Category: Courts

Congress, Constitutional Law, Courts, Criminal law, Politics

PORTEOUS IMPEACHMENT TRIAL — DAY FOUR

The fourth day of the Senate trial for United States District Court Judge Thomas Porteous starts today. Yesterday, we called Timmy Porteous, son of Judge Porteous and one of the judges who pleaded guilty in the Wrinkled Robe investigation. The latter was a House witness who was dropped at the end of their case in chief.
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Congress, Constitutional Law, Courts, Military, Politics, Society

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy Found Unconstitutional

U.S. District Judge Virginia A. Phillips in California has found the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy to be unconstitutional under the 1st Amendment and due process clause. She has informed the Obama Administration, which is defending the policy, that she intends to issue an injunction.
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Courts, Politics

Republican Governors Association Ordered To Pay Former Texas Democratic Candidate Two Million Dollars

Travis County Judge John Dietz has issued a rare order to the Republican Governors Association to pay Chris Bell, the 2006 Democratic gubernatorial candidate, $2 million because of flagrant campaign contribution violations to support Texas Governor Rick Perry.
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Constitutional Law, Courts, Criminal law, Politics, Society

Civil Rights Groups Challenge Obama’s Assassination List

Civil liberties groups have long objected that President Barack Obama has continued and even expanded on many of George Bush’s abuses in the area of national security, including blocking any investigation into the torture program. Now, civil liberties groups are targeting Obama’s continued use of an assassination list and his assertion that he can simply kill a U.S. citizen without any criminal charge or trial.
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Bizarre, Courts, Criminal law

With Friends Like This: Juror Faces Contempt Charge After Suggesting Defendant Was Guilty on Facebook Before The Verdict

Hadley Jons of Warren, Michigan may want to look at who her “friends” are on Facebook. One of them blew the whistle when she indicated that a defendant was guilty in a trial for resisting arrest before the verdict in the case. Now, she faces a possible contempt charge.
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Congress, Constitutional Law, Courts, Politics, Religion, Society

Federal Court Blocks Human Stem Cell Research

United States District Court Judge Royce Lamberth has issued an order that is a serious blow to those of us who have advocated the expanded federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. Lamberth issued a preliminary injunction to stop all such funding under the new Obama policy.
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Bizarre, Courts, Criminal law, Politics, Society

Good Judge or Bad Gamble in Nevada: Judge Orders Defendant To Write Report Criticizing Drug Policies as Punishment

Nevada Judge Dave Gamble has issued a curious sentence to a drug defendant. Matthew Palazzolo, 25, was ordered to write a report on the “nonsensical character” of medical marijuana laws and how pot is a gateway drug. In my view it is an improper sentence that should result in not just a reversal but a review of Gamble’s conduct.
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Constitutional Law, Courts, Criminal law, Society

Right-Wing Internet Host At Center of Violent Speech Case

The conviction of right-wing Internet radio host Harold C. Turner of threatening three federal judges sets the stage for an interesting appellate fight over the first amendment. The case involving some of the best known Seventh Circuit judges — William J. Bauer, Frank H. Easterbrook and Richard A. Posner — was heard in New York by a Brooklyn jury. Two prior trials led to mistrials.
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