Category Archives: Crime

Crime, divorce, General Legal, humor

Judges; Human Lie Detectors

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“Do you swear or affirm the testimony you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?”

All testimony is under oath. Judges apply the smell test to determine your truthfulness. Testimony that doesn’t make sense fails this test.

A man, after having been caught with his girlfriend, denied they were intimate because he could not…perform.  There was testimony that he had issues in that department. However, he was also on medication for his ailments.  He continued his medication even months after separating from his wife.  He did NOT have a good explanation for that.

Judge knew he was NOT telling the whole truth. You can lose your credibility on something seemingly trivial. Judges listen intently and judge you. That is their job. If you lie about little things or are “cute” with your answers then they may assume you’ll lie about big things.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Lawyer in Mississippi and recommends you tell the truth and nothing but the truth…but only answer what is asked.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

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Crime, divorce, General Legal

Locked Out.

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Can I Change the Locks?

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“Can I change the locks?” is in the top 5 of divorce questions.

Yes. You can change the locks if it’s your house. If you are purchasing the home, or leasing or renting the abode, apartment, condo or camping trailer you can change the locks. But, there’s more…

What if he changes the locks on me? You can let yourself in if it’s your house. If you are purchasing the home, or leasing or renting the abode, apartment, condo or camping trailer you can let yourself in.

What does ‘let yourself in‘ mean? Exactly as it sounds. If you have a copy of the deed or lease agreement a locksmith will let you in, for a fee, or you can break the window and let yourself in.

You cannot break into your own house.* (*Unless there is a Court Order awarding one party exclusive use, or if it is NOT your house.)

So, I can change the locks, but it may not keep him out? Correct.

How do I keep him out? Get a Court Order.

Matthew Thompson is a divorce attorney in Mississippi and knows a great locksmith.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case at (601) 850- 8000  or Matthew@BowTieLawyer.ms

alienation, Child Custody, Crime, divorce

One Way to Stop Having an Affair!

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Stop having the affair.

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Stop texting, talking, FaceBook stalking, lunching, canoodling, meeting, pining, yearning, lying, pretending, excusing, allowing, submitting.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in Mississippi and suggests you stop.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case at (601) 850-8000  or Matthew@BowTieLawyer.ms

Child Custody, Crime, divorce, General Legal, Opinion

When NOT to Call the Police…in your family law matter.

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When to call the Police regarding a Family Law matter has been blogged here, When to Call the Police! This post is When NOT to call the police and is just as important as the former. So, when do you NOT call the police?

  • When he Just Won’t do What you Want.  He does not have to do what you want.  He has to do what he is Ordered to do.  Just because he won’t do as you ask, if he is complying with an Order, does not mean you should call the police.  If he is not breaching the peace the police are not going to do anything.
  • When There is no Court Order in Place and the Kids are Otherwise Safe.  Just because they are not with you does not mean the other parent will be arrested.  When there is no Court Order in place each of you have equal rights to the children.
  • When she Leaves Them With her Family and NOT you.  This is not a crime, if no Order is in place, it’s not even contempt.  Again, if the kids are safe…
  • When you are the Instigator to a Fight.  You will get arrested. You calling the police does not lessen the chances of this.  The police’s job is to figure out what happened.
  • When There is NOT a Legitimate Reason to Call 911.  Crying wolf does NOT help your case.  You will likely be exposed for doing so and it will backfire. Don’t do it.  Also, when you cry wolf and allege abuse that did not happen it makes it more difficult for the next person who really did suffer abuse. If it’s not an Emergency don’t call.
  • He’s 15 Minutes Late for the Pick-up or Drop-off.  It’s not kidnapping if he’s stuck in traffic.  The police are not going to do anything.  You probably shouldn’t even call your attorney.  Just wait 15 more minutes or call him.

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney in Mississippi and if you find yourself in an Emergency call 911, and if you find yourself not getting what you want call your attorney or your mamma.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case at (601) 850-8000  or Matthew@BowTieLawyer.ms

Child Custody, Crime, divorce, General Legal

The TRUTH about LIE Detectors.

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“I’ll take a lie detector test!” Famous last words.

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2010/01/08/become-a-human-lie-detector-how-to-sniff-out-a-liar/

Lie Detector Tests and their application in Mississippi Law is limited. The tests themselves are deemed generally unreliable by a legal standard and are not admissible in Court, absent mutual agreement or stipulation otherwise. However, law enforcement relies on them when administered properly. Personally, I have seen testing and the results impact several cases.

First off, What is a Polygraph Test? A test which measures and records physiological indicators such as; blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and skin conductivity, while the subject is asked and answers a series of questions. Wikipedia.

During the actual test only the test taker and examiner are present. The questions asked are typically only a few and they are asked a number of times, the exact same way. There are no surprise questions, no questions that are not rehearsed, and no Lamp Shades.

The test is measuring your involuntary responses and during the pre-test phase you are instructed to lie about an answer for comparison to involuntary responses during the testing.

Despite their limited Courtroom application, law enforcement agencies routinely administer Polygraph tests to suspects of crimes and the FBI uses polygraph testing regularly for not only suspects and witnesses, but also testing their own personnel, staff and agents.

I have used Polygraph testing in several cases where issues involved abuse allegations.  In one instance a properly administered and passed Polygraph test helped result in a matter being dismissed by the Court and helped end a criminal investigation and rightly so.

As for the tricks on Ocean’s Eleven on to how to beat the test…well, the FBI tests for counter measures.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law litigation attorney in Mississippi and encourages you not to lie!

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

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Crime, General Legal

Attorney-Client Privilege: Some Secrets are Made to be Broken

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Attorney–client privilege is a legal concept that protects communications between a client and attorney and prevents either from being compelled to testify to those communications in court, unless waived.

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The attorney–client privilege is one of the oldest privileges for communications. The United States Supreme Court stated that by assuring confidentiality, the privilege allows clients to make “full and frank” disclosures to attorneys, who are then better able to provide candid advice and   effective representation.

But, not everything is protected. Communications to third parties are not and neither are credible threats of serious bodily harm or death! “When a lawyer believes that it is reasonably certain that a death or substantial bodily harm will occur if the lawyer doesn’t reveal that information, then he may reveal that information.” 

A Pennsylvania lawyer recently reported his client’s admitted actions when it was disclosed that the client planned to  “take back” the home of his ex-girlfriend using an AR-15 rifle and body armor. Upon being arrested, the client, Howard Timothy Cofflin Jr., told police that he planned to kill his ex-girlfriend and anyone who tried to stop him.  He had also allegedly searched on his cell phone for “how to kill a state trooper” and “killing with an AR-15.”

Cofflin, already charged with harassment and making terroristic threats,  now he faces new charges of attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated assault and threatening to use weapons of mass destruction.  http://www.abajournal.com/

Matthew Thompson is a  Domestic Relations Attorney in Mississippi and advises clients as to what privilege means, what is protected and what rightfully is not.

Follow the blog:#BowTieLawyer Visit the website: #Thompson Law Firm  You may also contact Matthew with your family law matter or question at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

Crime, divorce, General Legal, Opinion

SpeakerPhone Faux Pas; Advise if it’s “OK” to Speak Freely!

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Our hands free devices, speaker phones and Bluetooth devices make connecting super convenient.  They also make it super easy to speak out of turn!

That inappropriate joke, the slew of curse words that you harangue your old college buddy with may not be appropriate over the Bluetooth speakers in the minivan.

Likewise, conversations between you and your attorney may not be appropriate to have in a public place or in front of others, even if they are not curse-filled diatribes. The fact that another person is present means the information they heard is not protected by attorney-client privilege.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce and Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and reminds you to respect the duck and ask if it’s ok to speak freely.

Follow the blog:#BowTieLawyer Visit the website: #Thompson Law Firm  You may also contact Matthew with your family law matter or question at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

Crime, divorce, General Legal

Megan Copley, Esq. – Thompson Law Firm, pllc

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THOMPSON LAW FIRM, PLLC,  IS PLEASED TO  ANNOUNCE THAT MEGAN COPLEY HAS JOINED THE FIRM.

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MEGAN COPLEY received her Doctor of Jurisprudence, cum laude, from Mississippi College School of Law in 2015. She received both her Bachelors and Masters of Business Administration from Mississippi State University.  

During law school, Megan interned as Law Clerk for United States District Court Chief Judge Sharion Aycock in Aberdeen, Mississippi. She also served as Secretary of the Mississippi Association for Justice, Mississippi College School of Law Chapter.

Megan practices criminal law, divorce, child custody, child support, modification of alimony or support, and landlord tenant law.

Megan is married to Ryan Copley and they have two children, Adison Claire and Joeleigh Ryan, and they live in Pelahatchie, Mississippi.

Megan Copley is a Criminal Law and Domestic Relations Attorney in Mississippi  and can advise when, why and when NOT to invoke your 5th Amendment right!

Phone: (601) 850-8000       Blog:  bowtielawyer.ms

Fax:      (601) 499-5219    Email: TLF@BowTieLawyer.ms