Community
Faculty and students at the Luis Carlos Valencia Agriculture School located in Villa Paz, Jamundi, a community comprised primarily of African descended people from the southernmost part of Valle del Cauca, send their thanks to The Law Offices of Gabriel J. Christian and Associates, LLC for the donated funds, which enables them to continue their agriculture entrepreneurship as a part of the curricula. The production of oranges is customary, but for this year, 2023, the 11th Grade chose mango to produce juice, yogurt, conserve, and other products.
Christmas of 2012, Maryland Delegate and current State's Attorney, Aisha Braveboy, presented the Alkali members with an official Maryland citation in honor of their talent and commitment to spreading joy through the universal language of music.
Attorney Gabriel J. Christian along with the African Union delegation toured the 150-year-old Haynie Farm, LLC in Virginia during their visit in July 2012, where they learned about the ways crops can be produced to enhance food security for a better Africa and the diaspora.
Today, on the eve of Thanksgiving, The Law Offices of Gabriel J. Christian and Associates, LLC donated a heifer and two dozen chickens to a needy family in the developing world via Heifer International.
Colombia Fellows Program MLK Lecture
You Are Cordially Invited - 7PM, Wednesday, October 25, 2023!
Domestic violence is a serious issue that needs to be treated as
such. According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual
Violence Survey, one in 12 men and one-third of women have
experienced intimate partner violence during their lifetime.
This article focuses on domestic violence between people in a
relationship – either intimate, family or acquaintance.
On April 1, 2023, at a distinguished event at The Club at Andrews Air Force Base, Gabriel J. Christian, Managing Attorney of the Law Offices of Gabriel J. Christian & Associates, LLC, received the Signature Service - Caribbean Community Leadership Award from the Prince George's Community, Caribbean Council.
GJC Law invests in clean water in a Sierra Leone village
Cadets parade at the Botanic Gardens in Roseau. "We had to make Dominica proud. And we did."
The Law Offices of Gabriel J. Christian & Associates, LLC is honored to be appointed General Counsel for International Business Development for OVID Group in Ethiopia. Our firm is responsible for providing legal advice on the OVID Group's International Business/Construction outreach. We look forward to providing assistance and guidance in promoting OVID's construction and related business interests in the United States, the Caribbean and other parts of the Americas.
Among many of OVID Group's featured projects are three G+10 units, which were completed within 73 days on August 19, 2022 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Join WSSC Diversity & Inclusion Committee on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, 11 AM - NOON on Teams. Gabriel J. Christian, Esq. will speak on the contributions of Caribbean people to the United States - in civic leadership, science, and technology.
View live webcast of the Caribbean Intellectual Property Association (CIPA) Awards Ceremony on June 2, 2022, at the United States Patent and Trademark Office where our very own Gabriel J. Christian, Esquire is the Keynote Speaker.
Prince George's County Freedom Series, Law Panel Discussion
The US Africa Diaspora Business Collaboration (USADBC) in partnership with GoomDATA Benefit Corporation, Fairfield Management Ltd, Premium Entertainment & Events, and Gabriel Christian & Associates will conduct the first Benefit Corporation for Africa Forum at the UNECA on September 15th, 2021.
You Are Cordially Invited!
The Law Offices of Gabriel Christian & Associates, LLC in Bowie, MD has been appointed as general counsel by the National Black Growers Council, multigenerational producers who advocate for the best interests of Black farmers locally, statewide, and nationally. Their mission promotes agriculture in the United States and abroad. NBGC is comprised of 12 farmers who operate farms in 11 southern states from Virginia to Texas. Collectively, the Board farms nearly 60,000 acres of row crops, and their objective is to teach our young men and women about the virtues of farming, the importance of agriculture, and the commitment it takes to be successful in the global business of agriculture. For more information about this council, you can visit: National Black Growers Council . For any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call our office at (301) 218-9400 .
The Law Offices of Gabriel Christian & Associates in Bowie, MD has been appointed as legal counsel by Aura Smart Air LTD., an Israeli biotechnology firm, regarding their outreach in the United States for research partnerships and academic collaboratives for its anti-Covid-19 air purification devices. Aura Air device is groundbreaking for its coronavirus fighting capabilities. For more information on the device, you can visit this website: Arcadia Techtronics. Recently, Cambridge, MA procured one thousand units of the air purification device. In developing news, there is a plant opening in New York to spur production and as Prince George's County residents, we are hopeful that our county can also contribute to quelling the pandemic. For any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call our office at (301) 218-9400 .
Since the outbreak of a new coronavirus, COVID-19, began in early December 2019, it has spread around the world and has had an increasing effect on businesses. Law Offices of Gabriel J. Christian & Associates, LLC have been working with clients as we assess the impact of this pandemic on our business. As the global health crisis worsens, we are engaged in helping clients across our practice areas to help with their legal needs. We maintain social distancing, use virtual conferencing such as Zoom, require masking and have forged partnerships to enhance air quality in our office space. Stay safe and follow the Center for Disease Control (CDC) protocol to the letter. Our law firm is committed to best practices as outlined by the CDC and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Check back for continual updates as part of Gabriel J. Christian & Associates, LLC coverage regarding important COVID-19 coronavirus topics and resources for businesses.
IF YOU ARE STOPPED FOR QUESTIONING Stay calm. Don't run. Don't argue, resist or obstruct the police, even if you are innocent or police are violating your rights. Keep your hands where police can see them. Ask if you are free to leave. If the officer says yes, calmly and silently walk away. If you are under arrest, you have a right to know why. You have the right to remain silent and cannot be punished for refusing to answer questions. If you wish to remain silent, tell the officer out loud. In some states, you must give your name if asked to identify yourself. You do not have to consent to a search of yourself or your belongings, but police may "pat down" your clothing if they suspect a weapon. You should not physically resist, but you have the right to refuse consent for any further search. If you do consent, it can affect you later in court. IF YOU ARE STOPPED IN YOUR CAR Stop the car in a safe place as quickly as possible. Turn off the car, turn on the internal light, open the window part way and place your hands on the wheel. Upon request, show police your driver's license, registration and proof of insurance. If an officer or immigration agent asks to look inside your car, you can refuse to consent to the search. But if police believe your car contains evidence of a crime, your car can be searched without your consent. Both drivers and passengers have the right to remain silent. If you are a passenger, you can ask if you are free to leave. If the officer says yes, sit silently or calmly leave. Even if the officer says no, you have the right to remain silent. IF YOU ARE QUESTIONED ABOUT YOUR IMMIGRATION STATUS You have the right to remain silent and do not have to discuss your immigration or citizenship status with police, immigration agents or any other officials. You do not have to answer questions about where you were born, whether you are a U.S. citizen, or how you entered the country. (Separate rules apply at international borders and airports, and for individuals on certain nonimmigrant visas, including tourists and business travelers.) If you are not a U.S. citizen and an immigration agent requests your immigration papers, you must show them if you have them with you. If you are over 18, carry your immigration documents with you at all times. If you do not have immigration papers, say you want to remain silent. Do not lie about your citizenship status or provide fake documents. IF THE POLICE OR IMMIGRATION AGENTS COME TO YOUR HOME If the police or immigration agents come to your home, you do not have to let them in unless they have certain kinds of warrants. Ask the officer to slip the warrant under the door or hold it up to the window so you can inspect it. A search warrant allows police to enter the address listed on the warrant, but officers can only search the areas and for the items listed. An arrest warrant allows police to enter the home of the person listed on the warrant if they believe the person is inside. A warrant of removal/deportation (ICE warrant) does not allow officers to enter a home without consent. Even if officers have a warrant, you have the right to remain silent. If you choose to speak to the officers, step outside and close the door. IF YOU ARE CONTACTED BY THE FBI If an FBI agent comes to your home or workplace, you do not have to answer any questions. Tell the agent you want to speak to a lawyer first. If you are asked to meet with FBI agents for an interview, you have the right to say you do not want to be interviewed. If you agree to an interview, have a lawyer present. You do not have to answer any questions you feel uncomfortable answering, and can say that you will only answer questions on a specific topic. IF YOU ARE ARRESTED Do not resist arrest, even if you believe the arrest is unfair. Say you wish to remain silent and ask for a lawyer immediately. Don't give any explanations or excuses. If you can't pay for a lawyer, you have the right to a free one. Don't say anything, sign anything or make any decisions without a lawyer. You have the right to make a local phone call. The police cannot listen if you call a lawyer. Prepare yourself and your family in case you are arrested. Memorize the phone numbers of your family and your lawyer. Make emergency plans if you have children or take medication. Special considerations for non-citizens: - Ask your lawyer about the effect of a criminal conviction or plea on your immigration status. - Don't discuss your immigration status with anyone but your lawyer. - While you are in jail, an immigration agent may visit you. Do not answer questions or sign anything before talking to a lawyer. - Read all papers fully. If you do not understand or cannot read the papers, tell the officer you need an interpreter. IF YOU ARE TAKEN INTO IMMIGRATION (OR "ICE") CUSTODY You have the right to a lawyer, but the government does not have to provide one for you. If you do not have a lawyer, ask for a list of free or low-cost legal services. You have the right to contact your consulate or have an officer inform the consulate of your arrest. Tell the ICE agent you wish to remain silent. Do not discuss your immigration status with anyone but your lawyer. Do not sign anything, such as a voluntary departure or stipulated removal, without talking to a lawyer. If you sign, you may be giving up your opportunity to try to stay in the U.S. Remember your immigration number ("A" number) and give it to your family. It will help family members locate you. Keep a copy of your immigration documents with someone you trust. IF YOU FEEL YOUR RIGHTS HAVE BEEN VIOLATED Remember: police misconduct cannot be challenged on the street. Don't physically resist officers or threaten to file a complaint. Write down everything you remember, including officers' badge and patrol car numbers, which agency the officers were from, and any other details. Get contact information for witnesses. If you are injured, take photographs of your injuries (but seek medical attention first). File a written complaint with the agency's internal affairs division or civilian complaint board. In most cases, you can file a complaint anonymously if you wish
Police officers generally have broad powers to carry out their duties. The Constitution and other laws, however, place limits on how far police can go in trying to enforce the law. As the videotaped beating of motorist Rodney King, in Los Angeles' and several recent cases in – to include the recent indictment of a Maryland police officer for viciously assaulting an innocent citizen with his service pistol, police officers sometimes go too far, violating the rights of citizens. When this happens, the victim of the misconduct may have recourse through federal and state laws. A primary purpose of the nation's civil rights laws is to protect citizens from abuses by government, including police misconduct. Civil rights laws allow attorney fees and compensatory and punitive damages as incentives for injured parties to enforce their rights. Overcoming Immunity Being stopped and questioned by police in connection with a crime is an unsettling experience for most anyone. As long as the officer is performing his job properly, however, there is no violation of a suspect's rights. In fact, police are immune from suit for the performance of their jobs unless willful, unreasonable conduct is demonstrated. Mere negligence, the failure to exercise due care, is not enough to create liability. Immunity therefore means that in the typical police-suspect interaction, the suspect cannot sue the police. Civil rights remedies come into play for willful police conduct that violates an individual's constitutional rights. Civil Rights Laws and Police Misconduct A statute known as Section 1983 is the primary civil rights law victims of police misconduct rely upon. This law was originally passed as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1871, which was intended to curb oppressive conduct by government and private individuals participating in vigilante groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan. It is now called Section 1983 because that is where the law has been published, within Title 42, of the United States Code. Section 1983 makes it unlawful for anyone acting under the authority of state law to deprive another person of his or her rights under the Constitution or federal law. The most common claims brought against police officers are false arrest (or false imprisonment), malicious prosecution, and use of excessive or unreasonable force. False Arrest The claim that is most often asserted against police is false arrest. Persons bringing this claim assert that police violated their Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable seizure. If the officer had probable cause to believe the individual had committed a crime, the arrest is reasonable and the Fourth Amendment has not been violated. Police can arrest without a warrant for a felony or misdemeanor committed in their presence. (Some states also allow warrantless arrests for misdemeanor domestic assaults not committed in the officer's presence.) Even if the information the officer relied upon later turns out to be false, the officer is not liable if he believed it was accurate at the time of the arrest. To prevail on a false arrest claim, the victim must show that the arresting officer lacked probable cause, that is, facts sufficient to cause a reasonable person to believe that a crime had been committed. Malicious Prosecution A malicious prosecution claim asserts that the officer wrongly deprived the victim of the Fourteenth Amendment right to liberty. To win this type of claim, the victim must show four things: 1) the defendant police officer commenced a criminal proceeding; 2) the proceeding ended in the victim's favor (that is, no conviction); 3) there was no probable cause; and 4) the proceeding was brought with malice toward the victim. As with false arrest, this claim will fail if the officer had probable cause to initiate criminal proceedings. Excessive Force Excessive force claims receive the most publicity, perhaps because the results of excessive force seem the most outrageous, involving serious physical injury or death. Whether the officer's use of force was reasonable depends on the surrounding facts and circumstances. The officer's intentions or motivations are not controlling. If the amount of force was reasonable, it doesn't matter that the officer's intentions were bad. But the reverse is also true: if the officer had good intentions, but used unreasonable force, the excessive force claim will not be dismissed. Failure to Intervene Officers have a duty to protect individuals from constitutional violations by fellow officers. Therefore, an officer who witnesses a fellow officer violating an individual's constitutional rights may be liable to the victim for failing to intervene. The Qualified Immunity Defense Defense attorneys representing a police officer for any of these claims will raise a defense of qualified immunity. This defense exists to prevent the fear of legal prosecution from inhibiting a police officer from enforcing the law. The defense will defeat a claim against the officer if the officer's conduct did not violate a clearly established constitutional or statutory right. In other words, the specific acts the officer prevented the individual from engaging in must be legally protected, otherwise there is no civil rights violation. In order to win a civil rights claim, an individual bringing a police misconduct claim must prove that the actions of the police exceeded reasonable bounds, infringed the victim's constitutional rights, and produced some injury or damages to the victim. Police Misconduct: If You Have Been Affect Civil rights claims are an important part of our legal system, providing a balance between the duty of law enforcement to uphold the laws, and the rights of individuals to be free from police misconduct. Yet cases against police officers can be difficult. Officers may be immune from suit, even though an individual feels he or she was mistreated. Claims against police departments can also be expensive to bring because a lot of evidence must be secured, including records, statements of police, statements of witnesses, and various other documentation, to prove the misconduct. The evidence supporting your claim is the most important element in a police misconduct suit. If you feel you have been the victim of police misconduct, contact our office promptly at 301-218-9400 so that we can act to protect your rights. If anyone in the area may have taken video, such film is critical to success. Many successful prosecutions of police misconduct arise from video evidence. Take photographs of any injuries or damage caused by the police, and set aside clothing or other objects that was torn or stained with blood from the incident. Try to get the names and addresses or telephone numbers of anyone who may have witnessed the incident. Also, write down exactly what happened as soon as you can, so that you don't forget important details.
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Bowie, MD 20716
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