Attorney Jared Thompson has been recognized with the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating, a significant achievement in the legal industry. The AV Preeminent rating is the highest possible rating given by Martindale-Hubbell, a trusted legal rating service that has been in existence for over 140 years.
This award is a testament to Attorney Thompson’s unwavering commitment to providing his clients with excellent legal services. To achieve the AV Preeminent rating, an attorney must receive high ratings from peers and clients, indicating exceptional legal ability, professional conduct, and ethical standards.
Attorney Thompson’s achievement reflects not only his skills as a lawyer but also his dedication to his clients and his community. As a trial attorney with more than a decade of experience, he has successfully represented clients in a wide range of criminal defense matters.
Overall, the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating is a significant achievement, and Attorney Thompson’s recognition is well-deserved. His clients can rest assured that they are in excellent hands with a dedicated and skilled attorney who is committed to their success.
Recent Case Victories | Humphrey & Thompson
Humphrey & Thompson has been busy defending the rights and the good names of the people in our community. We are proud to be able to say that we and our clients have enjoyed a string of recent winning case results.
A few of our recent case results include:
- DUI charges dismissed: Our client was accused of driving under the influence. This is already a serious charge but the penalties could have been escalated due to the fact that our client was under the age of 21. We knew we had to challenge all charges, front to back, or else our client could have lost their license. We managed to end the case with a complete clearage of the charges – no plea agreement required.
- Assault on officer charges dismissed: Speaking of extremely serious criminal charges, our client was charged with mayhem and assault on an officer. The average sentencing for this crime in California carries 12 years of jail time upon conviction. The charges were dropped and no additional jail time was assigned to the lesser charges.
- Sex crimes case ends with certificate: Our client had been convicted of a sex crime and may have been required to register as a sex offender for the rest of their life. We managed to convince the ruling parties to grant our client a certificate of rehabilitation, which shows that our client has rehabilitated themselves away from the behavioral habits that led to the original sex crime. Mandatory sex offender registry will end in 20 years, rather than last a lifetime.
- Assault and domestic violence charges dismissed: Our client was accused of both assault and domestic violence. Understanding that the testimonies and evidence of the alleged incidents did not seem to add up, our Bakersfield criminal defense attorneys began an investigation of our own. Based on our findings, all charges were dismissed.
- Gang charges dismissed: The state filed charges against our client that accused them of gang-related activity. From the beginning, the charges were quite transparent and lacking of substance. We managed to get all charges dismissed before the trial even began due to insufficient evidence.
Want to know more about Humphrey & Thompson, our Bakersfield criminal defense attorney, and our services? We encourage you review our client testimonials to see what our community thinks about us. Of course, you can also contact us online or dial 661.327.1360 to speak with us directly.
Former Kern County Deputy Takes Plea Deal
Sherriff’s deputy Nick Clerico responded to aid another deputy who was involved in a fight at the Longbranch Saloon. Nick was a well-liked deputy who was respected by his peers and who loved his job helping protect the community. Unfortunately, even with lights and siren, he collided with a vehicle driven by the victim when it entered the intersection of West China Grade Loop and North Chester. The CHP decided that Nick was at fault even though the victim was obligated by law to yield to emergency lights and siren. Nick’s speed was over the limit and that was the basis for finding he did not clear the intersection before the collision.
Nick suffered significant injuries and has not been able to return to work since the incident. Nick never went to work that day thinking it would end like this. He has hopes that the family of the victim will someday be able to understand that he intended no harm and the incident was truly an accident.
Kyle J. Humphrey handled the case for his office and said one of the hardest parts of reaching the positive result in this case was the problem with getting people to understand that Nick was really forced to drive at that high speed to assist the other deputy. Kern County still uses one man patrol cars and back up is always a long way off. Getting the idea across that a regular citizen would want an officer to respond as quickly as possible applies equally to another officer in need. Once people viewed the case with more understanding, the case was able to resolve. Nick did not deserve to go to jail and he did not go to jail. Nick will pay $570.00 in fines, complete 240 hours of community service and complete 3 years of unsupervised probation.
The Humphrey & Thompson handles all manner of criminal case. Kyle handles the defense for clients in both federal and state court. They can cover you from the pre-filing stages through jury trial. As seasoned trial lawyers, they can tell you that actually doing jury trials is absolutely necessary in obtaining better outcomes across the board. Always find out, has your lawyer tried a jury trial? If you want a lawyer who has actually tried cases and won difficult cases, call Kyle and Jared. If you’re accused of a crime, make sure you have an experienced Bakersfield criminal defense lawyer on your side who will actually work for you. Kyle Humphrey has more than 30 years of criminal defense experience to offer your case. Contact us at (661) 327-1360 or fill out our online form to schedule a case consultation today.
Attorney Kyle Humphrey recently offered comment on the controversial case of a former Bakersfield police officer convicted of drug crimes. While there has been an outcry that convicted man received a light sentence, Attorney Humphrey had a different perspective on the matter.
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Bakersfield.com recently turned to Attorney Kyle Humphrey for his insight on the ongoing story of a former Bakersfield police officer who has been convicted of drug crimes. While the case has proved controversial, Attorney Humphrey had a different take on former officer’s sentencing.
“What happened to our humanity, our Christianity, when we talk about compassion?” he told Bakersfield.com. “Why is anybody getting more than five years for what he did, cop or no cop?”
Case Background
Attorney Humphrey refers to the five years that the officer, Damacio Diaz, received in federal court last October. His sentencing, which was well-attended by both the media and supporters, drew a sharp backlash from those who thought Diaz was getting lenient treatment. A photo showing Diaz shaking hands with the federal judge that sentenced him after the hearing only fanned the flames of controversy.
Diaz was found guilty of stealing narcotics from criminal suspects with a former police partner and then reselling it for personal profit. The original indictment also accused Diaz of interfering with wiretap investigations—but those charges were dropped as part of a plea deal.
Diaz was in the news again this month when a federal court approved a motion to delay his prison sentence. Diaz will now report to prison in February, allowing him to care for his ailing father over the holidays.
Many continue to point out that, if Diaz hadn’t been a police officer, it’s probable that we would not have been offered the sentence or considerations he has received. Attorney Humphrey took a different stance, however, asserting that the public’s call for harsh sentences for any criminal defendants– whether they’re a cop or not– is dehumanizing.
If you or a loved one have been accused of a criminal act, then we invite you to call our Bakersfield criminal defense attorney at Humphrey & Thompson. Our firm is led by an experienced, respected former prosecutor with more than 30 years of experience in our criminal justice system. Our team knows what it takes to protect our clients’ interests and how aggressively pursue favorable results both in and outside the courtroom.
The time to start protecting your future is now. Call us today.
Humphrey & Thompson is pleased to announce that Attorney Humphrey has secured probation for Edward Tucker, the embattled former Kern County deputy who was subject of a series of arrests last year. As BakersfieldNow.com reports, Tucker has also been ordered to attend substance abuse counseling but will not spend any more time behind bars.
Last October, Tucker was seen approaching a group of children at a Belle Terrace birthday party while holding a firearm, claiming he was being chased. He was arrested and bailed out, only to be arrested again three days later. During that arrest, Tucker escaped the back of a squad car. He was then re-arrested just days later.
Despite Tucker’s troubled history, Attorney Humphrey remained adamant that his behavior was fueled by substance abuse problems, not any malevolent intent. “If you spent any time with Ed, he would just—you’d want him to be your best friend,” Humphrey told reporters. “I think, under all the circumstances, society benefited and my client benefited from this outcome, so I can’t complain.”
Following his no contest plea, Tucker was sentenced to three years of probation and will have to take part in a substance abuse rehabilitation program. Due in part to the incarceration Tucker sustained while waiting for his hearing, additional jail and prison time was waived.
Other Considerations
Attorney Humphrey also recognized prosecutors and law enforcement in this case seemed to recognize Mr. Tucker’s substance abuse issue. “I do appreciate the District Attorney’s office willingness to be compassionate in this case, and I hope they get the same good feeling from it that I do,” he told the press. “You have a person that’s really sacrificed a lot to be a good public servant for many years.”
Chief Deputy District Attorney Mark Pafford remarked to the reporters that Tucker may have escaped even more serious charges if he had been booked before escaping police custody—a distinction he calls a technicality. Attorney Humphrey, however, took a different stance: “I love those technicalities because I call them the Bill of Rights, and I call them the certainty of the law,” he said. “That keeps us from being savages.”
We congratulate Attorney Humphrey for securing yet another favorable outcome for one of our clients. We hope this case stands as another example of the care and diligence Humphrey & Thompson consistently brings to the protection of our clients’ rights and interests.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a criminal offense, Humphrey & Thompson is ready to hear from you. Our dedicated and experienced Bakersfield criminal defense attorney knows what it takes to defend our clients’ best interests before the law and work tirelessly to ensure that the best possible outcome is placed within reach.
Do not face this difficult time without proven legal prowess by your side. Call us today.
Humphrey & Thompson is pleased with the result we were able to secure for a client, who was charged with nine serious offenses. Edward T., a former Kern County sheriff’s deputy, was able to accept a plea deal which yielded significantly lower penalties than those he was facing. We consider this result a great success, as our client will now be better able to regain control of his life.
Our Client Hit a Tough Spot
For years, our client was a well-liked sheriff’s deputy in good standing. Over the course of his career, however, he suffered back injuries, and went through a battle with throat cancer. The constant pain he experienced ultimately drove Edward to drugs. “Human beings are pretty fragile, and it’s easy to step off in the wrong direction,” said Attorney Humphrey.
Edward was believed to be under the influence of methamphetamine when he was arrested on October 24, after allegedly pointing a firearm at a child. He was arrested again on October 27 after sending his girlfriend suicidal text messages, at which point deputies also found guns and ammunition in his vehicle.
The case made national news after Edward escaped from police custody. Deputies left him handcuffed in a patrol car at the downtown jail, and he was able to slip out of the vehicle and got away unnoticed.
A Fair Result
This is the case of a man who was a well-liked and productive member of society, before physical and emotional pain caused him to stray from this path. Since these incidents, he has shown a strong desire to start fresh and build a new life. Attorney Humphrey said “Now that he’s had time to get away from the drugs, he doesn’t want to embarrass anybody or discomfit them.”
As such, we are pleased with the result we were able to obtain for Edward. While he will serve one year in jail and a year in a residential facility, this is far more appropriate than the 10-12 years in prison that he initially faced. Ultimately, he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor DUI, being under the influence of drugs while in possession of a loaded firearm, and assault likely to cause great bodily injury, while the other six charges were dismissed.
At Humphrey & Thompson, we fight tirelessly for the rights and freedom of our clients. Call (661) 327-1360 today if you’re facing charges.
Humphrey & Thompson is happy to announce that our firm has secured another favorable case result on behalf of our clients. In the recent case of his client, Attorney Kyle Humphrey secured two acquittals for felony negligent discharge and resisting arrest charges stemming from an incident that occurred last May.
As The Bakersfield Californian reports, A local businessman and his girlfriend were returning to his office one night at 10:50 pm when they were approached by a homeless man. The man proceeded to ward him off by drawing a gun and fired it into the air. According to Attorney Humphrey’s client, he feared for the safety of himself and his companion.
Despite the prosecutor’s determination to punish Gorski with the harshest penalties possible, Attorney Humphrey asserted that his client—who had no prior criminal record—understood his mistake and was remorseful for his actions. “He has acknowledged the mistake he made and is going to pay the price for that,” Attorney Humphrey told Judge John W. Lua in his client’s recent sentencing hearing. Attorney Humphrey also pointed out that his client, even without jail time, will suffer a loss in clients, income, and social standing in the community.
A Matter of Self-Defense
Ultimately, it was Attorney Humphrey’s clear establishment of his client’s circumstances the night of the incident which proved to be most convincing to the jury. Attorney Humphrey reiterated that his client’s adrenaline kicked in at the time of the shooting. Gorski also knew that the homeless man had threatened local residents in the past and, according to police reports, had beaten a man unconscious in Seattle three years ago.
“If my client hadn’t done what he did, how do we know there wouldn’t have been two stabbing victims?” Attorney Humphrey told the court. The judge and jury agreed and found Attorney Humphrey’s client innocent of resisting arrest and negligent discharge—the latter of which is a serious felony. The client will serve three-years’ probation and undergo anger management therapy as part of a remaining misdemeanor charge.
We congratulate Attorney Kyle J. Humphrey on yet another courtroom victory. This case joins the countless others our firm has handled that stand as a testament to the dedicated and thorough advocacy we are ready to offer our clients.
If you or a loved one has been accused of a serious crime, then your choice in legal counsel is extremely important. At Humphrey & Thompson, our experienced and proven Bakersfield criminal defense attorneys have built their reputation on hard-hitting defense that produces results for the clients that count on us.
Aggressively pursue the reduction or acquittal you deserve. Contact us today.
Not one, but two of Attorney Kyle J. Humphrey’s cases have recently made local headlines. In both cases, Attorney Humphrey’s courtroom prowess and advocacy for his clients are on display—even has his clients face extremely serious charges.
20 Offenses Reduced to 8-Year Term
As The Bakersfield Californian reports, the case against 28-year-old Jacob Dixon concluded this week with a sentencing of eight years in prison. Initially, Dixon, Attorney Humphrey’s client, had faced 20 different charges, including kidnapping, which could have resulted in a life sentence. Due to Attorney Humphrey’s challenging of much of the testimony against Dixon, only two charges were actually pursued by the prosecution: spousal abuse and unlawful sexual intercourse.
Dixon had been arrested on October 8 after his teenage girlfriend had called the police and claimed that Dixon had kept her in captivity and raped her, ultimately resulting in a pregnancy. However, upon further questioning, the victim’s testimony continue to produce significant inconsistencies. Attorney Humphrey filed in favor of a plea disposition that outlined these inconsistencies and the prosecution’s inability to pursue 18 of 20 complaints against Dixon.
“Jacob’s a good kid,” Attorney Humphrey told the paper after the sentencing. “He comes from a good family. He made the mistake of running with the wrong crowd.”
Sheriff’s Deputy Pleads Not Guilty
In another case only just beginning, Attorney Humphrey entered a not guilty plea on behalf of his client, Sheriff’s Deputy Edward Tucker, 44, who faces nine charges, including escape from police custody. At the November 2 hearing in Kern County court, the judge raised Tucker’s bail to $1 million, a move that Attorney Humphrey found excessive. “You can kill someone and get lower bail,” he told BakersfieldNow.com. “Does a million dollars protect people? If he had a million dollars to pay it doesn’t. I guess it should be $10 million. Why not $100 million?”
Tucker, who is currently on medical leave from the sheriff’s office, was arrested on October 24 for being under the influence of drugs and pointing a firearm at a group of children. After posting bail, he was arrested three days later for again being under the influence of narcotics. While in custody, he was able to slip through his handcuffs and walk away from a Bakersfield jail parking garage while unattended.
Attorney Humphrey and others close to Tucker assert that his recent behavior is not a result of reckless or criminal propensity, but of chronic health issues that have plagued him since 2008. He is a throat cancer survivor and deals with crippling back pain. According to Attorney Humphrey, Tucker is unable to even brush his teeth in custody due to chronic pain, according to The Bakersfield Californian.
Mr. Tucker’s case is ongoing. We are sure that Attorney Humphrey will continue to ensure that Mr. Tucker gets every consideration he deserves towards a favorable outcome, much like he did for Mr. Dixon’s case.
If you are facing a criminal charge, then we invite you to contact the skilled, proven, and experienced Bakersfield criminal defense attorney at Humphrey & Thompson today. Our legal team has more than two decades of collective criminal defense experience and knows that it takes to have our clients’ voices heard before our criminal justice system.
Launch a defense you can feel confident about by contacting our firm today.
Proud Sponsor of Local K9 Event
Our office was proud to be a sponsor of the Bakersfield Police Department’s K9 Trials that were held on Saturday June 27, 2015, at the Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield. The well attended event featured several events for officers and their K9 partners to show abilities in several tactical situations law enforcement face every day. Our criminal defense attorneys understand that law enforcement plays a vital and important role in protecting our communities and in community outreach. In many cases handled by Kyle Humphrey, law enforcement officers provide valuable testimony and evidence that assists the attorneys in their quest to find the truth. Police officers, like criminal defense attorneys, prosecutors, and judges all play an important role in our criminal justice system and when there is a mutual understanding between all of these parts, it is the system and the community that benefits most.
On June 25, the Kern County Bar’s Criminal Defense Section sponsored a training seminar for defense attorneys focusing on DUI defense and assisting our clients with license and insurance issues. The keynote speake was Kristopher Beaulieu of Breathe Easy Insurance Solutions, a company that assists peope across California with insurance issues stemming from a DUI arrest. Mr. Beaulieu provided helpful information and insight into the ways an attorney can help clients with insurance and license issues and minimize the negative impact a DUI arrest can have in these areas. Surprisingly, despite the number of attorneys claiming to practice DUI defense lately, very few of those attorneys came to this training. There seems to be a growing trend of attorneys, or attorney services, advertising in the DUI defense area heavily, who in truth take no time to actually improve their ability to represent their clients. This trend highlights the importance of those accused of DUI, or any crime, to carefully research an attorney before hiring. Accused consumers should ask around, meet with a prospective attorneys, and dont be afraid to ask that attorney questions. When it comes to DUI defense, ask the attorney how much training she or he does specific to DUI defense, ask what professional associations the attorney belongs to, and most importantly ask that attorney if he or she actually takes DUI cases to trial. If the attorney says they do, ask them to tell you the last DUI trial he or she did. There are alot of attorneys out there who work hard and take time to improve their craft through training and education. The problem is that many of these attorneys are drown out by the sea of attorneys claiming things that simply are not true. Take your time and make an informed decision when picking your attorney – that should a person who will work hard to get you the best possible outcome and who can go the distance through trial if need be.
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Bakersfield, CA 93301 - 661-247-0115