Category: Criminal law

The Coronation of the One-Eyed Men: Two Former Bush Officials Are Reportedly Leading Contenders For Next FBI Director

Civil libertarians have long objected to the continuation (and in some cases the expansion) of Bush policies in the national security areas by President Barack Obama. Obama has blocked the investigation and prosecution of Bush officials for torture, renewed the military tribunal system, extinguished dozens of public interest lawsuits against telecommunication companies and agencies as well as other controversial moves. Now, two former Bush officials are considered leading contenders to take over the FBI despite their involvement in some of the worst abuses during the Bush Administration. They are James Comey and Kenneth Wainstein. As discussed below, they are a case of the coronation of the one-eyed man as King of the land of the blind.

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Mohawk Leads To Brawl in Texas

This is the second mugshot we have seen this month which will also be evidence submitted at trial. Johnathan Washburn’s interesting hair style caught the eye of a man taking pictures of interesting things on the street. Washburn, 23, became irate at being photographed and his friend, Timothy Beard, 19, demanded that the man delete the photo. When he didn’t, they allegedly stole his sunglasses and beat him with a skateboard. By the way, that is called a triple Mohawk.
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IRS to Conduct Abortion Audits?

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

If Republicans get their way that’s a distinct possibility. Under a GOP-backed bill the Internal Revenue Service would be required to police how Americans pay for abortions. Under the Republicans’ “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act”, known as H.R. 3, IRS agents would also have to determine if the terminated pregnancy was the result of rape or incest.

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Former High-Ranking Democratic Officials Charged With Wide Array of Fraudulent Election Documents

Two former high-ranking members of the Oakland County (Michigan) Democratic Party are facing election corruption charges in an alleged scheme to to trick Tea Party supporters to draw votes away from Republican candidates. Former Democratic Party Chairman Michael McGuinness and ex-operations director Jason Bauer were arraigned this week. The scheme described by prosecutors is quite bold . . . and reckless.

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Obama Yields To “Copyright Hawks” and Lobbyists To Seek Criminalization of Copyright Violations

The Obama Administration has again yielded to a powerful lobby over objections from citizen groups. We have been following the increasing draconian and excessive copyright claims made in the United States. Now, President Obama wants to make it a crime — a change long sought by the Chamber of Commerce and so-called “copyright hawks.”
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Fowl Play: New Jersey Teens Criminally Charged With School Prank

We have been following the trend toward using criminal penalties to handle pranks and simple misconduct by students in our schools. Now, three high school students in New Jersey are facing criminal charges for a simple senior prank of releasing chickens at the school. They may also be barred from graduation. It is part of the criminalization of our society where we are turning our children into little felons because school officials blindly call police at every little infraction.
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Minnesota Court Rules Against Ex-Nurse in Assisted Suicide Case

A judge in Minnesota has handed down a controversial verdict of guilty in the case of former nurse, William Melchert-Dinkel, 48, who encouraged people to commit suicide online. Civil libertarians and right-to-die advocates have criticized the prosecution as an assault on free speech. I share those concerns and believe that there is a strong basis for appeal in this case.

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Iowa Legislators Seek To Criminalize Those Who Disclose Abuses At Factory Operations

Iowa lawmakers have introduced two bills (SF 341 and HF 431) that would make it a crime for activists to procure evidence of animal abuse by factory operations. Many of the past disclosures of abuse by circuses and industry have been the result of activists gaining access to factory operations through employment (as here). This law would specifically target such investigations to protect these companies.

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Bus Driver in New York Crash Had Long Record

The bus accident this weekend that killed 15 people has taken a potential turn toward criminal charges with new disclosures about the bus driver, Ophadell Williams. Williams has reportedly stated that he was hit by a truck before losing control of the bus. Witnesses have now contradicted that account and police have learned that Williams has a long and disturbing record.

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Obama Administration Forces Dayton To Lower Standards For Police Officers To Guarantee More Minority Officers

There is a controversy in Dayton over the decision of the police department to lower its testing standards under pressure from the Obama Administration to allow for more minority officers.

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In One Texas Town, There is No Such Thing as Rape!

Submitted By Lawrence Rafferty, (rafflaw), Guest Blogger

 

I actually thought that I had misread the article when I first read it.  It described the horrific gang rape of an 11-year-old in the Texas town of Cleveland.  Eighteen young men and teenagers have been charged with the rape that is alleged to have started in a house and eventually moved to a deserted trailer nearby.  I am sure that this kind of vicious crime occurs all too often in our country, but there is one thing that makes this crime a little different.  Many of the townspeople are blaming the eleven year old girl for her own gang rape! Continue reading “In One Texas Town, There is No Such Thing as Rape!”

When Judges Become Linebackers

Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger

Poster’s Note: Today’s  will be my last set of posts for a couple of weeks. Suzanne and I will be traveling to her family’s homeland for a pint and song or two. I’ll try to send JT a picture from Dublin on St. Patrick’s Day. Erin Go Braugh !

America's Version of a Football Judge, Hon. David Doty, Embroiled in His Own Contest

The usual skills of judgeship like prudence, patience, neutrality, and gravitas pale sometimes to good tackling form. His honor Judge Marks Moore,60, learned that fact the hard way immediately following a jury trial in his London courtroom.

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Hockey Injury in Canadians-Bruins Game Raises Calls For Criminal or Disciplinary Action Against Bruin Zdeno Chara

Canadians are debating where to draw the line between rough sports and criminal conduct after Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty (left) was hospitalized due to a bodycheck by Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (right).
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