Antonin Pribetic, the Trial Warrior, pointed this fellow, Jack Toomey, out to me on a website called AllExperts. His expertise is criminal law.
I’ve never held myself out to be an expert at anything. I may be a lawyer, and I’ve been practicing criminal defense for almost 30 years, but every day I meet someone who knows more than I do. Less too, but that’s to be expected.Expertise
Please do not ask me about potential jail sentences that you, your friends, or family might receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. Only a judge could answer a question like that. I am also NOT a probation officer or parole officer so I cannot answer questions that relate to parole or probation. Also please keep in mind that every state has different laws. If you are planning to ask a question about a specific law or criminal charge that pertains to your state only it could be difficult to answer. I also cannot give you legal advice on what to do or what not to do in court. Retired police officer with 26 years experience. Worked in the patrol division as well as over 14 years in the detective bureau. Investigated a wide range of crime such as murder, rape, robbery, theft, fraud, missing persons, and other very sensitive crimes. I am available to answer your questions about criminal law and especially as it applies to police work. I taught at the police academy for several years and am especially knowledgeable about search and seizure. Any question about criminal law is welcome! Please don’t ask me to do your homework or ask me questions that obviously come from your teachers or professors. I also do not do online interviews or surveys. Young people need to gain face to face interviewing skills. Local police officers usually are very agreeable to assist in these assignments.
Experience in the area
I am a retired police officer with 26 years experience. I investigated almost every type of crime including murder, rape, theft, missing persons, fraud, and domestic abuse. I am very knowledgeable about search and seizure and taught at the police academy for several years on a variety of subjects. I can answer questions that a lot of attorneys cannot since they do not have “street experience”.
Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Science degree in Criminolgy from the University of Maryland.
What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?
Please do not ask me what someones jail sentence is going to be. There is no way for me to know that.
But Jack Toomey says he’s an expert. More significantly, he says:
I am very knowledgeable about search and seizure and taught at the police academy for several years on a variety of subjects. I can answer questions that a lot of attorneys cannot since they do not have “street experience”.
He’s likely right about having the “street experience” that a guy in a suit like me doesn’t have. Whether that means he knows search and seizure law better or even at all, is another matter. Most cops function under the rule that they are the law and if we jump fast or high enough, we’ve broken the law. Some know that isn’t really the law, but it’s the rule. Their rule. I bet Jack knows that.
Maybe Jack Toomey is an expert. I don’t know him, so I’m in no position to say. But if people seeking advice about criminal law come to this website and ask former detective Jack Toomey a question, I wonder if they will realize that “street experience” and legal expertise might not be the same thing?
Everybody wants a free answer to a serious question on the interwebz. Best to get their question answered by an expert. That’s where Jack Toomey comes in, providing expertise because a website says so. Wouldn’t it be a hoot if he was a twelve year old kid rather than a former cop. But that could never happen, could it?
Then again, if there’s a void to fill, the desire to get the inside scope on criminal law, constitutional rights, the court system, and what to do when one of the worst experiences in your life has come to pass, it’s comforting to know that Jack Toomey is there.
The rule now is that it only takes about six months to become an expert on the internet. That’s the beauty of the internet, there’s always an expert available to give advice, no matter what the issue. So if you have a criminal law question, don’t ask me. Ask Toomey. After all, he’s the expert.
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Maybe he’s a German Shepherd. There are a few of them working with the police around here and I’m sure they have street experience.
When did performing an activity for a long period of time become the primary factor to determine expert status. Specialized training, publications, peer review?
I’ve been eating lunch almost everyday for 28 years, I am an expert on the subject, real deli experience you can’t get wearing a fancy suit…any questions feel free to ask. But don’t ask me what’s really in bologna, there’s no way for me to know that.
This guy should move to NJ, he will find quite a niche. There is a relatively recent trend where the courts have been qualifying narcotics detectives as “experts in narcotic sales activity”. They then testify based upon the “data” in the police reports that the activity witnessed by the officers is consistent with the sale of narcotics. It’s as mind numbing as it sounds.
I couldn’t resist reading some of the expert advice when I stumbled upon this pearl of wisdom…
“Ok if he is named on the ticket then that should be enough to be found guilty unless the officer believed that the driver and the passenger switched seats”
The first thing you should ask a client is whether he/she is actually named as a defendant…If the answer is “yes,” you politely tell them there is nothing more that can be done. If the client has the summons or complaint with them, you can demonstrate by pointing to their name while saying “see the evidence of your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt is right there.”
Sir, no Qs.(this time). Similarities between Toomey’s background and that of the Robbery Det. shown framing me on page 2.009 of a HPD Police Incident Report were brought to my attention.
Both being retired Detectives with 26 years experience that became Divorce Attorneys/Lawyers. Both claiming to be “experts” and/or having “Years of trial experience.” Both being quickly
proven otherwise by As./Ls. and records.
Sadly, in the great miss-state of Texus, one having never ever tried a case went on to be elected Judge. I’m afraid that the voting just to be voting syndrome will spread to where ever Maryland is and Judge Jack Toomey will preside. We can only hope his name isn’t found on someone’s pg. 2.009. Thanks.
Well, if I ever want to know the number of times I have to yell ‘stop resisting’ to make it all legal, I know who to ask.
As for the rest, who really needs to be an expert? Never consent though it won’t matter and the dog is almost always wrong, but it’s got a treat coming so can you blame it for being excited?
Thank you for this info and for the website. I talked to you on the phone 2 times for 1/2 hour each. You gave me good advice and didn’t charge me a dime! This is another example of your kindness to us folks and your commitment to justice and the rule of law, not the rule of power and intimidation which is so prevalent in this country now. You blow my mind. May God bless you in all things.
As a self professed internetz expert I dispute the fact that anyone can become an expert within 6 months since it is well known by many ex-sysops and admins that forum dwellers become experts instantly upon spouting whatever factoid their pointy heads dream up and they then write down.
Its the truth I found it on the internet! 🙂
Since no one else will, I’ll say it: “I’d like to see Sgt. Toomey do 200 pushups.”
Sir, before you kill the comments on this Post, I wanted to let you know that I asked Mr. Toomey a question about Motions in which he replied within two hours.
Q. Can a felony jury trial be announced by the Prosecution Team and Defense Team as being “Ready for trial” on multiple occasions for 5 months and go forward with none of the motions being approved and/or denied?
Reply – This sounds like a homework question and also something that should be directed at an attorney.
WTF? I thought, before I realized his students must be getting extra credit for answering his Qs.
Thanks.
He makes it clear that he is not available to give legal advice. The last question mention is obviously a question that should be directed to an attorney and not a detective. Many of you sound like second-guessing dolts.