THOUSANDS OF INMATES REMAIN IN WAITING:
WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE FAIRNESS IN COCAINE SENTENCING ACT OF 2009
(H.R. 3245)



STATUS OF
H.R. 3245
AKA
THE ”CRACK-RATIO BILL”

Good news! The Cocaine Equalization Bill has passed the House Judiciary Committee. Now the bill must be reviewed by the Senate. We must await final votes on this bill and a hearing to


determine if it will apply retroactively to those who have already been sentenced.

The bill must pass through both the House and Senate before it can go to the President for his approval. The Senate has not yet introduced a bill. However, Senator Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) Is likely to introduce a bill soon that would equalize crack and powder cocaine.

A Senate bill must go through the same process as a House bill (subcommittee, committee, floor vote). If the bill that passes the Senate differs from that which the House passed (which everyone anticipates will be the case) the two bills will go to a conference committee made up of members of the House and the Senate who must then reconcile those differences between the two bills. Once the bill is reconciled, the bill goes back to the House and Senate to be voted on again. Once the bill passes in both chambers, then the bill goes to the President for his approval.
 


We are hopeful that a positive decision will be made on this critical law soon. Until then we will continue to monitor this matter. However, if you would like to begin looking into ways of receiving consideration for this matter in your upcoming sentencing or, if you would like to get a start so that you will be ready when the bill passes and is held to be retroactive, please contact NLPA today!

As you know, President Obama has gone on the record to say he will sign this law. For people that have not yet been sentenced he has already issued a directive to the judges and prosecutors to ensure that any defendant who has not yet been sentenced who is involved in a crack cocaine case, will have his sentence based on the 1:1 ratio.








FOR THOSE JUST TUNING IN...

Under current law, five grams of crack cocaine and 500 grams of powder cocaine trigger the same five-year sentence. Fifty grams of crack cocaine and five kilograms of powder cocaine trigger the same 10-year sentence. When H.R. 3245 becomes law, crack and powder cocaine mandatory minimums will be  equal: 500 grams will require five years and five kilos (or 5,000 grams) will require 10 years, no matter what form of cocaine is involved.
The passing of HR 3245 would significantly reduce the federal tax dollars used in housing inmates and would ease the several prison overcrowding issue. It is estimated that the annual cost to house an inmate is $25,895.00 (reported the Federal Bureau of Prisons). By eliminating the disparity between crack and powder cocaine offenses it is estimated that the prison population would be reduced by some 13,000 inmates over the course of 10 years.

HR 3245 would also eliminate the racial disparities and help to restore faith in the justice system. As was reported when the bill was first introduced, African American defendants make up 81.8% of the defendants sentenced in crack cocaine cases. Yet only 18% of crack users are African American. The average sentence received by a defendant in a crack cocaine case is 122 months - 37 months longer than powder cocaine charges. This difference is largely due to the mandatory minimums present in crack-cocaine offenses.  The Sentencing Commissions has reported that “revising the crack cocaine thresholds wouuld better reduce the gap [in sentences between Black and Whites] than any other single policy change, and it would dramatically improve the fairness in the federal sentencing system”.




WHAT IF THE DEFENDANT HAS NOT BEEN SENTENCED YET?

The good news for those who have NOT been sentenced yet is that, as we are sure you are aware, the Department of Justice has issued a letter to the federal prosecutors and judges stating t hat judges and prosecutors should treat crack-cocaine cases on a 1:1 basis which has helped substantially to reduce on a prospective basis the sentences being faced by defendants who have been convicted and sentenced subsequent to that directive. However, this directive still leaves unaddressed the question of: what about the tens of thousands of federal defendants who are languishing in prison with sentences that are much longer than they should be because of the old 100:1 crack-cocaine ratio?

National Call-In to Eliminate the Cocaine Disparity

Article courtesy of The Sentencing Project:  For the first time, crack cocaine sentencing reform legislation received a favorable vote in Congress when the House Judiciary Committee in July approved the Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act of 2009, H.R. 3245. To move the bill forward we need a vote on the bill by the entire House of Representatives. Now is the time for advocates to contact their Representative to ask for support and co-sponsorship of H.R. 3245. Call the U.S. Capitol today at (202) 224-3121 and ask to speak to your Representative.

The prospects for sentencing reform are the best advocates have seen since Congress passed this controversial law 23 years ago. Change cannot happen, however, without your support and continued pressure on members of Congress. Please use these talking points to tell your Representative to take action.

Talking Points:

Please support and co-sponsor H.R. 3245, the Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act of 2009.
This legislation will:

Restore federal law enforcement priorities. When Congress passed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 and 1988, the intended targets of mandatory minimums were “serious” and “major” traffickers. In practice, the law failed to live up to its promise. Mandatory penalties for crack cocaine offenses have been applied most often to individuals who are low-level participants in the drug trade, who comprise more than 60% of federal crack defendants.

Save federal tax dollars and ease prison overcrowding. The Federal Bureau of Prisons estimates it costs $25,895 a year to house each prisoner. According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, eliminating the sentencing disparity between powder and crack cocaine would reduce the prison population by over 13,000 in 10 years.

Counter the perception of unfairness in the criminal justice system. African Americans account for 81.8% of defendants sentenced to federal prison for crack cocaine offenses. Crack cocaine sentences average 37 months longer than sentences for powder cocaine. This disparity has contributed to a damaging perception of race-based unfairness in our criminal justice system.

Treat two forms of the same drug the same. Crack cocaine is pharmacologically the same as powder cocaine. Myths about crack cocaine, that have been dispelled since the sentencing law was passed 23 years ago, contributed to these out of proportion penalties.

IMPLEMENTATIONOF FEDERAL PAROLE AND INCREASE IN GOOD-TIME CREDIT (H.R. 1475)

On March 12th, 2009, Representative Danny Davis (D-IL) introduced H.R. 1457, to restore the former system of good time allowances toward service of Federal prison terms, and for other purposes, otherwise known as “The Good Time Bill”.  He introduced a similar bill towards the end of the 2008 session.  This bill would reduce the sentences of people in federal prisons by increasing the “good time” credit they could receive and save US tax-payers more than 2 billion dollars per year.  The reduction would apply to all federal prisoners except the ones serving life sentences. 
The Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 virtually abolished federal parole. Currently, people incarcerated in federal prison who were sentenced after the 1984 Act must serve the vast majority of their sentence no matter what, as the good-time credit they receive counts for very little. Today's federal prisoners are eligible to earn a maximum of 54 days per year of their sentence for early release by abiding by prison rules and regulations. 
Obviously this bill, if it is passed into law, would positively effect the vast majority of federal inmates.  The longer the sentence being served, the more the inmate can benefit from the proposed good time changes.  The Good Time Bill would increase the number of days a prisoner could earn towards early release to 60-120 per year, depending on the length of the sentence.  An increased incentive for good behavior through a path toward early release will make prisons safer for prisoners and staff, while also helping to reduce the enormous strain of prison overcrowding on US taxpayers.  It is not too late to write your congressmen and request their support for the Federal Prison Work Incentive Act of 2009.
Presently we are awaiting approval from the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. On April 27, 2009 the bill was referred to the subcommittee. In essence, the bill would amend Title 18 of the United States Code, by inserting after chapter 307 the following:


CHAPTER 309 - GOOD TIME ALLOWANCES

§ 4161. Computation generally
(a) Each prisoner convicted of an offense against the United States and confined in a penal or correctional institution for a definite term other than for life, whose record of conduct shows that the prisoner has substantially observed all regulations promulgated by the Director of the Bureau of Prisons and has not been subjected to punishment, shall be entitled to a deduction from the term of his sentence imposed beginning with the day on which the sentence commences to run, and including time served in pretrial confinement, as follows:
(1) 5 days for each month of the sentence, if the sentence is not less than 6   months and not more than 1 year.
(2) 6 days for each month of the sentence, if the sentence is more than 1       year and less than 3 years.
(3) 7 days for each month of the sentence, if the sentence is not less than 3   years and less than 5 years.
(4) 8 days for each month of the sentence, if the sentence is not less than 5   years and less than 10 years.
(5) 10 days for each month of the sentence, if the sentence is 10 years or more.
(b) When 2 or more consecutive sentences are to be served, the aggregate of the several sentences shall be the basis upon which the deduction shall be computed.

§ 4162. Industrial good time
(a) A prisoner may, in the discretion of the Director of the Bureau of Prisons, be allowed a deduction from that prisoner's sentence of not to exceed 3 days for each month of actual employment in an industry or camp for the first year or any part thereof, and not to exceed 5 days for each month of any succeeding year or part thereof.
(b) In the discretion of the Director of the Bureau of Prisons such allowance may also be made to a prisoner performing exceptionally meritorious service or performing duties of outstanding importance in connection with institutional operations.
(c) Such allowance shall be in addition to commutation of time for good conduct, and under the same terms and conditions and without regard to length of sentence.

§ 4163. Discharge
Except as otherwise provided by law a prisoner shall be released at the expiration of the term of sentence less the time deducted for good conduct. A certificate of such deduction shall be entered on the commitment by the Warden or keeper. If such release date falls upon a Saturday, a Sunday, or on a Monday which is a legal holiday at the place of confinement, the prisoner may be released at the discretion of the warden or keeper on the preceding Friday. If such release date falls on a holiday which falls other than on a Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, the prisoner may be released at the discretion of the warden or keeper on the day preceding the holiday.

§ 4164. Forfeiture for offense
If during the term of imprisonment a prisoner commits any offense or violates the regulations promulgated by the Director of the Bureau of Prisons, all or any part of his earned good time may be forfeited.

§ 4165. Restoration of forfeited commutation
The Director of the Bureau of Prisons shall by regulation provide for the criteria for and means of restoration of any forfeited or lost good time or portion.

CALCULATING
FEDERAL GOOD-
TIME

By Jonathan Richards
When one is sentenced to serve time in Federal prison, the length of the sentence as handed out by the judge is not the actual time that will be spent behind bars. The exact time to be served depends on a number of factors including credit earned for good behavior, participation in a substance abuse program if eligible, qualification for time in a halfway house, and time already served.

There are four variables involved in calculating a Federal prison sentence.

1.Good Time Credit-
This is the time that the BOP gives back to inmates who follow the rules and stay out of trouble. Under the Sentencing Guidelines it is equal to 15% of time served. Anyone sentenced to 12 months or less will not qualify for any Good Time Credit. This is why sentences of 12 months and 1 day are often handed down. It is the judge's way of showing some leniency.

Rather than just subtracting 15% from the sentence, the BOP has chosen to employ some interesting logic in interpreting the meaning of 15%. This is explored in further detail below. This common misunderstanding means that subtracting 15% from the total sentence duration will not result in an accurate calculation of Good Time Credit to be awarded.

2.Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP)-
Those inmates who are placed in and successfully complete the BOP's Residential Drug Abuse Program can qualify for a sentence reduction of up to one year. Placement is reserved for those who are deemed to have severe drug abuse problems.

3.Halfway House-
The BOP's uses halfway houses to integrate offenders back into the community, before they are released. While no longer imprisoned, offenders in a halfway house are subject to a plethora of rules and regulations and are still under the jurisdiction of the BOP.

An inmate is eligible for a halfway house with 10% remaining on their sentence or 6 months in the case that 10% is greater than 6 months. Halfway house time is based on actual time served, not on the total duration of the sentence. Once an inmate becomes eligible for a halfway house, he or she is in no way guaranteed immediate placement. However, especially on sentences of over 12 months, some halfway house time can be expected. Halfway house time is extremely rare on sentences of less than 6 months.

4.Time Already Served-
Time already served in custody awaiting sentencing or during transport to the designated prison, must be deducted. This time is subtracted after the above calculations have been made e.g. if sentence is 366 days and actual time to be served is 319 days and time already served is 3 days, the 3 days would be deducted from 319 not from 366.

Of these four variables, the task of Calculating Good Time Credit to be awarded is probably the most confusing and difficult. This stems from the fact that while the Sentencing Guidelines called for a well behaved inmate to serve 85% of his sentence, the BOP chose to interpret this differently. Instead of simply subtracting 15% from the total sentence, the BOP decided to base the reduction on the time that would have been served under the system prior to the Sentencing Guidelines and Good Time Credit.

In 1987 the Sentencing Commission's staff was tasked with the job of creating a baseline for the Sentencing Table upon which all federal sentences would be graphed. They collected a large sample of sentences for a broad array of crimes and determined the actual time served as a baseline. When the sentence was more than 12 months, the commission divided by .85. In doing so, the sentences in the Levels Table, which was used prior to Good Time Credit, became comparable with those in the new Guidelines.

In essence then, the BOP succeeded in adhering to the new Guidelines, while at the same time keeping inmates incarcerated beyond the time that many advocates insist was the intention of those very Guidelines.

Accurately calculating actual time to be served on a Federal prison sentence requires the analysis of the above four distinct variables. Of the four, calculating Federal Good Time Credit is the most laborious.

CHANGES IN HOW TIME IS COMPUTED; AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL RULES, EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1, 2009
   From: USDC MD AL

The Court encourages counsel and parties to take note of the following changes to the Federal Rules:
re: Time Computations
Time computation amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, Bankruptcy Procedure, Appellate Procedure and the Court's Local Rules go into effect on December 1, 2009.
Under the current federal rules, intermediate weekends and holidays are excluded when calculating time periods fewer than eight days. Effective December 1, 2009, the amended rules will count intermediate weekends and holidays for all time periods.
Deadlines of less than 30 days have been changed to multiples of seven days so that the expiration of the deadline ordinarily would occur on a weekday. Generally, under the revised rules:
5-day deadlines become 7 days
10- and 15-day deadlines become 14 days
20-day deadlines become 21 days and
25-day deadlines become 28 days
Please note that the time computation changes apply to all pending actions unless otherwise ordered by the Court.
The revisions to the Federal Rules effective December 1, 2009, govern and supersede deadlines established by any General Orders and by the content of the Local Rules for the Middle District of Alabama.
These time computation amendments will also be reflected in future amendments to the Court's Local Rules.
For more information on the changes to the Federal Rules, go to:
http://www.uscourts.gov/rules/newrules6.htm#proposed070 9

NLPA CONTINUES A TREND OF EXCELLENCE -A RECAP ON OUR SUCCESSFUL CASES
DURING THE YEAR  2009

During 2009 NLPA continued obtaining successful outcomes for its clients. While obviously no one can guarantee the successful outcome of every case, here is a spotlight of what we were able to accomplish during the year!


J. Ferguson- NLPA was hired directly by counsel in the case of Mr. Ferguson in preparing sentencing research to keep the sentence at the lowest level possible. His case was heard in the U.S. District Court in South Carolina (Spartanburg Division) in Case No. 7:07-cr-00405-1. The PSI recommended 33-41 months with a plea agreement being entered. However, at the sentencing the judge imposed a sentence of 15 months - saving Mr. Ferguson more than a year in prison.

D. Dennis - NLPA assisted counsel for Mr. Dennis in preparing for his sentencing. His case was heard in the U.S. District Court for Maryland (Baltimore Division) in Case No. 1:08-cr-00012-2. The PSI recommendation was 324 to 405 months. However, at the sentencing hearing the court imposed a 204 month sentence - saving Mr. Dennis a whopping 16 YEARS in prison!

A. Robertson - NLPA assisted counsel in the case of Mr. Robertson which was heard in the State of Maryland court (Case No. 1018). The court agreed to reissue judgment in the case and it was remanded.

P. Elliott - NLPA assisted counsel for Mr. Elliott in addressing sentencing arguments to keep the sentence at the lowest possible level. His case was heard in the U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana (Indianapolis Division) in Case No. 1:08-cr-00021-1. The PSI in the case recommended a statutory guideline of 120 months. However, at the sentencing hearing the judge imposed a sentence of 72 months - saving Mr. Elliot 4 years in prison.

M. Stewart - NLPA assisted Mr. Stewart’s counsel with sentencing arguments in his case which was heard in the U.S. District Court of Connecticut (New Haven Division) in case no. 3:07-CR-00073-4. The PSI Report recommended 151-188 months. However, the sentencing judge imposed a sentence of 120 months - saving Mr. Stewart more than 5 years in prison!

T. Alexis- NLPA assisted Mr. Alexis’ counsel with his sentencing arguments in his case. The case was heard in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia (Case No. 1:06-CR-00318-2). The PSI Report recommended a sentence of 360 to life. However, the court instead imposed a sentence totaling 260 months - saving Mr. Alexis AT LEAST 10 years in prison!

G. Killian - NLPA assisted counsel for Mr. Killian at the sentencing in his case (USDC SC, Case No. 0:07-CR-00925-1). The PSI in the case recommended 262-327. However, the judge (in addition to adopting a government motion for downward departure to reduce the guideline level to 168-210 months) also departed further and sentenced the defendant to 140 months and ordered drug treatment (saving him more than 15 YEARS  in prison).

A Gonzalez - NLPA assisted counsel for Mr. Gonzalez in preparing sentencing research in the case (USDC MD FL, Case No.  3:08-cr-00139-2). The PSI in the case recommended 262-327 months in prison. At sentencing the judge imposed a term of confinement of 200 months - saving Mr. Gonzalez more than 10 YEARS in prison!

V. Tenuto - NLPA assisted Robinson & Brandt as counsel for Mr. Tenuto in the preparation of a federal 2255 post-conviction motion. The motion was filed in the USDC  ND of IL (Chicago Division) in Case No. 1:06-cr-00484-1. Attorney Brandt advised that the appellate rights of Mr. Tenuto were reinstated after the court granted his motion at the hearing held.

M. Nuno - NLPA assisted counsel for Mr. Nuno in the preparation of partial pretrial research for his case. His case was heard in the State of California, San Bernardino Superior Court (Case No. FWV040158 / HS 11359). The trial court held a hearing and ordered time served for Mr. Nuno! ** This just goes to show that even if a client can’t afford to pay our fee in full - some help beats no help!

O. Barraza- NLPA assisted counsel for Mr. Barraza in the preparation of sentencing research. His case resided in the USDC MD PA (Harrisburg Division), Case No. 1:07-cr-00064-7. The PSI recommended the court should impose a sentence of 135-188 months in prison. However, at the sentencing hearing the judge imposed a sentence of 108 months - saving Mr. Barraza more than six years in prison!

K. Lee - NLPA assisted counsel for Mr. Lee with his sentencing which was heard in the USDC, WD of VA (Case No. 1:08-cr-00024-7). His charges include crack-cocaine. The PSI recommended a guideline range of 360-LIFE. At the sentencing the court imposed 180 months - saving Mr. Lee a more than 15 years to life in prison!

S. Wilson- NLPA assisted counsel for Mr. Wilson in the preparation of pretrial and sentencing research for his case in the USDC ND of OH (Case No. 5:2009cr00006). Mr. Wilson was charged with conspiracy and crack-cocaine. He ultimately entered a plea agreement in the case and the PSI report later prepared recommended a sentence of 151-188 months. However, at the sentencing hearing, the court imposed a sentence of 100 months - saving Mr. Wilson more than four years in prison!

D. Smith - NLPA assisted Mr. Smith and his counsel in the preparation of sentencing research for his case which was heard in the USDC SD of OH (Case No. 1:08-cr-00106-1). Mr. Smith was charged in an Unlawful Transport of Firearms case. The PSI in his case recommended 104 months. However, the court instead imposed a term of confinement of 60 months - saving Mr. Smith nearly four years in prison!

L. Moore - NLPA assisted counsel for Mr. Moore with his sentencing (USDC SC, Case No. 1:06-CR-00559-1). His PSI recommended a guideline range of 135-168 months. However, at the sentencing the judge imposed a sentence of only 46 months - saving Mr. Moore more than TEN YEARS in prison!

E. Thomas - NLPA assisted counsel for Mr. Thomas in the preparation of sentencing research. His case was heard in the USDC ND of OH (Case No. 5:07-cr-00563-1). His PSI recommended 240 months. However, at his sentencing the court imposed only 122 months - saving Mr. Thomas more than NINE YEARS in prison!

M. Wright - NLPA assisted Mr. Wright directly in providing its Preliminary Sentencing Assistance (PSA) service. His case was heard in the USDC SC, Case No. 9:07-CR-00418-1. His PSI recommended a guideline range of 151-188 months. However, at sentencing he and his attorney were able to argue for a lower sentence and the court imposed 64 months - saving Mr. Wright more than TEN YEARS in prison! By arming Mr. Wright with the information he needed to help his attorney in raising the proper defenses for him at sentencing, NLPA was able to help this individual be successful.

A. Polk- NLPA assited Mr. Polk directly in providing preliminary assistance. Mr. Polk was unable to afford a complete legal team but through our ability to send him preliminary information and case citations that he requested, he was successful in negotiating the best plea possible and obtaining a lower sentence in his case. His case was heard in the USDC ED AK (Case No. 4:07-cr-00092-1). His PSI recommended a guideline range of 120 months. Based upon information that we sent to Mr. Polk he was able to show his attorney why his PSI should be modified. The PSI was then revised to recommend 60 months. After receiving credit for time served and the reduction in his PSI recommendation, Mr. Polk will be released in 2.5 years.

M. Clark - NLPA assisted Mr. Clark and his counsel in the preparation of a §2255 post-conviction motion. His case originated in the USDC SC, Case No. 4:03-cr-01055. The court granted his motion in part and reinstated his appellate rights!

J. Barber - NLPA Assisted counsel for Mr. Barber in the preparation of research designed to keep his sentence at the lowest possible level. The case was heard in USDC WD of VA (Case No. 3:09-cr-00005). The PSI recommended 188 - 235 months for a sentence. However, the judge imposed a sentence of 166 months - saving Mr. Barber nearly six years in prison!

M Killings - NLPA assisted counsel for Mr. Killings with his sentencing. His case was heard in the USDC SD of OH (Case No. 1:09-cr-00007-1). Mr. Killings’ PSI recommended a guideline range of 121-151 months. However, at sentencing the judge imposed a sentence of 77 months - Saving Mr. Killings more than six years in prison!

C Willis - NLPA assisted Mr. Willis’ counsel with research for his appeal. His appeal was filed in 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. His appeal was granted and his case was remanded back to the District Court for a resentencing. His case was heard in the USDC SD of GA (Case No. 6:06-cr-00026-4). His original sentence was 192 months. At the resentencing the judge ordered a sentence of 151 months - savings Mr. Willis more than three years off his original sentence. 

D. Hulett - NLPA assisted Mr. Hulett’s counsel in with the sentencing research in his case. His case was heard in the USDC KS (2:08-cr-20079-6). The PSI in his case recommended 188-235 months. However, at his sentencing the judge instead imposed a sentence of 135 months - saving Mr. Hulett more than eight years in prison!

M. Nance - NLPA assisted counsel for Mr. Nance with the sentencing research in his case. His case was heard in the USDC MD FL (Case No. 3:08-cr-00075-). The PSI in the case recommended a guideline range of 188-235 months. However, the court instead imposed a sentence of 151 months - saving Mr. Nance seven years in prison!


INTERESTED IN HIRING NLPA?

Do you have pressing deadlines? - Give us a due date and you can relax. Have a brief due? - Call us for a free preliminary consultation so we can determine a cost estimate. NLPA can provide anything from a research memorandum to a file-ready brief - whichever you may need. If you’re considering hiring someone to assist with your criminal proceedings, NLPA offers  realistic fees that may suit you in your pursuit of finding top-notch yet affordable legal research & consulting assistance. We believe you will find our fees to be extremely competitive compared to other legal research firms in the country. We also have several alternative options for paying our fees.


NLPA can accept payment via cashier’s check or money order through the mail.

We also can accept credit/debit card payments over the telephone as well as electronic check (check by phone) payments over the telephone.

For most services provided NLPA also offers payment plans as well. With a minimum down payment you could soon be financing your legal fees.

Therefore, if you are interested in discussing the financing options available to you for your specific matter, please contact us. NLPA assists in virtually every stage of criminal proceedings from pretrial to post-conviction and also assists in immigration matters. For additional information on the services offered by National Legal Professional Associates please contact our offices.


DON’T FORGET!

NLPA also can now assist you in finding financing for your legal defense needs. We are pleased to spotlight Lenders Financial Group (LFG) once again as a way in which EVERYONE can afford the legal team they deserve! LFG can assist in a number of different loan programs. LFG also assists in areas other than legal defense. You can learn more by visiting their website at: www.lendersfinancialgroup.com.

This newsletter is designed to Introduce you to NLPA. As NLPA is not a law firm, professional services are only provided to licensed counsel in all areas that involve the practice of law.  NLPA has created this publication to provide you with authoritative and accurate information concerning the subject matter covered. However, this publication was not necessarily prepared by persons licensed to practice law in a particular jurisdiction. This publication is not meant to be a substitute for legal or other professional advice, which NLPA is not rendering herein.



Copyright  © 2009 National Legal Professional Associates



About NLPA
NLPA is a research and  consulting firm, owned and staffed by attorneys, and dedicated to the professional mission of providing counsel, research, and related work product to members of the Bar. Our ownership structure includes attorneys licensed to practice before many local, state, and federal courts; however, NLPA is not a law firm and provides no “front line” legal services. On the other hand, we are much more than your typical paralegal service as our work is prepared by attorneys. Our sole purpose is to provide research and consulting assistance by lawyers, for lawyers . . . and their clients. With cutting-edge computer research capabilities, an experienced and top quality staff, and more than sixteen years’ experience, NLPA is well-positioned to provide the types of assistance members of the Bar need. You are important to us and we hope we can commence and maintain a long-term relationship with you. Please know that we are here to assist in all your needs. If you would like to know more about the services we offer, please contact us at:

National Legal Professional Associates
11331 Grooms Road, Suite 1000
Cincinnati, OH 45242
Tel.: (513) 247-0082 * Fax: (513) 247-9580
E-Mail: contactus@nlpa.com *  Website: www.NLPA.com

NLPA: WE LISTEN, WE CARE, WE GET RESULTS !






National Legal Professional Associates
11331 Grooms Road, Suite 1000
Cincinnati, OH 45242