Author: Angel Law

Lesterville Case Decision Touches On Immigration Issues

Immigration: Lesterville Case Decision Touches On Issues

A recent South Dakota Supreme Court decision in a Lesterville case has left a divided court and divided legal opinions in its wake.

Last week, the South Dakota Supreme Court handed down an opinion, which, in its attempt to ensure a defendant’s right to cross examine the witnesses against him, touches on the sensitive subject of today’s national policies and politics regarding immigration.

The appeal to the high court stemmed from a guilty verdict rendered in the case of South Dakota vs. Kevin Xavier Dickerson and Arianna Cherelle Reecy, a criminal case that was tried in circuit court.

Continue reading “Immigration: Lesterville Case Decision Touches On Issues”

Mathis killings examined in new book

Mathis killings examined in new book

It was a blood-soaked night that rocked South Dakota and reverberated around the nation: A mother and two of her children shot dead in their beds on a farmstead near Mount Vernon, South Dakota, in the early morning hours of Sept. 8, 1981.

Her husband, shot through the arm but alive, called law enforcement to the scene. He reported that a masked intruder, who must have killed his wife and boys, had also surprised and shot him, then left, leaving him unconscious.

“Someone has shot my family,” Mathis told law enforcement.

Continue reading “Mathis killings examined in new book”

What Rights Do You Have as a Victim of a Violent Crime?

What Rights Do You Have as a Victim of a Violent Crime?

According to the United States Department of Justice, 1.6 million violent crimes were committed throughout the country in 2020. This was a decline—there were 2 million such crimes the year before. While there has been some improvement in levels of crime, that still leaves many individuals who have been victimized to deal with the trauma associated with those crimes. And that doesn’t include the victim’s loved ones and family members who may also suffer as a result.

That begs the question: What rights do violent crime victims have within the justice system?

Continue reading “What Rights Do You Have as a Victim of a Violent Crime?”

Distracted Driving Awareness Month–It’s Not the Phone Alone

Distracted Driving Awareness Month–It’s Not the Phone Alone

Given that April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, AAA wants motorists to be aware that, despite perceptions to the contrary, cellphones are not to blame for many of the fatal crashes involving a distracted driver. This is not to say that cellphones are not a significant and potentially deadly distraction, but many other distractions are also cause for concern.

According to the latest federal crash data, confirmed smartphone use accounts for about 12 percent of all fatal crashes involving a distracted driver. Although it is widely accepted that distracted driving crashes caused by cellphone use are highly underreported, the data clearly indicates there are many other distractions that warrant our attention as well.

Continue reading “Distracted Driving Awareness Month–It’s Not the Phone Alone”

“Murder” in the metaverse isn’t a 25-to-life prison sentence — or even a felony — but it could be a crime, some law experts believe.

Metaverse experts reveal if you can murder in VR – and whether you can be punished

“Murder” in the metaverse isn’t a 25-to-life prison sentence — or even a felony — but it could be a crime, some law experts believe.

The Sun spoke to two lawyers, who have written about crime in the metaverse, and a former Manhattan prosecutor turned law professor about violence in the virtual world and if they can be prosecuted.

Continue reading “Metaverse experts reveal if you can murder in VR – and whether you can be punished”

What exactly qualifies a person to be elected sheriff? KELOLAND News reached out to the South Dakota Sheriff’s Association, who compiled a list of the relevant state statutes pertaining to sheriff eligibility.

What’s it take to be a South Dakota Sheriff?

Hyde County Sheriff Mike Volek was the first responding officer on the scene the night that South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg struck and killed Joe Boever on September 12, 2020.

Volek and his actions that night were central components in the investigation into Ravnsborg, from his failure to find Boever’s body in the ditch that night despite the presence of a still lit flashlight visible on the shoulder that he told investigators he did not examine, to loaning his personal vehicle to Ravnsborg to drive home that night after the crash.

Continue reading “What’s it take to be a South Dakota Sheriff?”

After a century-long effort, lynching is now considered a federal hate crime. The Emmett Till Antilynching Act — signed into law by President Biden this week — is meant to hold people convicted of hate crimes accountable. But legal experts warn that the law may not be as effective as intended.

Experts warn the new anti-lynching law may not actually help prevent hate crimes

After a century-long effort, lynching is now considered a federal hate crime. The Emmett Till Antilynching Act — signed into law by President Biden this week — is meant to hold people convicted of hate crimes accountable. But legal experts warn that the law may not be as effective as intended.

Continue reading “Experts warn the new anti-lynching law may not actually help prevent hate crimes”

It is important to hire the right lawyer. We discuss the different types of lawyers you should consider hiring when facing federal criminal charges. We will also talk about the benefits and drawbacks of each type of lawyer.

What Type Of Lawyer Should You Hire When Facing Federal Criminal Charges?

When you are charged with a federal crime, it is important to hire the right lawyer. There are many types of lawyers who specialize in different areas of law, and not all of them will be appropriate for your case. In this article, we will discuss the different types of lawyers you should consider hiring when facing federal criminal charges. We will also talk about the benefits and drawbacks of each type of lawyer. So, whether you are considering hiring a public defender or private attorney, make sure to read this article.

Continue reading “What Type Of Lawyer Should You Hire When Facing Federal Criminal Charges?”