Category Archives: General Legal

General Legal, Marriage

Sentenced to 50 years. Married. Bake me a Cake.

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In what is the most bizarre story so far this year, (sorry Charlie Sheen), a California Judge who oversaw a murder trial sentenced the convicted to 53 years in prison then performed a wedding!

Danne Desbrow was first sentenced for murder, then married, all by the same judge! (Screenshot/UT San Diego) http://laist.com/2013/09/30/prisoner_sentenced_then_married_by.php

After the trial resulted in a conviction for murder, the matter was reset for sentencing.  The convicted was sentenced to 50 years for murder plus 3 years for intimidating/threatening a witness.  After the sentence was handed down the Judge cleared the Courtroom, except for Court staff the convicted and his fiancée.  The Judge then performed the wedding ceremony wherein  the convict married his girlfriend, who he had rekindled his relationship with while he was in jail awaiting his murder trial.  To top it off, the Judge baked the cake that he parties enjoyed after the ceremony.  Reports indicate it was a frosted, vanilla Bundt cake.  The judge sliced the couple each a piece prior to the ceremony, as reportedly, she was uncomfortable with a knife being around the convicted.

The victim’s family is  understandably upset.

Matthew Thompson is a Mississippi based Divorce Lawyer and predicts that this match will not last.

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

General Legal

You Can’t Pick Your Judge (…or Can You?) 2014 MS Judicial Elections

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Normally you do not get to pick your Judge.  In fact, “judge shopping” wherein a suit is filed, you see who it’s assigned to, then dismiss and refile hoping to get a different Judge is unethical and illegal.  However, November 4, 2014, is the date that you DO have a say in which Judge will hear your case.  This is election day for the Judges that are required to run for their positions.

Most Judges in Mississippi take the bench via  election.  Judges run in a non-partisan capacity, meaning they are not required to pick a political party, though they can be endorsed by parties, individuals and entities.  Judge qualifications differ depending on the seat sought, with age, residency requirements and most positions requiring a law degree and practice experience, but not all.

May 9, is the qualifying deadline for non-partisan Judicial elections.  Registration is with the Secretary of State’s Office and a recent list of the those that have qualified thus far has been released.

Most Judges are running unopposed, at least for now, but a few races will be interesting.

  • On the Coast, Chancellor Neil Harris, who’s been in the news, has an opponent in local Jackson County Board Attorney, Paula Yancey.
  • The 13th Chancery District will have a contested election.  Current Chancellor, Joe Dale Walker has some controversy surrounding a recent ruling, as noted here, and faces at least 2 opponents if he chooses to seek re-election. Gerald Martin and Deborah Kennedy have both qualified to run for this seat.   The 13th District serves Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Simpson and Smith counties.
  • Close to home, current Chancellor Janace Harvey-Goree has not yet qualified to run, though attorney Robert G. Clark, III, of Lexington, MS has.   Judge Goree sits over Holmes, Yazoo, Madison and Leake counties.
  • Also, as of current, no Chancellors in Rankin or Hinds counties have opponents.

2014 Candidate Qualifying List

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney, with a statewide practice, reminding you that your vote counts.

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

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Divorce, General Legal

Things NOT to Brag About.

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It’s sometimes hard not to tell the world how great you are.  Think Mohamed Ali. I get that.  But, there are some things that you should just never brag about in a legal situation.

Thomas Hoepker/Magnum Edition 2/7

Never Brag about;

  1. How well you KNOW the Judge.
  2. How well your lawyer KNOWS the Judge.
  3. How you KNEW the outcome before it was Ordered.
  4. How much money you HID.
  5. How much you “pulled the wool” over the other side.
  6. How her attorney was “on the take” for you.
  7. The FIX was in.
  8. Bribes being made.

Now this is not a guide on how to deceive.  I am not recommending you do these things, but just not talk about them.  I am adamant that you should NOT do these things, ever.  This includes talking about doing these things.  In my experience, I hear comments like this being made falsely to intimidate the other side or just to be plain mean.  Comments like this very well could lead to trouble for you even when the comments are false.

Sometimes things are better left unsaid.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in the Mississippi reminding you that you are NOT Dizzy Dean or Mohamed Ali.

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

Child Custody, General Legal

You’re FIRED!

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In a follow-up to a blog this past September, a TN Judge has been removed from the bench due to her actions.

As you may recall the TN Judge changed the name of a child from Messiah to Martin over the objections of mom and dad, who were in a disagreement about the child’s last name, not his first name.  The Judge determined the child should not be named Messiah.

What the Judge failed to consider however is that parents have a constitutional right to raise their children as they see fit, a constitutional right to privacy and a presumption that they are acting in the child’s best interests; this includes naming the child.   TN could determine the last name, which could either be the same as the mother’s or the father’s, but crossed the line when changing the first name.

Now, the Judge has been removed for this among other unreported reasons.  The Judge still faces possible Judicial Conduct sanctions for her actions from the bench.  Mississippi would have reached the same outcome as well.

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody attorney in the Magnolia State, does name changes and encourages you to know your rights as a parent.

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

 

Divorce, General Legal

How’s the State of Your Union?

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Recently President Obama delivered his 5th State of the Union Address to the American People, summarizing the status of the U.S.   Similarly assessing the State of Your Union is a good idea.

Ohmega1982 /freedigitalphotos.net

A healthy relationship may be judged by how you and your significant other deal with the major areas in any relationship.

Communication

Are you listening? Yelling, silent treatment, saying what you mean, being understood.

Financial

Are you on the same page with major purchases, savings, etc.  Are job issues straining your relationship?

Intimacy

Issues of frequency, satisfaction and healthy self-images.

Conflict Resolution

How do you resolve conflicts?  Arguing the loudest does not determine a winner.

Children

To have or have not?

How’s the State of Your Union?  This list is not exhaustive, but is a good starting place. Sit down with your spouse and talk about it.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law attorney and talking with your spouse about issues in your relationship now may prevent you having to sit down and talk about it with me later!

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

General Legal

Don’t Count on Shortcuts to Success

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Ah, success.  Being your own boss, no financial worries, owning three 4-wheel drive vehicles, however you define success the strive for such is a great thing and a motivator in it of itself.  But, don’t count on shortcuts to get you there.

thawats /freedigital photos.net

Common wisdom says it takes 10,00 hours to be an expert on any topic.   That is 5 years worth of 8-hour days (with weekends off).  Often, it seems we are seeking to take the shortcut to success and it’s great if it can be had, but it is not an appropriate plan to count on to get there.  Similarly, in a Family Law case clients are ready for it to be over before it even starts.  Cases must run their course in most circumstances and the process cannot be shortened, absent agreement of all parties and Court approval, which doesn’t happen in highly litigious situations.

Shortcuts, where an opportunity presents itself are to be considered and taken, but counting on shortcuts to get you where you need to be is a bad plan.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law attorney and cautions you to not count on shortcuts, but take ’em if you get ’em.

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

Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal

It’s Your Fault Too.

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All too often you are lead to believe that one party is totally to blame and the other party is completely innocent.

stockimages /freedigitalphotos.net

Well, rarely is that the case.  While one party may be more at fault, the main reason for the ultimate split and even provide actionable fault grounds for the other to use, it does not mean the other spouse is blameless.  The common sentiment is that there are 2 sides to every story. In family law there are 3 sides.  His version, her version and the truth!

If you fall into the trap of “it’s all his fault” it does a disservice to you for preparing for the outcome.  Even when it’s all his fault, you don’t take him to the cleaners.  Nobody gets taken to the cleaners anymore.  If they do, they appeal. And when the cleaners are involved these days it is because someone wants out so bad they agree to a deal that they would not get otherwise from the Court or it was the only way out.

While this topic may be touchy, and pointing fingers at the “innocent spouse” may be hazardous to my health, it is nonetheless important to know that there is usually more than enough blame to go around.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law attorney and will tell you when you messed up and when it’s your fault.

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

Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal, Marriage, Opinion

Lawyers, Suicide & Family Law

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A recent report indicated that the legal profession has the 4th highest rate of suicide among professionals.

Family Law issues lead to a higher rate of depression than average and it is not uncommon for suicide threats and attempts to occur contemporaneously with Family Law matters.

If you find yourself dealing with these issues; family crisis, depression, thoughts of harming yourself or others, seek immediate help.  It does not mean you are weak.  You are human and emotions run the gamut in these situations.  Go to your Dr., seek out a Professional Counselor, your Pastor and/or talk to a lawyer or all of the above.  Oftentimes it is NOT as bad as you think and working with the right professional will aid your recovery.

Know this. Family law issues are NOT the end of your World and are NOT a reason to do something that cannot be undone.  Perhaps it’s cliché, but suicide is a permanent outcome due to a temporary problem.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law & Divorce Attorney and Counselor at Law and can help when dealing with a family law crisis.

Follow the blog: #BowTieLawyer  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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