Legal Help for Your Child (any age)
My name is Debbie Maddox. I am a lawyer in Norman, Oklahoma practicing criminal defense law. I graduated from the University of Oklahoma School of Law in May of 1989. During law school, I interned with a law office devoted to criminal defense law, in addition to family law. After graduation, I joined the Army Judge Advocate General's Corps and worked in the areas of general legal assistance and criminal defense.
After leaving the military in 1992, I began working with the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System (OIDS) in Norman, Oklahoma. OIDS provides criminal defense services for those who cannot afford to pay for their own legal services. For the first year at OIDS I worked in the appellate division of OIDS. And then, from 1993 through 2004, I worked in the Capital Trial Division providing legal representation for indigent persons accused of capital murder at their trials.
During my 11 years in the capital trial division I represented more than 45 persons accused of capital murder, with approximately half of those cases going to jury trial. Only two of my clients charged with capital murder are actually on death row. It was during my employment at OIDS that I learned about issues such as serious drug and alcohol addiction, mental illness, family abuse issues and developmental handicaps. Well over half of my clients had been impacted by their own drug abuse and were actively abusing various substances at the time of their crimes. Drug addiction issues were always raised as a part of the trial proceedings and I was able to work with nationally renowned addiction specialists in the defense of many of my clients. I also utilized the expert services of psychiatrists, psychologists and neuropsychiatrists/psychologists to explain the impact of drug addiction on the behaviors of good people.
I always enjoyed this work because even when people have committed criminal acts I was always able to find the real person behind the crime, and with many of them, I was privileged enough to witness their first steps toward personal redemption. I have learned first hand that my clients who were using drugs during the commission of their crimes were vastly different people when not using drugs and alcohol and I have been very successful in persuading others to understand how addiciton changes really good people.
Since 2004, I have been in private practice in Norman and 90% of my practice is devoted to criminal defense. I continue to represent persons accused of capital murder, in addition to other criminal charges. And I continue to represent persons challenged by drug and alcohol addiction. I have regularly practiced before the judges in Cleveland County and Oklahoma County, and I have also practiced in more than 50 counties throughout the State of Oklahoma duing my 18 years of practicing law. Consequently, I am familiar with many judges and district attorneys across the State.
In addition, I have dealt with drug and alcohol addiction issues and related mental illness issues in my own family and so I understand first hand the overwhelming feelings associated with watching a loved one hurt themselves with drug and alcohol abuse. I have had to take more difficult steps to protect members of my family in this situation and even though they were some of the hardest steps I have ever walked, every one of those steps paid off in the end. But I still remember my frustration and fear about whether or not my actions would ever really help my family member. Standing by family in this situation is difficult and it can take several years to see success, but I simply could not imagine giving up on either of my family members who found themselves addicted to drugs and alcohol. And now, both of my family members are clean and sober and back in my life on a full time basis and I sleep well every night without worrying about either one of them. Whatever sacrifices I made for either of them were more than worth it because they are with me now.
I think the key to success in this circumstance is that you must let life experience like this change you. You must believe that not only is there an important life lesson for the person addicted to drugs and alcohol, there is an equally important lesson for the family members who love a drug addict or alcoholic. And as hard as it was for me to support my family members addicted to drugs and alcohol I was always certain that their position was considerably more painful than mine.
I believe that my personal experiences make it easier for me to serve others who find themselves in the same position, whether I am dealing with the addict or with the family members desperate to help them. I have found there is a way to present addiction issues to judges so that you can maximize treatment options even though your family member may be facing serious criminal charges. I have also learned that when a person is facing serious punishment as a result of their criminal conduct, a real opportunity to help the person presents itself.
I would be more than happy to talk with anyone who finds themselves in a difficult legal position as a consequence of addiction issues, to include dual diagnosis issues. I am aware of treatment options and programs in Oklahoma and I know the programs preferred by Oklahoma courts. I also continue to educate myself on addiction issues by reading new addiction research and I also utilize this information in court.
Parents Helping Parents is such a wonderful organization and so I am more than happy to assist anyone who is in need of help. Please feel free to call anytime for questions and consultation.
Debbie Maddox
Attorney at Law
114 East Main Street
Norman, Oklahoma 73069
Telephone: 405.701.5205
Facsimile: 405.701.5833
dlynnemaddox@aol.com
My name is James Christopher Daniels. I was born in 1972 in Paducah, Kentucky. I came to Oklahoma in 1995 to attend Law School. I graduated Law School in 1998. I began practicing law with an intern’s license in 1997 for John W. Coyle @ the law firm of COYLE & McCOY. I continued to work at the COYLE firm, as an associate for the next 5-6 years. I formed J. Christopher Daniels, P.C. in 2003 and began practicing law there as president of the company. Throughout my legal career I have focused primarily on criminal defense work. While working for J.W. Coyle I had the opportunity to learn “hands on” from one of the best criminal defense lawyers in the State of Oklahoma. We represented people in a number of high profile criminal cases. The Coyle firm was the first law firm to represent Mr. Tim McVeigh after the Oklahoma City Bombing. Eventually, the partners off the firm, decided they had fulfilled their responsibilities relating to Mr. McVeigh and his representation was turned over to another law firm. Several years later, in Cleveland County, Oklahoma—Robert S. Kerr’s grandson was charged with Rape. We were hired by the family to defend the accused. The case proceeded to trial where we were able to win an acquittal on all charges.
Criminal Defense has always been my passion in the legal field. Today I represent people from all walks of life and at one time or another have defended them in cases covering just about every possible criminal charge. I have found that the great majority of people and families who find themselves in the criminal justice system have a very common trait. That trait is the use and abuse of chemicals, specifically, alcohol and drugs. I have dealt with the alcohol and drug issue for years in my own family and am currently an active member of Alcoholic’s Anonymous.
My job as an attorney is to do what is best for my clients. I give advice as part of my representation, but ultimately it is the client who makes their own personal decisions. While many clients I’m in contact with may benefit from a sober style of living, many chose not to. I support those clients who choose to make sobriety a part of their life and I support those who make other decisions. I am not a psychologist and am vigilant about keeping my opinions to myself. However, if someone is interested to hear my story or wants first hand information about sobriety I am always willing to share what I have been taught by others.
You have a wonderful organization, one that is there to help families dealing with the problems caused by alcohol and drugs. These problems often result in the person or family having to confront legal issues. The issues may arise from criminal charges being filed, children being taken away from the family, being investigated by law enforcement, or any number of situations. To the extent my legal knowledge coupled with my experience concerning alcohol and drugs can be of some aid to your members I am proud to help in any way I can. Today we are lucky to have a justice system that knows it is in the best interest of the people to support change, change brought on thorough recovery and rehabilitation centers, or change brought on by giving someone a second chance to try and make better start and have a brighter future. Often those in power just need to be educated about the opportunities and overwhelming benefits to society through sobriety to become great supporters of it. Those in power need advocates to help them understand we are dealing with a disease. A disease that is not afraid of jails or prisons, but one that can be defeated through unity and patience and spiritual wellbeing.
I can be reached via email, cdaniels@goodingfirm.com or at the office telephone @ 405-948-1978, or in case of emergency or after hours on my cell phone @ 405-620-7463. If you need any further information please give me a call.
Cordially,
J. Christopher Daniels
J. Christopher Daniels
Attorney-At-Law
The Gooding Law Firm
1200 City Place Building
204 North Robinson Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Telephone: 405.948.1978
Telefax: 405.948.0864
Web site: www.jchristopherdaniels.com
Email address: cdaniels@goodingfirm.com
The Arnett Law Firm is located at 3133 NW 63rd Street in Oklahoma City. The firm has been in existence for over twelve years and Michael Arnett has been in practice for over 20 years. Mr. Arnett is licensed to practice in all city, state, and federal courts in Oklahoma and also admitted in practice in the 6th and 10th Federal Court of Appeals, The United States Federal Court of Claims, and the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Arnett has extensive experience in criminal and family related cases particularly with those dealing with substance abuse related issues. The Firm offers consultations at no charge, and payment plans are available for attorney fees.
M. Michael Arnett
3133 N.W. 63rd Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
(405) 767-0522
Parents of teens recorded message (405) 629-6384
