Archive for the ‘Local Issues’ Category

DWI Checkpoint in the Warehouse District Tonight

September 2nd, 2010 | Posted in DUI/DWI, Local Issues, NOPD, Traffic by bloom | No Comments »

The New Orleans Police Department issued a statement today indicating that they will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint in the Warehouse District from approximately 9pm to 5am on Friday, September 3rd.

Photo Courtesy of Pulledover.com

Drivers are advised to have the proper documentation (proof of insurance, driver’s license, etc) available if requested.

While we certainly do not condone this type of behavior, should you or someone you know get behind the wheel after a night at the bar and get arrested or charged with a DUI/DWI, Bloom Legal is here (504-599-9997) to provide assistance to you in getting all of your affairs back in order.

Lindsay Lohan Avoids Traffic Ticket; Receives Temporary Respite from Legal Troubles

September 1st, 2010 | Posted in Celebrity Justice, Traffic by bloom | No Comments »

Fresh off of a stint in L.A.’s Lynwood Correctional Facility, Lindsay Lohan has reportedly received her first bit of good luck with the law in a long time.

Photo Courtesy of Celebuzz.com

Lohan was allegedly stopped by police officers for running through a traffic signal after leaving the Chateau Marmont Hotel. According to some sources, Lohan was trailed by a contingent of paparazzi which caused her to speed and drive erratically. After stopping Lohan, police are reported to have let her go with a warning while issuing citations to some of the paparazzi members involved in her pursuit.

Ms. Lohan’s unexpected break from the police serves as a reminder of the importance of behaving politely and courteously when being pulled over.

Should you or a loved one be pulled over for speeding or any other violation, it is important to remain calm despite the considerable stress that this kind of situation can cause. Remain polite and respectful with police officers without becoming overly-friendly or ‘conversational’. Comply with their instructions unless they request to search your vehicle or person without a warrant. If you are stopped and issued a ticket for any reason, contact Bloom Legal at 504-599-9997 to schedule a free consultation to discuss how we can help fight your ticket today.

St. Bernard Parish Claims BP Slow to Pay Companies Involved in Oil Spill Cleanup

September 1st, 2010 | Posted in BP Oil Spill, Local Issues by bloom | No Comments »

According to recent reports, owners of land upon which crews involved in the oil spill cleanup effort in St. Bernard Parish are working have issued notices to vacate the premises due to non-payment. Photo Courtesy of Nola.com

St. Bernard Parish president Craig Taffaro, has issued statements indicating that Amigo Enterprises, one of the landholders that has issued a notice to vacate is owed more than $3 million by the contractors staging out of its property. The contracting firms claim that slow response on the part of BP have made it impossible for them to pay the amount owed.

Additionally, St. Bernard Parish owes more than $34 million to Loupe Construction, a firm that has contracted to provide an array of equipment used in the cleanup effort, and is also claiming delays from BP as the reason for non-payment.

BP has issued statements in its defense that claim that St. Bernard Parish officials and contracting agencies have failed on a number of occasions to provide the proper documentation in order to justify reimbursement.

If you or a loved one have been affected by the Oil Spill, time is of the essence to ensure that you take the actions necessary to allow you to receive the compensation you are due. We recommend that you attend the open house as well as contacting Bloom Legal at 504-599-9997 to schedule a free consultation to learn about how we can advocate for you today.

2-Day Free Health Clinic in New Orleans Next Week

August 25th, 2010 | Posted in Local Issues, Personal Injury by bloom | No Comments »

The National Association of Free Clinics will be hosting its second free clinic for New Orleans residents at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center next week.

Dates and hours of operation will be:

11am to 7pm – Tuesday Aug 31
2pm to 7pm – Wednesday Sep 1


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Medical care offered free of charge will include: general medical exams and basic lab tests (including HIV tests). The staff will also be providing information about where patients can receive follow-up care.

In order to receive care, it is important for residents to call 877-236-7617 to avoid waits and guarantee access. (Although walk-ups will be accepted)

Clinic organizers are still looking for volunteers from physicians, nurses, and medical technicians to non-medically trained individuals to help with set up.

For more information and volunteer registration forms visit: http://www.freeclinics.us/

If you or a loved one have been injured at the fault of another or have not been provided with access to medical treatment which you believe you are entitled to, contact Bloom Legal at 504-599-9997 to schedule a free consultation to discuss how we can help your case.

NOPD Superintedent Serpas Outlines Plan to Restructure the Department

August 23rd, 2010 | Posted in Local Issues, NOPD by bloom | No Comments »

NOPD Superintendent Ronal Serpas outlined a 65-point plan to restructure and reform the practices of his department at a press conference held this morning.

Photo Courtesy of NewOrleans.com

Serpas announced that the NOPD has already undertaken various departmental restructuring initiatives and that it will be instituting new rules and initiatives to take effect in the near future. Among these are rules that would make lying or issuing false statements within the department cause for dismissal.

Falsifying or modifying police reports with the intent to deceive would also be grounds for firing officers.

This announcement comes as part of Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s campaign to reform aspects of local government and law enforcement that have become notorious for corruption and abuse of power. In theory, these new initiatives should help reinforce the rights of arrested citizens to due process and fair trials.

If you or a loved one have been arrested in Louisiana contact Bloom Legal at 504-599-9997 to discuss how we can help your case today.

Gov. Jindal Calls for BP to Fund $173 Million Seafood Monitoring Program

August 20th, 2010 | Posted in BP Oil Spill, Local Issues, National Issues by bloom | No Comments »

As news surfaced today that scientists have discovered a 22-mile-long plume of underwater oil extending to the southwest of the BP oil well that exploded months ago, we are reminded that the long-term effects of the spill have yet to be fully determined.

Photo Courtesy of Ibspro.net

In an effort to maintain safety and stability in the affected region, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal is supporting a proposal that would call for BP to invest $173 million in a fund that would support monitoring the safety and quality of the state’s seafood for the next 5 years.

BP has currently agreed to a plan that would provide $13 million dollars for a 3-year monitoring program with the possibility of extension but has yet to respond to Governor Jindal’s request.

Louisiana produces roughly one third of the United States’ domestic seafood – an industry which contributes about $2 billion every year to the state’s economy. Part of Governor Jindal’s proposal involves BP footing the bill for large scale marketing campaigns designed to alleviate national concerns over the safety of the region’s seafood.

If you or a loved one have been affected by the Oil Spill, time is of the essence to ensure that you take the actions necessary to allow you to receive the compensation you are due. We recommend that you attend the open house as well as contacting Bloom Legal at 504-599-9997 to schedule a free consultation to learn about how we can advocate for you today.

First ‘Synthetic Marijuana’ Arrest Made in Louisiana

August 18th, 2010 | Posted in Courts, Drugs, Local Issues by bloom | No Comments »

Police in Slidell have reported what appears to be the first arrest in Louisiana for possession of a marijuana substitute commonly referred to as “Mojo” (also known as “spice”) in conjunction with a State Law that went into effect on August 15, 2010.

Photo Courtesy of Nola.com

Several strains of incense that contain synthetic derivatives of THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) have recently risen to prominence across the country due largely to the fact that many states have yet to officially ban their sale or possession.

The law that went into effect in Louisiana last week classifies “Mojo” as a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance – the same classification that applies to Marijuana, Ecstacy, Heroin, LSD, GHB, and any other substances which are currently deemed by the state to have no accepted medical use.

Wherever you are in Louisiana, if you have been arrested for or charged with a drug-related crime, Bloom Legal is here to ensure your constitutionally guaranteed right to competent legal counsel. Contact us today at 504.599.9997 for a free drug-related crime consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Oil Spill Open House to Answer Residents’ Questions this Week

August 16th, 2010 | Posted in BP Oil Spill, Local Issues by bloom | No Comments »

BP and the U.S. Coast Guard have scheduled to host an open house at the Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette this Thursday, August 19, to answer questions about the oil spill response.

Photo Courtesy of ThePoliticalCarnival.net

Representatives from BP, the state Department of Environmental Quality, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Labor, NOAA, and the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will be present. Topics of discussion will include the various efforts being undertaken as part of the oil spill response as well as resources for those affected by the spill.

This open house is likely to be a valuable resource for those in the local area who believe that they have been negatively affected by the BP Oil Spill and may provide the information necessary to determine whether those individuals have claims against BP or other organizations.

The Sigur Civic Center is located at 8245 W. Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette, La.:

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If you or a loved one have been affected by the Oil Spill, time is of the essence to ensure that you take the actions necessary to allow you to receive the compensation you are due. We recommend that you attend the open house as well as contacting Bloom Legal at 504-599-9997 to schedule a free consultation to learn about how we can advocate for you today.

DWI Checkpoint Warehouse District Tonight

August 13th, 2010 | Posted in DUI/DWI, Local Issues, NOPD by bloom | No Comments »

The New Orleans Police Department issued a statement today indicating that a sobriety checkpoint will be in place in the Warehouse District tonight from 10PM to 5AM. No details are available with regard to the exact location of the checkpoint at this time.

Photo Courtesy of SoCalImages.com

Drivers are advised to have the proper documentation (proof of insurance, driver’s license, etc) available if requested.

While we certainly do not condone this type of behavior, should you or someone you know get behind the wheel after a night at the bar and get arrested or charged with a DUI/DWI, Bloom Legal is here (504-599-9997) to provide assistance to you in getting all of your affairs back in order.

Starting This Weekend Police Can Pull You Over for Texting

August 13th, 2010 | Posted in Internet/Technology, Local Issues, Traffic by bloom | No Comments »

A law that was passed by the Louisiana State Legislature takes effect this Sunday that will make text messaging while driving a primary offense.

Photo Courtesy of DigitalTrends.com

Prior to this weekend, police were able to cite drivers for text messaging behind the wheel only if they had been pulled over for another primary offense such as speeding. The new law will make it possible for drivers to be stopped merely for being seen texting while driving.

Fines will start at $75 and can go up to as much as $500 for repeat offenders although some police departments have issued statements indicating that they will be issuing warnings early on in order to allow for a short learning curve.

Another part of the law that will take effect this weekend will ban any use of cellphones behind the wheel for drivers age 17 and under.

If you are pulled over and issued a ticket for texting while driving it is important that you consult with an experienced traffic attorney in order to minimize the risk of incurring points against your driver’s license and hikes in your insurance rates. Contact Bloom Legal today at 504-599-9997 to schedule a free consultation.

Available 24/7. Call 1-877-NOLATIX for immediate help.