Category: Criminal law

Professor Calls Police After Student Gives Presentation on Gun Rights

200px-ccsu2Professor Paula Anderson has a curious approach to controversial topics. Some of us encourage students to taken controversial positions to generate passionate class debate. Professor Anderson, according to critics, calls the police. She is accused of calling police on her student John Wahlberg at the Central Connecticut States University after he and two fellow students argued in favor of allowing students and teachers to carry weapons on campus, citing the tragedy at Virginia Tech. Other faculty members have defended her and suggested that there is more to this story.

Continue reading “Professor Calls Police After Student Gives Presentation on Gun Rights”

Mascot Abuse: Police Face an Outbreak of Assaults on Costumed Characters

180px-mcgruff250px-cec_logo1There appears to be a crime wave sweeping the nation’s as people beat down mascot ranging from Chuck E. Cheese to Officer McGruff to Chick-fil-A. The attacks on the thin costumed line of Mascots in our society raises some serious concerns and may demand a new type undercover unit.

Continue reading “Mascot Abuse: Police Face an Outbreak of Assaults on Costumed Characters”

Will Justice Seek John Yoo’s Disbarment?

180px-john-yooThere is growing speculation that the Office of Professional Responsibility will recommend the disbarment of Professor John Yoo who currently teaches at Berkeley law school. The release of new memoranda from the Justice Department has increased calls for disciplinary action. The memoranda concludes that the President can (1) use military forces domestically to deal with any individuals President Bush considers a terrorist threat, (2) suspend free press and free speech rights, (3) arrest citizens without legal process or access to the courts, and (4) a variety of other tyrannical measures. I discussed the memoranda on this segment of Countdown.
Continue reading “Will Justice Seek John Yoo’s Disbarment?”

D.C.’s Speed Bump: The Constitution

210px-flag_of_washington_dcsvgHere is today’s column from USA Today. Yesterday, the D.C. Vote bill was temporarily pulled from the floor due to the threat of an gun rights amendment. The NRA has threatened to “score” the vote — meaning that members who vote against it would be given a lower score in the annual rankings. This is only a temporary withdrawal as Democrats scramble to deal with the challenge. A similar amendment passed in the Senate after being introduced by Sen. John Ensign of Nevada by a comfortable margin.
Continue reading “D.C.’s Speed Bump: The Constitution”

Eleventh Circuit Rules that Video of Officer Repeatedly Tasering a Sobbing Man Sitting By the Road is Not a Constitutional Violation

defaultA man is appealing a recent loss before the United States Court of Appeals in a very disturbing decision. In the video below, Deputy Jonathan Rackard of the Washington County Florida repeated uses of a taser on Jesse Buckley who is merely sitting and crying next to a road. The Eleventh Circuit voted 2-1 that the Eighth Amendment was not violated in the case, reversing a decision from the trial court.
Continue reading “Eleventh Circuit Rules that Video of Officer Repeatedly Tasering a Sobbing Man Sitting By the Road is Not a Constitutional Violation”

CIA Admits to Destroying 92 (Rather Than 2) Tapes of Interrogations

torture -abu ghraibThe Bush Administration previously told a federal court that there were two tapes of interrogations destroyed showing waterboarding and other brutal treatment of detainees. It has now admitted that at least 92 tapes were destroyed in what appears a clear and knowing effort to destroy evidence.
Continue reading “CIA Admits to Destroying 92 (Rather Than 2) Tapes of Interrogations”

California Man Drives Over Bank and Then Steals Ambulance Sent to Rescue Him

250px-chp_shieldAfter Derick Gates, 20, drove his 2003 Honda Accord over a bank and collided with trees, he was understandably delighted to see an ambulance and emergency workers arrive. Unlike most drivers in distress, however, Gates saw the rescue as something of an opportunity: he stole the ambulance.
Continue reading “California Man Drives Over Bank and Then Steals Ambulance Sent to Rescue Him”

Attorney General Eric Holder Indicates Change in Policy on State Marijuana Laws

holderericIn a major policy change, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has indicated that the Justice Department will end raids on pot dispensaries in California and allow states to set its own marijuana laws without further interference from the federal government. It is ironic that it took a liberal president to reinstate the guarantees of states rights in this area.

Continue reading “Attorney General Eric Holder Indicates Change in Policy on State Marijuana Laws”