Thursday Night Talk: Pleading Insanity

◼ Tune in Thursday night: http://khsu.org/

March 5 -We all know Albert Einstein's definition of Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. But what is the Legal definition of Insanity? And is it the same as the medical definition of Insanity? Join host Brenda Starr, with Allan Dollison, and others when they discuss the American Sniper legal case and more on Thursday Night Talk, beginning at 7, March 5th.

How can we turn around the Humboldt County crime rate? Attorney Allan Dollison looks at strategies.

◼ DOLLISON’S DOCKET: What is Wrong in Humboldt, and Can We Right It? - Allan L. Dollison/Lost Coast Outpost via LoCo's Facebook page

...There are many reasons why we got here. We must begin to address the multiple-approach solution to fix it. If we continue along with business as usual, then we are left with that saying often attributed to Albert Einstein: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.”

DOLLISON’S DOCKET: California’s Leniency on Crime and What it Means for Humboldt

◼ California’s Leniency on Crime and What it Means for Humboldt - Allan Dollison/Lost Coast Outpost

...There is one consistent exception and thread to re-alignment, drug treatment and the Prop 47 initiative, and that is defendants who have violent offenses or are registered sex offenders are not eligible for these “reduced punishment” systems. However, most people in our community are not affected by violent crime. What they are affected by, tremendously, are these property offenses. We are now entering a new chapter in how we treat these offenders. Will leniency mean they change their lives, or make them more likely to commit these offenses and not change their behavior? We are starting with a very high baseline in Humboldt with these crimes, so if it does spike even worse this community will be a terrible place to live. MORE

◼ Dollison's Docket on LOCO and Ryan Burn's post Cannabis Voice, as some LOCO commenters like to say are spot on - John Chiv/Words Worth

◼ Frequent DA informant Quentin Williams lucks out getting Allan Dollison appointed as his defense attorney - John Chiv/Words Worth

Now on LoCo - DOLLISON’S DOCKET: Humboldt, Murder and the Death Penalty

◼ The Lost Coast Outpost's new columnist writes about the surprising number of "death penalty-eligible" cases in the Humboldt County Courthouse at the moment. - LoCo

ELECTION RESULTS:

◼ FIRST REPORT 8:06

Maggie Fleming: 63.69%
Élan Firpo: 22.62%

Virginia Bass: 61.61%
Chris Kerrigan: 38.25%

Ryan Sundberg: 65.81%
Sharon LaTour: 33.97%

◼ SECOND REPORT 9:59

Maggie Fleming: 62.92%
Élan Firpo: 23.23%

Virginia Bass: 55.34%
Chris Kerrigan: 44.44%

Ryan Sundberg: 65.81%
Sharon LaTour: 33.97%

◼ The second report of the night has Kerrigan closing the gap on Bass, who still has a commanding lead. - The Journal

◼ THIRD REPORT 10:57

Maggie Fleming: 61.95%
Élan Firpo: 24.34%

Virginia Bass: 53.55%
Chris Kerrigan: 46.21%

Ryan Sundberg: 65.76%
Sharon LaTour: 34.03%

◼ THIRD RESULTS: Bass and Fleming Leads Hold, inc. updates and running coverage - LoCo

◼ ELECTION NIGHT FINAL REPORT

Maggie Fleming: 60.96%
Élan Firpo: 25.80%

Virginia Bass: 53.31%
Chris Kerrigan: 46.46%

Ryan Sundberg: 61.09%
Sharon LaTour: 36.67%

People are calling about the Rio Dell 'debate'

Arnie has posted: Last night in Rio Dell: I went to a forum and turned it into a debate.....

Here's the ◼ AUDIO.

Here's the ◼ VIDEO.

Well worth a listen...

Apparently very contentious - Discuss.

(THANK YOU, RIO DELL TIMES)

DA CANDIDATE PROFILES: ALLAN DOLLISON

◼ District attorney candidate profile: Allan Dollison reflects on past, looks to the future - Will Houston/Times-Standard

Recognizing both the mistakes and successes he has experienced during his nearly 18-year law career, Humboldt County district attorney candidate Allan Dollison said he is now looking to the future....
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◼ WEB: dollisonforda.com ◼ ABOUT ◼ DONATE ◼ FACEBOOK

Fundraiser: Allan Dollison

When: Saturday, May 17 5:00-8:00
Where: Eureka Vet's Hall, 1018 H St., Eureka

A delicious Santa Maria Tri-Tip Dinner will be served
Live Music
Silent Auction
$35 per person, $50 per couple
For info or to RSVP, contact Allan at dollisonforda@gmail.com

Please join us for this gathering to help support Allan's efforts to become the next Humboldt County District Attorney. We will be honoring Armed Forces day as well as Allan's 48th birthday.
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◼ WEB: dollisonforda.com ◼ ABOUT ◼ DONATE ◼ FACEBOOK

The KHUM DA Debate

Or, the Reporters' "ME ME ME" Forum. (Reporters asked the questions tonight)

Serious issues, like are you going to talk to US? Prosecute US, or support Gag orders.... and what about that art at HSU? Little to no indication that they care or understand the problems in the DA's Office.

The Candidates valiantly answered the questions, of course they care about free speech.

Look, the controversy over some piece of art at HSU may be near and dear to the Lumberjack reporter's heart, but it doesn't have a thing to do with the DA's Office.

As for PRESS RELEASES and press relations - there were some good points made - it's not that the questions are BAD questions, they are just so self-centered it's disappointing. With all the problems in the DA's office, insufficient communication with reporters is way down on the list.

Allan Dollison correctly pointed out the flurry of press releases that went out to support Gallegos' re-election and the dearth since. There were some good points made, but other answers mostly missed the boat when it comes to the press.

The DA is the liaison to the press. NOT the Deputy DA's.

It's the DA's job. the DA is expected to be knowledgeable about the cases, know how to deal with the media, and DO it - not pass it off to prosecutors who have no desire to interact with the media, and no knowledge how to do so. You get people popping off, and you're gonna get yourself sued, and/or lose cases. The Deputy DA's should not be talking to the media bout the cases. I've been pointing this out for years, as Paul abdicated his responsibility.

Sigh.

On the plus side, since it wasn't a call in forum, we didn't get Sara the Dog's standing question "What do you most admire about Paul Gallegos?" Which is too bad really because that was really backfiring, as the poor candidates struggled to come up with something, it became increasingly apparent that Paul's fan club has closed its doors.

Did you listen? Your takeaway?

DA Candidate Forum/Humboldt Senior Resource Center

Did you go? What did you think?
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Chiv's report:

◼ DA candidate debate at Humboldt Senior Resource Center

...The only light hearted moments in the debate were when the wind blew the name cards off the table for each candidate. While it was an equal opportunity wind; it did pick on the men first. Also the mike sputtered and finally failed. These two technical difficulties brought a smile and exchange from all four candidates where the people overruled the candidates....The debate will be aired on Access Humboldt so you can watch for yourself....

◼ Senior Center DA debate part 2

◼ Or, you can cover the race this way: My Name is _____ and I’m Supporting _____ for District Attorney - Lost Coast Outpost
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The KMUD Debate

◼ Candidates for District Attorney of Humboldt County will appear in a debate sponsored by the Civil Liberties Monitoring Project,

Monday, May 5 at the Veterans Memorial Hall, Garberville, from 7 to 9 pm. Doors opened at 6:30.

This debate was broadcast live on KMUD!

7:01 PM: CLMP Welcome, Introductions, Overview of Process
7:05 PM: Brief Opening Statements by Candidates - 1 minute each
7:10 PM: Prepared Questions - Facilitators decide how much time for a question. Each question is answered by each candidate with time for any rebuttals.
7:55 - 8:05 - Ten Minute Break
8:05 PM: More Questions asked by Facilitators and from the floor. Each Answered by each candidate with time for rebuttals.
8:55 PM: Brief Closing Statements by Candidates
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Did you hear it? What did you think? Will link the podcast if and when it becomes available.

The Journal DA edition

And, for the record - the decimation of the office is not even in dispute any longer. The ENTIRE discussion now is about what has to be done to fix it. It took this long for this fact to be recognized. It is a crying shame.

◼ It might be the most powerful position in all of Humboldt. The county's next district attorney will oversee a staff of nearly 60 people and wield the authority of the state to pursue criminal charges against local citizens, negotiate punishments and, in extreme cases, even pursue the death penalty. - Thadeus Greenson/The Journal

Each of the candidates took some time in recent weeks to sit down with the Journal to discuss his or her plans for the office and to weigh in on the central issues of the campaign. Here's an overview of the issues and the candidates' plans....

By just about any measure you choose, the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office is underfunded and understaffed, leaving prosecutors overworked with caseloads well beyond those recommended by the American Bar Association. At the debates held in the DA's race in recent months, the candidates have all lamented the situation, each pledging that his or her tenure in office will bring more county funds, more grants and more prosecutors into the office. It has clearly become the central issue of the campaign, with questions of plea bargains, case prioritization and the prosecution of serious violent felonies all coming back to questions of funding and staffing.

So, how bad is the problem really? The short answer is: bad. The office currently has about 13 full-time equivalent attorneys, a number that includes Gallegos and Assistant District Attorney Kelly Neel — both of whom have a host of administrative duties in addition to prosecuting cases — a juvenile prosecutor and an environmental prosecutor. That leaves about nine full-time attorneys to handle almost all the adult felony and misdemeanor prosecutions for the county....

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What is your favorite movie?

What is your favorite book?

What magazine do you read most regularly?

If your campaign had a theme song, what would it be?

Who is your favorite fictional lawyer?

Who is your favorite real-life lawyer?

Dogs or cats?

What is your favorite hobby?

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

KEET-TV DA Candidate Forum: Open Thread

KEET-TV (Ch. 13) and The League of Women Voters of Humboldt County 2014 Candidate Forum Tonight: 7:00 P.M.

◼ Watch it ONLINE: LIVE STREAM

◼ iOS users please use this link: http://keet.streamguys1.com/live/keet/playlist.m3u8
◼ Android and other users please use this link: rtsp://keet.streamguys1.com/live/keet

This is the big one.

The number to call, if you want to call in a question, is 445-0811
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Candidates On Parade

ALLAN:

Took a break from the Campaign trail to participate with the Mad River Honor Guard in today's Rhododendron Parade through the streets of Eureka.
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◼ WEB: dollisonforda.com ◼ ABOUT ◼ DONATE ◼ FACEBOOK
ARNIE:

We had a such a great time today at the Rhododendron Parade! Thank you Ken Bareilles, for all of your support. Your truck looked great. It meant a lot to us having you drive us down the parade route. We especially want to thank all the wonderful citizens of Humboldt County who turned out today. Your smiles and waves were not in short supply. We are both humbled and thankful for all of your support.
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◼ WEB: votearnieklein.com ◼ ABOUT ◼ DONATE ◼ FACEBOOK
ÉLAN:

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◼ WEB: elanfirpo.com ◼ ABOUT ◼ SUPPORTERS ◼ DONATE
MAGGIE:

Maggie greeted supporters at the Rhododendron Parade on Saturday.
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◼ WEB: electmaggiefleming.com ◼ ENDORSEMENTS ◼ NEWS ◼ DONATE
From Facebook

Ocean West Senior Village Candidate Forum

◼ Arnie Klein for Humboldt County District Attorney 2014: A big thank you to Ocean West Senior Village for hosting Friday evenings forum. A lot of important questions were asked and I met some great people.

Berkowitz: One On One With Allan Dollison

◼ One On One With Allan Dollison This morning I spoke one on one with DA candidate Allan Dollison for about 15 minutes. We discussed his qualifications and priorities. I also gave him a chance to explain his 16 counts of misconduct and falsifying court documents.
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◼ dollisonforda.com ◼ ABOUT ◼ DONATE

Signs, Signs, Everywhere A Sign...

◼ All about the Signs - Eric Kirk/SoHum Parlance

I almost missed this one. Thought it was an earlier article, the title was so similar

But no, this one is about a 'debate' that happened yesterday: ◼ DA Candidates Trade Jabs at Latest Debate - Ryan Burns/Lost Coast Outpost ◼ (Image from Arnie Klein on Facebook)

In a rapid-fire debate this afternoon, Humboldt County’s four district attorney candidates took turns addressing complex issues in one-minute sound bites, and they found time to take a few swipes at each other.

The 45-minute debate, which was hosted by Eureka Rotary Club and moderated by the League of Women Voters, touched on some of the usual hot-button topics, including marijuana legalization, homelessness, public safety realignment and campaign donations. And while the differences between candidates were often more about style than substance, there was a distinct feistiness in the air, with candidates looking to poke at each other’s perceived weak spots.

◼ Richard's interesting analysis: Eureka Rotary DA race debate leaves lots of questions. - Richard Marks/Samoa Softball Thursday update - that Samoa Softball comments thread turned into something quite different.
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The airing...

Allan Dollison's Bar record is suddenly Humboldt County viral. Many of the same people who sat silent when he was hired by Gallegos - and when this record was aired here - are now incensed. It's been shopped around town, emailed, Rambo-style, to his supporters... Guess what? It's never been a secret. But anyway - here it is...

◼ Allan Dollison Admits to Forgery, Ethical Screw-Ups but Says He’s a New Person Now - Ryan Burns/The Journal

When Allan Dollison launched his campaign for district attorney three months ago, he made a point of addressing what he called “a mistake” he’d made early in his career. He briefly explained what happened.

In 1997, only two years after establishing his own office, Dollison said, he closed his private practice to seek employment elsewhere.

“I made a serious error in judgment by not finishing the work in three cases and representing that I had filed a motion … when I hadn’t — to a client in another case,” he said. “I apologize — then and now — profusely for that mistake. It was an error in judgment but one I have learned from. I have learned to be extra careful and exceptionally honest and hardworking. I am a Christian and I ask for forgiveness.”

...Despite Dollison’s attempts to deal with this issue preemptively, questions have continued to dog him in the campaign. It was brought up during a recent interview on KHSU, and in the Outpost‘s own elections section, a question about his state bar record received more up votes than any other question posed to any other candidate. Dollison recently posted a response, again describing his past deeds as, simply, “a mistake.”

...In response to questions from the Outpost, Dollison sent a written statement explaining that he has changed.

“I have always said you learn more from your failures in life than you do from your successes, and this is especially true in my case,” the statement says.

As an example of how he’s changed, Dollison describes a case he handled while working for the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office. Dollison makes a serious allegation of misconduct within the DA’s office and says he was responsible for righting the wrong. (The Outpost won’t print Dollison’s full statement since the allegations have not been corroborated.)

“I learned from my mistakes,” Dollison says in his statement. “I have grown from my mistakes. In the [above referenced] case, no one ever got in trouble, because I did the exact and appropriate thing. I am 47 years old and I have one unfortunate small sad chapter in my life. All I ask is to be judged by my entire life and not one aspect. I also ask that people consider that you can and do learn from your mistakes, and that you can become a better person, and a better lawyer.” Read the whole article, at the link.
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◼ All Allan Dollison coverage on this blog
State Bar Association: Allan Lee Dollison - #177299

In re Allan Lee Dollison on Discipline

It is ordered that Allan Lee Dollison, State Bar No. 177299, be suspended from the practice of law for one year and until he makes restitution to Lynda Maisterra (or the Client Security Fund, if appropriate) in the amount of $837.00, plus 10% interest per annum from September 1, 1997; to Francisco and Flor Cruz (or the Client Security Fund, if appropriate) in the amount of $625.00, plus 10% interest per annum from September 24, 1997, and furnishes satisfactory proof thereof to the Probation Unit, State Bar Office of the Chief Trial Counsel; and until he has shown proof satisfactory to the State Bar Court of his rehabilitation, fitness to practice and learning and ability in the general law pursuant to standard 1.4(c)(ii), Standards for Attorney Sanctions for Professional Misconduct, that execution of suspension be stayed, and that he be placed on probation for two years on condition that he be actually suspended for 60 days and until he makes the restitution described above and provides satisfactory proof thereof to the Probation Unit. If he is actually suspended for two years or more, he shall remain actually suspended until he provides proof to the satisfaction of the State Bar of California of his rehabilitation, fitness to practice and learning and ability in the general law pursuant to standard 1.4(c)(ii), Standards for Attorney Sanctions for Professional Misconduct. Allan Lee Dollison is also ordered to comply with the other conditions of probation recommended by the Hearing Department of the State Bar Court in its Order Approving Stipulation filed March 31, 2000. It is further ordered that he take and pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination within one year after the effective date of this order or during the period of his actual suspension, whichever is longer. (See Segretti v. State Bar (1976) 15 Cal.3d 878, 891, fn. 8.) It is further ordered that if he is actually suspended for 90 days or more, he shall comply with rule 955 of the California Rules of Court, and that he perform the acts specified in subdivisions (a) and (c) of that rule within 120 and 130 calendar days, respectively, after the effective date of this order.* Costs are awarded to the State Bar and and one-half of said costs shall be added to and become part of the membership fee for the years 2001 and 2002. (Bus. & Prof. Code section 6086.10.)
*(See Bus. & Prof. Code, § 6126, subd. (c).)

KGOE CANDIDATES FORUM TO AIR

◼ On KGOE 1480 AM at 3:00 pm Friday and at 4:00 pm on Saturday just after ABC News at the top of the hour. It runs without commercial interruptions.