Clinics starting to help people to be represented in the court

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Zina Butler is one of those people who did not know where to go when some of the county housing officers together with the sheriff and landlord came to her small and subsidized apartment approx. 2 years ago without providing and kind of advance notice.

Butler who is 46 said that she wanted to file lawsuit in which as she explained her Fourth Amendment right was violated. This Fourth Amendment right was supposed to prevent anyone from conducting illegal and not authorized searches and seizures.

However she was unable to find an appropriate attorney and was pretty scared of going through the legal system on her own. She then found a clinic located at the federal courthouse in the district of L.A which was providing assistance to the people who wanted to self represent themselves in the court. This was a blessing from the God, Butler indicated. If there was no clinics like these, people would just run over you, Butler added.

Tags: clinics to represent people in court, self represent in court, zina butler, zina butler case
Posted in Latest Legal News, Legal News | No Comments »

Tiger Woods entagled in a wave of legal troubles

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

Tiger Woods the famous golf player could possibly face big prostitution charges if he was involved with paying for sex in the city of New York. This was mentioned by one attorney source.

It was mentioned to the New York post that the golf billionaire has given more then 60,000 dollars to escort services between the years of 2006 and 2007. Michelle Braun sent the information to the New York post.

Tom Kenniff who is attorney based out of New York has stated that the golfer could get himself into serious legal trouble if what madame Braun has stated was true. This could result in Woods spending up to a year in jail if he was to be convicted.

Tags: prostitution, tiger woods, tiger woods legal trouble, tiger woods news
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Stallworth gets 30 Days Jail Time

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

Prosecutors announced that Donte Stallworth, wide receiver of Cleveland Browns, will spend jail time of 30 days for DUI manslaughter under plea agreement terms. In March, he accidentally killed a construction worker, Mario Reyes, because he was driving under influence of alcohol.

Stallworth pleaded guilty and began serving his sentence right away. He also offered deep condolences to the family of the victim. “Though I can’t bring back Mr. Reyes, I will honor his memory through my commitment of time, resources, and voice in educating the whole community regarding the dangers of DUI,” he said in court.

Katherine Fernandez Rundle, state attorney, called it a “just” judgment and mentioned that the Reyes family has fully supported the plea agreement. They noted that Stallworth cooperated well with the police and also didn’t have any criminal convictions or even traffic violation records.

Stallworth’s defense lawyer, Chris Lyons, told the press that his client reached a financial settlement amicable to the Reyes family. He doesn’t want to disclose the amount but said that Stallworth has accepted responsibility with what he has done and has also shown genuine remorse. After his release, the athlete will still face house arrest of two years. He can still continue to play professional football but his license was already revoked for life.

Tags: attorney, Chris Lyons, Cleveland Browns, Defense lawyer, Donte Stallworth, dui, Katherine Fernandez Rundle, lawyer, Mario Reyes, prosecutors
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Injury Suits Distinction Discarded

Friday, June 5th, 2009

A lawsuit was filed by Valerie Koenig, a woman living in Des Moines who tripped in her son’s house over a carpet-cleaner. She sued due to suffering a leg injury. However, she lost in a Polk County court. Consequently, she appealed, saying that the judge relied on jury instructions already outdated in modern society.

In the past, property owners need to warn allowed visitors and invited visitors on potential dangers. Those who were invited to the property could sue if the owner failed to warn them of these dangers. However, those merely allowed to visit (or “licensees”) could not.

This centuries-old provision that differentiates between people invited onto private property or those merely allowed to visit has been dissolved by the Iowa Supreme Court. The lawyers said that the decision eliminated an outdated rule leading to confusion among jurors as well as conflicting results in courtrooms.

Justice Brent Appel described the ruling on Friday as a “higher valuation given to public safety as compared to property rights.” As a result, justices returned Koenig’s case to Polk County to undergo a new trial. If she can prove that her son showed “general negligence,” then she could have a good chance of winning the case.

Tags: Des Moines, Injury, Justice Brent Appel, lawsuit, leg injury, licensees, personal injury, Polk County court, Valerie Koenig
Posted in Injury, Latest Legal News, Personal Injury | No Comments »

Family Court Judge Accused of Overstaying

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

A family court judge was accused by a local attorney of overstaying in his bench. In fact, he’s taking this constitutional challenge to Nevada Supreme Court.

It does not always happen that a private person will try to remove a judge, but that’s exactly what is happening. According to Attorney Bob Leuck, Judge Bob Teuton is illegally sitting in office and if he continues his service, it would jeopardize every custody matter, every divorce, and every decision that he makes.

A former Assistant District Attorney, Teuton has been sitting for 30 years on the bench and was appointed in August 2008 to Department D Family Court. He expects to serve until November 2010 unless a constitutional challenge unseats him. He said “I’m a judicial officer and I have faith that the court system will make the right result.”

Meanwhile, Leuck argued that Teuton’s appointment should have ended on January 5, 2009. It was stated clear in the Nevada Constitution that the appointment should have ended on the first Monday of January. He explains that it’s nothing personal. He simply wants to follow the constitution.

If Supreme Court finds an overstaying term, Teuton says that the governor would be expected to re-appoint him. On the other hand, Leuck disagrees and explains that determinations made by an illegal person in office are not worth the paper they are printed on. Ultimately, this will also be determined by the Supreme Court.

Tags: Attorney Bob Leuck, district attorney, Divorce, famiy court, Judge Bob Teuton, Nevada Supreme Court
Posted in Divorce, Latest Legal News | No Comments »

Parole Violation seen in Facebook Photos

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

To a lot of college students, posting their pictures on Facebook while partying and drinking with friends may not be a big deal. However, those pictures bore serious consequences for a woman in Campton Hills charged with a DUI-related fatal crash.

The 20-year-old Erika Scoliere was outfitted with alcohol-monitoring ankle bracelet under a Kane County judge’s orders. According to a police report, officers found online photos of Scoliere on Facebook consuming alcohol.

The woman was charged with aggravated DUI and reckless homicide after a collision in South Elgin on July 2007 that killed a motorcyclist. She’s awaiting trial but the condition of her bail is to refrain from consuming alcohol or even be at the presence of people who are drinking. Unfortunately, the South Elgin police found her online photos drinking with friends who attend college in Ohio.

“The defendant appeared to be having good time drinking tequila,” says Judge Thomas Mueller during a court hearing on Wednesday as he leafed through the picture copies. As a result, Atty. Steve Sims (Assistant State Attorney) argued that Scoliere put on an ankle monitor since she has violated her bail.

“Secure Continues Remote Alcohol Monitor” or SCRAM detects alcohol through perspiration and then alert authorities. Scoliere will wear the device and be charged with $15 a day for it.

Tags: attorney, Atty. Steve Sims, Campton Hills, defendant, dui, Erika Scoliere, Facebook, Judge Thomas Mueller, Kane County, SCRAM, South Elgin
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No Criminal Offense in Pocomoke Election

Monday, June 1st, 2009

There might be irregularities in the recent Pocomoke City election, but the State’s Attorneys Office in Worcester County say that no crime was committed. Joel Todd, the State’s Attorney for Worcester County released a statement that said “The office’s role is to determine whether there’s probable cause that a crime was committed. This would be based on the facts obtained from extensive investigation and the laws of Maryland State and Pocomoke City. Based on my conclusion, there’s none.”

The cause of the investigation is a candidate claiming that there’s voter fraud in Pocomoke’s council seat election (District 4). According to Stephanie Burke, town leaders have coerced people (for example, those in the senior citizen communities) to vote for Tracy Cottman (her opponent in the election) because these town leaders do not like her change platform.

More specifically, Burke’s complaints were as follows:

• -Her opponent solicited for absentee ballots, completed portions of absentee ballots applications, handled completed absentee ballots, and marked portions of absentee ballots.
• -Most of the absentee voters could have voted in-person.
• -Board of Election Supervisors in Pocomoke failed to perform their duties.

Truly, certain irregularities were seen in the election system of Pocomoke during the investigation conducted. The State’s Attorney’s Office said that in the recent election, it’s possible that 17 people voted twice, both in-person and by absentee ballot. However, Todd says that there’s really no evidence that this actually happened.

Tags: attorney, Criminal, Joel Todd, Maryland State, Pocomoke City, State's Attorneys Office, Stephanie Burke, Tracy Cottman, Worcester County
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A Pedophile could get 45 Years

Monday, June 1st, 2009

On Friday, a self-confessed pedophile, Jeffrey Brisson, could be sentenced to a 45-year jail time. A prosecutor told the court officials that this sentence would protect three generations of children.

Paul Rotiroti, Senior Assistant State’s Attorney told the public, “This is the most horrifying, disgusting, and alarming case I’ve ever seen or handled in court. We need to keep this man separated from society.”

The 30-year-old Brisson was arrested on January 30, 2008 together with 40-year-old Harold Spurling, his roommate. The officers served warrants for a teenage boy’s longtime molestation but when they found the pair in their apartment, Brisson was sexually assaulting a 3-month-old girl.

Succeeding searches of their computer revealed state history’s largest child pornography investigations. They recovered numerous videos of children being molested for several years. Sex acts on children with ages varying from 3-month old babies to 2 years were seen. In fact, police said there was a 14-year-old who has been victimized for eight years.

The mother of the baby (3-month old) was also arrested because she risked injury on the child for leaving her in a filthy apartment. The woman said that she allowed it because the men offered “free babysitting.”

Brisson’s attorney public defender, Kenneth Simon, argued that, “There was actually no physical force. It’s not a physical injury, more of a mental one. Sure, the videos may be disturbing but I saw that the baby was just smiling.” Although Simon did not agree to the facts on the charges, he conceded that Brisson would likely be convicted during trial.

Tags: Harold Spurling, Injury, Jeffrey Brisson, Kenneth Simon, Paul Rotiroti, pedophile, prosecutor
Posted in Child Injury, Injury, Latest Legal News | No Comments »

Wife of Rape Suspect Files for Divorce

Sunday, May 31st, 2009

A man was accused of rape and as a result, his wife filed for divorce. David Joseph Jansen was arrested by the police late Tuesday night after allegations of abducting a woman, driving her to a Tennessee cabin, and then raping her there.

Consequently after this, the sad fact is that on Friday, his wife, Christy Jansen from Snellville, filed for divorce in the County Superior Court of Gwinnett. The Jensen couple has been married for almost 25 years.

Reports say that a pizza delivery man saw the woman tied up so he called the police. David Jensen was caught, and on Thursday night, the 46-year-old suspect was released from jail on $800,000 bond. He hung up the phone on a reporter when he was contacted on Saturday afternoon.

A restraining order was also granted to Christy Jansen. The order prohibited David from coming near her and their two children in their Snellville home.

Margaret Washburn, a Lawrenceville attorney, is the legal counsel of Christy. Washburn told WXIA, “Christy is devastated and terrified. She cannot believe that her husband is out with another woman. Whether rape or not, consensual or not, the fact remains that he’s out with another woman.”

Tags: Christy Jansen, David Joseph Jansen, Divorce, Gwinnett, Lawrenceville, Margaret Washburn, rape, Snellville, Tennessee
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Jail Time of Six Years for DUI Death

Sunday, May 31st, 2009

On Thursday, a 35-year old woman from Monterey was sentenced to six years of prison for DUI (Driving Under the Influence) which killed another man in the process. According to district attorney’s office, Shawna Ann Allen has pleaded guilty to a gross vehicular manslaughter felony count on April 2 in killing Aurelio Perez-Garcia on January 13, 2008.

That morning, Allen drove after consuming alcoholic beverages and witnesses say that she’s traveling at speeds of 60-80 mph. She then approached the intersection of Paradise Road and Castroville Boulevard where she lost control and collided with the car driven by Perez-Garcia.

District attorney office reported that Perez-Garcia (resident of Salinas) was killed in the accident leaving his 11-year-old and 5-year-old sons. His brother was also injured. Furthermore, the BAC (blood alcohol level) of Allen during the crash measured at 0.12 – it’s 1.5 times compared to the legal limit.

Throughout the sentence hearing, the family of the victim took turns in describing him. This includes a school volunteer who worked closely with his children, as well as his sister, brother, and widow. The accident happened near Manzanita Regional Park, Monterey County. And it was announced by District Attorney Dean Flippo.

Tags: attorney, Attorney Dean Flippo, Aurelio Perez-Garcia, district attorney's office, Monterey, Shawna Ann Allen
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DUI Sentence for a Man is 20 Years

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009

Gregory Kelly was drinking and partying. He ignored other people’s warning not to drive.

So when he did, he struck a Toyota Highlander carrying Allison Nieto and her mother Susan Price. What’s worse is that Nieto is almost eight months pregnant. The crash killed her baby and severely wounded her and her mother.

Therefore Kelly was sentenced to one count of manslaughter and two counts of aggravated assault. He pleaded guilty to the charge and he will spend 20 years in prison.

According to testimony, the blood alcohol level of Kelly was .20, which is more than double the .08 limit. As a result of the wreck, Nieto’s unborn child was beheaded. Also, she can no longer bear children because of her injuries. So in addition to the physical scars, their whole family is suffering emotional scars as well.

On the other hand, Clarence Guthrie, Kelly’s attorney, said “My client is a quiet and unassuming man. He has pleaded guilty and therefore, accepted full responsibility for this action.” Kelly’s family is in court during the sentencing and his wife told the judge (through sobs) that “Kelly is not a criminal. He is a loving and good man. However, she admitted that he has a drinking problem.”

Tags: Allison Nieto, attorney, blood alcohol level, Clarence Guthrie, drinking and driving, dui, Gregory Kelly
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Burien City Manager charged with DUI

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009

Formal DUI charges have been filed against Mike Martin, Burien City Manager when his car struck a planter at 14^th Avenue South. The incident happened around 11pm of April 19. According to reports, one King County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a call and arrested Martin on DUI suspicion.

When he arrived at the scene, the officer said that Martin and the owner of the home (whose planter had been struck) were talking on the roadside. The homeowner told the officers that Martin was really drunk. At the same time, the officer also described Martin as having bloodshot eyes and smelling of alcohol.

According to the police report, Martin said he consumed only two beers, but later changed it to two glasses of wine. He also refused the breathalyzer and field sobriety test. On the way to Burien precinct, the officer quoted Martin saying “This was stupid; many people will be disappointed in me.”

Lucy Krakowiak, Burien Councilwoman, called for Martin’s resignation in a letter to Times/News. On the other hand, Jack Block Jr., former Councilman, stood by Martin and spoke in his support during the May 4 council meeting.

Since the city attorney of Burien reports to Martin, the council members hired an outside attorney who will advise them regarding this situation. Their lawmakers also conducted a few executive sessions in order to discuss the matter.

The arraignment date is scheduled on May 15.

Tags: attorney, Burien, dui, Jack Block Jr., Lucy Krakowiak, Mike Martin
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DUI Arrests of Chicago Police Officer Investigated

Saturday, May 2nd, 2009

Joe Parker, a Chicago police officer may have falsified information in two of his DUI arrests. The local police department has already launched an internal investigation on this matter.

At the same time, Chicago’s Independent Police Review Authority is also investigating another DUI arrest apparently made by the same officer on South Lake Shore Drive. As a result, sources have told Chicago Sun-Times that the state’s attorney’s office dropped dozens of DUI cases from Parker due to questions about his arrests.

The subpoena came from Wayne Jackson, represented by Attorney Gregory Kulis. Jackson insists that he passed the Breathalyzer and field sobriety tests on the night of May 10, 2006. However, Parker still arrested him.

Now, the Internal Affairs Division of Chicago Police Department is investigating that case in addition to Parker’s arrest of Anthony Lindsey on March 1, 2008 and Eric Turner on May 27, 2008. All of them are arrested for DUI charges in the same area.

Prosecutors have been evaluating video recordings taken from Parker’s squad car and his arrest reports. Sources said that the videos of his administered field sobriety tests are inconsistent with his statements in the arrest reports.

As a result, Cook County Traffic Court asked Chicago Police Department to constantly assign video-equipped cars to officers who are frequently making DUI arrests.

Tags: Anthony Lindsey, attorney, Chicago, dui, Eric Turner, Gregory Kulis, Joe Parker, Wayne Jackson
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A Request to be Free during Felony Conviction Appeal

Sunday, April 19th, 2009

Michael S. Carona, a former Orange County Sheriff, is requesting a judge to set him free while he’s fighting against his conviction. He was convicted because he leaned on an ex-assistant sheriff to lie for him in front of a grand jury while investigating reports of corruption during his administration.

Carona’s attorneys, on the other hand, say that several appeal issues may reverse this conviction. In a motion that they filed, they mentioned the conduct of the government in recording secret meetings between Carona and Don Haidi (former Assistant Sheriff).

They argued that the prosecutors violated state rules because they recorded Carona even though they know that he already has attorneys representing him. According to one of the attorneys, Jeffrey Rawitz, “The government will not really be prejudiced even if he’s set free. If he loses his appeal, then he can serve his sentence as directed. However, if his release request is not granted and he wins in the appeal (as we believe will happen), then there’s no way for him to recover the time that he spent in prison.”

The prosecutors want Carona to serve nine years in prison plus a fine of $125,000. On the contrary, the defense argues that Carona should not be in prison for more than 21 months. They are also planning to ask for probation.

Tags: attorneys, Don Haidi, Michael Carona, Orange County, Sheriff
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Governor of New Jersey sued by Attorney over New Car Decals

Saturday, April 18th, 2009

A New Jersey attorney (specifically in Rockaway) filed a lawsuit hoping to overturn a recently signed law requiring new drivers below 21 years old to affix unique decals to their vehicles. It’s called “Kyleigh’s Law” and it was signed by the city’s governor two weeks after Kyleigh D’Alessio (16-year-old girl in Long Valley) was killed in a car wreck and a teenage driver was involved.

Gregg D. Trautmann was the New Jersey attorney suing Gov. Jon Corzine in Morristown, a state Superior Court. Trautmann believes that the law is unconstitutional and ridiculous.

Brandon M. Goldberg on the other hand, the chief of staff for the prime sponsor of this legislation (state Assemblyman Peter Barnes), commented that the position of Trautmann is irresponsible because he never opposed the bill when it was going through the legislative process for two years. “There is great value in this law. The decals are just small, reflective triangles that new probationary drivers must affix to the front and rear of the vehicle’s license plates. This will help the police enforce proper restrictions on these drivers,” he added.

Trautman retaliated that he just learned the new law last Friday when he read the newspaper. He further said “These decals will just serve as magnets for unscrupulous police officers to suddenly pull over these young drivers and carry out warrantless vehicle searches.”

Tags: Brandon Goldberg, Gov. Jon Corzine, Gregg Trautmann, Kyleigh's Law, New Jersey attorney, Rockaway
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Resigning Too Soon?

Friday, April 17th, 2009

Michael J. Sullivan, an American lawyer who became a top federal official of law enforcement in Massachusetts, plans to resign in order to pursue private law practice. In a statement, he said that serving as an attorney for the past 7 ½ years in Massachusetts district has been a privilege. “I was grateful and humbled for the confidence that former President Bush gave to me as well as the support of dedicated employees at the attorney’s office,” he added.

Sullivan’s spokeswoman further confirmed that her boss will practice in Boston. She declined to specifically talk about it but she said he will concentrate in white-collar and corporate matters.

This departure came as a surprise because potential successors are not yet picked. According to Michael E. Mone, the Boston lawyer who heads the panel of the Kennedy committee, several names have been submitted in recent weeks but only three or four finalists will be recommended to Senator Edward Kennedy.

Sullivan has been credited with building a healthcare fraud unit in his tenure. This unit recovered over $4 billion in drugs that are marketed for uses not approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Much of this amount came from pharmaceutical companies he prosecuted.

However, critics say that his prosecutors resist plea bargaining and file very serious provable charges. This caused more defendants to undergo trial. In addition, judges criticized Sullivan’s prosecutors for failure to disclose evidence that could clear the defendants.

Tags: American lawyer, Boston, FDA, Massachusetts, Michael Sullivan
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Life Imprisonment plus 55 years for Ace Capone

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

This morning, the convicted drug kingpin, Alton “Ace Capone” Coles, was sentenced to life plus 55 years. In court hearings, Judge R. Barclay Surrick of the U.S. District Court has proven that Capone’s rap record company label is just a front for his cocaine distribution network worth multi-million dollars.

Surrick said that the money involved and the amount of drugs were staggering. “This crime was horrendous,” he added.

On the other hand, Capone justified that he was raised on the streets and was just a product of the environment. Moreover, he said “I’ve never thought that it would end like this.”

The streets of Philadelphia were filled with a half-ton of crack and a ton of cocaine between 1998 and 2005. Capone was found guilty of heading this criminal enterprise, and last year, he was convicted on a series of weapons, drug dealing, and other related criminal offenses. There are five other convicted co-defendants who are awaiting sentencing.

Included in the list of the convicted ones is Timothy “Tim Gotti” Baukman. He was allegedly one of Capone’s top associate.

On July 2005, a series of raids were conducted which led to their arrest. In these raids, authorities confiscated 30 weapons and over $800,000 in cash.

Tags: Ace Capone, Alton Coles, Judge R. Barclay Surrick, Philadelphia, Tim Gotti, Timothy Baukman
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U.S. Prosecutors were ordered to Pay Due to Misconduct

Monday, April 13th, 2009

Alan S. Gold, a U.S. District Judge reprimanded prosecutors and ordered the government to pay $600,000 to a defendant because they secretly recorded the members of the defense team in a questionable investigation.

Gold created a 50-page opinion with strong words against an agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the three prosecutors who acted “in bad faith.” He faulted these prosecutors for recording conversations with David O. Markus (Shaygan’s trial attorney) and his investigator without obtaining permission from the U.S. attorney’s office. Also none of this information was turned over to the defense team.

The defendant, Dr. Ali Shaygan, was acquitted for illegally prescribing painkillers. Gold wrote “These events were disturbing. The prosecutors raised troubling issues about integrity.” Due to this, Eric Holder (U.S. Attorney General) announced that the public can expect changes in the practices of the Justice Department. Also, federal prosecutors nationwide will be held accountable to a higher ethical standard.

Miami attorney Alexander Acosta (former President George Bush appointee) issued a statement to acknowledge the errors in Shaygan case and stated that the matter has already been taken up by the Justice Department for proper disciplinary action.

In a phone interview, Acosta said “I’ve told all new employees that their job is to uphold justice and not just to win at any cost. Furthermore, he said that several steps have been enforced to make sure that this situation will not happen again.

Tags: Alan Gold, Alexander Acosta, David Markus, Dr. Ali Shaygan, Eric Holder, Miami attorney, trial attorney
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La. Town was shaken by the Death of a Black Man

Monday, April 13th, 2009

Bernard Monroe led a quiet life in a little town (Homer) with a wife and five kids. He is black, 73 years old, and a retired power company lineman. On a Friday afternoon, while he was seated in his usual spot by the gate of his house, two white Homer police officers chased his son (Shaun) for a suspected drug deal.

Some witnesses are disputing this. They say that Shaun was just talking to his sister-in-law when the officers came. Although the young Monroe had arrest records for battery and assault, he has no current warrants.

The controversy rose when a police officer followed Shaun into the house and Tasered him in their front yard. Bernard Monroe saw the commotion and confronted the officer. The police said that the old Monroe advanced on them with a gun, and Officer Tim Cox shot him through a screen door.

The number of shots fired is not clear. What was evident is the dead Bernard Monroe along the walkway. The coroner refused to release the autopsy report due to the current active investigation.

No one claimed that Monroe fired shots. Family and friends say that he’s only holding a sports water bottle and the police planted the gun next to his body. This gun is now being DNA-tested by the state police.

Findings of this investigation will be handed over to Jonathan Stewart, a District Attorney who would decide whether or not to file charges. Could this be another case of racial discrimination?

Tags: Bernard Monroe, District Attorney Jonathan Stewart, Homer, racial discrimination, Shaun Monroe, Tim Cox
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Lawyers Work to Combat Zimbabwe’s Sex Assault

Sunday, April 12th, 2009

In Pretoria, South Africa, Lewis Conwell sat in a room interviewing the women who were attacked and raped by militia members remaining loyal to the regime of Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe. Conwell is an American lawyer and one of the partners of a law firm named DLA Piper.

Nine lawyers were assigned to assist the nonprofit AFW (Aids-Free World) in documenting close to 50 rape cases during Zimbabwe’s 2008 presidential election campaign. These victims were kidnapped and raped because they were loyal to the opposition party called “Movement for Democratic Change.”

Conwell was one of them because of his experience in domestic violence work when he was doing pro bono project in Tampa, Florida. About 50 American lawyers from DLA Piper applied for this AFW project but only nine were chosen based on their prior experience in preparing affidavits or working with trauma victims.

One of the victims constantly shifted her gaze while talking to the lawyers. She stared at the wall, the floor, and finally, covered her face with her two hands while detailing the actual rape. Conwell said that this is a difficult situation. They’re trying to let the women relive the horrific experiences that they had. “I would do it again if it needs to be done, but if you ask me, I would prefer someone else to do it,” he concluded.

Tags: American lawyer, DLA Piper, Lewis Conwell, Zimbabwe
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Be Careful of your Text Messages

Sunday, April 12th, 2009

It’s very obvious that Ruth Carter has not foreseen her text messages to be put on public display. Now the Court Judge for 36^th District of Detroit, the texts were sent when she was still the top lawyer in Kilpatrick administration. Based on the messages, you will see how she provided questionable legal advice, castigated co-workers, hammered foes, and even raked friends.

Some messages include calling Sharon McPhail (Detroit City Councilwoman at the time) “evil and must be destroyed.” She also said Kym Worthy (Wayne County Prosecutor) “resembled a cracked Easter Egg!”

The texts were made public by another judge and so far, Carter still declined to comment on these messages. However, she hired Darci McConnell, a crisis consultant who was also a former reporter.

According to Judith Kallos, author of books on e-mail etiquette, “Professionals should not communicate that way. Her messages suggest core immaturity.”

In addition, a Michigan veteran political observer said that the texts would hurt Carter if ever she would run for any career advancement or a higher court seat. However, a pop culture expert and Syracuse University professor, Robert Thompson, said that Carter’s messages are just the same as everyone else when you think about it.

Tags: Detroit, Ruth Carter, text messages
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The Debate on Gay Marriages Continues

Sunday, April 12th, 2009

Vermont and Iowa recently allowed same-sex union in their states. As a result, this move affected the running legal battle in California.

According to a vote in November 2008, about 52% of California voters approved a gay marriage ban. But today, gay marriage supporters are very interested in the ruling of Iowa Supreme Court. They still hope that it would sway California Supreme Court to overturn the result of the ballot poll.

Shannon Minter, legal director of National Center Lesbian Rights led the oral arguments to challenge this proposition before California courts. The news that Vermont joined Iowa, Connecticut, and Massachusetts to allow gay marriage is indeed very good for their campaign.

Their opponents, on the other hand, are saying that the decision in Iowa should not have a bearing on this issue. Besides, there are 29 other states banning gay marriage. Also, $83 million was already poured into the campaigns of either side. Truly, this “California’s Proposition 8” as they call it, was the nation’s most expensive ballot measure.

During the 4 ½ months that it was legal, some 18,000 lesbian and gay couples were wed in California. The highly anticipated Proposition 8 ruling should come on or before June 3.

Tags: California Supreme Court, debate, gay marriage, Iowa, Vermont
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Dropping Stevens Case might give Cold Feet to U.S. Attorneys

Saturday, April 11th, 2009

If prosecutors in the U.S. will drop charges against Ted Stevens (former Alaska senator convicted with seven felonies) good government activists are afraid that U.S. attorneys may get cold feet to pursue other cases of politicians suspected of crimes.

Consequently, the lawyer of Don Siegelman (former governor of Alabama) already urged Eric Holder, the attorney general of the case, to dismiss all charges. Siegelman was convicted of mail fraud and robbery and his lawyer cited accusations of “far ranging misconduct” during the case.

Activists are alarmed that U.S. attorneys are holding back towards these cases, especially pre-trial ones. According to Tom Fitton, Judicial Watch president, “This has a chilling effect. The dismissal of these cases and the subsequent investigation against the case prosecutors sends a very strong signal to the U.S. attorneys. They might think that it will not be worth it to go after big-name politicians.”

Washington’s “Citizens for Responsibility & Ethics” director, Melanie Sloan, said that future cases will most likely be affected by Stevens’ dismissal. She said that people should not lose sight of solid evidence against him wherein he lied with the motive of hiding gifts.

Sloan further hopes that there will be a turn of events around this case. She obviously thinks that the Justice Department needs some shakeup in public integrity.

Tags: Fitton, Siegelman, Sloan, Stevens, U.S. attorneys
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