◼ Public defender cites police, DA misconduct in burglary case; Judge denies motion to dismiss - Grant Scott-Goforth/The Times-Standard
Judge Bruce Watson denied a motion to dismiss a burglary case Friday, amid accusations by a public defender that a former Humboldt County District Attorney's Office prosecutor committed misconduct by failing to report a police interview with his defendant, saying it was not warranted under the circumstances.
The district attorney's office had argued the non-disclosure was simply negligence, resulting from an over-burdened staff.
The case highlights the sometimes controversial practice of police officers attempting to gain information from inmates in exchange for leniency in sentencing.
A mistrial was declared in the case on Dec. 13, following opening statements. Judge Marilyn Miles, who was overseeing the trial, granted the defense request when it came out that a police interview had taken place with the defendant outside of the scope agreed upon by her defense attorney at the time, and that the information she gave about her pending case was not turned over to the defense until the trial had started.
Public defender Gregory Elvine-Kreis, who heads the county's Conflict Counsel Office, then filed a motion to dismiss charges against his client.
In his ruling Friday, Watson said the accusation that former Deputy District Attorney Allan Dollison, who resigned earlier this month, knew the content of the interview without disclosing it to the defense was convoluted.
”There's different versions to what exactly was known and when,” he
said. “It's unclear, quite frankly, whether he knew.”
Watson said the non-disclosure was not egregious enough to warrant dismissal. Elvine-Kreis indicated Friday that he would look into appealing the judge's denial to dismiss charges.
At the court hearing before Watson this week, Elvine-Kreis said a dismissal of the case would be the only way to send a message to the Eureka Police Department and District Attorney's Office about protecting defendants' rights.
”When this type of interference with attorney-client privilege happens, you're the last piece of accountability,” Elvine-Kreis said. “This court has to let the district attorney's office know that this is not negligence.”
Deputy District Attorney Zachary Curtis said dismissing the case was a drastic measure.
”There are other remedies, other means of holding prosecutors and police accountable,” he said, adding that it is not “this court's task to punish police and prosecutors.”
In opposing the motion to dismiss, Curtis said Dollison had no reason not to disclose that he knew about the police interview.
”It just boggles the mind to think that the prosecutor would deliberately hide this information,” he said. “It just escaped Mr. Dollison entirely.”
Curtis said it amounted to “facts lost to an extremely busy prosecutor in an overloaded office.”
Elvine-Kreis said understaffing wasn't a justification for the violation of a defendant's rights.
”Part of the reason this happens is they are overwhelmed,” he said. “If they are overwhelmed, they need to hire.”
Rory Little, a former prosecutor and law professor at University of California Hastings, said a heavy workload can lead to mistakes.
”People forget that lawyers are human beings, and it's not easy to handle a caseload,” he said. “At the same time, the rules are pretty clear.”
Dollison took the stand on Wednesday, answering questions from Elvine-Kreis and Deputy District Attorney Zachary Curtis about when he was aware that an EPD detective had interviewed the defendant in February.
Dollison said he became aware of the interview in July, but was not aware of the content of the interview -- which Elvine-Kreis called a confession -- until Dec. 10, after the trial had begun.
Elvine-Kreis said that Dollison knew about the interview in March, when he offered a reduced plea deal to the defendant. Dollison said he offered the deal without knowing the content of the defendant's statement, but Elvine-Kreis took exception, arguing that it was “ludicrous” that Dollison reduced an offer without knowing the content of the interview.
Watson said in his ruling that it was “peculiar” that EPD never provided the interview to the district attorney's office, and that Dollison did not request or receive the contents of the interview before the trial began.
”None of that is flushed out,” Watson said. “It doesn't occur, and that's odd.”
It remains unclear if there will be any disciplinary action regarding Dollison's non-disclosure of the interview to the defense. The State Bar could pursue the matter if it received a referral from the district attorney's office, Elvine-Kreis or a judge.
In a column submitted to the Times-Standard, Dollison said that resigning was the best decision “for my career and ultimately my family.”
Little said the State Bar has indicated that it's taking prosecutorial misconduct more seriously.
”There's increasing concern about the way prosecutors conduct their business these days,” he said.
Little said prosecutors are typically under more scrutiny by the media and the public.
”That's not necessarily wrong,” Little said, but can mean that they get less margin for error than defense attorneys.
”You can't draw any inferences from resignation,” he said. “I've seen prosecutors resign when they've done nothing wrong -- they're tired of being a punching bag.”
Grant Scott-Goforth can be reached at 441-0514 or gscott-goforth@times-standard.com.
Showing posts with label Dollison. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dollison. Show all posts
1.26.2013
1.23.2013
Allan Dollison: My record at the DA's Office
◼ My record at the DA's Office - Allan Dollison/My Word/Times-Standard
I write this in response to the recent story that was published in the Times-Standard on the fact that I had departed the District Attorney's office after 6 years and 4 months (”Deputy district attorney out after 6 years,” Times-Standard, Jan. 16, Page A3). It is true that I have left. Mr. Gallegos accepted my voluntary resignation effective Jan. 11, and this part of a chapter of my life is now complete. It was a difficult decision, but in the end, I felt it was best for my career and ultimately my family.
The article pointed out that I was trying serious and violent felonies. Most recently, I was known for the successful prosecution and conviction of Brian Fiore, one of the worst crime sprees that this county had ever seen. Mr. Fiore received 68 years and 8 months and then three consecutive life sentences on nine felony convictions. I was actually in Iraq, serving my country when I read about it online, and I said, “Whoa, I really need to get back.” Three months later after completing my mission in Iraq, I reported to work eight days after returning from war.
You don't just have one case that you handle in 6 years and 4 months. During my career, I negotiated two guilty pleas to murder. Guilty pleas to murder are rare, in that being convicted of murder carries what is called an indeterminate sentence, and the governor has to ultimately approve any parole, and being convicted of murder is generally the worst thing that can happen, yet I accomplished that twice.
Joaquin Fitzgerald murdered a homeless man who was celebrating his birthday, and he received a sentence of 15 years to life in prison for second degree murder. I also handled the James Stanko murder case, another terrible crime spree, where six robberies culminated in the murder of cancer survivor and Army veteran Andrew Pease. Mr. Stanko received a 26 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to first degree murder and the six robberies. I personally gave my Bronze Star Medal (awarded for combat in Afghanistan) with my card to Mr. Pease's widow, as I thought it was an appropriate thing to do. I still see her around town, and always give her a big hug, and get emotional about her husband's case.
In 2007, I successfully tried and prosecuted Robert Canfield in a home invasion robbery of a single mother and her child in their west Eureka apartment. He received a 14-year sentence. Later that year, Johnny Randall was held accountable for resisting arrest by the now-chief of Hoopa Tribal Police, Robert Kane, who was injured in the melee. Randall was convicted by a jury, and later sentenced to prison for 4 years and 8 months. I also successfully tried a sexually violent predator case, that of Jerome Franz Gonzales, who had twice been convicted of molestation incidents in El Dorado and Del Norte counties. He received an indefinite term at a state hospital until he is cured.
In 2010, I tried the very difficult Roy Stevens murder case, that of a blind man who had gotten in a fight with his brother. He reached a point of safety, but came back with a gun and killed his brother. He was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, even though one of the sheriff's detectives said that he thought the jury would never convict the man of anything.
Part of this process, what I always thought and believed was my duty, was to prove the cases to best of my ability beyond a reasonable doubt, which also insured the victims had their day in court, a process that some in the criminal justice field believe can be a cathartic process for victims of crime. This is not always true, and many victims never want to have to go through the court process at all, and see the defendants. I did my level best to achieve an appropriate balance of those competing interests.
During these times, in our local newspapers there is lots of coverage about the DA's Office. Admittedly, not all of it is positive. The basic overriding fact was spelled out last year in an excellent series of articles by Thaddeus Greenson -- that the office is woefully underfunded, and that this causes too many cases, in excess of the American Bar Association recommended guidelines. With my departure there are three attorneys who handle the four misdemeanor trial courts (and one of those handles special grant cases as well). There are now three attorneys who handle the four felony trial courts. (These are the same four courts; they just shuffle on a daily basis between felonies and misdemeanors.) We also have a Juvenile prosecutor, and a Fish and Game prosecutor, and then the assistant DA and finally Mr. Gallegos. We also have a retired prosecutor who works part time. Mr. Gallegos' own trial schedule has dramatically increased to help make up for this difference.
I used to run a contract Public Defender's office in a rural county called Amador in between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. That county's DA's Office is the same size as Humboldt's, but the population disparity is profound -- they have 38,091 people to Humboldt's 134,623. I can report to you that the staff of the Humboldt County DA's Office is dedicated, and are all really good lawyers, who all choose to work in what is obviously a difficult environment. I highlight my cases and my work to show that even amongst all of these impediments you can have success (and yes, I had my share of failures, too). However the elected leaders of Humboldt County together with its populace must have a discussion, and decide if they want this situation to continue, where the office is dramatically under-staffed and under-resourced. Mr. Gallegos was even quoted as saying (in Mr. Greenson's article), “I'm breaking people.” There has certainly been a large staff turnover over the years, and all people leave for different reasons, but no community should want their government servants to be “broken.” The stakes are too high, as the basic function of the District Attorney's office is to protect all of this community's citizens.
__________________
Allan Dollison resides in Eureka.
I write this in response to the recent story that was published in the Times-Standard on the fact that I had departed the District Attorney's office after 6 years and 4 months (”Deputy district attorney out after 6 years,” Times-Standard, Jan. 16, Page A3). It is true that I have left. Mr. Gallegos accepted my voluntary resignation effective Jan. 11, and this part of a chapter of my life is now complete. It was a difficult decision, but in the end, I felt it was best for my career and ultimately my family.
The article pointed out that I was trying serious and violent felonies. Most recently, I was known for the successful prosecution and conviction of Brian Fiore, one of the worst crime sprees that this county had ever seen. Mr. Fiore received 68 years and 8 months and then three consecutive life sentences on nine felony convictions. I was actually in Iraq, serving my country when I read about it online, and I said, “Whoa, I really need to get back.” Three months later after completing my mission in Iraq, I reported to work eight days after returning from war.
You don't just have one case that you handle in 6 years and 4 months. During my career, I negotiated two guilty pleas to murder. Guilty pleas to murder are rare, in that being convicted of murder carries what is called an indeterminate sentence, and the governor has to ultimately approve any parole, and being convicted of murder is generally the worst thing that can happen, yet I accomplished that twice.
Joaquin Fitzgerald murdered a homeless man who was celebrating his birthday, and he received a sentence of 15 years to life in prison for second degree murder. I also handled the James Stanko murder case, another terrible crime spree, where six robberies culminated in the murder of cancer survivor and Army veteran Andrew Pease. Mr. Stanko received a 26 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to first degree murder and the six robberies. I personally gave my Bronze Star Medal (awarded for combat in Afghanistan) with my card to Mr. Pease's widow, as I thought it was an appropriate thing to do. I still see her around town, and always give her a big hug, and get emotional about her husband's case.
In 2007, I successfully tried and prosecuted Robert Canfield in a home invasion robbery of a single mother and her child in their west Eureka apartment. He received a 14-year sentence. Later that year, Johnny Randall was held accountable for resisting arrest by the now-chief of Hoopa Tribal Police, Robert Kane, who was injured in the melee. Randall was convicted by a jury, and later sentenced to prison for 4 years and 8 months. I also successfully tried a sexually violent predator case, that of Jerome Franz Gonzales, who had twice been convicted of molestation incidents in El Dorado and Del Norte counties. He received an indefinite term at a state hospital until he is cured.
In 2010, I tried the very difficult Roy Stevens murder case, that of a blind man who had gotten in a fight with his brother. He reached a point of safety, but came back with a gun and killed his brother. He was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, even though one of the sheriff's detectives said that he thought the jury would never convict the man of anything.
Part of this process, what I always thought and believed was my duty, was to prove the cases to best of my ability beyond a reasonable doubt, which also insured the victims had their day in court, a process that some in the criminal justice field believe can be a cathartic process for victims of crime. This is not always true, and many victims never want to have to go through the court process at all, and see the defendants. I did my level best to achieve an appropriate balance of those competing interests.
During these times, in our local newspapers there is lots of coverage about the DA's Office. Admittedly, not all of it is positive. The basic overriding fact was spelled out last year in an excellent series of articles by Thaddeus Greenson -- that the office is woefully underfunded, and that this causes too many cases, in excess of the American Bar Association recommended guidelines. With my departure there are three attorneys who handle the four misdemeanor trial courts (and one of those handles special grant cases as well). There are now three attorneys who handle the four felony trial courts. (These are the same four courts; they just shuffle on a daily basis between felonies and misdemeanors.) We also have a Juvenile prosecutor, and a Fish and Game prosecutor, and then the assistant DA and finally Mr. Gallegos. We also have a retired prosecutor who works part time. Mr. Gallegos' own trial schedule has dramatically increased to help make up for this difference.
I used to run a contract Public Defender's office in a rural county called Amador in between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. That county's DA's Office is the same size as Humboldt's, but the population disparity is profound -- they have 38,091 people to Humboldt's 134,623. I can report to you that the staff of the Humboldt County DA's Office is dedicated, and are all really good lawyers, who all choose to work in what is obviously a difficult environment. I highlight my cases and my work to show that even amongst all of these impediments you can have success (and yes, I had my share of failures, too). However the elected leaders of Humboldt County together with its populace must have a discussion, and decide if they want this situation to continue, where the office is dramatically under-staffed and under-resourced. Mr. Gallegos was even quoted as saying (in Mr. Greenson's article), “I'm breaking people.” There has certainly been a large staff turnover over the years, and all people leave for different reasons, but no community should want their government servants to be “broken.” The stakes are too high, as the basic function of the District Attorney's office is to protect all of this community's citizens.
Allan Dollison resides in Eureka.
12.20.2007
ER - Two witnesses testify in alleged homicide hearing
Two witnesses testify in alleged homicide hearing
by Emily Wilson, The Eureka Reporter, 12/20/2007
Humboldt County Deputy District Attorney Allan Dollison presented two new witnesses at the preliminary hearing for homicide suspect Yohan Jose Lopez.
The hearing continued Wednesday in the Humboldt County Courthouse in Eureka. Lopez is accused of killing Ryan Dunn nearly 10 years ago.
The prosecution presented ballistic evidence that it believes will lead to Lopez’s conviction.
“We believe there were two weapons involved,” Dollison said.
When bullets are fired, distinct markings are left on the casings. The casings found at the crime scene had markings from two different weapons.
Judge J. Michael Brown presided as public defender Jonathan McCrone cross-examined former Eureka Police Department Investigator David Parris, who led the investigation in 1998
Parris is currently employed by the Yurok Tribal Police Department and testified on Tuesday.
“Dunn was known to deal (in) drugs,” he alleged.
“And he was known to carry a concealed weapon?” McCrone asked.
“Yes,” Parris replied, adding that he could not rule out that Dunn may have been carrying a weapon the night he died.
McCrone said a stolen pistol, two bullet-proof vests and a shoulder holster were found in Dunn’s apartment.
But Parris said that based upon the analysis of the scene, there was no evidence of return fire.
A gunshot residue test performed on Dunn’s body to declare if he fired a gun that night came back negative, Parris said. However, the GSR test does not rule out the possibility that Dunn was carrying a gun.
The next witness called to the stand was former EPD Detective Kenneth McCauley. He investigated the shooting in 1998 under the supervision of Parris.
Based upon court testimony Wednesday, McCauley said he interviewed a neighbor witness the night of the homicide. The woman told McCauley that she stepped onto her porch shortly after she heard gunshots and saw a car park in front of her house. She told the detective that three Hispanic men in their late teens got out and ran down the street. From about 20 feet away, one of them turned and looked at her.
It is unknown if her porch light was on, but McCauley said there was a street light less than 20 feet from her house.
Hours later, at approximately 1 a.m., she was shown a picture line-up with five faces that resembled Lopez. She identified Lopez in the line-up as the man who looked at her.
Humboldt State University Police Department Lt. Lynne Soderberg was the final witness to testify. She worked on the homicide case as a detective in the EPD Criminal Investigation Unit under the supervision of Parris.
A neighbor witness told Soderberg that he saw a male running down the street away from the crime scene. A car pulled up and the man got in. Down the street the car stopped and another man, who was running, got in.
Soderberg testified that she returned a call on Jan. 6, 1998, to a woman who claimed to know Lopez for several months preceding Dunn’s homicide. The woman said she also knew Dunn and indicated that he and Lopez did not get along.
She told Soderberg that during a conversation with Lopez a month prior to the homicide he said, “They’re just going to get it,” referring to Dunn and his brother. Soderberg read from her report that the witness told her Lopez also said, “They just better know they’re dead. ... They’ll be easy to hit off; we’ll catch them slipping.”
However incriminating the statements may be, the threats are hearsay and common among crime rings, Soderberg admitted.
DA Investigator Mike Stone was present. He is responsible for follow-up investigations that may be needed for the case and works in conjunction with EPD Senior Supervising Investigator Niel Hubbard. Hubbard sat at Dollison’s side at the hearing.
Deputy Public Defender Jennifer Dixon took notes on the proceeding to assist McCrone in preparing the defense. Today is the final day of the hearing.
Brown will decide to dismiss the case or schedule a second arraignment, which will serve as an informational hearing and take place within 15 days.
A trial will then be scheduled within 60 days unless Lopez waives that right. It is possible the case will take a long time because witnesses have moved out of the area since the homicide 10 years ago, Dollison said.
Timeline of events for alleged homicide suspect
+ Jan. 4, 1998 — Eureka resident Ryan Dunn, 18, was shot and killed in front of Figueiredo’s Video Movies store on West Harris Street in Eureka.
+ Feb. 2, 1998 — Yohan Lopez is accused of murder and allegedly flees town.
+ April 3, 1998 — Yohan’s brother, Santiago Lopez, is accused of being an accessory to murder and allegedly flees town.
+ January 1998 — Santiago Lopez pleads guilty to accessory to murder charges and serves a two-year sentence.
+ Oct. 28, 2007 — Yohan Lopez is arrested by the California Highway Patrol in Stanislaus County and gives a fake name. He makes bail before the results of his fingerprints come back. However, he is arrested at the impound lot attempting to retrieve his vehicle.
+ Nov. 8, 2007 — An arraignment takes place to advise Yohan Lopez of charges, appoint an attorney, and enter a plea.
+ Dec. 18-20, 2007 — A preliminary hearing takes place for Yohan Lopez to establish if there’s enough evidence to warrant a trial.
Copyright (C) 2005, The Eureka Reporter. All rights reserved
by Emily Wilson, The Eureka Reporter, 12/20/2007
Humboldt County Deputy District Attorney Allan Dollison presented two new witnesses at the preliminary hearing for homicide suspect Yohan Jose Lopez.
The hearing continued Wednesday in the Humboldt County Courthouse in Eureka. Lopez is accused of killing Ryan Dunn nearly 10 years ago.
The prosecution presented ballistic evidence that it believes will lead to Lopez’s conviction.
“We believe there were two weapons involved,” Dollison said.
When bullets are fired, distinct markings are left on the casings. The casings found at the crime scene had markings from two different weapons.
Judge J. Michael Brown presided as public defender Jonathan McCrone cross-examined former Eureka Police Department Investigator David Parris, who led the investigation in 1998
Parris is currently employed by the Yurok Tribal Police Department and testified on Tuesday.
“Dunn was known to deal (in) drugs,” he alleged.
“And he was known to carry a concealed weapon?” McCrone asked.
“Yes,” Parris replied, adding that he could not rule out that Dunn may have been carrying a weapon the night he died.
McCrone said a stolen pistol, two bullet-proof vests and a shoulder holster were found in Dunn’s apartment.
But Parris said that based upon the analysis of the scene, there was no evidence of return fire.
A gunshot residue test performed on Dunn’s body to declare if he fired a gun that night came back negative, Parris said. However, the GSR test does not rule out the possibility that Dunn was carrying a gun.
The next witness called to the stand was former EPD Detective Kenneth McCauley. He investigated the shooting in 1998 under the supervision of Parris.
Based upon court testimony Wednesday, McCauley said he interviewed a neighbor witness the night of the homicide. The woman told McCauley that she stepped onto her porch shortly after she heard gunshots and saw a car park in front of her house. She told the detective that three Hispanic men in their late teens got out and ran down the street. From about 20 feet away, one of them turned and looked at her.
It is unknown if her porch light was on, but McCauley said there was a street light less than 20 feet from her house.
Hours later, at approximately 1 a.m., she was shown a picture line-up with five faces that resembled Lopez. She identified Lopez in the line-up as the man who looked at her.
Humboldt State University Police Department Lt. Lynne Soderberg was the final witness to testify. She worked on the homicide case as a detective in the EPD Criminal Investigation Unit under the supervision of Parris.
A neighbor witness told Soderberg that he saw a male running down the street away from the crime scene. A car pulled up and the man got in. Down the street the car stopped and another man, who was running, got in.
Soderberg testified that she returned a call on Jan. 6, 1998, to a woman who claimed to know Lopez for several months preceding Dunn’s homicide. The woman said she also knew Dunn and indicated that he and Lopez did not get along.
She told Soderberg that during a conversation with Lopez a month prior to the homicide he said, “They’re just going to get it,” referring to Dunn and his brother. Soderberg read from her report that the witness told her Lopez also said, “They just better know they’re dead. ... They’ll be easy to hit off; we’ll catch them slipping.”
However incriminating the statements may be, the threats are hearsay and common among crime rings, Soderberg admitted.
DA Investigator Mike Stone was present. He is responsible for follow-up investigations that may be needed for the case and works in conjunction with EPD Senior Supervising Investigator Niel Hubbard. Hubbard sat at Dollison’s side at the hearing.
Deputy Public Defender Jennifer Dixon took notes on the proceeding to assist McCrone in preparing the defense. Today is the final day of the hearing.
Brown will decide to dismiss the case or schedule a second arraignment, which will serve as an informational hearing and take place within 15 days.
A trial will then be scheduled within 60 days unless Lopez waives that right. It is possible the case will take a long time because witnesses have moved out of the area since the homicide 10 years ago, Dollison said.
Timeline of events for alleged homicide suspect
+ Jan. 4, 1998 — Eureka resident Ryan Dunn, 18, was shot and killed in front of Figueiredo’s Video Movies store on West Harris Street in Eureka.
+ Feb. 2, 1998 — Yohan Lopez is accused of murder and allegedly flees town.
+ April 3, 1998 — Yohan’s brother, Santiago Lopez, is accused of being an accessory to murder and allegedly flees town.
+ January 1998 — Santiago Lopez pleads guilty to accessory to murder charges and serves a two-year sentence.
+ Oct. 28, 2007 — Yohan Lopez is arrested by the California Highway Patrol in Stanislaus County and gives a fake name. He makes bail before the results of his fingerprints come back. However, he is arrested at the impound lot attempting to retrieve his vehicle.
+ Nov. 8, 2007 — An arraignment takes place to advise Yohan Lopez of charges, appoint an attorney, and enter a plea.
+ Dec. 18-20, 2007 — A preliminary hearing takes place for Yohan Lopez to establish if there’s enough evidence to warrant a trial.
Copyright (C) 2005, The Eureka Reporter. All rights reserved
7.29.2007
Stories in Ledger-Dispatch/Allan Dollison
News
3/12/2004 1:55:00 PM - Alex Aroz sentenced on abuse charges
3/5/2004 2:00:00 PM - Escamilla takes District 1 but may face runoff
3/5/2004 1:59:00 PM - Germino sentenced in attempted murder case
2/25/2004 1:56:00 PM - District 1 supervisor candidates disclose spending and expenses
1/30/2004 1:56:00 PM - Candidates disclose contributions, expenditures
1/23/2004 1:59:00 PM - Germino judged guilty on all seven
1/21/2004 2:00:00 PM - State opens case against Germino
12/31/2003 2:00:00 PM - Senatorial candidate suspended in 2000
12/12/2003 1:59:00 PM - Vern Pierson drops out of Senate race
12/10/2003 1:59:00 PM - Four-man race set for supervisor
12/5/2003 1:55:00 PM - January trial date set for William Germino; Dollison retained
11/21/2003 1:58:00 PM - Candidates, election department gear up for Primary
11/21/2003 1:56:00 PM - Germino seeks to replace third court-appointed attorney
11/12/2003 1:59:00 PM - Two more local men vying for Senate
10/24/2003 1:57:00 PM - Germino replaces 2nd court-appointed attorney
9/12/2003 5:55:00 AM - Paredez unfit for juvenile court
7/23/2003 5:53:00 AM - Paredez hearing continued on defense motion
7/4/2003 5:58:00 AM - Alleged rapist, 16, held on $1 million bail
3/19/2003 5:50:00 AM - Shooting case leaves Judge Richmond’s court
Life
1/13/2006 2:00:00 PM - Former Jackson resident spends a year in Afghanistan, working to rebuild the country and its government
Reader Polls
12/26/2003 2:00:00 PM - If the election for first senatorial district were held today and you could choose from among those running now, who would get your vote?
More on Dollison:
State Bar Association Allan Lee Dollison
Like Gallegos, he did not go to an accredited Law School - Western State Univ was not an accredited Law School at the time Dollison attended. It has recently become accredited.
Like Stoen and Schwartz, this guy likes to run for office:
Senatorial candidate suspended in 2000
Smart Voter - Philosophy
Smart Voter, March 2, 2004 Election - Our Environment
He also ran for the California Assembly in 1994.
Discussion at watchpaul:
Tim Stoen, Jeffrey "yougofree.com" Schwartz, and now this...
What're we talkin' about here? Moral Turpitude
3/12/2004 1:55:00 PM - Alex Aroz sentenced on abuse charges
3/5/2004 2:00:00 PM - Escamilla takes District 1 but may face runoff
3/5/2004 1:59:00 PM - Germino sentenced in attempted murder case
2/25/2004 1:56:00 PM - District 1 supervisor candidates disclose spending and expenses
1/30/2004 1:56:00 PM - Candidates disclose contributions, expenditures
1/23/2004 1:59:00 PM - Germino judged guilty on all seven
1/21/2004 2:00:00 PM - State opens case against Germino
12/31/2003 2:00:00 PM - Senatorial candidate suspended in 2000
12/12/2003 1:59:00 PM - Vern Pierson drops out of Senate race
12/10/2003 1:59:00 PM - Four-man race set for supervisor
12/5/2003 1:55:00 PM - January trial date set for William Germino; Dollison retained
11/21/2003 1:58:00 PM - Candidates, election department gear up for Primary
11/21/2003 1:56:00 PM - Germino seeks to replace third court-appointed attorney
11/12/2003 1:59:00 PM - Two more local men vying for Senate
10/24/2003 1:57:00 PM - Germino replaces 2nd court-appointed attorney
9/12/2003 5:55:00 AM - Paredez unfit for juvenile court
7/23/2003 5:53:00 AM - Paredez hearing continued on defense motion
7/4/2003 5:58:00 AM - Alleged rapist, 16, held on $1 million bail
3/19/2003 5:50:00 AM - Shooting case leaves Judge Richmond’s court
Life
1/13/2006 2:00:00 PM - Former Jackson resident spends a year in Afghanistan, working to rebuild the country and its government
Reader Polls
12/26/2003 2:00:00 PM - If the election for first senatorial district were held today and you could choose from among those running now, who would get your vote?
More on Dollison:
State Bar Association Allan Lee Dollison
Like Gallegos, he did not go to an accredited Law School - Western State Univ was not an accredited Law School at the time Dollison attended. It has recently become accredited.
Like Stoen and Schwartz, this guy likes to run for office:
Senatorial candidate suspended in 2000
Smart Voter - Philosophy
Smart Voter, March 2, 2004 Election - Our Environment
He also ran for the California Assembly in 1994.
Discussion at watchpaul:
Tim Stoen, Jeffrey "yougofree.com" Schwartz, and now this...
What're we talkin' about here? Moral Turpitude
Ledger-Dispatch - Shooting case leaves Judge Richmond’s court
Shooting case leaves Judge Richmond’s court
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
The two Stockton residents implicated in a Nov. 29 shooting won’t be facing Amador County Superior Court Judge David Richmond any longer. But, if it comes to trial, who they’ll face is in doubt.
That uncertainly is due to a peremptory challenge filed recently by LeRoy Falk, attorney for 21-year-old Louie Zameza, one of the men charged with the incident at a party in Pine Grove that left a 16-year-old girl gunshot in the leg. According to Allan L. Dollison - chief county defense attorney and representative for the other man, 18-year-old Louie Brown - the pre-trial conference now set for 10:30 a.m., April 9 will probably be heard by Judge Susan Harlan. It is uncertain who would hear the case if it goes to trial.
A peremptory challenge is one where no reason for the challenge need be given. Each side in a court case is allowed one each, according to Dollison.
Zameza and Brown were to be arraigned last Thursday, when instead Richmond removed himself from the proceedings. The men were expected to enter pleas of not guilty at the hearing, when a trial date would have been set.
Zameza faces felony counts of shooting into an inhabited dwelling, assault with a firearm and permitting another to shoot from a vehicle. Brown is charged with felony counts of shooting into an inhabited dwelling, shooting from a motor vehicle and assault with a firearm. Both defendants also face numerous special allegations related to their conduct.
The charges stem from a shooting that happened shortly before 11:15 p.m. of the day in question.
After being apprehended shortly after the shooting, Brown admitted he had shot a .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol twice from the opened passenger-side window into a group standing in front of the residence. The shooting was in retaliation for a disagreement at the party, Brown said, adding he did not look where he was shooting. Zameza was allegedly encouraging Brown to shoot into the crowd, according to the district attorney’s office.
Brown said he gave the pistol to the third person in the car, according to the sheriff’s news release made public shortly after the incident. This person - called Chris - was going to destroy the weapon. Zameza and Brown said they dropped this subject off outside Sutter Creek. “Chris” was subsequently located and interviewed as a witness to the alleged crime, Amador County Undersheriff Karl Knobelauch said earlier, adding that it’s been determined that he never had the weapon. That gun hasn’t been located.
More on Dollison:
State Bar Association Allan Lee Dollison
Like Gallegos, he did not go to an accredited Law School - Western State Univ was not an accredited Law School at the time Dollison attended. It has recently become accredited.
Like Stoen and Schwartz, this guy likes to run for office:
Senatorial candidate suspended in 2000
Smart Voter - Philosophy
Smart Voter, March 2, 2004 Election - Our Environment
He also ran for the California Assembly in 1994.
Discussion at watchpaul:
Tim Stoen, Jeffrey "yougofree.com" Schwartz, and now this...
What're we talkin' about here? Moral Turpitude
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
The two Stockton residents implicated in a Nov. 29 shooting won’t be facing Amador County Superior Court Judge David Richmond any longer. But, if it comes to trial, who they’ll face is in doubt.
That uncertainly is due to a peremptory challenge filed recently by LeRoy Falk, attorney for 21-year-old Louie Zameza, one of the men charged with the incident at a party in Pine Grove that left a 16-year-old girl gunshot in the leg. According to Allan L. Dollison - chief county defense attorney and representative for the other man, 18-year-old Louie Brown - the pre-trial conference now set for 10:30 a.m., April 9 will probably be heard by Judge Susan Harlan. It is uncertain who would hear the case if it goes to trial.
A peremptory challenge is one where no reason for the challenge need be given. Each side in a court case is allowed one each, according to Dollison.
Zameza and Brown were to be arraigned last Thursday, when instead Richmond removed himself from the proceedings. The men were expected to enter pleas of not guilty at the hearing, when a trial date would have been set.
Zameza faces felony counts of shooting into an inhabited dwelling, assault with a firearm and permitting another to shoot from a vehicle. Brown is charged with felony counts of shooting into an inhabited dwelling, shooting from a motor vehicle and assault with a firearm. Both defendants also face numerous special allegations related to their conduct.
The charges stem from a shooting that happened shortly before 11:15 p.m. of the day in question.
After being apprehended shortly after the shooting, Brown admitted he had shot a .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol twice from the opened passenger-side window into a group standing in front of the residence. The shooting was in retaliation for a disagreement at the party, Brown said, adding he did not look where he was shooting. Zameza was allegedly encouraging Brown to shoot into the crowd, according to the district attorney’s office.
Brown said he gave the pistol to the third person in the car, according to the sheriff’s news release made public shortly after the incident. This person - called Chris - was going to destroy the weapon. Zameza and Brown said they dropped this subject off outside Sutter Creek. “Chris” was subsequently located and interviewed as a witness to the alleged crime, Amador County Undersheriff Karl Knobelauch said earlier, adding that it’s been determined that he never had the weapon. That gun hasn’t been located.
More on Dollison:
State Bar Association Allan Lee Dollison
Like Gallegos, he did not go to an accredited Law School - Western State Univ was not an accredited Law School at the time Dollison attended. It has recently become accredited.
Like Stoen and Schwartz, this guy likes to run for office:
Senatorial candidate suspended in 2000
Smart Voter - Philosophy
Smart Voter, March 2, 2004 Election - Our Environment
He also ran for the California Assembly in 1994.
Discussion at watchpaul:
Tim Stoen, Jeffrey "yougofree.com" Schwartz, and now this...
What're we talkin' about here? Moral Turpitude
Ledger-Dispatch - Former Jackson resident spends a year in Afghanistan
Former Jackson resident spends a year in Afghanistan, working to rebuild the country and its government
Friday, January 13, 2006
Army Reserve Capt. Allan Dollison, right, walks with his interpreter, Daud Mohammed, on the National Directorate for Security compound. The NDS is similar to an FBI-type of organization. Dollison has been in Afghanistan for the past seven months.
Photo by: Courtesy to the Ledger Dispatch
In this picture taken on Aug. 31, 2005, Dollison speaks with the mayor of Gereshk, Said Ali Shah, through an interpreter. The group was at an event where U.S. troops were donating a trash truck.
Photo by: Courtesy to the Ledger Dispatch
The ongoing war in Afghanistan, the struggle against Taliban forces and the United States' steady attempts to repair the country are only some of the foreign affairs of high priority in the media, as they share the spotlight with wars in Iraq and on terror in general. However, continuing efforts to rebuild and stabilize Afghanistan remain the purpose of many American soldiers' overseas lives, including former Jackson resident Allan L. Dollison.
Dollison, once a public defender who worked on various high profile cases in Amador County, has been in Afghanistan since June serving his role as an Army Reserve captain, helping to build the capacity of the country's government, increase security and provide resources to target reconstruction projects that will help the country move forward.
"How has (my time and work in Afghanistan) affected me? I think it has opened my eyes to the considerable poverty that exists in the world," Dollison wrote via e-mail from Afghanistan. "It has reinforced my commitment to the Army, my country, and this most important larger mission which we call the Global War on Terror."
Dollison is assigned to what is called a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in the southern part of the country, which he says is plagued with some of the "heaviest concentration of enemy activity" of all the regions. In the PRT, Dollison works as a civil affairs officer in charge of a four-person team whose purpose is to visit different villages and speak with elders and district level governments to find out what their needs are and, subsequently, come up with projects and supply assistance to address those needs.
"I would say that 50 percent of my time is managing reconstruction to rebuild the province and the other 50 percent is in building the capacity of the Afghan government," he said. While he and other PRT members don't do the actual rebuilding themselves, they do hire contractors with the goal of empowering and employing Afghans, thus expanding their economy.
Because of drawn-out wars and years of struggle and poverty, Afghanistan was in severely poor shape when troops like Dollison's arrived and began efforts to rebuild it. "This is, without a doubt, one of the poorest countries in the world," Dollison said. "The 25 years of war first by the Russians, and even during the Taliban times, now since 2001, have really wreaked havoc on Afghanistan - it really had no built up infrastructure when we arrived."
When Dollison meets with village elders and government officials, the building request he gets most often is for schools, followed by an improvement of agricultural irrigation and "bazaar roads" - a main road through a village where all commercial activity takes place. The team has used funding to buy heavy machinery and road equipment to enable and encourage the Afghan government to take over the building of its roads.
Civil affairs teams are made up of mainly Army Reserve soldiers who have "civilian skills that help them interact with governments and even ordinary people," Dollison said. A licensed lawyer in California, Dollison is able to assist with Afghanistan's legal reform.
"I would say that the prosecutor and some in the police department have been receptive (to my help)," Dollison said. "They want to learn. They want to improve their system. They want to re-establish security for their own country. They know that an effective legal system is the key to that. The prosecutor and the police and criminal investigators are constantly asking me questions, wanting my help and wanting to learn. Probably the most positive aspect is their receptiveness to make the system work."
Dollison said that while large media outlets don't focus on the work in Afghanistan as much as they do with Iraq, he doesn't feel that the troops in his area have been overlooked or forgotten.
"I have more than enough resources, troops and equipment to effectively do my job," he said. "We have newer weapons, better radios and more computers to effectively do our jobs."
Though the region he's stationed in is more enemy-ridden than others, Dollison feels that many Afghans support the United States' presence and work in the country.
The Afghan people "support us. I receive mostly thumbs-up and smiles - (but) that doesn't mean that there is no enemy."
While Dollison was unable to go into details of terrorist or Taliban presence in his area and resistance to U.S. forces, he did refer to icasualties.org, a Web site that lists military fatalities. According to the site, there have been a total of 259 U.S. military deaths in Afghanistan as a part of "Operation Enduring Freedom" since 2001, with each year seeing more deaths. For example, while 52 U.S. casualties were recorded in 2004, 99 were recorded for 2005.
Dollison has even had his own run-ins with resistance and was nominated for the Combat Action Badge for a counter-attack he led against enemies who fired automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades at his convoy. In this encounter no U.S. soldiers were injured but, two enemies were killed.
"We have been lucky and have not lost a life, yet," Dollison said. "Some have been injured, though. That is the sobering fact that there is still very much a war going on here."
Dollison is set to return to the United States in June. Because of Army Reserve policy that says reservists can only be activated two out of every five years, were he to be deployed again, it could be no sooner than two years from his return date.
Dollison has an extensive military career that began in 1989 and has remained strong ever since. He said that while he is mainly a career reservist, his services have been in greater demand since 2001 and that he has "gladly answered that call." When he comes home, he will return to a unit in Santa Barbara. He said he has two daughters, 5 and 6, who are eagerly awaiting his return from the one-year tour of Afghanistan.
"The greatest reward is helping people," he said. "Bringing them smiles, seeing them grateful for what you are doing, giving little kids hope, modernizing the country and showing them that America, a predominantly Christian nation, can be friends and partners with Afghanistan, an exclusively Muslim nation."
More on Dollison:
State Bar Association Allan Lee Dollison
Like Gallegos, he did not go to an accredited Law School - Western State Univ was not an accredited Law School at the time Dollison attended. It has recently become accredited.
Like Stoen and Schwartz, this guy likes to run for office:
Senatorial candidate suspended in 2000
Smart Voter - Philosophy
Smart Voter, March 2, 2004 Election - Our Environment
He also ran for the California Assembly in 1994.
Discussion at watchpaul:
Tim Stoen, Jeffrey "yougofree.com" Schwartz, and now this...
What're we talkin' about here? Moral Turpitude
Friday, January 13, 2006
Army Reserve Capt. Allan Dollison, right, walks with his interpreter, Daud Mohammed, on the National Directorate for Security compound. The NDS is similar to an FBI-type of organization. Dollison has been in Afghanistan for the past seven months.
Photo by: Courtesy to the Ledger Dispatch
In this picture taken on Aug. 31, 2005, Dollison speaks with the mayor of Gereshk, Said Ali Shah, through an interpreter. The group was at an event where U.S. troops were donating a trash truck.
Photo by: Courtesy to the Ledger Dispatch
The ongoing war in Afghanistan, the struggle against Taliban forces and the United States' steady attempts to repair the country are only some of the foreign affairs of high priority in the media, as they share the spotlight with wars in Iraq and on terror in general. However, continuing efforts to rebuild and stabilize Afghanistan remain the purpose of many American soldiers' overseas lives, including former Jackson resident Allan L. Dollison.
Dollison, once a public defender who worked on various high profile cases in Amador County, has been in Afghanistan since June serving his role as an Army Reserve captain, helping to build the capacity of the country's government, increase security and provide resources to target reconstruction projects that will help the country move forward.
"How has (my time and work in Afghanistan) affected me? I think it has opened my eyes to the considerable poverty that exists in the world," Dollison wrote via e-mail from Afghanistan. "It has reinforced my commitment to the Army, my country, and this most important larger mission which we call the Global War on Terror."
Dollison is assigned to what is called a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in the southern part of the country, which he says is plagued with some of the "heaviest concentration of enemy activity" of all the regions. In the PRT, Dollison works as a civil affairs officer in charge of a four-person team whose purpose is to visit different villages and speak with elders and district level governments to find out what their needs are and, subsequently, come up with projects and supply assistance to address those needs.
"I would say that 50 percent of my time is managing reconstruction to rebuild the province and the other 50 percent is in building the capacity of the Afghan government," he said. While he and other PRT members don't do the actual rebuilding themselves, they do hire contractors with the goal of empowering and employing Afghans, thus expanding their economy.
Because of drawn-out wars and years of struggle and poverty, Afghanistan was in severely poor shape when troops like Dollison's arrived and began efforts to rebuild it. "This is, without a doubt, one of the poorest countries in the world," Dollison said. "The 25 years of war first by the Russians, and even during the Taliban times, now since 2001, have really wreaked havoc on Afghanistan - it really had no built up infrastructure when we arrived."
When Dollison meets with village elders and government officials, the building request he gets most often is for schools, followed by an improvement of agricultural irrigation and "bazaar roads" - a main road through a village where all commercial activity takes place. The team has used funding to buy heavy machinery and road equipment to enable and encourage the Afghan government to take over the building of its roads.
Civil affairs teams are made up of mainly Army Reserve soldiers who have "civilian skills that help them interact with governments and even ordinary people," Dollison said. A licensed lawyer in California, Dollison is able to assist with Afghanistan's legal reform.
"I would say that the prosecutor and some in the police department have been receptive (to my help)," Dollison said. "They want to learn. They want to improve their system. They want to re-establish security for their own country. They know that an effective legal system is the key to that. The prosecutor and the police and criminal investigators are constantly asking me questions, wanting my help and wanting to learn. Probably the most positive aspect is their receptiveness to make the system work."
Dollison said that while large media outlets don't focus on the work in Afghanistan as much as they do with Iraq, he doesn't feel that the troops in his area have been overlooked or forgotten.
"I have more than enough resources, troops and equipment to effectively do my job," he said. "We have newer weapons, better radios and more computers to effectively do our jobs."
Though the region he's stationed in is more enemy-ridden than others, Dollison feels that many Afghans support the United States' presence and work in the country.
The Afghan people "support us. I receive mostly thumbs-up and smiles - (but) that doesn't mean that there is no enemy."
While Dollison was unable to go into details of terrorist or Taliban presence in his area and resistance to U.S. forces, he did refer to icasualties.org, a Web site that lists military fatalities. According to the site, there have been a total of 259 U.S. military deaths in Afghanistan as a part of "Operation Enduring Freedom" since 2001, with each year seeing more deaths. For example, while 52 U.S. casualties were recorded in 2004, 99 were recorded for 2005.
Dollison has even had his own run-ins with resistance and was nominated for the Combat Action Badge for a counter-attack he led against enemies who fired automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades at his convoy. In this encounter no U.S. soldiers were injured but, two enemies were killed.
"We have been lucky and have not lost a life, yet," Dollison said. "Some have been injured, though. That is the sobering fact that there is still very much a war going on here."
Dollison is set to return to the United States in June. Because of Army Reserve policy that says reservists can only be activated two out of every five years, were he to be deployed again, it could be no sooner than two years from his return date.
Dollison has an extensive military career that began in 1989 and has remained strong ever since. He said that while he is mainly a career reservist, his services have been in greater demand since 2001 and that he has "gladly answered that call." When he comes home, he will return to a unit in Santa Barbara. He said he has two daughters, 5 and 6, who are eagerly awaiting his return from the one-year tour of Afghanistan.
"The greatest reward is helping people," he said. "Bringing them smiles, seeing them grateful for what you are doing, giving little kids hope, modernizing the country and showing them that America, a predominantly Christian nation, can be friends and partners with Afghanistan, an exclusively Muslim nation."
More on Dollison:
State Bar Association Allan Lee Dollison
Like Gallegos, he did not go to an accredited Law School - Western State Univ was not an accredited Law School at the time Dollison attended. It has recently become accredited.
Like Stoen and Schwartz, this guy likes to run for office:
Senatorial candidate suspended in 2000
Smart Voter - Philosophy
Smart Voter, March 2, 2004 Election - Our Environment
He also ran for the California Assembly in 1994.
Discussion at watchpaul:
Tim Stoen, Jeffrey "yougofree.com" Schwartz, and now this...
What're we talkin' about here? Moral Turpitude
Ledger-Dispatch - Senatorial candidate Suspended in 2000
Senatorial candidate suspended in 2000
Ledger-Dispatch Wednesday, December 31, 2003
By Sean Rabé srabe at ledger-dispatch.com
A recent search of local attorneys on the California State Bar Web site by the Ledger Dispatch brought back some intriguing results.
In 2000, Allan Dollison, an attorney serving in the Amador County Public Defender's Office and a candidate for California's 1st Senatorial District, was the subject of official sanctions by the California Bar for acts of "moral turpitude."
According to the bar's official publication, the CalBar Journal, the one-year suspension facing Dollison was stayed. Dollison was then suspended for 60 days and placed on two-years probation. The bar association's order took effect Aug. 26, 2000. While on suspension, attorneys are not allowed to practice law in the state.
According to the publication, the action by the bar was the result of Dollison stipulating to 16 counts of misconduct in four consolidated cases: Three counts each of failing to perform legal services competently or respond to client inquiries and improperly withdrawing from representation, and two counts each of failing to return client files, refund unearned fees and cooperate with the bar's investigation.
"As part of one case Dollison was handling, he agreed to file a motion to set aside a default that had been entered against his client," the publication reports. "After not responding to his client's inquiries, Dollison told her he had filed a motion that was denied by the court. He provided a copy of the motion, a notice of ruling which stated an attorney had appeared on behalf of the other party."
"In fact, Dollison never filed a motion, there was no hearing, he fabricated the notice of ruling and forged signatures on documents he sent to the client. His misrepresentations were acts of moral turpitude. He never refunded his fee. He vacated his office and did not notify clients or the courts, he failed to appear at hearings and failed to follow court orders. Two cases were dismissed as a result of failure to prosecute. One client's wages were garnished to pay a default judgment, and other clients were forced to hire new counsel to complete their bankruptcy petition."
Dollison was admitted to the bar in 1995 and was hired by the firm of John Barker and Associates approximately two years ago. Barker and Associates is the firm Amador County has contracted with to provide public defense on behalf of those in the court system who cannot afford a privately retained attorney. Because the firm is simply contracted by the county, the county has little control over who the firm employs.
"As far as we are concerned he has been doing the job he was hired to do," said Amador County General Services Agency Director Trevor Mottishaw, who handles the contract for the county. He added that the Barker firm has been retained under contract since 1995.
Dollison would not comment on the suspension and other actions by the bar. He instead referred all questions to the vice-president of his firm, Donnie Maxwell.
"Anything that happened with Allan happened a long time ago," Maxwell said via a telephone interview. "When we were considering employing Allan we interviewed him and he was very up front about the problems he had. He was previously employed by the State Attorney General's Office, who had nothing but praise for him."
Maxwell said that the firm looked beyond Dollison's past when considering employing him. "We gave him a chance; we knew we were going out on a limb by hiring him."
"Criminal law is not the same type of law where the same type of things happen."
Additionally, Maxwell said that Dollison has done a superior job in representing clients in Amador County. "Our concern is what kind of job he has done for the county," Maxwell said. "We have gotten nothing but praise from the courts and the county in regards to Allan's representation. We are a private corporation - if he weren't doing a good job he wouldn't be here."
There are over 190,000 attorney's registered with the California State Bar. In 2000, a total of 9,667 complaints were filed with the bar. Of those, 2,889 were advanced to actual investigations with 316 criminal complaints being filed against the offending attorneys. 47 attorneys were disbarred.
A random search of approximately 30 other local attorneys on the bar's Web site, located at www.calbar.ca.gov, showed no bar actions other than Dollison's.
More on Dollison:
State Bar Association Allan Lee Dollison
Like Gallegos, he did not go to an accredited Law School - Western State Univ was not an accredited Law School at the time Dollison attended. It has recently become accredited.
Like Stoen and Schwartz, this guy likes to run for office:
Senatorial candidate suspended in 2000
Smart Voter - Philosophy
Smart Voter, March 2, 2004 Election - Our Environment
He also ran for the California Assembly in 1994.
Discussion at watchpaul:
Tim Stoen, Jeffrey "yougofree.com" Schwartz, and now this...
What're we talkin' about here? Moral Turpitude
Ledger-Dispatch Wednesday, December 31, 2003
By Sean Rabé srabe at ledger-dispatch.com
A recent search of local attorneys on the California State Bar Web site by the Ledger Dispatch brought back some intriguing results.
In 2000, Allan Dollison, an attorney serving in the Amador County Public Defender's Office and a candidate for California's 1st Senatorial District, was the subject of official sanctions by the California Bar for acts of "moral turpitude."
According to the bar's official publication, the CalBar Journal, the one-year suspension facing Dollison was stayed. Dollison was then suspended for 60 days and placed on two-years probation. The bar association's order took effect Aug. 26, 2000. While on suspension, attorneys are not allowed to practice law in the state.
According to the publication, the action by the bar was the result of Dollison stipulating to 16 counts of misconduct in four consolidated cases: Three counts each of failing to perform legal services competently or respond to client inquiries and improperly withdrawing from representation, and two counts each of failing to return client files, refund unearned fees and cooperate with the bar's investigation.
"As part of one case Dollison was handling, he agreed to file a motion to set aside a default that had been entered against his client," the publication reports. "After not responding to his client's inquiries, Dollison told her he had filed a motion that was denied by the court. He provided a copy of the motion, a notice of ruling which stated an attorney had appeared on behalf of the other party."
"In fact, Dollison never filed a motion, there was no hearing, he fabricated the notice of ruling and forged signatures on documents he sent to the client. His misrepresentations were acts of moral turpitude. He never refunded his fee. He vacated his office and did not notify clients or the courts, he failed to appear at hearings and failed to follow court orders. Two cases were dismissed as a result of failure to prosecute. One client's wages were garnished to pay a default judgment, and other clients were forced to hire new counsel to complete their bankruptcy petition."
Dollison was admitted to the bar in 1995 and was hired by the firm of John Barker and Associates approximately two years ago. Barker and Associates is the firm Amador County has contracted with to provide public defense on behalf of those in the court system who cannot afford a privately retained attorney. Because the firm is simply contracted by the county, the county has little control over who the firm employs.
"As far as we are concerned he has been doing the job he was hired to do," said Amador County General Services Agency Director Trevor Mottishaw, who handles the contract for the county. He added that the Barker firm has been retained under contract since 1995.
Dollison would not comment on the suspension and other actions by the bar. He instead referred all questions to the vice-president of his firm, Donnie Maxwell.
"Anything that happened with Allan happened a long time ago," Maxwell said via a telephone interview. "When we were considering employing Allan we interviewed him and he was very up front about the problems he had. He was previously employed by the State Attorney General's Office, who had nothing but praise for him."
Maxwell said that the firm looked beyond Dollison's past when considering employing him. "We gave him a chance; we knew we were going out on a limb by hiring him."
"Criminal law is not the same type of law where the same type of things happen."
Additionally, Maxwell said that Dollison has done a superior job in representing clients in Amador County. "Our concern is what kind of job he has done for the county," Maxwell said. "We have gotten nothing but praise from the courts and the county in regards to Allan's representation. We are a private corporation - if he weren't doing a good job he wouldn't be here."
There are over 190,000 attorney's registered with the California State Bar. In 2000, a total of 9,667 complaints were filed with the bar. Of those, 2,889 were advanced to actual investigations with 316 criminal complaints being filed against the offending attorneys. 47 attorneys were disbarred.
A random search of approximately 30 other local attorneys on the bar's Web site, located at www.calbar.ca.gov, showed no bar actions other than Dollison's.
More on Dollison:
State Bar Association Allan Lee Dollison
Like Gallegos, he did not go to an accredited Law School - Western State Univ was not an accredited Law School at the time Dollison attended. It has recently become accredited.
Like Stoen and Schwartz, this guy likes to run for office:
Senatorial candidate suspended in 2000
Smart Voter - Philosophy
Smart Voter, March 2, 2004 Election - Our Environment
He also ran for the California Assembly in 1994.
Discussion at watchpaul:
Tim Stoen, Jeffrey "yougofree.com" Schwartz, and now this...
What're we talkin' about here? Moral Turpitude
1.31.2007
Eye - Alleged Knifepoint robber set for trial.
What is the effect of losing your experienced prosecutors?
Interesting story in the Arcata Eye... your first chance to see Gallegos' new hire, Allan Dollison at work.
Alleged Knifepoint robber set for trial.
Kevin Hoover
Nov. 7, 2006
The case of James Phillip Geth of Eureka, arrested on multiple felony charges last month, is somewhat untidily proceeding to trial under the stewardship of the county's newest deputy district attorney.
Police say Geth, 22, went on a robbery spree the morning of Wednesday, October 18, beginning at a McKinleyville convenience store and ending up chest-deep in a north Arcata marsh.
Deputy DA Allan Dollison detailed the charges at a preliminary hearing last week before Judge Reinholtsen. The judge threw out some of the charges, but agreed to several and set an arraignment for Thursday, Nov. 16 at 2 p.m.
During the prelim, Dollison questioned Arcata Police officers about the eventful October morning. They related the following:
Sometime after 4 a.m., Geth allegedly held up a minimart in McKinleyville at knifepoint. Video surveillance tapes from the store, which were stolen, but later discovered in the car Geth was apparently using, show a similarly dressed individual performing the stickup.
Three hours later, police say, Geth held up the Gas 4 Less mini-mart at Alliance Road and Spear Avenue, then proceeded down Alliance Road to the Union 76 mini-mart.
There, the robber, wearing a big hat and with his face obscured, is seen on video surveillance tapes pointing a knife at the clerk and a customer. The two were forced into a back room at knifepoint, but the clerk fought the robber off with a stool. The suspect then fled in a car with the store's cash drawer just as APD Sgt. Bart Silvers responded to the scene.
A vehicle pursuit ensued, with APD officers breaking off the chase due to unsafe high speed. A short time later, the vehicle was spotted by a passing California Highway Patrol officer on West End Road and clocked at 87 mph in the 25 mph zone.
The suspect's vehicle ran off the road near West End Road at Aldergrove Road. Police checked the area for the suspect, and found Geth in a tussle in Ericson Court with Sacred Ground employee Scott Birk. Geth then ran off toward Aldergrove Pond with APD Sgt. Dave Brown in pursuit.
Brown followed Geth 75 yards into the marsh, wading at times chest-deep through muck, with the suspect refusing to halt. Eventually, another officer subdued Geth with a Taser and he was taken into custody.
Geth had recently been released form jail and was on probation for a drug conviction.
Nonetheless, Reinholtzen walked through the charges and found that Dollison hadn't adequately linked Geth with the McKinleyville robbery and threw out those charges. He also dismissed an evading arrest charge, since Dollison hadn't established that Police used required flashers or siren in the car chase.
Robbery charges for the two Arcata holdups, plus one count of false imprisonment were accepted by the judge.
Dollison, who has served mostly as a defense attorney rather than as a prosecutor during his career, said he would re-file the dismissed charges.
Geth's relatives listened somberly through the morning and afternoon hearings. During a break, his father, also named James Geth, offered the following statement:
We, his family, are working desperately to keep our child and loved one out of the criminal justice system. What we're trying to get him is qualified psychological hlep for his childhood trauma that few people seem to want to address."
He described his son, known as Jamie, as industrious but troubled. Young Geth, A Eurekan, held three jobs, the father said, and was a popular DJ known as "JP Jesus."
An expanded version of this story will be available at arcataeye.com.
I'll post the link as soon as it is available. Apologies to Kevin if there are any typos in this story, I transcribed it from the paper.
Follow-up:
James Geth pleads
More on Dollison:
State Bar Association Allan Lee Dollison
Like Gallegos, he did not go to an accredited Law School - Western State Univ was not an accredited Law School at the time Dollison attended. It has recently become accredited.
Like Stoen and Schwartz, this guy likes to run for office:
Senatorial candidate suspended in 2000
Smart Voter - Philosophy
Smart Voter, March 2, 2004 Election - Our Environment
He also ran for the California Assembly in 1994.
Discussion at watchpaul:
Tim Stoen, Jeffrey "yougofree.com" Schwartz, and now this...
What're we talkin' about here? Moral Turpitude
Interesting story in the Arcata Eye... your first chance to see Gallegos' new hire, Allan Dollison at work.
Alleged Knifepoint robber set for trial.
Kevin Hoover
Nov. 7, 2006
The case of James Phillip Geth of Eureka, arrested on multiple felony charges last month, is somewhat untidily proceeding to trial under the stewardship of the county's newest deputy district attorney.
Police say Geth, 22, went on a robbery spree the morning of Wednesday, October 18, beginning at a McKinleyville convenience store and ending up chest-deep in a north Arcata marsh.
Deputy DA Allan Dollison detailed the charges at a preliminary hearing last week before Judge Reinholtsen. The judge threw out some of the charges, but agreed to several and set an arraignment for Thursday, Nov. 16 at 2 p.m.
During the prelim, Dollison questioned Arcata Police officers about the eventful October morning. They related the following:
Sometime after 4 a.m., Geth allegedly held up a minimart in McKinleyville at knifepoint. Video surveillance tapes from the store, which were stolen, but later discovered in the car Geth was apparently using, show a similarly dressed individual performing the stickup.
Three hours later, police say, Geth held up the Gas 4 Less mini-mart at Alliance Road and Spear Avenue, then proceeded down Alliance Road to the Union 76 mini-mart.
There, the robber, wearing a big hat and with his face obscured, is seen on video surveillance tapes pointing a knife at the clerk and a customer. The two were forced into a back room at knifepoint, but the clerk fought the robber off with a stool. The suspect then fled in a car with the store's cash drawer just as APD Sgt. Bart Silvers responded to the scene.
A vehicle pursuit ensued, with APD officers breaking off the chase due to unsafe high speed. A short time later, the vehicle was spotted by a passing California Highway Patrol officer on West End Road and clocked at 87 mph in the 25 mph zone.
The suspect's vehicle ran off the road near West End Road at Aldergrove Road. Police checked the area for the suspect, and found Geth in a tussle in Ericson Court with Sacred Ground employee Scott Birk. Geth then ran off toward Aldergrove Pond with APD Sgt. Dave Brown in pursuit.
Brown followed Geth 75 yards into the marsh, wading at times chest-deep through muck, with the suspect refusing to halt. Eventually, another officer subdued Geth with a Taser and he was taken into custody.
Geth had recently been released form jail and was on probation for a drug conviction.
Nonetheless, Reinholtzen walked through the charges and found that Dollison hadn't adequately linked Geth with the McKinleyville robbery and threw out those charges. He also dismissed an evading arrest charge, since Dollison hadn't established that Police used required flashers or siren in the car chase.
Robbery charges for the two Arcata holdups, plus one count of false imprisonment were accepted by the judge.
Dollison, who has served mostly as a defense attorney rather than as a prosecutor during his career, said he would re-file the dismissed charges.
Geth's relatives listened somberly through the morning and afternoon hearings. During a break, his father, also named James Geth, offered the following statement:
We, his family, are working desperately to keep our child and loved one out of the criminal justice system. What we're trying to get him is qualified psychological hlep for his childhood trauma that few people seem to want to address."
He described his son, known as Jamie, as industrious but troubled. Young Geth, A Eurekan, held three jobs, the father said, and was a popular DJ known as "JP Jesus."
An expanded version of this story will be available at arcataeye.com.
I'll post the link as soon as it is available. Apologies to Kevin if there are any typos in this story, I transcribed it from the paper.
Follow-up:
James Geth pleads
More on Dollison:
State Bar Association Allan Lee Dollison
Like Gallegos, he did not go to an accredited Law School - Western State Univ was not an accredited Law School at the time Dollison attended. It has recently become accredited.
Like Stoen and Schwartz, this guy likes to run for office:
Senatorial candidate suspended in 2000
Smart Voter - Philosophy
Smart Voter, March 2, 2004 Election - Our Environment
He also ran for the California Assembly in 1994.
Discussion at watchpaul:
Tim Stoen, Jeffrey "yougofree.com" Schwartz, and now this...
What're we talkin' about here? Moral Turpitude
Eye - Robber James Geth pleads, is sentenced
Another plea bargain...
Robber James Geth pleads, is sentenced -- Jan. 30, 2007
Kevin L. Hoover Eye Editor
ARCATA – James Phillip Geth of Eureka pleaded guilty last Friday to two counts of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon in connection with a McKinleyville-to-Arcata crime spree that took place the morning of last Oct. 18.
A busy morning
Geth, 22, had allegedly robbed a McKinleyville mini-mart at knifepoint around 4 a.m. that morning. About three hours later, he held up the Gas4Less mini-mart at Alliance Road and Spear Avenue in Arcata, and moments later did the same thing at the Union 76 mini-mart on Alliance Road.
There, a video security camera captured images of Geth ordering the clerk and a patron into the back room at knifepoint. The clerk then fought Geth off with a stool, and the robber fled with the store’s cash drawer just as Arcata Police officers arrived.
A high-speed chase ensued, with APD breaking off pursuit for safety reasons. But a California Highway Patrol officer spotted Geth on West End Road, going 87 mph in a 25 mph zone. Geth abandoned his car near Aldergrove Road and, after a brief scuffle with an employee at a business there, fled through Ericson Court into marshy Aldergrove Pond.
APD Sgt. Dave Brown pursued Geth on foot 75 yards into chest-deep muck. Brown said Geth refused to halt and repeatedly feigned reaching for a weapon inside his shirt.
Brown said that if he had not heard previous police radio exchanges about the robberies involving a knife only, he may have shot Geth. Instead, he made the instant decision that Geth was likely not in possession of a firearm, and refrained from shooting. Geth was eventually tased by another officer and taken into custody.
The McKinleyville mini-mart's security videotapes and the Union 76’s cash drawer were subsequently found in the vehicle Geth had abandoned on West End Road.
Charges and pleas
Geth was on felony probation for drug offenses at the time of the robbery spree. Arcata Police recommended numerous felony charges against him for robbery, burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, probation violation, resisting and evading arrest with reckless driving.
However, in a subsequent plea arrangement, newly hired Deputy District Attorney Allan Dollison recommended only one robbery and one evading count against Geth.
Arcata Police were aghast at the downsizing of the Geth case. Noting Geth’s disregard for public safety, his having terrorized citizens (security video shows him slashing at the clerk and a patron with the knife at the Alliance Road store) and placing an officer in a possible shooting situation, APD communicated its surprise and displeasure at the weakened charges to Dollison and DA Paul Gallegos.
At a preliminary hearing in early November, Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Dale Reinholtsen reproved Dollison for failing to subpoena the CHP officer involved and for not having the McKinleyville mini-mart clerk present.
Dollison, who has served mostly as a defense attorney, conferred with Gallegos and re-filed the evading and robbery charges. Geth ultimately pleaded guilty to one of the previously dropped robbery charges.
In ensuing months, the case was transferred to Deputy DA Andy Truitt, who did not immediately return calls Friday. Geth's father didn't return calls either, but last fall had characterized "Jamie" as an industrious but troubled youth.
Last week, Geth was sentenced to nine years in prison and two felony strikes against him.
“We are happy with the disposition,” said APD Captain Tom Chapman.
Subscribe to the Arcata Eye for the full story!
Follow-up:
Knifepoint Robber Set For Trial
More on Dollison:
State Bar Association Allan Lee Dollison
Like Gallegos, he did not go to an accredited Law School - Western State Univ was not an accredited Law School at the time Dollison attended. It has recently become accredited.
Like Stoen and Schwartz, this guy likes to run for office:
Senatorial candidate suspended in 2000
Smart Voter - Philosophy
Smart Voter, March 2, 2004 Election - Our Environment
He also ran for the California Assembly in 1994.
Discussion at watchpaul:
Tim Stoen, Jeffrey "yougofree.com" Schwartz, and now this...
What're we talkin' about here? Moral Turpitude
Robber James Geth pleads, is sentenced -- Jan. 30, 2007
Kevin L. Hoover Eye Editor
ARCATA – James Phillip Geth of Eureka pleaded guilty last Friday to two counts of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon in connection with a McKinleyville-to-Arcata crime spree that took place the morning of last Oct. 18.
A busy morning
Geth, 22, had allegedly robbed a McKinleyville mini-mart at knifepoint around 4 a.m. that morning. About three hours later, he held up the Gas4Less mini-mart at Alliance Road and Spear Avenue in Arcata, and moments later did the same thing at the Union 76 mini-mart on Alliance Road.
There, a video security camera captured images of Geth ordering the clerk and a patron into the back room at knifepoint. The clerk then fought Geth off with a stool, and the robber fled with the store’s cash drawer just as Arcata Police officers arrived.
A high-speed chase ensued, with APD breaking off pursuit for safety reasons. But a California Highway Patrol officer spotted Geth on West End Road, going 87 mph in a 25 mph zone. Geth abandoned his car near Aldergrove Road and, after a brief scuffle with an employee at a business there, fled through Ericson Court into marshy Aldergrove Pond.
APD Sgt. Dave Brown pursued Geth on foot 75 yards into chest-deep muck. Brown said Geth refused to halt and repeatedly feigned reaching for a weapon inside his shirt.
Brown said that if he had not heard previous police radio exchanges about the robberies involving a knife only, he may have shot Geth. Instead, he made the instant decision that Geth was likely not in possession of a firearm, and refrained from shooting. Geth was eventually tased by another officer and taken into custody.
The McKinleyville mini-mart's security videotapes and the Union 76’s cash drawer were subsequently found in the vehicle Geth had abandoned on West End Road.
Charges and pleas
Geth was on felony probation for drug offenses at the time of the robbery spree. Arcata Police recommended numerous felony charges against him for robbery, burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, probation violation, resisting and evading arrest with reckless driving.
However, in a subsequent plea arrangement, newly hired Deputy District Attorney Allan Dollison recommended only one robbery and one evading count against Geth.
Arcata Police were aghast at the downsizing of the Geth case. Noting Geth’s disregard for public safety, his having terrorized citizens (security video shows him slashing at the clerk and a patron with the knife at the Alliance Road store) and placing an officer in a possible shooting situation, APD communicated its surprise and displeasure at the weakened charges to Dollison and DA Paul Gallegos.
At a preliminary hearing in early November, Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Dale Reinholtsen reproved Dollison for failing to subpoena the CHP officer involved and for not having the McKinleyville mini-mart clerk present.
Dollison, who has served mostly as a defense attorney, conferred with Gallegos and re-filed the evading and robbery charges. Geth ultimately pleaded guilty to one of the previously dropped robbery charges.
In ensuing months, the case was transferred to Deputy DA Andy Truitt, who did not immediately return calls Friday. Geth's father didn't return calls either, but last fall had characterized "Jamie" as an industrious but troubled youth.
Last week, Geth was sentenced to nine years in prison and two felony strikes against him.
“We are happy with the disposition,” said APD Captain Tom Chapman.
Subscribe to the Arcata Eye for the full story!
Follow-up:
Knifepoint Robber Set For Trial
More on Dollison:
State Bar Association Allan Lee Dollison
Like Gallegos, he did not go to an accredited Law School - Western State Univ was not an accredited Law School at the time Dollison attended. It has recently become accredited.
Like Stoen and Schwartz, this guy likes to run for office:
Senatorial candidate suspended in 2000
Smart Voter - Philosophy
Smart Voter, March 2, 2004 Election - Our Environment
He also ran for the California Assembly in 1994.
Discussion at watchpaul:
Tim Stoen, Jeffrey "yougofree.com" Schwartz, and now this...
What're we talkin' about here? Moral Turpitude
12.22.2006
ER - Ellebrecht sentenced
Ellebrecht sentenced to suspended three-year prison term
by Kara D. Machado, 12/22/2006
A Rio Dell man who fired several shots into a residence as, he claims, he aimed for a deer, was released from custody on Thursday until Jan. 14.
On Jan. 14, Phillip Ellebrecht, 21, will turn himself back in to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility, where he will serve a little more than 100 days of a one-year sentence — he has 263 days of combined credit served.
Ellebrecht appeared in Humboldt County Superior Court Judge John T. Feeney’s courtroom Thursday to be sentenced for the shooting that occurred at about 10 p.m. Jan. 16 in the 200 block of Stream Street in Rio Dell.
On that date, Ellebrecht fired 10 to 14 shots at a home, Humboldt County Deputy District Attorney Allan Dollison said.
“He said he was walking down the street — after he, himself, admitted to have had drank a 12-pack of beer and a fifth of Jack Daniels,” Dollison said, “and, at one point, claimed he (began) shooting at a deer ... with a .22-caliber rifle.
“Fortunately, no one was hurt.”
On Thursday, Feeney also sentenced Ellebrecht to a suspended, three-year prison sentence — which was recommended both by the Probation Department and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Rather than serve three years in prison, Ellebrecht will be placed on three years probation, Feeney said in court.
Should Ellebrecht violate his probation, he will ultimately serve the three years in prison.
Ellebrecht was also ordered to stay at least 100 yards away from the Zingaro family, at whose residence Ellebrecht shot.
In court, Ellebrecht — handcuffed by his right wrist to another inmate — appeared somber, wearing the standard orange jail jumper, with his light-colored hair shorn short.
Loved ones of Ellebrecht filled one row of the courtroom. On the opposite side of the spectator seating sat Katherine Zingaro.
Zingaro said she was out of town visiting her father when she received a call from her husband, Nicholas Zingaro, just after the shooting.
Nicholas Zingaro was in the home at the time of the shooting, with the couple’s two children — a daughter, who was 8 at the time, and a son, 4.
In court, Katherine Zingaro said her son slept through the incident, but her daughter was “shaken” as a result of it.
“I’m sorry this has happened,” Zingaro said in court. “(Ellebrecht) is a young man ... I hope he can release (his) hate and have love in his heart.”
Feeney allowed Ellebrecht to vocally apologize to Zingaro from the front row of the jury box, where he stood by his attorney, Humboldt County Public Defender Blair Angus.
“Honestly, from the bottom of my heart, I apologize,” Ellebrecht said. “I’m glad no one was hurt ... I’m sorry for (your) daughter.
“I am truly, honestly sorry about what happened. ... It won’t happen again.”
Dollison said Ellebrecht was initially charged with shooting at an inhabited dwelling and the negligent discharge of a firearm, and was bound for both charges following his preliminary hearing May 16.
If convicted of his initial charges, Ellebrecht could have faced a maximum of seven years in state prison, Dollison said.
However, on July 31, Ellebrecht accepted a plea offer of the negligent discharge of a firearm, Dollison said, which carries a maximum prison exposure of three years.
Via telephone, Nicholas Zingaro said one of the 14 bullets fired into his home went through his front door, missing his head by 1 inch.
“My daughter heard the shots and flipped out,” Nicholas Zingaro said. “I grabbed her from her bunk bed and we huddled to the ground.
“She couldn’t stop crying. We had to call her best friend’s parents. She couldn’t stay at the house. She had to stay at her best friend’s house that night.”
Nicholas Zingaro said he believed the sentencing to be “light.”
“Seriously,” Nicholas Zingaro said, “it’s like a slap on the wrist.”
Dollison described this case in court as “a close call” and said he was pleased to see Ellebrecht was remorseful.
“This is a strike (case),” Dollison later said. “We are pleased with the court’s decision.”
Copyright (C) 2005, The Eureka Reporter. All rights reserved.
More on Dollison:
State Bar Association Allan Lee Dollison
Like Gallegos, he did not go to an accredited Law School - Western State Univ was not an accredited Law School at the time Dollison attended. It has recently become accredited.
Like Stoen and Schwartz, this guy likes to run for office:
Senatorial candidate suspended in 2000
Smart Voter - Philosophy
Smart Voter, March 2, 2004 Election - Our Environment
He also ran for the California Assembly in 1994.
Discussion at watchpaul:
Tim Stoen, Jeffrey "yougofree.com" Schwartz, and now this...
What're we talkin' about here? Moral Turpitude
by Kara D. Machado, 12/22/2006
A Rio Dell man who fired several shots into a residence as, he claims, he aimed for a deer, was released from custody on Thursday until Jan. 14.
On Jan. 14, Phillip Ellebrecht, 21, will turn himself back in to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility, where he will serve a little more than 100 days of a one-year sentence — he has 263 days of combined credit served.
Ellebrecht appeared in Humboldt County Superior Court Judge John T. Feeney’s courtroom Thursday to be sentenced for the shooting that occurred at about 10 p.m. Jan. 16 in the 200 block of Stream Street in Rio Dell.
On that date, Ellebrecht fired 10 to 14 shots at a home, Humboldt County Deputy District Attorney Allan Dollison said.
“He said he was walking down the street — after he, himself, admitted to have had drank a 12-pack of beer and a fifth of Jack Daniels,” Dollison said, “and, at one point, claimed he (began) shooting at a deer ... with a .22-caliber rifle.
“Fortunately, no one was hurt.”
On Thursday, Feeney also sentenced Ellebrecht to a suspended, three-year prison sentence — which was recommended both by the Probation Department and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Rather than serve three years in prison, Ellebrecht will be placed on three years probation, Feeney said in court.
Should Ellebrecht violate his probation, he will ultimately serve the three years in prison.
Ellebrecht was also ordered to stay at least 100 yards away from the Zingaro family, at whose residence Ellebrecht shot.
In court, Ellebrecht — handcuffed by his right wrist to another inmate — appeared somber, wearing the standard orange jail jumper, with his light-colored hair shorn short.
Loved ones of Ellebrecht filled one row of the courtroom. On the opposite side of the spectator seating sat Katherine Zingaro.
Zingaro said she was out of town visiting her father when she received a call from her husband, Nicholas Zingaro, just after the shooting.
Nicholas Zingaro was in the home at the time of the shooting, with the couple’s two children — a daughter, who was 8 at the time, and a son, 4.
In court, Katherine Zingaro said her son slept through the incident, but her daughter was “shaken” as a result of it.
“I’m sorry this has happened,” Zingaro said in court. “(Ellebrecht) is a young man ... I hope he can release (his) hate and have love in his heart.”
Feeney allowed Ellebrecht to vocally apologize to Zingaro from the front row of the jury box, where he stood by his attorney, Humboldt County Public Defender Blair Angus.
“Honestly, from the bottom of my heart, I apologize,” Ellebrecht said. “I’m glad no one was hurt ... I’m sorry for (your) daughter.
“I am truly, honestly sorry about what happened. ... It won’t happen again.”
Dollison said Ellebrecht was initially charged with shooting at an inhabited dwelling and the negligent discharge of a firearm, and was bound for both charges following his preliminary hearing May 16.
If convicted of his initial charges, Ellebrecht could have faced a maximum of seven years in state prison, Dollison said.
However, on July 31, Ellebrecht accepted a plea offer of the negligent discharge of a firearm, Dollison said, which carries a maximum prison exposure of three years.
Via telephone, Nicholas Zingaro said one of the 14 bullets fired into his home went through his front door, missing his head by 1 inch.
“My daughter heard the shots and flipped out,” Nicholas Zingaro said. “I grabbed her from her bunk bed and we huddled to the ground.
“She couldn’t stop crying. We had to call her best friend’s parents. She couldn’t stay at the house. She had to stay at her best friend’s house that night.”
Nicholas Zingaro said he believed the sentencing to be “light.”
“Seriously,” Nicholas Zingaro said, “it’s like a slap on the wrist.”
Dollison described this case in court as “a close call” and said he was pleased to see Ellebrecht was remorseful.
“This is a strike (case),” Dollison later said. “We are pleased with the court’s decision.”
Copyright (C) 2005, The Eureka Reporter. All rights reserved.
More on Dollison:
State Bar Association Allan Lee Dollison
Like Gallegos, he did not go to an accredited Law School - Western State Univ was not an accredited Law School at the time Dollison attended. It has recently become accredited.
Like Stoen and Schwartz, this guy likes to run for office:
Senatorial candidate suspended in 2000
Smart Voter - Philosophy
Smart Voter, March 2, 2004 Election - Our Environment
He also ran for the California Assembly in 1994.
Discussion at watchpaul:
Tim Stoen, Jeffrey "yougofree.com" Schwartz, and now this...
What're we talkin' about here? Moral Turpitude
10.27.2006
TS - New deputy DA has a troubled history - 10/27/2006
New deputy DA has a troubled history
Kimberly Wear The Times-Standard
Article Launched:10/27/2006 04:24:25 AM PDT
But he says, 'I'm ready to do good work for the county'
EUREKA -- The newest Humboldt County deputy district attorney was reprimanded by the California State Bar eight years ago, but says he learned from the experience and talked with his new employer about the situation.
”It was something that happened in 1998,” said Allan Dollison, who started work in the District Attorney's Office this week. “I've learned a lot and have done a lot of neat stuff since then.”
District Attorney Paul Gallegos said he knew about the discipline and talked with Dollison at length about what happened.
”It was quite a while ago,” he said. “He's certainly served the community since then. I have every indication he learned from his mistake and is going to be a great prosecutor.”
Dollison recently returned from service as an Army civil affairs officer in Afghanistan, where he received a combat action badge. He had been heading up the Public Defender's Office in Amador County near Tahoe.
Before that, Dollison served as an assistant attorney general for the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. protectorate near Guam.
Bar records show Dollison was disciplinedin August 2000 with a 60-day suspension and placed on two years' probation after stipulating to 16 counts of misconduct in four consolidated cases.
Those included failing to perform legal services competently or respond to client inquires; improperly withdrawing from representation; failing to return client files and unearned fees; and two counts of failing to cooperate with the bar's investigation.
”As part of one case Dollison was handling, he agreed to file a motion to set aside a default that had been entered against his client,” the bar summary states. “After not responding to his client's inquires, Dollison told her he had filed a motion that was denied in court. He provided a copy of the motion, a notice of ruling which stated an attorney had appeared on behalf of the other party.”
”In fact, Dollison never filed a motion, there was no hearing, he fabricated the notice of ruling and forged signatures on documents he sent to the client,” the report continues. “His misrepresentations were acts of moral turpitude.”
Another client had wages garnished. and others had to hire new counsel to complete their bankruptcy case, according to the state bar.
The report did note a mitigating factor that Dollison started a law practice soon after passing the bar, but “due to a lack of experience and business acumen, he accepted difficult cases for relatively low fees.”
”He abandoned several matters when he moved to a new office in order to stabilize his practice,” it read.
Dollison said he got in over his head as a new attorney and took on more than he could handle at the time. A lot has changed since then, and he has moved on, he said.
”I'm ready to do good work for the county,” Dollison said.
Kimberly Wear covers the cities of Eureka and Arcata. She can be reached at 441-0512 or kwear@times-standard.com
***
State Bar Association Allan Lee Dollison
RELATED:
More:
Like Gallegos, he did not go to an accredited Law School - Western State Univ was not an accredited Law School at the time Dollison attended.
It has recently become accredited.
Like Stoen and Schwartz, this guy likes to run for office:
Senatorial candidate suspended in 2000
Smart Voter - Philosophy
Smart Voter, March 2, 2004 Election - Our Environment
He also ran for the California Assembly in 1994.
Addtl link:
The AEB's agenda
2. DA can exploit his national notoriety by recruiting seasoned as well as fresh bright younger prosecuters
1336
SUPREME COURT MINUTES
THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2000
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
S088328
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).)
More:
Monday, October 23, 2006
State Bar Association Allan Lee Dollison http://members.calbar.ca.gov/search/member_detail.aspx?x=177299 - #177299
August 26, 2000
ALLAN LEE DOLLISON [#177299], 34, of Saipan was suspended for one year, stayed, placed on two years of probation with an actual 60-day suspension and until he makes restitution and proves his rehabilitation, and was ordered to take the MPRE within one year and comply with rule 955. The order took effect Aug. 26, 2000.
Dollison stipulated to 16 counts of misconduct in four consolidated cases: three counts each of failing to perform legal services competently or respond to client inquiries and improperly withdrawing from representation, and two counts each of failing to return client files, refund unearned fees and cooperate with the bar’s investigation.
As part of one case Dollison was handling, he agreed to file a motion to set aside a default that had been entered against his client. After not responding to his client’s inquiries, Dollison told her he had filed a motion that was denied by the court. He provided a copy of the motion, a notice of ruling which stated an attorney had appeared on behalf of the other party.
In fact, Dollison never filed a motion, there was no hearing, he fabricated the notice of ruling and forged signatures on documents he sent to the client. His misrepresentations were acts of moral turpitude. He never refunded his fee.
He vacated his office and did not notify clients or the courts, he failed to appear at hearings and failed to follow court orders. Two cases were dismissed as a result of failure to prosecute. One client’s wages were garnished to pay a default judgment, and other clients were forced to hire new counsel to complete their bankruptcy petition.
In mitigation, Dollison started a solo practice soon after his admission to the bar, but due to a lack of experience and business acumen, he accepted difficult cases for relatively low fees. He abandoned several matters when he moved to a new office in order to stabilize his practice. He also suffered from depression and is under the care of a psychiatrist.
Profile Information
Bar Number 177299
District District 6
Undergraduate School California St Univ Fullerton; CA
County Riverside
Law School Western State Univ COL; Fullerton CA
Status History
Effective Date Status Change
Present Active
10/25/2000 Active
8/26/2000 Not Eligible To Practice Law
3/16/2000 Active
10/25/1999 Not Eligible To Practice Law
6/15/1995 Admitted to The State Bar of California
Explanation of member status
Actions Affecting Eligibility to Practice Law
Effective Date 8/26/2000
Description Discipline w/actual suspension
Case Number 97-O-18138
Eligibility to Practice Law Not Eligible To Practice Law
Effective Date 11/15/1999
Description Ordered inactive
Case Number 97-O-18526
Eligibility to Practice Law Not Eligible To Practice Law
Effective Date 10/25/1999
Description Ordered inactive
Case Number 97-O-18138
Eligibility to Practice Law Not Eligible To Practice Law
Administrative Actions
This member has no public record of administrative actions.
Copies of official attorney discipline records are available upon request.
California Bar Journal Discipline Summaries
Summaries from the California Bar Journal are based on discipline orders but are not the official records. Not all discipline actions have associated CBJ summaries. Copies of official attorney discipline records are available upon request.
© 2006 The State Bar of California
More:
(MPRE) Above means he was told to take an ethics course and pass the Multi-State Professional
Responsibility Exam.
Like Gallegos, he did not go to an accredited Law School - Western State Univ was not an accredited Law School at the time Dollison attended.
It has recently become accredited.
Like Stoen and Schwartz, this guy likes to run for office:
Senatorial candidate suspended in 2000
Smart Voter - Philosophy
Smart Voter, March 2, 2004 Election - Our Environment
He also ran for the California Assembly in 1994.
Addtl link:
The AEB's agenda
2. DA can exploit his national notoriety by recruiting seasoned as well as fresh bright younger prosecuters
Kimberly Wear The Times-Standard
Article Launched:10/27/2006 04:24:25 AM PDT
But he says, 'I'm ready to do good work for the county'
EUREKA -- The newest Humboldt County deputy district attorney was reprimanded by the California State Bar eight years ago, but says he learned from the experience and talked with his new employer about the situation.
”It was something that happened in 1998,” said Allan Dollison, who started work in the District Attorney's Office this week. “I've learned a lot and have done a lot of neat stuff since then.”
District Attorney Paul Gallegos said he knew about the discipline and talked with Dollison at length about what happened.
”It was quite a while ago,” he said. “He's certainly served the community since then. I have every indication he learned from his mistake and is going to be a great prosecutor.”
Dollison recently returned from service as an Army civil affairs officer in Afghanistan, where he received a combat action badge. He had been heading up the Public Defender's Office in Amador County near Tahoe.
Before that, Dollison served as an assistant attorney general for the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. protectorate near Guam.
Bar records show Dollison was disciplinedin August 2000 with a 60-day suspension and placed on two years' probation after stipulating to 16 counts of misconduct in four consolidated cases.
Those included failing to perform legal services competently or respond to client inquires; improperly withdrawing from representation; failing to return client files and unearned fees; and two counts of failing to cooperate with the bar's investigation.
”As part of one case Dollison was handling, he agreed to file a motion to set aside a default that had been entered against his client,” the bar summary states. “After not responding to his client's inquires, Dollison told her he had filed a motion that was denied in court. He provided a copy of the motion, a notice of ruling which stated an attorney had appeared on behalf of the other party.”
”In fact, Dollison never filed a motion, there was no hearing, he fabricated the notice of ruling and forged signatures on documents he sent to the client,” the report continues. “His misrepresentations were acts of moral turpitude.”
Another client had wages garnished. and others had to hire new counsel to complete their bankruptcy case, according to the state bar.
The report did note a mitigating factor that Dollison started a law practice soon after passing the bar, but “due to a lack of experience and business acumen, he accepted difficult cases for relatively low fees.”
”He abandoned several matters when he moved to a new office in order to stabilize his practice,” it read.
Dollison said he got in over his head as a new attorney and took on more than he could handle at the time. A lot has changed since then, and he has moved on, he said.
”I'm ready to do good work for the county,” Dollison said.
Kimberly Wear covers the cities of Eureka and Arcata. She can be reached at 441-0512 or kwear@times-standard.com
***
State Bar Association Allan Lee Dollison
RELATED:
More:
Like Gallegos, he did not go to an accredited Law School - Western State Univ was not an accredited Law School at the time Dollison attended.
It has recently become accredited.
Like Stoen and Schwartz, this guy likes to run for office:
Senatorial candidate suspended in 2000
Smart Voter - Philosophy
Smart Voter, March 2, 2004 Election - Our Environment
He also ran for the California Assembly in 1994.
Addtl link:
The AEB's agenda
2. DA can exploit his national notoriety by recruiting seasoned as well as fresh bright younger prosecuters
1336
SUPREME COURT MINUTES
THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2000
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
S088328
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).)
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Monday, October 23, 2006
State Bar Association Allan Lee Dollison http://members.calbar.ca.gov/search/member_detail.aspx?x=177299 - #177299
August 26, 2000
ALLAN LEE DOLLISON [#177299], 34, of Saipan was suspended for one year, stayed, placed on two years of probation with an actual 60-day suspension and until he makes restitution and proves his rehabilitation, and was ordered to take the MPRE within one year and comply with rule 955. The order took effect Aug. 26, 2000.
Dollison stipulated to 16 counts of misconduct in four consolidated cases: three counts each of failing to perform legal services competently or respond to client inquiries and improperly withdrawing from representation, and two counts each of failing to return client files, refund unearned fees and cooperate with the bar’s investigation.
As part of one case Dollison was handling, he agreed to file a motion to set aside a default that had been entered against his client. After not responding to his client’s inquiries, Dollison told her he had filed a motion that was denied by the court. He provided a copy of the motion, a notice of ruling which stated an attorney had appeared on behalf of the other party.
In fact, Dollison never filed a motion, there was no hearing, he fabricated the notice of ruling and forged signatures on documents he sent to the client. His misrepresentations were acts of moral turpitude. He never refunded his fee.
He vacated his office and did not notify clients or the courts, he failed to appear at hearings and failed to follow court orders. Two cases were dismissed as a result of failure to prosecute. One client’s wages were garnished to pay a default judgment, and other clients were forced to hire new counsel to complete their bankruptcy petition.
In mitigation, Dollison started a solo practice soon after his admission to the bar, but due to a lack of experience and business acumen, he accepted difficult cases for relatively low fees. He abandoned several matters when he moved to a new office in order to stabilize his practice. He also suffered from depression and is under the care of a psychiatrist.
Profile Information
Bar Number 177299
District District 6
Undergraduate School California St Univ Fullerton; CA
County Riverside
Law School Western State Univ COL; Fullerton CA
Status History
Effective Date Status Change
Present Active
10/25/2000 Active
8/26/2000 Not Eligible To Practice Law
3/16/2000 Active
10/25/1999 Not Eligible To Practice Law
6/15/1995 Admitted to The State Bar of California
Explanation of member status
Actions Affecting Eligibility to Practice Law
Effective Date 8/26/2000
Description Discipline w/actual suspension
Case Number 97-O-18138
Eligibility to Practice Law Not Eligible To Practice Law
Effective Date 11/15/1999
Description Ordered inactive
Case Number 97-O-18526
Eligibility to Practice Law Not Eligible To Practice Law
Effective Date 10/25/1999
Description Ordered inactive
Case Number 97-O-18138
Eligibility to Practice Law Not Eligible To Practice Law
Administrative Actions
This member has no public record of administrative actions.
Copies of official attorney discipline records are available upon request.
California Bar Journal Discipline Summaries
Summaries from the California Bar Journal are based on discipline orders but are not the official records. Not all discipline actions have associated CBJ summaries. Copies of official attorney discipline records are available upon request.
© 2006 The State Bar of California
More:
(MPRE) Above means he was told to take an ethics course and pass the Multi-State Professional
Responsibility Exam.
Like Gallegos, he did not go to an accredited Law School - Western State Univ was not an accredited Law School at the time Dollison attended.
It has recently become accredited.
Like Stoen and Schwartz, this guy likes to run for office:
Senatorial candidate suspended in 2000
Smart Voter - Philosophy
Smart Voter, March 2, 2004 Election - Our Environment
He also ran for the California Assembly in 1994.
Addtl link:
The AEB's agenda
2. DA can exploit his national notoriety by recruiting seasoned as well as fresh bright younger prosecuters