Media

Dennis Tomasik was wrongfully accused, convicted, and imprisoned for 9 years criminal sexual conduct. Mary Chartier, Takura Nyamfukudza, Lizzy Cary, and Kim Tomasik join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss how Kim’s husband was wrongfully convicted and how the team at Chartier & Nyamfukudza exonerated him. Read More

Three dogs were wrongfully accused of being dangerous dogs and sentenced to death. Mary Chartier, Takura Nyamfukudza, Lizzy Cary, and Celeste Dunn join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss how the dogs were wrongfully convicted and ultimately saved from death. Read More

Ledura Watkins spent over 40 years in prison based on faulty hair comparison “science.” Mary Chartier, Takura Nyamfukudza, and Marla-Mitchell Cichon join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss how Mr. Watkins was exonerated. Read More

The Chartier & Nyamfukudza team won an attempted murder case arguing self-defense. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss self-defense in criminal cases. Read More

The law surrounding searches and seizures by the police is complex and filled with misconceptions. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss the law and some of the most common mistaken beliefs surrounding the Fourth Amendment. Read More

The First Amendment often intersects with the criminal prosecution system, especially in cases involving protests. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss First Amendment defenses in the criminal prosecution system. Read More

Eyewitness misidentification has played a role in over 70% of wrongful convictions. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss the problems behind relying on witness identification in court. Read More

Systemic racism permeates the criminal prosecution system from encounters with the police to sentencing. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss the issue of systemic racism in the criminal prosecution system. Read More

The United States Supreme Court has issued a number of recent opinions related to juveniles in the criminal prosecution system. Mary Chartier, Takura Nyamfukudza, Marisa Vinsky, and Lizzy Cary join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss the Supreme Court’s decisions and the juvenile brain science behind those decisions. Read More

Litigating a federal criminal defense case takes tremendous skill and experience because of the limitless resources that the federal government has, as well as the onerous laws and rules that apply in federal court. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss some of the issues that arise in defending cases in federal court. Read More

Whatever name is used—snitches, jailhouse informants, or incentivized witnesses—witnesses who testify for the government and claim to have important case information have led to numerous wrongful convictions. Mary Chartier, Takura Nyamfukudza, and Lizzy Cary join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss the misuse of these witnesses and the miscarriages of justice that have resulted. Read More

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2020 was the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. It was also the 150th anniversary of the 15th Amendment, which gave Black men the right to vote. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss voting rights in the United States. Read More

There are stark racial disparities in criminal court sentencings throughout the country. Researchers have found that the disproportionately long sentences handed down to Black and Latino people cannot be explained by other factors such as their criminal record or the severity of charge. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss systemic racism in the criminal prosecution system. Read More

COVID-19 has ravaged those who are in jails and prisons. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss COVID-19 and how it has affected those who are incarcerated and working in jails and prisons. Read More

Sentences for criminal offenses are based on numerous factors, and they are often disproportionate to the offense actually committed. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss the case of a veteran sentenced to life for a minor marijuana conviction and other inequities in sentencing. Read More

Lacino Hamilton was wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for murder. After 26 years, the Chartier & Nyamfukudza team exonerated Lacino and Mary Chartier gave him his first hug when he was released from prison. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss how the team worked for 6 years to prove Lacino’s innocence and get him out of prison. Read More

The Fourth Amendment protects people from illegal searches and seizures. Challenging these illegal actions by the police require a thorough knowledge of the law. Mary Chartier, Takura Nyamfukudza, and Marisa Vinsky join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss the law and the firm’s recent victory in court in which an illegal search and seizure was suppressed. Read More

The right to possess and display firearms at the Capitol has been hotly debated. Representative Sarah Anthony, Mary Chartier, and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss the Second Amendment and the ban on firearms at the Capitol. Read More

Major changes in the criminal prosecution system are being discussed at the national level. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss what changes are on the horizon. Read More

The trial and conviction of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd was a pivotal moment for the nation. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss the impact of the guilty verdict. Read More

The flawed “science” behind abusive head trauma, also commonly referred to as shaken baby syndrome, has resulted in numerous men and women being wrongfully convicted and imprisoned. The Chartier & Nyamfukudza team exonerated a man who had been wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for 9 years for killing his child. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss how the wrongful conviction occurred and how they exonerated an innocent man. Read More

Police reform is a critical step in changing the criminal prosecution system, and legislators in Michigan are proposing significant changes. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss the proposals and the impact of police reform on the criminal prosecution system. Read More

Charges against people who entered the Capitol in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021, have resulted in numerous defenses being presented in court. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss litigation strategies related to the Capitol charges. Read More

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The National Registry of Exonerations indicates that at least 13% of exonerations involve a person falsely confessing to a crime that they didn’t commit. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss false confessions and why they occur. Read More

Everything about Bill Cosby’s convictions was shocking from the allegations to the reversal of his convictions. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to explain the reversal of his convictions and what this means for his future and other similar cases. Read More

Michigan has changed its laws to make it easier to clear former convictions off a person’s record. Mary Chartier, Takura Nyamfukudza, and Marisa Vinsky join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to explain the new laws, how the process works, and to discuss some of Marisa’s recent expungement successes. Read More

The R. Kelly trial was monumental. The issues related to sexual assault and alleged exploitation that emerged in his trial are significant ones that occur in cases throughout the country. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss the R. Kelly trial and verdict. Read More

The Oxford School shooting is a national tragedy. The shooting has resulted in the parents of the alleged shooter now being charged with involuntary manslaughter. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss the case and the obstacles that the prosecution faces moving forward. Read More

Ken Nixon spent 16 years in prison for murders he did not commit. He was released in 2021, and he now leads the National Organization of Exonerees to help those wrongfully convicted throughout the country and to make changes in the criminal prosecution system to prevent wrongful convictions from ever occurring. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss Ken’s experiences and the work that he is now doing. Read More

News outlets published a first-draft opinion dated February 10 that appeared to show a majority ready to reverse Roe v Wade. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on this episode of In the Name of the Law to discuss what the leaked opinion would mean for Michigan residents if it were published as written. Mary and Takura also discuss what is happening in other states and how this opinion is not limited to abortion only. Read More

Grand Rapids made national headlines after a white police officer shot an unarmed black man in the back of the head. The shooting ultimately led to charges of second-degree murder against the officer. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss the incident and likely progression of the case. Read More

Allegations involving criminal sexual conduct can have life altering impacts. On this episode of In the Name of the Law, Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker as they discuss how to defend individuals accused of sexual assault and address many common misconceptions about these types of cases. Read More

A Select Committee of Congress was charged with investigating and reporting the facts, circumstances, and—perhaps most importantly—the causes related to the January 6, 2021 domestic terrorist attack on the United States Capitol. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker to explain what the Committee has revealed so far and about what to expect in the weeks and months ahead. Read More

The Gun Violence Archive reported that there were at least 281 mass shootings in the U.S. in 2022. President Biden recently signed into law the first major gun safety legislation passed by Congress in a generation. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to explain what the new law does. Read More

Cellular phones, laptops, social media, and tablets are potential treasure troves of evidence for law enforcement when they are investigating suspected crimes. They can also be used to defend against very serious charges. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on this episode of In the Name of the Law to explain how. Read More

Librarians brought missing documents—including missing classified documents—in the possession of the former president to light. This resulted in an unprecedented search of the former president’s home. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of Law to discuss the search and what the legal procedures that follow could mean for the former president and the country. Read More

Some politicians and media performers have been claiming that juvenile crime rates have spiraled out of control. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss these claims and set the record straight. They also provide tips on how young people and their parents can protect themselves against the criminal prosecution system. Read More

Basketball star Brittney Griner made global headlines when she was found guilty on drug charges and sentenced to nine years in prison after she carried a tiny amount of cannabis oil into Russia. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss the Griner case and sentencing disparities here in the United States. Read More

Miracle McGlown was serving a 20-year federal prison sentence for drug conspiracy until President Barack Obama reduced his sentence in 2017. Miracle is now a successful business owner. He makes quality leather goods, such as purses and luggage, that are sold at 1elevenleather.com. He joins Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza to discuss his business and ways to keep young people from landing in criminal trouble in this episode of In the Name of the Law with Liisa Speaker. Read More

We often hear talk about the lengthy prison terms that people receive for committing various crimes. But we rarely talk about the conditions that they serve those sentences under. Mary Chartier, Takura Nyamfukudza, and Marisa Vinsky join Liisa Speaker to talk specifically about solitary confinement and its devastating effects. Read More

There have been several cases in the news lately that involved the First Amendment. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza – who have successfully asserted First Amendment defenses in numerous cases – join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to discuss these cases and more. Read More

Returning citizens face numerous institutional and social obstacles that make their reintegration more challenging than it needs to be upon their release from incarceration. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on In the Name of the Law to talk about the many obstacles that returning citizens face when coming home. Read More

The topic of forced labor is getting more attention across the county. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker on this episode of In the Name of the Law to discuss, among other things, the conditions that the millions of people who are incarcerated in state and federal prisons across America must contend with when they are forced to perform labor. Read More

Marvin Cotton was wrongfully imprisoned for 20 years and ultimately released in 2020 after evidence that proved his actual innocence was uncovered. Marvin is a published author and popular motivational speaker. He joins Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza to discuss his business ventures and surviving a miscarriage of justice in this episode of In the Name of the Law with Liisa Speaker. Read More

Today, people can learn about and connect with relatives in ways that were not possible until the advent of internet genealogy sites that allow people to submit their DNA. However, local and federal law enforcement have begun to access these websites to try and solve crimes. Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza join Liisa Speaker in this episode of In the Name of the Law to discuss privacy issues, the Fourth Amendment, and other topics related to this practice. Read More

Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza have helped exonerate numerous people, and they presented on this topic, as well. In this episode of In the Name of the Law, Mary and Takura join Liisa Speaker to explain some of the causes of wrongful convictions. They also provide some practical solutions to this persistent problem. Read More