Free Republic

It is possible that Sam Bankman-Fried's defense team, via SBF speaking openly to the press, is establishing diminished capacity in an updated version of the “Twinkie defense” to keep him out of prison. Read my thoughts here: Can SBF Avoid Prison via Twinkie Defense 2.0?

Now, as of March 2021 in California, police can detain anyone, anytime, anywhere based on normal, lawful behavior as long as they claim that something, anything, including an everyday, mundane act, seems “suspicious.” The Founding Fathers were very familiar with representatives of the State (in their case, representatives of the King) interrogating and arresting colonists at will. These abuses kept free people in fear of the police, and insecure in their personal lives. The notion of a person being King of their own Castle speaks to how important personal privacy and safety were to America from the start. The Fourth...

Ashley earned her gun! California criminal defense firm Tully & Weiss has a tradition to celebrate an associate’s first jury trial victory. The firm awarded associate attorney Ashely Bargenquast the gun of her choice for winning a major case. The tradition rewards a great job, as well as encourages their attorneys to practice and celebrate the Constitutional rights they defend. Associate Attorney Ashley Bargenquast won her first jury trial in Shasta County. The case was related to cannabis cultivation, manufacture, firearms, conspiracy, and resisting arrest after a raid at their property which included a very public and substantial medical grow....

Do I Have to Wear a Mask? Several Counties around California, including most of the Bay Area, now mandate masks be worn in public to curb the spread of the Coronavirus. Many people are wondering if the law applies to them. Further, is this even Constitutional? The short answer to the question “Do I Need to wear a mask?” is IT DEPENDS. READ MORE...

There is a worse virus than COVID-19 that is destroying millions of American lives and livelihoods. A plague jeopardizing our Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness. The virus of Authoritarianism, is being used under the cover of crisis and safety, to come after your rights. This post by a fierce defender of the Constitution discusses martial law and your rights in this time of Government ordered shut downs and orders. Full article here.

It is your Constitutional right to refuse to grant Law Enforcement access to see what’s on your phone. Technology often outpaces the law, but in this case, our tried and true Constitution has your back regarding police access to your cell phone. Courts have decided that TWO Constitutional amendments protect you from being incriminated by your phone. The Fourth Amendment protects your privacy, and the U.S. Supreme Court ruling Riley v. California in 2014... https://tully-weiss.com/remain-silent-dont-unlock-your-phone-for-police/

Using coloring books to teach kids is a cool fun idea. But why are these female heroes always drawn from the same left leaning pool? Where is Hedy Lamar, Sandra Day O’Connor, Betsy Ross, Ayn Rand. https://mwlawca.com/family-law/free-coloring-pages-inspired-by-inspiring-women/

Stand Your Ground is alive and well in California. A CA criminal defense attorney has successfully defended another client faced with charges for self defense with a firearm. This case involves a woman who used her side arm to protect herself from robbers intent on running her down. She was charged by the DA, the robbers walked. After a vigorous defense the jury acquitted her in 40 minutes. https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2019/08/22/security-guard-was-charged-for-shooting-tire-of-truck-she-believed-would-run-her-over-a-jury-acquitted-her-in-40-minutes/

Not Guilty! Self-defense: The Sergeant Stood Her Ground Woman with gun self defenseAnother California Stand Your Ground Victory. This week criminal defense attorney Joseph Tully successfully defended another self-defense “Stand Your Ground” client in California at the Contra Costa Courthouse in Martinez, just two blocks from the Tully Weiss office. This new case involved a African-American woman we will refer to as “Sergeant Tara”, an Army Veteran of four tours and an active reservist who used her personal side arm to defend herself against a deadly attack. California Stand Your Ground

"Guns and fireworks are symbols of the birth of our Nation and our freedom. The beautiful spectacle in the skies and the loud booms created by fireworks are a proxy for the gunfire that forged us as a unified nation. Thus, guns and fireworks are symbols of independence and the power to secure it. Tyrants hate that. More and more around the country, there are restrictions on gun sales as well as fireworks. This is a symptom of the same illness; over-reaching autocrats pushing their will on the people. When the Second amendment is encroached, the banning of fireworks is...

Atheists are fighting the war FOR Christmas? Solstice, Yule, Saturnalia, Hanukkah, and other traditions were blended centuries ago to form Christmas, and embellished with fairy tales and fables into the rich secular modern celebration we have today.See for yourself at http://atheistchristmas.org/ Values like joy, peace, sharing, and celebration are not limited to one faith or culture in December. The foundations of Christmas may be mythological, but the Spirit of Christmas is universal. Keep the Merry, without the Myths!

“Christmas for Atheists? You don’t need to be a Pagan or Christian to celebrate peace, joy, and sharing in December. The Atheist Christmas Coloring Book is a fun and creative way for freethinking families to learn about the rational roots of Christmas in pictures and verse. “

In the SF East Bay, the historic Mount Diablo beacon shines one night a year to honor Pearl Harbor Day. Terrific article about the annual event which can be seen across Northern California. LINK: http://sfbayappraisal.com/the-eye-of-diablo-shines-only-on-dec-7th

Trump loves America. Here is a fan video made from videos found on Donald Trump's website, set to music by freex "God, I Love America". Trump Loves America video = https://youtu.be/EivNC9dbp00

Jails are NOT profit centers, and people in custody are not slaves. Privatization of jail system phones and commissary has resulted in overcharging inmates, and a lucrative revenue source for the Contra Costa County Jail. Remember our justice system is based around the presumption of innocence, "Innocent until proven Guilty". In fact, in 78% of Contra Costa County jail detainees are awaiting trial. These are people who could not make bail and are in the jail awaiting their day in court. Pre-sentence inmates are milked like revenue cows to make money for the County. The Contra Costa Jail makes $1.5Million...

NOTE: An Alternative to the Sexy and Demonic costumes! At Halloween-time girls want to have fun and express themselves with costumes that reflect their personal energy. Most store-bought costumes for tween and teen girls exhibit T&A, rather than clever personal expression. You may have read about or maybe seen a “Sexy Cop”, or a witch dress with thigh high garters and 4” pumps. These manufactured costumes cannot help a young woman shine as an individual. Complete list of wholesome and empowering girl costumes is HERE

Today, marijuana is cheap and easy to get in California. But, new laws legalizing the retail production and distribution of medical cannabis will might finally DETER people from pot! Red tape, the new weapon in the drug war. If we want to destroy ISIS we should issue them licenses and impose environmental reviews on their training camps! Full article on new medical marijuana laws in CA here.

What the UC Regents are doing here is a form of thought police that nips the expression of ideas in the bud, and put a student or professor in jeopardy for sharing an idea, or exploring a notion aloud. University is not about being sheltered from new and controversial ideas. University is where ideas are allowed to flourish or die on their own merits, for the benefit of the world. Full Article HERE - Criminal Defense of First Amendment

Many local police and sheriff departments in California have requested armored military surplus vehicles from the Pentagon. The militarization of police is dangerous for society. It perpetuates an “Us” versus “Them” mentality; of both sides being under siege by the other. This becomes absurd when military tanks are requested by local law enforcement for use in otherwise tranquil suburban and rural counties. Full article here.

Amidst agricultural fields of tomatoes, sunflowers, and alfalfa, a small Woodland farm is openly growing hundreds of cannabis plants. This legal medicinal marijuana grow is setting a precedent for cannabis growers in the state. Most of California’s largest crop is grown clandestinely to avoid Law Enforcement. By growing in the open, with strict adherence to legal statutes and requirements, and promoting their organic and sustainable practices to the community, this farm hopes to turn Yolo County into the Napa of Weed. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.tully-weiss.com/news/california-farmers-shine-sunlight-on-marijuana-crops