Oklahoma City SKIL Program Providing Hope To Homeless Teens

SKIL (Supporting Kids in Independent Living) is a program providing support for homeless teens in high school. Program director Lanisha Hines, “We get a lot of kids where they turn 18 and their mom decides she doesn’t want to care for them anymore. A lot of kids are the first to even graduate in their family with a high school diploma.”

This past Christmas SKIL had its annual Christmas party that included gifts for close to 25 teens. Each teen put together a list and were given gifts they had asked for, along with being treated to a lunch and Christmas carols. SKIL holds a graduation party each spring for the 35 kids in the program. Its teen service board is made up of students at several local high schools who are responsible for fundraising, gifts, and wrapping that is done by the teen board and local sponsors.

One of the teens, Gabe Mapes, 17, lives with friends and doesn’t see his family much anymore. One of the gifts he received was a set of tools. “I’m a self-employed handyman and have been doing that since I was twelve. I’ve had tools over the years, but every time they have been borrowed. I’ve never had my own.”

For Gabe and many of the other kids, knowing that people still care is important. Many of the things on Gabe’s list were necessities and not just wants. “What I wear to school and what I wear to work every day. It’s getting really hard to do it all myself.”

This past Christmas party was the twelfth annual and some of the kids this year have never received Christmas gifts. “We had a girl last year who hadn’t even opened her gifts yet and immediately started crying because she had never experienced anything like that” said Hines, SKIL program director.

If you’d like to learn more about SKIL (click here) or contact Youth Services for Oklahoma County at 405-235-7537.

 

Hosty Law Office
204 North Robinson Avenue
Suite 1717
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
405-235-4040

hostylaw.com

The Fine Print On The President’s Immigration Executive Action

On Thursday, 11/20/14, President Obama outlined his changes for the U.S. immigration system to potentially shield close to 4.1 million immigrants who broke immigration laws while entering country illegally.  These changes may go into force without the President going through Congress (an “Executive Action”) and are aimed to protect immigrants from deportation.  Below is a breakdown on the President’s executive action.

Parents:

Protect from deportation and make them eligible for work permits.  These people must have children who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, regardless of whether the children are minors.  Eligibility: parents must have lived in the U.S. for five years.  Each parent will have to go through background checks and pay fees.  After this, parents are granted relief from deportation for three (3) years at time.

Children:

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA), which was put into action by President Obama in 2012, will be expanded.  It currently shields children who were brought into the country illegally before 2007.  That date will be changed to 2010, and will lift the requirement that applicants must be under 31 years of age to be eligible.  This will impact around 250,000 children.  Future DACA relief will be extended to three (3) years at a time, which is increased from two (2) years.

Deportations: 

The deportation priority will be lowered for parents of U.S. citizens or legally permanent residents who have been in the U.S. for less than five (5) years and for other immigrants that have been here for more than ten (10) years.  A new policy is being created to focus on deportations of recent arrivals, criminals, and national security threats.

Law Enforcement:

The Secure Communities program will be replaced.  This program currently hands people over to federal immigration authorities who have been booked for local crimes.  The new “Priority Enforcement Program” will establish different levels based on conduct for which immigrants are detained.

Border Security:

Commit increased resources for enforcement efforts at the U.S. – Mexico border.

Salaries:

Increase salaries for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

Business Programs:

Make other immigration changes available to businesses, such as the Parole-In-Place program.  These changes could affect several hundred thousand people.

Green Cards:

Relax eligibility requirements for this waiver program.

The Hosty Law Office understands our country is made up of all types of people who came here for a better life or were born here.  If you find yourself, or know someone, who has been arrested and needs legal representation, we want to sit down and listen to your side of the story.  Call us and we’ll schedule your free office visit.  405-235-4040.

Our Office:

204 North Robinson Avenue

Suite 1717

Oklahoma City, OK 73102

h

Phone Encryption Won’t Always Stop Hackers

Cell phone and personal data security are things that most people, unfortunately, take for granted.  In an article published 11/13/14 by the Wall Street Journal, the Justice Department has been “collecting data from thousands of cellphones through high-tech gear deployed on airplanes that mimics communications towers.”  The article goes on to explain that the program has been operational since 2007 and designed to collect a cell phone’s identifying information and general location.

It works by using a two foot square device attached to a small plane that mimics cell phone towers to have a cell phone report it’s unique registration information.  The planes are being flown from at least five metropolitan airports.  The names of the specific airports have not been released.

Cell phone encryption measures by large companies such as Google (message encryption release PDF) and Apple have become essential and also marketing strategies to shield photos, documents, contact lists, notes, and other personal data from hackers or anyone else trying to gain access.  U. S. Attorney General Eric Holder, FBI Director James Comey (video) see these measures creating problems for law enforcement to investigate criminal activity.

Jonathan Turley, constitutional law professor at George Washington University Law School, “Police can still obtain evidence through traditional court warrants.”  “Citizens should not assume that these (cell phone) encryption devices will necessarily prevent government from intercepting communications.  If history is any guide, the government will find a way to penetrate these devices.”

Mr. Turley’s comments bring up another point: all data coming to and leaving the device is not always encrypted and may pass through a number of systems.  This means that your data can be captured by investigators, hackers, and anyone else.

The Hosty Law Office asks that everyone is vigilant toward protecting his or her personal information and constitutional rights.  There are companies in Oklahoma providing increased digital security for businesses, homes, and mobile electronic devices.  Most importantly, use good common sense: have malware / antivirus software on all your electronic devices, don’t blindly open every email because it may contain a virus or take you to a website that will install malware, be wary toward any new WiFi connection you choose, and don’t click on a link without understanding what it is connected to.

The Hosty Law Office (email)

405-235-4040

204 North Robinson Avenue

Suite 1717

Oklahoma City, OK 73102

OKC School District Considers Employee Policy For Drug Testing

To start, let’s make sure we understand what is being considered.  Pre-employment and post-employment testing, NOT during employment testing.  The question “Why isn’t this already in place” is a different question and one that’s possibly more frustrating to answer. Brandon Carey, …

Three Fatalities On Oklahoma Roads

7/19/14

Over the last two days, Thursday and Friday, Oklahoma roads have been wet and at times hazardous.  Unfortunately, there were three traffic fatalities during this time.  We always want drivers and passengers to be aware of their surroundings, other drivers and road conditions.

• On the Muskogee Turnpike, which travels southeast out of Tulsa, a man was killed when another vehicle struck his car from behind and ejected him from his vehicle.
• Northbound on state highway 74, a tractor-trailer stuck a pickup causing it to cross the center line and impact another pickup head on.  The two adults in the second pickup did not survive; the two small children in the pickup were transferred to OU Children’s in good condition.

The Hosty Law office is saddened at the tragic losses of life and wants all drivers to use the greatest amount of caution and space between vehicles at all times.

The Hosty Law Office, you defense team.

• Traffic Violations
• Criminal Defense
• Expungements
• White Collar

 

405-235-4040

204 North Robinson, Suite 1717

Oklahoma City, OK 73102

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

h

 

9mm Glock Prize For Cheerleader Raffle

Tuttle, Oklahoma (6/28/14)-

Fundraising time is here again for Tuttle Little League Cheer and one of the prizes is a 9mm Glock.  One of the coaches says the raffle is bringing in a lot of ticket sales.  One for $10 or three for $25.

Cheer leading parents know it can get expensive with travel, uniforms, equipment, and everything else needed.

There has been some negative responses to the raffle prize.  A woman posted on the team’s Facebook page, “This is the strangest thing to have little girls raffle.”

The team coach, Amber Riley does not agree.  “In the rural area where we are, pretty much everyone hunts or does something with guns so we found that it would be fitting,” she said.

A cheer mom, Charlene Adkinsson said, “This fundraiser I feel like was genius.  It’s not like we’re selling the tickets to children, it’s not like my children are out selling these tickets.”  Parents will only sell tickets to adults.  The winner will have to pick the gun up for the store that is donating it.  The shop will run all the standard background checks before the winner can take the gun home.

Riley said she sees teams in Oklahoma raffle guns all the time and they never get attention for it.  She thinks it could just come down to a gender issue.

Tom Hosty has over 22 years experience defending Oklahomans and protecting their rights. 

Once you have been arrested, time is critical.

Call today and schedule your FREE office visit with Tom so you can start the process to protect your freedom.

The Hosty Law Office are experts in defending people arrested for drunk driving, DWI APC, drug charges, felonies and misdemeanors.  Call us so we can help; it’s what we do.

405-235-4040 (click to dial office)
405-210-3462 (click to dial Tom’s cell phone)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

h

 

Teens Are Drinking, Smoking, & Engaging In Risky Behavior Less, But…

Texting: 41% had texted or emailed behind the wheel in the previous month

The good news is that American teens are not doing the same problematic behavior than twenty years ago.  The problem is that their focus has shifted to texting behind the wheel and the sedentary behavior of playing video games and computer use.

“Overall, young people have more healthy behaviors than they did twenty years ago,” said Dr. Stephanie Zaza, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  The results come from a small number of U. S. high school students (13,000) from the spring of 2013.

Other Results:

• Smoking:  Fewer than 16% of teens had smoked a cigarette in the previous month
• Texting:    41% had texted or emailed behind the wheel in the previous month
  • Unfortunately the study not ask for data regarding using social media / other mobile phone functions behind the wheel
• Drinking: Close to 35% of teens drank during the previous month
• Sex:             34% had engaged in sex during the previous month (thiswas unchanged from 2012)
  • Condoms were used in 60% of those instances
• Suicide:      8% had attempted suicide during the previous year (this was unchanged from 2012)
• Media Use:   TV viewing for three hours or more each day was consistent at 32%

The study’s finding of 41% usage of texting behind the wheel is a problem that has the potential to devastate / end someone’s life.  Taking your eyes off the road for a moment is unsafe and it’s all the time needed to become a problem.

Texts, emails, social media, and everything else can wait.  Bluetooth is the safest way to make and answer calls since you never take your eyes off the road.

Tom Hosty has over 22 years experience defending Oklahomans and protecting their rights. 

Once you have been arrested, time is critical.

Call today and schedule your FREE office visit with Tom so you can start the process to protect your freedom.

The Hosty Law Office are experts in defending people arrested for drunk driving, DWI APC, drug charges, felonies and misdemeanors.  Call us so we can help; it’s what we do.

405-235-4040 (click to dial office)
405-210-3462 (click to dial Tom’s cell phone)

 

 

 

 

 

 

h

 

What Is “Reasonable” In The Amount A Lawyer May Charge A Client?

Since we’re talking about lawyers and money, there isn’t a short answer.  But, I’ll try to make it as brief as possible while only covering the first of the many sections in the American Bar Association’s Center For Financial Responsibility.

Rule 1.5 “FEES” explains that “A lawyer’s fee shall be reasonable.  The factors to be considered in determining the reasonableness of a fee include the following:”

• A. 1.: Time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved and the skill requisite to perform the legal service properly,”

In taking a close look at this point and not just drawing your own snap conclusion, there are three primary areas to consider.  

• Time and labor
• Novelty and difficulty of questions
• Skill to perform the legal service properly

The third bullet point is unfortunately most often overlooked by clients because it weighs into a lawyer’s rate more the most.  Lawyers have different skill sets and strengths, just like physicians and other highly-skilled professionals.  Great lawyers understand the law and work diligently to bring you the result you need.

When choosing a lawyer, don’t take the least expensive one you can find.  Do your research about a lawyer’s record to see if he / she wins cases.  A good place to start is The Oklahoma State Courts Network where you can search by the lawyer’s name.

Thomas Hosty of the Hosty Law Office wants you to have a reputable and successful lawyer to protect your freedoms.  In Oklahoma there are many great lawyers with different strengths.  The one you choose should be successful, take the time to listen and be upfront and truthful with you (even if you don’t want to hear the truth).  

Thomas Hosty has over 22 years experience defending Oklahomans and protecting their rights.

Once you have been arrested, time is critical.  Call today and schedule your FREE office visit with Tom so you can start the process to protect your freedoms.

The Hosty Law Office are experts in defending people arrested for drunk driving, DWI / APC, drug charges, felonies and misdemeanors. Call us so we can help; it’s what we do.

405-235-4040 (click to dial office)
405-210-3462 (click to dial Tom’s cell phone)

OKC Ranks Fourth In Highest Levels Of Spring Allergies -AAFA

Oklahoma City is a beautiful and vibrant city to live and work in and around.  We have numerous trees, plants and grassy areas that are available to everyone.  It doesn’t take much warm weather for everything to start growing and blooming.  This new growth is accompanied by our regular strong spring winds that carry everything they pick up across our great state.

That being said, it is important to understand how allergies and the treatment of them can adversely effect your actions and responses to the environment around you.  With allergies sometimes come slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and poor balance.  These three are the telltale signs of drug impairment police officers are trained to constantly look for.  This isn’t to say that you will wind up arrested, but you may find yourself having a conversation with law enforcement explaining your actions.

Before you get behind the wheel to drive, make sure you’re able to clearly see everything around you and your reaction time allows you to be in control.  If not, Oklahoma City has plenty of taxi companies that will get you where you want to go.

Additional Resources:

• List “Most Challenging Places To Live With Spring Allergies”
• Oklahoma Ranks 4th Worst City For Spring Allergies
• Signs & Symptoms Of Drug Use
• Ask The Allergist: Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America

Tom Hosty has over 22 years experience defending Oklahomans and protecting their rights. 

Once you have been arrested, time is critical. 

Call today and schedule your FREE office visit with Tom so you can start the process to protect your freedom.

The Hosty Law Office are experts in defending people arrested for drunk driving, DWI APC, drug charges, felonies and misdemeanors.  Call us so we can help; it’s what we do.

405-235-4040 (click to dial office)
405-210-3462 (click to dial Tom’s cell phone)

204 North Robinson Avenue

Suite 1717

Oklahoma City, OK 73102

 

Oklahoma’s “Women In Recovery” Program

Senator Kim David, R-Wagoner, author of Senate Bill 1278 is working to create a way to lower Oklahoma’s female incarceration rate for nonviolent offenders.  “Oklahoma has the highest female incarceration rate in the country for several years now.  Oklahoma’s history of imprisoning nonviolent women, rather than treating them, is expensive, ineffective and damaging to families.”

The bill (SB 1278) was created to support Tulsa’s existing Women In Recovery program through the George Kaiser Family Foundation.  The WIR program combines strict supervision within a comprehensive day treatment format for women with substance abuse problems, along with many other program services.  Only non-profit organizations with over two million on capital are eligible to participate.

The State of Oklahoma will pay the non-profit organization providing recovery services on a patient basis.  Payment is only until made when one of the women going through the program has met specific outcomes and while receiving services financial savings goals were met.  Unless the guidelines are met, the state does not pay anything.

Tom Hosty has over 22 years experience defending Oklahomans and protecting their rights. 

Once you have been arrested, time is critical.

Call today and schedule your FREE office visit with Tom so you can start the process to protect your freedom.

The Hosty Law Office are experts in defending people arrested for drunk driving, DWI APC, drug charges, felonies and misdemeanors.  Call us so we can help; it’s what we do.

405-235-4040 (click to dial office)
405-210-3462 (click to dial Tom’s cell phone)

      

 

 

 

additional article (link)

 

 

s