Show Notes (12.16)

LHL is back tomorrow and has quite an interesting show planned. Legal Help Live will be covering a variety of topics ranging from Supreme Court cases, male prostitution, marijuana legalization, and other topics you can find listed below.

Legal Help Live offers free legal advice each Wednesday at 4 PM. During the show the Hosts take calls from viewers with legal situations from parking tickets to personal injury. Viewers can catch the show on LA cable channel 36 or 16 in Santa Monica. Online the show can be viewed on LA36.org.

If you'd like to ask the Hosts a question call 1(800)405-4222.

Show Topics
Supreme Court to Review Text Messages in Employee Privacy Case
-A swat officer claimed he had an exception of privacy that would prevent the city from retrieving sexually explicated texts he sent to his wife and mistress and others.
Nev. Brothel aims to offer 1st male prostitutes
-Owner of a brothel in Las Vegas aims to hire Nevada’s first legal prostitutes within a month.
Marijuana legalization initiative headed for 2010 ballot, organizers say
-Supporters of an initiative that would legalize marijuana in CA say they have collected enough signatures to ensure that it will be on the November 2010 ballot.
California adopts stricter rules for drug abusers in the health industry
-Nurses, dentists, and other professionals with addictions will be subject to more drug tests, and any restrictions to their licenses will be listed on public websites.
Effects of judge’s Katrina ruling could be huge.
-The harshly worded legal ruling held the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers responsible for much of the flooding during Hurricane Katrina.
Foreclosures will keep rising through 2010.
-Mortgage Bankers Assn. says delinquencies and home repossessions have hit a new high. Blaming job losses for most of the pain, it sees a continued surge in foreclosure through all of next year.
UC Regent approve 32% student fee hike.
-The decision was made with little debate after a lengthy committee discussion Wednesday. Thousands of students and labor union activists effect throughout the television industry.
‘BMW Bandits’ have extended their operation into the San Fernando Valley.
-The thieves known for stealing air bags and headlights from luxury cars in the Westside and Mid-Wilshire areas have targeted about 10 vehicles, not all BMW’s, in the Valley.
Porn Kings trying to release Prejean sex tape.
-The world’s largest porn company has obtained a copy of the Carrie Prejean solo sex tape and are trying desperately to release it.
A setback in Maine for Gay Marriage, but Medical Marijuana Law Expands
Hollywood Spider-Man impersonator caught in legal web.
Boxer Mike Tyson is arrested after altercation at LAX
McCourt Divorce – Dodger cuts 87 year old part time baseball scout from $18,000 to $8,000 per year.

Show Notes (12.2)

Legal Help Lives got a packed show this week. We're going to be discussing numerous topics including Gov. Schwarzenegger's problems with the law and Obama's uninvited guests as well as taking calls on your legal questions and issues beginning at 4 PM.

Legal Help Live is a live on air show based in Los Angeles. You can catch us on Channel 36 (la36.org) in Los Angeles, or on Channel 16 in Santa Monica. The Legal Help Live experts deal with all sorts of topics and are your resource on legal matters ranging from traffic tickets, to personal injury, workers rights violations, to you name it. If you've got a question just give Legal Help Live a call at 1 (800) 405-4222.

If you can't watch the show on TV, check it out online at la36.org.

Show Topics 12.2
California Athletic Commission
-Fighters can be disciplined for marijuana use
Sex Offenders booted from two online social networking sites
-more than 3,500 convicted sex offenders were kicked on Facebook and MySpace in the first sweep under the NY Electronic Security and Targeting of Online Predators Act.
Serena given a fine due to her outburst at the US Open
Gov. Schwarzenegger caught breaking traffic laws
Sylvester Stallone in violation of seatbelt law
IRS saws Schwarzenegger owes over $79,000.
Scams for press coverage and the legal problem create.
Obama’s uninvited guests prompt inquiry
Swiss Authorities will not appeal ruling allowing Roman Polanski out on bail.

If there's a topic you'd like to see discussed, leave a comment below or tweet LHL @legalhelplive.

Show Notes (11.25)

Legal Help Live will be live on air today (11.25) at 4 PM, to get you going here's a preview of the topics we'll be discussing.

Legal Help Live gives free legal advice each Wednesday and can be found on cable channel 36 in Los Angeles (la36.org) or channel 16 in Santa Monica. If you have a pressing legal question give us a call at 1 (800) 405-4222 to speak to a host. First come, first serve, so be sure to call a bit before 4.

Show Notes
Fired, Laid off, or Discriminated Against?
-Find out what kind of recourse you have and whether you can get your money/job back.
Are you a "Manager" in name only?
- What are your rights if you're doing the work but not being paid fairly?
California adopts stricter rules for drug abusers in the health industry.
-Nurses, dentists, and other professionals with addictions will be subject to more drug tests and any restrictions to their licenses will be listed on public websites.
Effects of Judge's Katrina ruling could be huge.
-A Judge recently ruled that the Army Corps of Engineers was primarily at fault for much of the flooding during Hurricane Katrina.
UC Regents approves 32% increase in education fees.
The Oprah effect: winners and losers.
BMW Bandits
-The bandits who target air bags and headlights primarily in the Westside/mid-Wilshire area are moving into the valley.
Porn Kings trying to release Prejean sex tape.
A setback in Maine for gay marriage, but medical marijuana law expands.
Hollywood Spider-Man impersonator caught in legal web.
Boxer Mike Tyson gets arrested after altercation at LAX.
McCourt divorce.

Any topics you think we missed? Let us know in the comment section below, or tweet us @legalhelplive.

Show Notes

At Legal Help Live TV we cover all types of legal related topics. You can tune in each week at 4 PM on Channel 36 in Los Angeles and 16 in Santa Monica. If you'd like to call in with a legal matter just dial 1(800) 405-4222 to speak to a host.

You can also submit a legal related question or topic you'd like to see covered by leaving a comment in the comment section below or by going to legalhleplive.com and scrolling down to the question submission form.

Previous Show Topics Include:

Exotic Dancers, Wages, and the IRS

Roman Polanski

Guns now allowed in Arizona Bars

Vallejo Police Outsource Report Writing

Appeals court dismisses Dan Rather's suit vs. CBS

City Council demands answers/solutions to L.A. water main failures

1 Skydiver dies, another injured after mid-air collision

Coyote reportedly attacks man in Griffith Park

Contestant sues reality show, claims she was shocked and humiliated

Is a second execution attempt cruel and unusual

Pregnant mother forced to give up IVF baby after doctors gave her wrong embryo

Don't forget to check Legal Help Live out on Twitter.

Legal Help Live Show Topics - 11.11

Legal Help Live is back today and do we have an interesting show for you.

To speak to a host regarding fighting parking tickets to more serious personal injury matters, discrimination, malpractice, drug issues, corruption and marijuana dispensaries and any other legal question you may have call us at 1-800-405-4222. The show starts at 4 PM, and if you want to talk to a host plan to call in a couple minutes before. Legal Help Live can be watched on cable Channel 36 in Los Angeles / 16 in Santa Monica or online at LA36.

Legal Help Live Show Topics (11.11.09)

McCourt/Dodgers Divorce
Clippers Owner Settles Bias Claims
Alleged Extortion from David Letterman
Vatican Looks to Heavens for Signs of Alien Life
Artificial Penis Tissue Proves Promising in Lab Tests
US Supreme Court Considers Limiting Life Prison Terms for Youths
For Equestrians, a Buyer's Market in Horses
Preshrunk Prices - Jeans
Alligator Bites off Golfer's Arm
Report of Shark Sighting off Sunset Beach Causes Buzz Among Surfers
2 Women in Sudan Sentenced to 20 Lashes and $110 Fine for Wearing Pants

If you've got topics you'd like Legal Help Live to cover, leave us a comment in the comment section or tweet us @legalhelplive.

Signing our Dancing Feet Away

As the times change, so must school policies. One of the newest policies to change in recent years is the way schools approach dances. Recently schools have begun to utilize "dance contracts" to cut down on bad behavior and sexually suggestive dancing. The contract requires a student to abide by certain behaviors while at the dance, for example both feet must be on the ground at all time. If found to be dancing in violation of the dance contract they face expulsion from the dance or worse penalties. There are many local schools that employ these contracts including Downey High School, Aliso Niguel High School, and Biola University.

Legal Help Live is curious, do you think dance contracts are necessary for our kids?

Should you report a robbery?

Is it worth reporting a robbery if you fear retribution from those involved?

Robberies aren't supposed to happen, but when they do should you report it? Many don't report small robberies thinking nothing will be done and just move, while others are afraid but do so anyways. The problem is, citizens who do report crimes shouldn't have to worry about the robber retaliating against them.

Legal Help Live wants to know, have you been robbed and did you report it, or have you been the threatened for reporting a crime? Take a look at the unbelievable story of Khristina Henry and leave a comment below.

"After midnight on a cool September morning three years ago, Khristina Henry and her boyfriend stepped out of the El Dorado Bowling Alley near LAX. Nearby, a group of about 20 young men stared hard as the pair of 17-year-olds walked to their car."

Full LA Times article.

HS Football, too dangerous for kids?

In the wake of a recent passing of a high school freshman while playing football, Legal Help Live wants to know: Is high school football too dangerous for our children?

Take look at the article and post your response in the comment section below.

"Spencer Juarez collapsed on the sidelines after carrying the football in the final minutes of Friday's game. The straight-A student ran the L.A. marathon and was a 'curious' observer of the world."

Full LA Times article.

Protecting Yourself from Illegal Contractors

With any natural disaster comes rebuilding, unfortunately many out there seek to capitalize on that at the expense of those who already can't afford it. In an LA Times article titled "Authorities Seek to Warn Station Fire Victims about Illegal Contractors" the question of how to protect you, the home owner, from unscrupulous contractors is raised.

Here's what Legal Help Lives Stephen Jamieson had to say:

It irks me (legal phrase, given I am lawyer) that people are out there to victimize the victimized in these times of great strife and tragedy. this is especially true when it occurs during a horrible recession and people are likely at their most vulnerable position even before the fires. Contractors always need to be licensed. If they are not licensed they are not entitled to be paid. That is the law. Don't pay them in advance and don't hire them unless and until they are confirmed to be licensed and insured. No exceptions!

LAUSD and the Private Enterprise Model

In response to the LA Times article "Votes could open 250 L.A. schools to outside operators" Legal Help Lives Stephen Jamieson had this to say:

There is no reason that public school should be struggling, yet it is. There is no reason that with the resources of the government and the requirements imposed on public school teachers and administrators that they should be under-performing, yet in many cases they are under-performing. While there should never be change for change's sake alone, operating outside one's comfort zone can be beneficial to expose inefficiencies and complacency - which are never good qualities. The LAUSD should try using a private enterprise model. There are enough good, caring teachers and administrators that it will temper a for profit type system that is otherwise judged solely on competitive edge so that students will reap the benefits rather than the corporate structure itself. And, isn't that what we all want, better student performance?


For the full LA Times article click here.

Do we need another law on alcohol sales to minors?

In response to an LA Times article from 7/8 titled "Alcohol sales to minors a problem with self-service checkout" Ralph Saltsman of Legal Help Live had this to say:

As to AB 1060 which would disallow self-checking of alcoholic beverages at retail stores, according to Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control statistics, programs implemented in the mid-1990’s have diminished sales of alcohol to minors significantly. That may be why the ABC does not support the pending legislation. Existing law strictly prohibits sales to minors. The seller is faced with misdemeanor prosecution. The licensee is faced with a substantial fine and if the offense is repeated twice within 36 months of the date of the first violation, the license will be revoked. Revocation means forever.

Since the ABC began its program of funding local police departments to set up decoy programs throughout the state in 1995, sales to minors have dropped. Can a kid outwit a self-checkout system? Of course. Can that kid also outwit a trained clerk who is armed with electronic scanning devices? The answer is still yes.

As the law firm which represents ABC retail licenses statewide and which litigates disciplinary proceedings brought by the ABC against licensees, I believe we have some insight which may contribute to the analysis of the controversy between self-checking and clerical checking. Our observation is that there are no systems which cannot be circumvented, but the legislature’s, the state agency’s and retailers’ mutual obligation is to minimize sales to minors without destroying a significant part of the state’s economy at the same time. Statutes on the books now and the diligent oversight by the ABC with local police together with in-store systems and training seem to be addressing the age-old problem of the under-aged obtaining alcohol. Why interfere with a system that seems to now be making things better?

Has Harvard Law Gone Soft?

MSNBC's Carlos Watson asked Legal Help Live for our take on the matter and a response to The Stimulist article "The Pamper Chase."

Here’s what LHL’s Stephen Jamieson had to say:

There is something both endearing and beneficial to the development of young lawyers in the Socratic system of teaching.

To the extent that Harvard is moving away from that intense, on the spot, staccato method of learning by questioning, rather than lecturing, the legal system will suffer.

Harvard was and is expected to be the gold standard for training our legal scholars, litigators, trial attorneys, and counselors. The phrase was always law school will train you to “think like a lawyer”. Passive listening to lectures, with no competition to slice and dice what issue is being addressed, does not produce the best ability to analyze problems and “think like a lawyer”.

Coddling students by settling into a non competitive atmosphere is not beneficial to engineers, historians, scientists, and is certainly not beneficial for lawyers. Lawyers must think on their feet and be able to analyze issues and arguments from all sides. Testing those skills, learning the ability to analyze in the face of adversity, sharpens our ability to serve our clients.

Faculty that is responsive to students, and a physically comfortable atmosphere to enable the process of educating students to be lawyers: yes. Non competitive atmosphere with no way to compare one’s performance against others: no

Legal Help Live wants to know, what do you think? Post a comment below or find us on Twitter , Facebook , or YouTube .

LHL's Stephen Solomon quoted in Union Tribune

Last week Solomon, Saltsman, and Jamieson filed a $550,000,000 damages claim on behalf of the San Pasqual band of Mission Indians against the state of CA. The claim is seeking lost profits resulting from Governor Schwarzenegger refusing to allow the California Gambling Control Commission to issue all of the slot machine licenses to which the tribe is entitled under its 1999 gambling compact with the state. 

San Pasqual's lawyer and Legal Help Lives own Stephen Solomon commented that "the state has breached its commitments to the tribe." Adding "they've been delaying for two years and if they're not going to issue the licenses then we want them to pay us our lost income." 

Mr. Solomon also commented that "in the end, the tribe would much rather have the machines than the money."

Click here for the full San Diego Union Tribune article. 

Follow Legal Help Live on Twitter and Facebook, and if you like what you're reading don't forget to share it using the share button at the bottom of the page. 

Lawsuit Filed in Teen Car Crash Death

The family of 14 year old boy Phoenix Nguyen sued the city of Huntington Beach approximately one year after the March 2008 car crash that killed him.  Nguyen was the passenger of a 1995 Acura when the driver, traveling at 75 to 80 mph in a 45 mph zone, ran a stop sign.  The family apparently claims that the stop sign at the intersection in which he was killed was not clearly visible, thereby creating a “dangerous condition of public property,” and that this condition resulted in a “reasonably foreseeable risk of injury.”

The city has stated it believes that “the road was properly marked and signed,” and that the accident was a result of excessive speed.”  However, approximately two weeks later, another drive of a yellow Ford Mustang ran the same intersection, crashing into a Toyota Camry.  Stephen Solomon, partner with the Playa Del Rey, California law firm Solomon, Saltsman & Jamieson and co-host of the weekly televised talk show Legal Help Live says when a family makes a claim for wrongful death of a minor child the law allows compensation for loss of love, comfort and society but not emotional distress.  While it is difficult to discern between these two categories of damages it is an important difference.  Moreover, the economic value to compensate for the death of a minor presents unique challenges.  Victims should always evaluate the experience of prospective counsel when deciding to retain a lawyer in this area of the law.

Car Accident Leaves Two Pedestrians Dead

A two-car accident that occurred on March 31, 2009 killed two pedestrians and left one other in critical condition.  The collision occurred on the border between Los Angeles and West Hollywood, near the intersection of Fountain and La Brea, killing a 65 year old woman at the scene.  The other two pedestrians, a man and woman in their 50’s, were hospitalized and listed in critical condition.  The second woman died just hours later.  The victims were allegedly in the pedestrian crosswalk when they were struck.

The surviving victim and the family of the two others may have legal claims both against the drivers of the two vehicles, as well as the City.  Stephen Jamieson, partner with the Playa Del Rey, California law firm Solomon, Saltsman & Jamieson, and co-host of the weekly televised talk show Legal Help Live says while it is apparent that the drivers of the vehicles must be considered when evaluating who is liable for this tragedy, it is also necessary to evaluate if one or the other City may also be liable, or perhaps CALTRANS, for a dangerous condition of public roadway.  Like any claim against a governmental entity in California, such a claim must be appropriately filed in an adequate manner against the correct entity(ties) not later than 6 months from the date of the accident or the victim’s rights may be forever lost.

Families Sue City of Newport for Broken Neck and Drowning

Two local families have recently sued the city of Newport for the March 2008 drowning of 17 year old Victor Want and an August 2008 incident in which a young man dived into a wave and broke his neck.  Wang’s family seeks $20 million from the city, claiming that “there were no flags posted or visible showing that there was high surf or high wind conditions.”  The second young man’s claim seeks $500,000 claiming that an unspecified “dangerous condition of public property” and a “failure to warn” were the cause of his neck injury.

 

California Government Code § 831.2 states that public entities are not liable for injuries caused by dangerous conditions of unimproved public property.  However, § 835 of the Code states that a public entity is liable for injury caused by a dangerous condition of its property if it was in a dangerous condition and the public entity did not take measures to protect against a known condition.  Stephen Jamieson, partner with the Playa del Rey, California law firm, Solomon, Saltsman & Jamieson, and co-host of the weekly televised talk show, Legal Help Live, says cases where the government is a defendant present unique issues of “notice” and an opportunity to fix a known problem, as well as evaluating if governmental immunities are applicable.  Cases like this present special challenges to lawyers so victims should always assess what area of expertise is possessed by counsel they are considering to retain.

Actress Natasha Richardson’s Death Due to Delayed Bleeding

Actress Natasha Richardson died on March 19, 2009 apparently as a result of a brain injury suffered in a skiing accident just two days prior. Her death surprised many, as she walked away unscathed after a relatively minor fall on the ski slopes. Doctors characterized Richardson’s injury as a “walk and die” syndrome, which is usually due to delayed bleeding from an artery in the brain. Dr. Christopher Giza, a neurologist at the UCLA Brain Injury Research Center said that “patients like Richardson appear normal immediately after injury, walking and talking as if nothing has happened. But symptoms can develop within an hour, such as a coma or even death.”

It is not yet clear what type of civil liability, if any, the owners of the ski resort are subject to. Richardson was apparently not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, and the resort’s policy, as will virtually all ski resorts, seemingly did not require skiers to wear helmets. Ralph Saltsman, partner with the Playa Del Rey, California law firm, Solomon, Saltsman & Jamieson, and co-host of the weekly televised talk show, Legal Help Live, says…sporting injuries are many times the result of poorly managed facilities with no or little safety plan or procedure.

Chatsworth Metrolink Crash Survivor Faces Long Road Back

Mofya, a 27 year old exchange student from Zimbabwe, was riding Metrolink 111 when it slammed head-on into a Union Pacific freight train in Chatsworth on September 12, 2008, killing 25 and injuring 135.  Mofya suffered severe injuries as a result, including internal cuts, burns over a tenth of her body, brain injuries, a badly broken ankle and femur, and a torn corpea.  For two months she remained in a coma until she finally awoke on Thanksgiving Day.  Mofya was apparently released from the hospital on January 18, 2009 it is reported.

 While Mofya is apparently on the road back to recovery, doctors have reported that she will likely never be the same.  Mofya may face many more months of physical and mental rehabilitation before she will regain the ability to walk, write, read and speak.  Commenting on this tragic and highly publicized train crash is Stephen Solomon, partner with the Playa Del Rey, California law firm Solomon, Saltsman & Jamieson and co-host of the weekly television show Legal Help Live, stating that claims against train or railway companies present unique challenges, not the least of which is a 200 million dollar cap on all damages for all persons in the aggregate.  Whether or not the 200 million dollar cap is applicable to the wrongful death claims or is just applicable to the injury claims remains to be determined.

Legal Help Live from March 18th, 2009

Legal Help Live from March 11th, 2009

Legal Help Live - from March 4, 2009

Stephen Warren Solomon and Ralph B Saltsman on Internet Dating

Internet dating websites bombard us daily. “CraigsList” and “Seeking Arrangement” and “E-Harmony” and “Match.com” are all trying to draw men and women who want sex, companionship or marriage to view their sites and join their programs. No one can open the New York Times or the Los Angeles Times without seeing articles and ads enticing the reader into the chase. How many fatal attractions, rapists or other unsavories are lurking in any of these services lying in wait to cause injury or emotional damage? No one really knows. Who is legally liable when patron becomes victim by meeting then dating an internet contact when that victim is stalked, raped, or murdered?

Beyond the actual criminal actor, one obvious target for legal liability is the Web company. But those businesses are shielded by legal immunities constructed to protect web providers. If a website has done nothing to verify information provided by a participant, shouldn’t the law hold the site liable when that participant harms another lured by that site? One could argue that the providers need to determine the accuracy of information before it’s out on the internet. The legal theory is not much different then for the car dealer who sells defective automobiles or for the restaurant that serves contaminated food. Those businesses may be liable for damages caused. Even in commercial “speech” the First Amendment protects the internet, but those commercial internet systems should not be wholly absolved from the responsibility of providing basic customer protections. In our instantaneous electronic society, the concept of buyer beware does not provide adequate basic protection from injury or death arising from internet contacts. Of course, it will take an act of Congress strike a better balance.

Legal Help Live From February 18th

Here's the opening banter from our February 18th show. We always enjoy taking your calls and offering you advice and opinions!

Tragedy Strikes A Young Angels Pitcher

Angel’s pitcher Nick Adenhart was tragically killed in a hit and run car accident in Fullerton, CA on April 9th after being struck by a drunk driver who ran an intersection at a speed of approximately 50 to 65 miles per hour. The driver fled the scene on foot and was captured by police 30 minutes later. 

 
In addition to criminal charges, the drunk driver may be subject to a civil suit for wrongful death by the victim’s family. Stephen Jamieson and Stephen Solomon, partners of the law firm, Solomon, Saltsman, & Jamieson, and co-hosts of the live television show, Legal Help Live, say that “it may be possible to file a civil wrongful death case against the driver or the city or state that operated the intersection. This case could not bring back the life of the Angel’s pitcher, but might generate millions of dollars for the family.”