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 in Oklahoma. Two clients ultimately had
their death sentences reduced to life without parole, based in part or in full on Jim’s work: Osbaldo
Torres and Lloyd Mollett. One client died in prison of natural causes, and one received a reversal
and new trial, but was again sentenced to death. The fifth client just received a full new trial because
of errors that Jim initially raised. None of Jim’s clients who had Jim as their appeal lawyer from the
time they were convicted have been executed.
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 following types of crimes [not a complete list]:
- Homicide
- Drug offenses
- Crimes Against Property (Burglary, Theft)
- Crimes Against Persons (Assault, Maiming)
- Conspiracy
- Arson
- Sex Offender Registration
- Child Sexual Abuse
- Illegal Searches and Seizures
Jim does not accept DUI cases due to the highly technical nature of this practice area; he is happy
to refer clients to several excellent lawyers who are skilled in DUI defense.
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