The fact that Jamie Lee Spears became pregnant as a minor is generally treated as an entertainment story rather than a case of child molestation for her adult boyfriend. However, even minors are now being subject to registration as sexual predators for fondling and other sexual acts with other minors under a federal law passed with the support of various members, including disgraced ex-Rep. Mark Foley (R. Fla). It is the called the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 and various states are now being compelled to put juvenile names into the system over the objections of many child advocates. Continue reading “Federal Law Compels States to Register Minors on Sex Offender Registry”
Category: Justice
U.S. District Judge suspended the trial date for U.S. Rep. William Jefferson pending his appeal. Jefferson has filed a novel challenge over the use of privileged material in the grand jury that led to his indictment on corruption charges. Continue reading “Jefferson Trial Suspended Pending Appeal”
Despite confirmation of waterboarding by the Administration and the existence of a torture program, Attorney Michael Mukasey continues to refuse to acknowledge that waterboarding is a crime and has blocked any criminal investigation that would implicate the President in the commission of a war crime. Now, Democrats are heralding an internal investigation that promises nothing beyond a low-grade ethics review with no likely action against individual lawyers. Continue reading “No Crime, Just Bad Counsel? Justice Department Conducts Internal Ethics Review on the Torture Memos”
The police department in Cookeville, Tennessee, is facing a very serious charge in a lawsuit alleging that its officers first used a police dog to attack a suspect, Carlos Ferell, without cause and then plant drugs on him. The scene is captured on this video — as well as officers mocking Ferell once the drugs are pulled from his pocket. Continue reading “Video Allegedly Show Police Planting Drugs on Suspect After Allowing Dog to Attack Him Without Cause”
An eleven-year-old boy may have just struck out pitching legend Roger Clemens. Photos have surfaced from a party given by Jose Canseco in 1998 — taken by one of the children. They purportedly show Clemens at the party, which Clemens vehemently denied in sworn testimony in hearings on the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. Baseball legend Jose Canseco may also be at risk in this disclosure. Continue reading “Beware of 11-Year-Olds with Cameras: Pictures Reportedly Contradict Testimony of Roger Clemens”
GOP Rep. Rick Renzi (Ariz.) has been indicted on charges of fraud in questionable land deals as well as money laundering. The former member of the House Intelligence Committee faces a very stiff challenge given the specificity of this indictment. Continue reading “Arizona Rep. Rick Renzi Indicted for Fraud and Other Charges”
In a surprising decision, convicted attorney Mary S. Roberts received no jail time for her convictions of theft in a sordid sex/blackmail scheme with her husband, lawyer Ted H. Roberts. She received 10 years probation despite the fact that her husband received five years and she faced a maximum of 20 years in prison. The sentence seems rather inconsistent with her husband and a bit light given the multiple count conviction in this case. Continue reading “Disgraced San Antonio Lawyer Mary Roberts Avoids Jail in Sex-Blackmail Case”
A New York woman has filed in interesting torts case against ABC News over a “Primetime” segment called “Stepfamilies in Crisis.” On the 2006 segment , ABC showed Kyle Nelson, then 15, being held down and punched by her stepfather Joe Nelson. She is now suing the network for failing to intervene and invasion of privacy, among other torts. Continue reading “Abused Girl Sues ABC for Over Filming of Her Beating by Step Father”
As the legacy of the Roberts Court has started to form over the last few years, one of its most pronounced trends has been a highly pro-business bent. This trend continues this term with a series of rulings, including a very significant ruling in favor of medical manufacturers on the question of federal preemption in torts in Riegel v. Medtronic. Continue reading “Open for Business: Roberts Court Delivers Another Victory for Business in a Major Torts Ruling”
Rep. William Jefferson filed an appeal on Wednesday to the Fourth Circuit to challenge 14 of 16 charges against him. The appeal could delay the prosecution for months. Continue reading “Rep. Jefferson Files Appeal to Challenge Counts in His Criminal Indictment”
More than three dozen current and former lacrosse players at Duke have sued the University for its actions during the infamous rape case. They have grounds for the lawsuit after the University discarded every principle of legal process and fairness to join the mob against its own students. Continue reading “Duke Lacrosse Players Sue Duke University Over Rape Case”
A week after he was criticized by his state supreme court on a matter of judicial ethics, faux TV judge Alex Ferrer (aka “Judge Alex”) lost handily before real jurists on the Supreme Court. With a 8-1 ruling, Judge Alex can claim to have brought a rare degree of near unanimity on the divided Court in rejecting his legal claims. Continue reading “Supreme Court Justices Rule Against Faux TV Judge: “Judge Alex” Loses Contractual Case 8-1″
Another taser abuse allegation has surfaced in an incident outside of a Maryland gym. A small altercation broke out after a basketball game — a not uncommon occurrence. Parents and officers were separating the youths when Deputy Anthony Lenzi allegedly shot Brandon Bennett in the chest –against direct orders by a superior. Continue reading “Maryland Police Officer Tasers High School Student After Allegedly Being Ordered Twice Not to Do So”
The use of videos to record custodial conditions and arrests has yielded some surprising evidence of abuse over the years. However, this video is perhaps more chilling for what was not filmed. Shreveport, LA Officer Wiley Willis is shown clearly getting angry with Angie Garbarino, who was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. After roughly handling Garbarino, Willis is shown turned off the video. When it is again turned on, Garbarino is shown lying in a pool of her own blood. Continue reading “Video: Police Officer Turns Off Video Before Woman is Found in a Pool of Blood”
Saudi Arabia’s legal system has long been a nightmare for civil libertarians and anyone on this side of the dark ages. However, in the face of the arrest and coerced confession of an American businesswoman for sitting next to man at Starbucks (who was not a relative), the religious police is defending its action in the case. It appears that it was the woman’s fault entirely for committing the offense to Islam — a helpful clarification from those who bring us weekly examples of why the separation of church and state is so essential for liberty. Continue reading “Lattes and Lashes: Saudi Religious Police Defend Their Arrest of American Woman Who Sat Next to a Man at a Starbucks”