Forensic Science
Jim has worked frequently in cases where scientific evidence is crucial to the case. In the case Jim
won on appeal and freed an innocent man accused of child sexual abuse, Jim and his expert witness,
Laura Schile, demonstrated that law enforcement crime scene officials mishandled the crime scene
and made statements about the evidence that could not be supported by scientific testing.
Laura Schile is the DNA expert and forensic scientist who exposed the corruption of the Oklahoma
City crime lab and its supervisor, Joyce Gilchrist, who sent an innocent man to prison for rape for
fifteen years. She has consulted in high-profile cases nationally and locally. Jim works closely with
Laura in any case which includes scientific evidence issues.
Capital Appeals
Jim has made five oral arguments in death penalty cases before the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. Most recently, Danny Hooks received a new sentencing trial based on Jim’s brief to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, and Charles Taylor received a full new trial based on briefing by Jim and a colleague; he ultimately pled guilty and was sentenced to life without parole. Two other clients ultimately had their sentences reduced to life without parole, based in part on Jim’s work: Lloyd Mollett and Osbaldo Torres. In Kentucky, Jim and a colleague succeeded in obtaining life without parole for Beoria Simmons in federal court proceedings. He currently represents one death row inmate in Oklahoma and one in Kentucky.
Federal Appeals and Federal Trials
Jim has been qualified to serve on the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) panel for the United States District
Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, and for the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, which rules
on all federal appeals in Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho. Jim will
be seeking similar appointment in the federal courts in Kentucky and in the 6th Circuit Court of
Appeals (Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee).
Jim is currently handling two federal trial cases in the Western District of Oklahoma.
State Court Criminal Practice and Related Areas
Jim handles the the defense against any type of criminal charge, including, but not limited to:
- Homicide
- Drug offenses
- DUI (Driving Under the Influence)
- Crimes Against Property (Burglary, Theft)
- Crimes Against Persons (Assault, Maiming)
- Conspiracy
- Arson
- Sex Offender Registration
- Child Sexual Abuse
- Illegal Searches and Seizures
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