by Scott Holmes | Aug 15, 2012 | Civil Rights, Criminal Law, Making a Difference in Durham
For years I have represented young black male and Hispanic drivers who describe being stopped for no good reason, and searched without result. One of my clients was TASERed for refusing to extinguish his cigarette after he was stopped for what a judge later determined...
by Scott Holmes | Aug 15, 2012 | Criminal Law, Making a Difference in Durham, Society, Politics and Religion
I have the opportunity to talk with Mayor Bill Bell about his idea to reduce gun violence by setting bonds in gun cases to $300,000. Last week we had two homicides in three days. Mayor Bell wants to send a clear message to perpetrators of violence that we are serious...
by Scott Holmes | Apr 30, 2012 | Civil Rights, Criminal Law
I have received many requests lately for a wide variety of assistance, and I wanted to clarify what kind of work I do. I make a living working as an attorney. Most of my practice focuses on criminal defense. I practice trial courts and appeals court at both the state...
by Scott Holmes | Apr 12, 2012 | Criminal Law
The stand-your-ground laws have altered the traditional rule of self-defense in a way that makes us all less safe. Under traditional self-defense rules a person has a duty to retreat if reasonably possible to avoid killing. The Stand your ground doctrine alters that...
by Scott Holmes | Feb 20, 2012 | Criminal Law, Making a Difference in Durham, Society, Politics and Religion
I’ve read recently that Durham Mayor Bill Bell and Durham County Commissioners Chairman Michael Page both support increasing bonds for people charged with gun violence as a way to reduce violence in Durham. These recurring suggestions that “getting tough on...
by Scott Holmes | Dec 19, 2011 | Criminal Law, Society, Politics and Religion, Spirituality and the Practice of Law
By Samuel Wells and Marcia Owen Reviewed by Scott Holmes In this beautiful little book, my friend Marcia Owen shares her way of making peace in our community. Marcia is the executive director of the Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham....