Why You Have a Right to an Attorney

Posted on , updated on by Autumn N. Hancock, Esq.

Why You Have a Right to an Attorney

 

Did you know that prior to 1963 no one had a right to a criminal attorney? Only those who could afford to hire their own criminal defense attorney received representation. Fifty-five years ago this month, Clarence Earl Gideon’s case was decided by the United States Supreme Court. Gideon was accused of a burglary at the Bay Harbor Pool Room near Panama City, Florida. Without counsel, he was tried, convicted, and sentenced to five years in prison.

From his prison cell, Gideon filed paperwork with the Florida Supreme Court asking for review of his case. The Florida Supreme Court did hear his case but determined that he had been fairly tried and convicted even without having a lawyer to represent him. Gideon then filed paperwork with the United States Supreme Court. This review of his case went a bit differently. The United State Supreme Court decided that Gideon, and by extension other criminal defendants, were entitled to representation in criminal cases.

Gideon had a new trial and was found not guilty of the burglary charge. His case had far-reaching effects. Across the country, the legal community had to figure out a way to abide by the Supreme Court’s ruling in Gideon’s case. In Florida, this led to the development of the Florida Public Defender system, which provides attorney’s counsel to criminal defendants at no cost to them.

The National Advocates Announces Autumn N. Hancock as One of Its Top 40 Under 40

Posted on , updated on by Autumn N. Hancock, Esq.

Hancock Law Firm PLLC is pleased to announce that Autumn N. Hancock, Esq. has been selected for inclusion into The National Advocates: Top 40 under 40 in Florida, an honor given to only a select group of attorneys. Membership in this exclusive organization is by invitation only and is extended exclusively to those individuals who exemplify superior qualifications, results and leadership. Based on a evaluation of Ms. Hancock’s qualifications, she is being honored based on her performance as an exceptional attorney, a leader in advocacy, and her consistent record of proven results for her clients. Ms. Hancock is specifically being honored for her work in Matrimonial and Family Law and her work in Wills, Trusts, and Estate Law. 

The National Advocates is a professional organization comprised of America’s top attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional qualifications in the following practice areas: Matrimonial and Family Law, Bankruptcy Law, Social Security Disability Law, Employment Law, Immigration Law, and Wills, Trusts and Estate Law. The organization provides accreditation to these distinguished attorneys and also provides essential legal news, information, and continuing education to lawyers across the United States.

With the selection of Autumn N. Hancock, Esq. by The National Advocates: Top 40 Under 40, Ms. Hancock has shown that she exemplifies superior qualifications, results for her clients, and leadership skills as an advocate. The selection process for this elite honor is based on a multi-phase evaluation of uniformly applied criteria including third party research, peer nominations, client contact and reviews, and case results. As The National Advocates: Top 40 Under 40 is an essential source of information for advocates and attorneys throughout the nation, the final result of this selection process is a credible and comprehensive list of the most outstanding advocates chosen to represent their state.

To learn more, feel free to contact our office at 727-222-0529.

Looks like the “giant penis defense” worked.

Posted on , updated on by Autumn N. Hancock, Esq.

Man who claimed girlfriend accidentally choked during oral sex found not guilty of murder

A South Florida man, Richard Patterson, who was on trial in the 2015 choking death of his girlfriend has been found not guilty of murder.

The jury heard closing arguments in the morning and deliberated for a few hours in the afternoon before returning the verdict.

Supreme Court rules in veteran’s favor in closely watched divorce settlement case

Posted on , updated on by Autumn N. Hancock, Esq.

Supreme Court rules in veteran’s favor in closely watched divorce settlement case

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled Monday, in the case of Howell v. Howell, that a state court cannot offset the loss of a divorced spouse’s portion of a veteran’s retirement benefits when that veteran waives retirement pay in favor of disability pay. The issue has been hotly debated for years.

More info and direct link to article By:  @ http://ift.tt/2rsjNuL

Automated post from Hancock Law Firm, PLLC – http://ift.tt/2jz9Oj9
May 20, 2017 at 11:21AM

… but to softly utter the words “thank you.”

Posted on , updated on by Autumn N. Hancock, Esq.

Just finished a trial in a matter that was literally the most important thing in this entire world to my client. Sometime is feels heavy to carry these things on our shoulders but it’s the BEST when we can hand them back to a client who’s so happy with the outcome that he can’t speak but to softly utter the words “thank you.”