Federal Law

Andrew Skier again quoted in the Montgomery Advertiser

September 15, 2016 | Skier & Associates

I received a call a couple of days ago from a reporter with the Montgomery Advertiser, and spoke with him briefly about a case that I am handling and he is continuing to cover. Here is a link to the article that he wrote about the matter:

Former Finance official remains in the dark over firing

I am happy that the local media is staying on this story and hope that the request that the Advertiser made under the Freedom of Information Act will yield some information that will be useful to us.

Marijuana to remain a Schedule I controlled substance. Why?

August 18, 2016 | Skier & Associates

The Drug Enforcement Administration has, against all common sense and public opinion, decided that marijuana will remain on the list of Schedule I controlled substances. Schedule I is defined as a substance that is “highly addictive and without medical benefit.” This is a particularly bad decision not only for the thousands of Americans incarcerated for possessing or distributing this drug, it puts tens of thousands of people further away from useful and sometimes life-changing known medical uses of this substance. Continue reading ›

Pardons and Gun Rights

July 28, 2016 | Skier & Associates

One of the most common questions I am asked is the effect of a felony pardon on a person’s ability to possess a firearm. The answer is a bit more complex than one might think at first glance.

The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles has the authority in our state to issue pardons and restore “civil rights.” These rights include the right to vote, the right to hold public office, and of course the right to possess a firearm.

Alabama’s Crisis of Leadership

June 10, 2016 | Skier & Associates

The State of Alabama is in crisis. Our Speaker of the State House of Representatives, our Governor, and our Chief Justice of the Supreme Court all are hamstrung by accusations of impropriety, abuse of their authority, and failure to execute their office in accordance with their oath. Each is finding out what life is like on the wrong end of allegations. Meanwhile in the US District Court, the Middle District of Alabama is in the midst of a judicial emergency, having lost one District Judge to resignation and another to senior status. The presiding judge is handling the workload that previously was divided among 3 judges. Where and when can we expect relief?

The Apple case, Privacy in Our Devices, and Law Enforcement

March 7, 2016 | Skier & Associates

Everyone seems to be talking about Apple and their refusal to comply with a court’s order that they “unlock” a phone that might contain evidence related to a violent attack in California. The case brings up serious Fourth Amendment concerns. Continue reading ›

Andrew Skier to Attend National Conference of CJA Panel Representatives in San Francisco CA

February 12, 2016 | Skier & Associates

Andrew Skier, founder and chief trial counsel of Skier & Associates will attend the National Conference of Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel District Representatives March 4-5 in San Francisco, CA. This will mark the fifth year that Mr. Skier will represent Alabama’s Middle Judicial District at this national gathering.

Andrew Skier to testify before Ad Hoc Committee to Review the Criminal Justice Act

January 31, 2016 | Skier & Associates

Andrew M. Skier, founder and lead trial counsel of Skier & Associates, has been invited by Committee Chair, Hon. Judge Kathleen Cardone, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, to testify before her Ad Hoc Committee to Review the Criminal Justice Act.

The purpose of this committee is to evaluate the effectiveness of current policies and governance structures and their impact on the appointment and compensation of counsel, quality of legal representation, program administration, and adequacy of funding.

As a Nation, Are We Becoming More Aware of Issues Related to Criminal Law?

January 27, 2016 | Skier & Associates

It seems to me that, on the whole, the American Public is becoming more aware of, sensitive to, and more thoughtful regarding how we as a society view criminal trials and the criminal justice system in general. I can’t help but believe this is a good thing, as more people become aware of the inherent problems and injustices faced by the accused, and especially the poor accused, on a daily basis.

In recent weeks, “Making a Murderer,” which chronicles the prosecution of felony cases and highlights weaknesses in the system, became a runaway sensation. The podcast “Serial,” which chronicles another problematic murder case which to that point had received little or no media attention has also been immensely popular.

US Supreme Court Strikes Down Alabama’s Capital Sentencing Scheme

January 14, 2016 | Skier & Associates

We wrote in March, 2015 about the possibility of the US Supreme Court reviewing the concept of Judicial Override in Capital Murder cases. This scheme allows a judge to “override” a jury and sentence a defendant to death despite the jury’s recommendation. This week, the US Supreme Court ruled in Hurst v. Florida that this sentencing structure violates the 6^th Amendment to the Constitution.

This is good news.

Importance of Knowing Immigration Consequences of a Criminal Conviction

January 14, 2016 | Skier & Associates

I have recently been involved in a case in Federal Court in which my client (a licensed professional) may be subject to removal (deportation) from the United States because of his guilty plea to a felony charge. This case is made even more tragic because my client, a citizen of Mexico, has been a permanent resident of the US since age 5.