Christopher Zoukis, JD | May 30, 2025 | News
Zzyzx, California: The Bizarre Desert Town That Became a Federal Crime Scene
inating case study in federal fraud, land crimes, and the intersection of religious freedom with criminal law. Zzyzx represents more than just an oddly named spot on the map; it embodies a complex legal saga involving federal land violations, mail fraud, and false advertising that would challenge even the most experienced federal criminal defense attorneys. The story […]
Christopher Zoukis, JD | August 7, 2023 | News
Federal Bureau of Prisons Implements New DNA Collection Policy
Effective February 1, 2011, the Federal Bureau of Prisons instituted a national policy in regard to DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) collection. This policy was promulgated under Program Statement #5311.01, entitled “Inmate DNA Sample Collection Procedures.” According to the Program Statement, “DNA analysis provides a powerful tool for human identification. DNA samples collected from individuals or derived […]
Christopher Zoukis, JD | July 14, 2023 | News
$320,000 Settlement in Wrongful Imprisonment Case
A federal lawsuit alleging wrongful arrest and imprisonment by the LAPD settled for $320,000 on January 16, 2007. The case involved the murder of 16-year-old Martha Puebla, who was shot and killed outside her Sun Valley, California home. Puebla was murdered just 11 days after she testified against Jose Ledesma in a gang murder prosecution. […]
Christopher Zoukis, JD | December 27, 2018 | News
State v. Bassett: Washington’s Historic Ban on Juvenile Life Without Parole
On October 18, 2018, the Washington Supreme Court fundamentally transformed juvenile justice through State v. Bassett, categorically declaring juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) unconstitutional under the state constitution. This landmark decision didn’t merely limit these sentences—it eliminated them entirely, establishing Washington as the national leader in protecting youth offenders from irredeemable punishment. For families navigating the […]
Christopher Zoukis, JD | August 14, 2013 | News
Oklahoma Escapee Surrenders to Police after 14 Years on the Run
On April 26, 2013, David Lee Kemp, 43, turned himself into the Comanche County, Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office. He was actively being sought by the FBI, U.S. Marshals, and other law enforcement agencies for escaping from the Comanche County Jail 14 years earlier. “He said that he was just tired basically of running and it was […]
Christopher Zoukis, JD | May 30, 2012 | News
Pups on Parole – Heaven Can Wait Animal Society
Imagine the love a dog that is on its “last days” at an animal shelter must feel when they are unconditionally loved by a human that at one time abused them. Imagine the love an incarcerated woman feels when she can help earn the trust of an abused dog. This is one of the beautiful […]