Smith Mihas PLLC

01/22/2023

01/22/2023

01/20/2023

01/18/2023

01/13/2023

01/03/2023

“It is better to risk saving a guilty person than to condemn an innocent one.”
— Voltaire

12/12/2022

12/12/2022

12/10/2022

LOL

12/09/2022

Officers Have A Lot To Gain From Unconstitutional Traffic Stops, But Not A Lot To Lose

Officers Have A Lot To Gain From Unconstitutional Traffic Stops, But Not A Lot To Lose

In Louisiana, a dash cam video showed officers making up a traffic violation to fish for bigger crimes. Unconstitutional stops happen all the time because of the monetary incentives and lack of accountability when rights are violated.

12/06/2022

12/06/2022

11/24/2022

11/22/2022

11/20/2022

11/20/2022

11/20/2022

11/19/2022

But that's all water under the floor.

11/12/2022

11/12/2022

Created by Wayne Urso.

~PUNdora

11/12/2022

11/12/2022

11/12/2022

Marketing 101

Sign placement is everything! :D

11/09/2022

Plea bargaining and mass incarceration go hand in hand. We need to end both.

Plea bargaining and mass incarceration go hand in hand. We need to end both.

When it comes time to negotiate a plea bargain, it is prosecutors who hold all the power. Our criminal legal system is destroying millions of lives.

11/09/2022

Houston prosecutors are keeping cash seized from defendants whose cases were compromised by police corruption

Houston prosecutors are keeping cash seized from defendants whose cases were compromised by police corruption

Even in cases that hinged on the trustworthiness of demonstrably untrustworthy cops, people are still waiting to get their money back.

11/07/2022

10/22/2022

☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️🤣🤣

10/22/2022

10/08/2022

Judge Overturns Murder Convictions, Citing Use of Rap Lyrics at Trial

Judge Overturns Murder Convictions, Citing Use of Rap Lyrics at Trial

The decision was of particular interest because Gov. Gavin Newsom of California expanded a law last week to specifically restrict the use of rap lyrics in criminal proceedings.

10/05/2022

09/30/2022

Why Nevada wants to use drones inside prisons

Why Nevada wants to use drones inside prisons

Prison staffing has grown so dire that governors in Florida and West Virginia have declared states of emergency in recent weeks.

09/30/2022

Why Nevada wants to use drones inside prisons

Why Nevada wants to use drones inside prisons

Prison staffing has grown so dire that governors in Florida and West Virginia have declared states of emergency in recent weeks.

09/29/2022

Black People ‘Seven Times More Likely’ to Suffer Wrongful Convictions: Study

Black People ‘Seven Times More Likely’ to Suffer Wrongful Convictions: Study

Despite representing only 13.6 percent of the population, Black people account for 53 percent of the 3,200 exonerations through August 2022, according to a report released Tuesday by the National Registry of Exonerations.

09/24/2022

Michigan state police silent on ma*****na testing debacle; critics call for change

Michigan state police silent on ma*****na testing debacle; critics call for change

Michigan state police are revealing little about a ma*****na testing problem that could potentially impact several thousand cases.

09/24/2022

DOJ Admits It Has No Idea How Many People Die in Law Enforcement Custody

DOJ Admits It Has No Idea How Many People Die in Law Enforcement Custody

Thousands of deaths in jails, prisons, and police custody have gone uncounted in recent years. Now the DOJ is calling for changes to federal law.

07/25/2022

Photos from Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan's post

01/22/2022

Arthur Tarnow was a champion for indigent clients, a distinguished jurist, but to CDAM he was one of our founders and our friend. Yesterday, we lost Art Tarnow at age 79.
Since 1998 when President Clinton appointed him to the bench, he was known as Judge Tarnow. His justice was tempered by his compassion and supported by insightful logic. For those fortunate enough, he was a joy to practice in front of. Peggy Raben said it best yesterday. Judge Tarnow remained centered on the best interests of the defendants who appeared before him.
However, at CDAM we also remember a man who was a brilliant appellate attorney and one of the charter founders of our organization. We are thankful that we recognized Judge Tarnow “In Recognition of Outstanding Contributions to CDAM since 1976 and Lifelong Dedication to Equal Justice for All.” The award barely scratched the surface in describing what he meant to our profession, our organization, and the men and women he represented and judged.
Asked in 2018 how he would like to be remembered, Judge Tarnow said: “Being a public servant with great power is a large responsibility. It requires patience, the ability to listen to the parties, lawyers and law clerks, and a sense of fairness.” And of course, a sharp wit that never took himself or others too seriously.
In recognition of COVID-19, the family is hoping to conduct a memorial gathering this summer. In the meantime, please feel free to share stories and memories of Judge Tarnow here on the CDAM page.

01/22/2021

01/18/2021

As we transition to new national leadership, what a time to remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The violence and turmoil he faced were no less daunting than we what we now endure. His courage and determination are an example of how to go forward as we try to unify our nation despite our differences and fears for the future.

12/25/2020

2020 has been a difficult year for many of us. The pandemic, our finances, personal struggles . . . . no doubt many of us have gone through all of that and more this year. So hopefully, today and during this holiday season you can find comfort and blessings in this you love and who love you. Happy holidays and Merry Christmas, and our wish at Smith Mihas PLLC is that 2021 brings you joy and peace, as well as prosperity in the new year.