It took New York Attorney Joseph DePaula four years but he has finally prevailed in his false arrest claim after he was thrown into jail for calling an officer a “prick” in court in 2005.
Continue reading “If You Prick Us, Do We Not Bleed? New York Lawyer Prevails in Contesting Arrest for Foul Language”
Category: Justice
Four House Democrats have finally stepped forward to denounce the Bush-like policies of President Obama, particularly his recent signing statement proclaiming that he is not bound by federal legislation. The letter was signed by Reps. David Obey of Wisconsin, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee; Barney Frank of Massachusetts, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee; and subcommittee chairs Reps. Nita Lowey and Gregory Meeks of New York. The letter breaks from the lockstep loyalty shown Obama despite his adoption of many of Bush’s most controversial positions.
Continue reading “Democrats Denounce Obama for Bush-Like Signing Statement That He Is Not Bound By Federal Legislation”
For weeks, we have been discussing how Judge Sonia Sotomayor could result in the loss of ground for liberals on the Supreme Court given her sometimes conservative voting record in areas like free speech, student rights, and police abuse. One such area concern the use of foreign judgments. She is replacing a jurist who did rely on such judgments, but today Sotomayor aligned herself with Scalia, Thomas, Alito, and Roberts in rejecting the use of such judgments –even to “influence” decisions. It was one of the few substantive moments in the hearings.
Continue reading “Sotomayor Rejects Use of Foreign Law — Siding With Conservatives on the Supreme Court”
Newsweek is reporting that Attorney General Eric Holder is leaning toward the appointment of a special prosecutor on the issue of torture. Much, however, was not stated and there remains a question of whether Holder will appoint a special prosecutor with the full authority to pursue any and all crimes related to the torture policy. There are rumors that, if an investigation occurs, it may be sharply curtailed.
Continue reading “Holder Reportedly Considering Special Prosecutor — But Serious Questions Remain”
Sonia Sotomayor has been heralded as a judge with a life story that should inspire all Americans and, even though she has a fairly conservative voting record in some areas, liberal activists have rallied around her nomination. A new poll, however, suggests that most Americans are neither inspired nor supportive. Only forty-seven percent of people polled by CNN and the Opinion Research Corporation support Sotomayor and, more importantly, forty percent outright oppose her confirmation.
With the Senate hearings about to begin on the Sotomayor nomination, this morning’s column below addresses what we ideally should be looking for in a nominee.
Continue reading “The Sotomayor Nomination and the Search for Judicial Greatness”
The Bush Administration was accused this week of helping cover-up the massacre of possibly thousands of Taliban prisoners by an American-backed warlord, Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum. Dostrum is widely viewed as a butcher and war criminal. He was also on the payroll of the CIA.
Continue reading “Bush Administration Accused of Cover-Up of Massacre of Taliban Prisoners”
Yemen displayed its version of justice with the execution of confessed child rapist Yahia al-Raghwa, 22, in a public event. Due to the graphic nature of the pictures, I have supplied a link below for those who want to see them.
There is a reason why many of us never tire of watching Sarah Palin. It may be the same sensation that draws people to car races to see the crashes or watch the Weather Channel for the tornado footage, but there is something enthralling the study of Palin, or Palinotology as I prefer to call it. In her latest statement, Palin helpfully explained that being president would be easier than being the Governor of Alaska because “the department of law” would protect her from lawsuits.
Happy Independence Day!
The Justice Department is again being accused of withholding evidence and making false statements to the court. Judge Emmet Sullivan sharply questioned Justice Department lawyers about whether they are in violation of the D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct by making false statements to the court or failing to correct false statements. The Justice Department has faced such objections in various cases, including the now dismissed prosecution of former Senator Ted Stevens before Judge Sullivan. The latest allegation comes in the conspiracy cases against businessman Zhenli Ye Gon, accused in an international drug trafficking scheme.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled that an Illinois baking machinery manufacturer, Bakery Machinery & Fabrication Inc., is liable to a default judgment blamed on the alleged legal malpractice of its attorney, James Hinterlong of Grand Ridge, Ill. Judge William Bauer ruled that the company was still responsible for the actions of its lawyer, even if the company were kept in the dark.
Continue reading ““Sins of the Lawyer”: Seventh Circuit Rules Against Company in Legal Malpractice Case”
While his attorneys asked for just 12 years, Bernie Madoff, 71, has been sentenced to 150 years after expressing sorrow for the ruin that he brought to thousands of people — rich and poor — through his criminal enterprise.
The world has another example of justice by extremists using Sharia law. In Mogadishu, Somalia, an Islamic court held a public ceremony where the hands and feet of weeping thieves were cut off in front of hundreds of onlookers.
Continue reading “Sharia Court Cuts Off Hands and Feet of Petty Thieves in Public Display”
U.S. District Judge Samuel Kent has finally resigned after Congress expedited his impeachment and Senate trial. In a remarkably dim-witted act, Kent’s lawyer announced that they had calculated that Congress could not possibly complete an impeachment and start a trial for a year. Thus, he decided that he would resign in a year to continue to bilk the government for salary and benefits. The inevitable result was that an infuriated Congress expedited the process.
Continue reading “Judge Samuel Kent Resigns to Avoid Senate Hearing”