alone is a great place to start and can make a huge difference.

Letting the survivor know you believe them

Letting a survivor know that you believe them can change a person’s life and might even push them to find the right help such as psychological services, legal help or other resources. It is helpful to communicate that they are not at fault.

Support their decisions

It is critical for a survivor to regain their sense of control after being a victim of domestic violence by an abusive partner. Support their decisions instead of pushing them to take actions they might not be comfortable taking yet. If your friend wants to talk, try to be an open listener. If a survivor is in need of additional support, direct them to a 24-hour hotline such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

For legal help, please call us at (479) 444-6000.

10/16/2020

Inside the web of conspiracy theorists, Russian operatives, Trump campaigners and Twitter bots who manufactured the ‘news’ that Hillary Clinton ran a pizza-restaurant child-sex ring

10/15/2020

Safety planning and prevention for those who are victims living with an abusive partner and may have children and/or pets.

It is as equally important to know how to be safe while using the internet if you are a victim of domestic abuse.

What is a safety plan?

Safety planning is a defensive and precautionary measure to have in place in case of an abusive situation. The plan should be personalized and practical to help the victim improve their safety, prepare to leave, and provide support after leaving. Some of these include telling friends and family about their abusive situation as well as coping with emotions and finding access to resources suited to their individual circumstances.

Some preparations on a safety plan might seem obvious, but studies show it is difficult for a victim to think clearly in a time of crisis. Having a plan prepared ahead of time eliminates stress and aids in making logical decisions.
Safety planning when living with an abusive partner

Living with a partner who is abusive can make it difficult to create an escape plan. If you are someone who is a victim of abuse or you know someone who might be in an abusive situation, here are some steps to take to prepare to leave an abusive situation.

Identify your partner’s use of force by analyzing the risk of physical danger;
Identify safe areas in your residence such as exits away from weapons;
If safe, have a phone accessible at all times and know what numbers to call;
Let people such as friends or neighbors know about your situation;
Create several valid reasons for leaving the house at different times of the day; and
Practice how to get out safely.

Safety planning while living with children and pets

If you have children who are living with you and your abusive partner, be sure to include them in your safety plan. Remember to include preparations for physical safety. Here are some tips.

Teach your children when, how, and who to contact during an emergency;
If possible, instruct them how to leave the home when situations escalate;
Come up with a code word for when to leave the house during an emergency;
Identify a room in your home they can go to when they are afraid;
Instruct them to stay out of areas containing items that can be used as weapons; and
Teach your children to not intervene in moments of violence even if they want to help.
It is normal to be concerned about what will happen to your pets if you leave during an abusive situation. It is also recommended to include your pets in your safety plan. Here are some tips for considering your pets in your plan.

Take steps to have them vaccinated, microchipped, and licensed in your area;
If your pet is microchipped, make sure your abusive partner is not listed as a contact;
If possible, avoid leaving pets with your abusive partner;
If you are planning to leave, talk to friends, family, neighbors, or your veterinarian about temporary care for your pet;
Search for services that assist in domestic violence shelters or animal shelters for safekeeping of your pet;
After leaving, consider changing veterinarians; and
If you or someone you know had to leave their pet behind with the abusive partner, consider seeking assistance from services like animal control to see if they can intervene.

Safety while using the internet

Another factor in staying safe and unreachable from your abusive partner is to manage your privacy and location settings on your phone apps and social media. Always check and change your privacy settings on social media such as Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. Adjusting these settings can hide your current uploads, location, and photos from your abusive partner who might be trying to locate you.

Here are some questions to ask yourself if you plan to use the internet during an escape.

Can my abuser see what websites I have visited?
Is there spyware on my computer?
How can I make it less likely that my abuser will find my personal information on the internet?
Can I permanently delete my social media accounts?
Is there anything I can do to cut back on the amount of my personal information that stays online?

If you feel you are in an unsafe situation, please call us, we are here to help. (479) 444-6000.

04/27/2020

(LITTLE ROCK, ARK.) – Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston has announced that late fees and interest charges on businesses' annual franchise taxes will be waived until July 15th. The filing deadline for annual franchise taxes is May 1st. Typically, companies filing after the deadline are char...

04/20/2020

The move meant that Wells Fargo would receive millions more dollars in processing fees, according to the lawsuit.

04/16/2020

The government's paycheck protection loan program for small businesses is on hold. The Small Business Administration said Thursday that it reached the $349 billion lending limit for the program.

04/08/2020

Doctors, firefighters and others who risk exposure to Covid-19 are being taken to court by ex-spouses who want to keep them away from their children.

04/03/2020

IN RE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REVISED ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 10 - 2020 ARK. 131