Well, O.J. Simpson is back in the news again.  Simpson is headed back to court today in Nevada for what will most likely be his final shot at freedom and an overturning of his armed robbery and kidnapping conviction.  Simpson will be asking the judge to overturn that 2008 conviction on the basis that his attorney’s representation was so poor that his conviction should be reversed and a new trial be granted.

Simpson’s motion for a new trial alleges that his trial attorney never informed him that prosecutors had offered him a plea bargain and that the same lawyer advised him he was acting legally when he attempted to sports memorabilia heist that lead to this conviction and sentence.  If you recall, Simpson took part in an armed robbery and kidnapping that was, according to Simpson, an attempt to recover sports memorabilia that he was entitled to.

The duty of your defense attorney is to zealously advocate for your best interests and to communicate any plea bargain offers that are made by the prosecutor.  Regardless of whether or not your attorney thinks the offer is reasonable or not, he or she must communicate it to you.  Remember, you are the client and the only person who can make a decision to accept or reject a plea deal, not your lawyer.  If what Mr. Simpson is alleging is true, his attorney violated a crucial ethical rule and something that is of utmost importance in a criminal case.

Both kidnapping and robbery, armed or not, are very serious felony charges and when there are convictions for both in the same case, you can be looking at very serious time in state prison.  Here, Simpson was sentenced to a maximum of 33 years in prison, making him eligible for parole when he’s 70 years old.

If you have been arrested, or are being investigated for, kidnapping or robbery or any other serious felony, it is crucial that you contact a defense attorney as soon as possible.  Attorney Ross Erlich handles kidnapping and robbery charges in the Airport Court, CCB (Criminal Courts Building), Pasadena Court and Van Nuys Courthouse.  Contact attorney Ross Erlich for a free case evaluation today.