Shawky Law

Some of our most revered heros were once treated as criminals before history determined that our government was in fact the criminal wrongdoer #MLK #MLKday #Justice #ShawkyLaw

The Death Penalty Info Center reports that after a 17-year hiatus, the federal government resumed executions in July 2020 amid a global pandemic and in less than 6 months the feds executed more inmates (10) than all US states for the entire calendar year (7). While 2020 marks a record low for US executions, in less than six months this administration carried out more executions than any prior president in the 20th or 21st centuries, Republican or Democratic, had authorized in... any calendar year. The administration performed the first lame-duck federal execution in more than a century, while scheduling more transition-period executions than in any prior presidential transition in the history of the United States. The details of the cases and the highly politicized manner in which they were carried out highights the need to eliminate capital punishment based on the arbitrary and highly political nature of executions. Link below to Death Penalty Info Center 2020 Annual Report. #Justice #ShawkyLaw https://deathpenaltyinfo.org//the-death-penalty-in-2020-ye

Judge Peter Wilson orders the Sheriff to reduce Orange County's jail population by 50% as Covid quickly spreads among inmates. The DA and Sheriff oppose the order citing safety concerns while ignoring the fact that incarceration is temporary and nearly all of these inmates will eventually be released to the community. Incarceration only creates an illusion of safety, it is not a long term solution.

One of the most progressive cities in the country finally has a DA that reflects our goals and concerns. Yesterday George Gascón unveiled some major policy changes including the elimination of cash bail, elimination of 3rd strike filings, elimination of death penalty filings and elimination of prison sentencing enhancements. "It is time to change course and implement a system of justice that will enhance our safety and humanity...today we are confronting the lie that strippi...ng entire communities of their liberties somehow made us saferand we're doing it with science, research, and data. For decades those who profit off incarceration have used their enormous political influencecloaked in the false veil of safetyto scare the public and our elected officials into backing racist policies that created more victims, destroyed budgets, and shattered our moral compass. That lie and the harm it caused ends now." George Gascón #Justice #ShawkyLaw

Tarek Shawky, Founder and Managing Attorney

LA DA Jackie Lacey and LA City Attorney Mike Feuer agree not to prosecute #GeorgeFloydProtesters for violating curfew and failing to disperse. Over 3,000 people were arrested in LA County during the protests. The LA chapter of the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) received an abundance of local attorney volunteers eager to defend all those wrongfully arrested in violation of their first amendment rights to free speach and assembly. The NLG will continue to prepare and train attorney volunteers in anticipation of future actions. #FreeSpeech #GeorgeFloyd #Justice #NLG

In a historic first, the Minneapolis city council today pledged to dismantle their city's police department and replace it with an alternative community based model. While it's unclear what that alternative model will look like, what is clear is that from LA to Minneapolis, #GeorgeFloyd's murder has mobilzed a nation and generated the political will necessary to change a status quo that most of us thought would never change. LA mayor Garcetti last week also announced that he would reduce the city's police budget by $150 million and reallocate those funds to jobs, education and healing for communities of color. Looks like 2020 may have a silver lining after all. #Justice #Reform #ChangeGonCome #ShawkyLaw

Public Defenders understand institutional injustice and oppression better than most. They are on the front lines in the battle against racism and discrimination in our justice system. We witness the subtle and not so subtle role race plays in arrests, bail, trials, convictions and sentencing. In my experience the work is physically and emotionally exhausting and leaves little time for volunteering or activism. Tomorrow come march with your local PDs as they march for Black Lives at a courthouse near you.#PublicDefenders #BlackLivesMatter #Justice #ShawkyLaw

My dear friend, colleague and talented attorney is offering free legal representation to anyone arrested for peacefully demonstrating the murder of #GeorgeFloyd If you were one of those arrested, give him a call.

In 1982 the US Supreme court granted police officers "qualified immunity" that still protects sworn officers who abuse their power and kill. It's time to change the law but this Supreme Court may not agree. #Justice #SupremeInjustice #ShawkyLaw

Minneapolis police yesterday killed George Floyd. He was handcuffed, face down on the pavement as pedestrians recorded the encounter, reprimanded the officers and attempted to intervene. The video reflects an inhumane disregard for life that will likely haunt the department and the city of Minneapolis for years. The governor, mayor and rep. Ilhan Omar have all spoke out against the incident and 4 officers involved have since been fired according to the Mayor's tweet. While public condemnation by elected officials is important, cities need to review their training, hiring and personel practices to ensure that those who are sworn to serve and protect consistently honor that oath. #Justice for #GeorgeFloyd #IcantBreathe #ShawkyLaw

On April 28, 1967, Muhammed Ali appeared for his scheduled induction to the U.S. Armed Forces and refused to step forward when his name was called. He famously said "I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong....Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go ten thousand miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights?" He was subsequently arrested and convicted of draft evasion and stripped of his heavy weight title. The US Supreme Court later overturned his conviction. #Dissent #ConscientiousObjector #GOAT #MuhammadAli

A San Diego County woman may face criminal charges and jail time for organizing a protest that attracted some 400 people to downtown San Diego last weekend. The Center for American Liberty agreed to defend her and her constitutional right to assemble. She says she is planning another rally this weekend. Should she be prosecuted? #Covid19 #Justice

If you have any family members locked in jail, contact me or another criminal defense attorney to talk about how to get them released. Courts have issued revised bail schedules to reduce the inmate poulation as the virus continues to spread.

In light of the current pandemic, California courts will be releasing non-violent felony and misdemeanor defendants from custody without bail to reduce the risk of viral spread. Two Riverside Sheriff Deputies working in the jails have already succumbed to the virus, this move will save inmates, deputies, staff and their families. #Covid19

The Orange County Sheriff today confirms that an inmate at the Central Jail complex tested positive for Covid19. Unless the courts start releasing people soon for public safety, things can get bad quick for jail staff, inmates and their families.

While this new law may seem outdated and irrelevent, it is a necessary step in identifying and addressing the long, dark legacy of American terrorism directed at black and immigrant families for over a century. Until we confront and admit to these crimes on a national level, we can not expect to heal the deep wounds that still divide our country.

This Colorado case is a sad reminder of how alt-right, neonazi ideologies have spread among young white Americans eager to target their neighbors of different ethnic and religious backgrounds. Incidents like this are a biproduct of the divisive, irresponsible rhetoric from "leaders" seeking to tear apart our pluralistic fabric for short term political gain. Our leaders have a responsibility to build consensus and unity, not insight violence. #ShawkyLaw