Las Vegas Injury Lawyers Blog

Written By a Law Clerk for Parker Scheer Lagomarsino: Robert Maxey

The reason corruption is so lethal is because its premise is in direct opposition with the foundation of government. Governments serve the people whereas corruption is self-serving. The conflict of interest is obvious. In economics, growth and prosperity within a country is often tied to what is called the rule of law. The rule of law means that no one is above the law and the enforcement of it relies heavily upon how corrupt, apathetic or negligent a country is in enforcing its laws. It is therefore that an act of corruption is not just a moral tragedy but is in fact an attack on our purses and our prosperity. With an economic and moral interest in mind, the need to preserve moral rectitude is essential to our personal success.

The following facts have been alleged in a recent civil rights lawsuit:

On August 3rd, 2009 it has been alleged that police officers assaulted, accosted and accused LaMonte Simmons without cause and without reason. The officers had arrived at Simmons' neighbors house and put a boy who outside into a headlock. The boy's mother inquired as to why her son was being held and they threw her against a wall and held her there by pulling her arm behind her back. Simmons' who thought the force was unnecessary started complaining and he was instructed by officers to leave. After more police showed up however Simmons was confronted by an officer who put on his gloves, walked up and punched him across the face. A group of about ten officers then came up and beat him. Afterwards Simmons was arrested on charges of assaulting an officer and obstruction of justice.

What makes this incident so shocking, if proven, is that it plays out like a run of the mill gang attack, except the gang in this violent assault was the police! To add to the outrage, it is believed that the violence in this encounter was never reported by other officers present and no police officer was disciplined.

When the government has a monopoly on the use of force, those with whom we trust to use that force must do so appropriately. Our rule of law cannot protect us when malicious corruption, commonly found in third world nations, is running rampant in the United States. The state has an immediate responsibility to resolve the unraveling of our civilized society. An important point to make is that this level of corruption should never have arisen. Safeguards and policies should have been adequately placed to protect the citizens from such flagrant anarchy.

As was stated earlier this is not just a moral issue, it is an economic one that our country is reliant upon. We cannot thrive if people cannot trust our government and we live in fear of it. The result of the lawsuit that Simmons' has filed will hopefully bring the necessary changes. If it does not history will repeat itself and we will have a new tragedy to besmirch our government. People will graciously be given the opportunity to re-contemplate what had gone wrong.

A full article can be found here: Suit claims Chicago police punch first 'and ask questions later'

Continue reading "Alleged Corruption in Chicago Civil Rights Case" »

Written By a Law Clerk for Parker Scheer Lagomarsino: Robert Maxey

Power and authority are the most important influences we subject ourselves to. Deciding who has authority or power and when are crucial questions to answer. Within the United States we have three separate branches of government designed in a way that they create a system of checks and balances. It is this system of checks and balances that helps prevent what our society fears, tyranny.

Law and order are tools to be used within our system to promote the welfare of society and to nurture the growth and happiness of individual life. Our country was given birth upon the principals of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Within our constitution and within every law no one person has absolute authority or power to do as they please. Our laws define and appropriate power and authority in very specific manners that which prevent the government from terrorizing its citizens.

We enjoy the pleasure and freedom to speak on whatever political issues we feel warrant our voice and act as we choose so long as laws are not broken. Despite this nature of freedom in our country there are occasions when boundaries of power and authority are crossed. There are instances when power is taken out of its designated use and applied illegally to torment citizens. It is these instances that should cause the most alarm in our country and it is these times that the most drastic punishments must be issued.

On November 2006 police officer's acting outside their authority and power assaulted Ronald Eaton in front of a local restaurant in Ellsworth. While the officer's were acting with assumed noble intentions of preventing disturbing the peace they were acting outside of their power. Mr. Eaton had been inside eating and drinking when his girlfriend left under the guise of using the restroom. After her disappearance Mr. Eaton went outside in search for her. His search enticed off duty police officers to restrain him breaking his arm and imprison him without adequate cause. While imprisoned with a broken arm he had pepper spray and further physical force used against him.

To take threats against the rule of law with apathy could allow our system to deteriorate to a fragile state vulnerable to collapse. We enjoy our successful nation because we do not tolerate corruption. Police are given plenty of freedom to uphold the law but they cannot and will never be allowed to uphold the law as they see fit. Being disruptive or obnoxious is not inherently a crime and usually requires impeding upon someone else's safety to be considered such. For any officer to uphold their version of the law is in direct conflict with our constitution and our separations of power. As restitution to Mr. Eaton the case was settled for $725,000 before the trial was set to begin.

A full article can be found here: Police brutality civil case settled out of court for $725,000

Our law firm does not represent anybody in this incident. The commentary is for educational purposes only. If you or someone you know has had your rights violated or suffered police brutality and would like to be represented by a great Las Vegas Lawyer, contact our office for a free confidential case review and receive a response within hours. Call Toll Free 866-414-0400.