California

Will Nutty Law Result in Almond Capers?

Mike Braga doesn’t ordinarily think of himself as a potential lawbreaker. But the Madera, California, almond farmer will be faced with a legal dilemma as of Sept. 1. Either he stops selling unpasteurized almonds, except for any customers who might wish to buy organic almonds from a small farm stand,…

Jun 27, 2007 6:50 PM CDT

Spector Lawyer to Appeal to Top Court Judge’s Testify-or-Do-Time Ruling

A former defense lawyer for music producer and murder defendant Phil Spector will appeal to the California Supreme Court a trial judge ruling that she must testify in his case or face jail time for contempt. To accommodate Sara Caplan’s plan to do so, Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler…

Jun 27, 2007 2:36 AM CDT

Sedgwick Buys Real Estate Boutique

Six lawyers from a San Francisco real estate boutique have merged with Sedgwick Detert Moran & Arnold, amping up the 350-lawyer defense and business firm’s real estate practice. Led by Jeffery Woo, the boutique specialized in representing landlords and real estate professionals, reports the San Francisco Business Journal. Sedgwick’s transactional…

Jun 26, 2007 9:42 PM CDT

Appeal of Contempt Ruling to No Avail; Will Phil Spector Lawyer Go to Jail?

A former defense lawyer for music producer and murder defendant Phil Spector may soon be headed for the slam. Sara Caplan had been held in contempt by the trial judge for refusing to testify about missing evidence she allegedly saw an expert collect from the murder scene, at Spector’s home…

Jun 26, 2007 1:17 AM CDT

Paris Hilton Prosecutor on Hot Seat Now

It isn’t just Paris Hilton who’s recently learned that the media spotlight can cast an unwelcome light on personal failings. Now the prosecutor in her case is taking his turn in the unpleasant glare. Rocky Delgadillo was tough on crime when he was attacking the two-tiered justice system that allegedly…

Jun 25, 2007 9:06 PM CDT

LA City Attorney on Hot Seat

The Los Angeles city attorney and his wife are taking a drubbing in the press for driving-related infractions. The wife of City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo has an outstanding warrant for her arrest for failing to appear in court on driving related charges, the Los Angeles Times reports. Michelle Delgadillo was…

Jun 20, 2007 5:17 PM CDT

Ex-Employees Sued in Client Disputes

A California investment-advice firm has sued former sales people and two companies that hired them, claiming they used proprietary information to steal clients. Fisher Investments claims the employees violated contracts by taking client contact information to new jobs, the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) reports. The employees respond that the…

Jun 20, 2007 4:08 PM CDT

Judge to Release Priest Files

A Los Angeles judge has ruled he will allow release of confidential personnel files of clergy accused in child sex abuse cases that have settled. Judge Peter Lichtman said the priests’ privacy rights must give way to the state’s interest in protecting children from sex abuse, the Los Angeles Times…

Jun 19, 2007 8:33 PM CDT

Judge: Phil Spector’s Lawyer in Contempt

After a month of behind-the-scenes negotiations not heard by the jury in the ongoing Phil Spector murder trial, the judge indicated today that he plans to hold a defense lawyer in contempt. Because Sara Caplan refuses to testify before the jury about seeing a famous criminalist pick up a small…

Jun 18, 2007 9:35 PM CDT

Paris Hilton Out of Medical Ward

Paris Hilton has been released from the medical ward at the Los Angeles County jail. Hilton was released from the treatment center around 11 p.m. yesterday, Associated Press reports. A judge who disagreed with Hilton’s home detention sent her to the treatment center for evaluation on Friday. Critics claimed Hilton…

Jun 14, 2007 2:06 PM CDT

No Line for Hilton’s Parents at Jail Visit

Despite worldwide publicity critical of the special treatment Paris Hilton has already received, those in charge of the hotel heiress’ California incarceration for probation violation reportedly continue to bend the rules on her behalf. Family members of fellow inmates complained that their visits were delayed by several hours or cut…

Jun 13, 2007 11:26 PM CDT

Bounty-Hunters Irk Calif. AG

About a dozen law firms are filing lawsuits that help enforce a California law requiring businesses to tell consumers when they are exposed to cancer-causing substances. Their suits generate 100 to 150 settlements totaling about $10 million a year, according to the state attorney general’s office. It has taken issue…

Jun 11, 2007 3:22 PM CDT

Celebrity Cuts No Ice with CA Judge, Who Sends Paris Hilton Back to Jail

At a scheduled hearing today about whether Paris Hilton should be sent back to jail to serve a 45-day sentence for repeatedly violating her probation in an alcohol-related traffic case, Judge Michael T. Sauer made no secret of his displeasure with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s office. It had released…

Jun 8, 2007 11:37 PM CDT

Hard Time for Others, But Not Hilton

There’s one obvious reason why Paris Hilton was released from a California prison, after serving only three days of a 45-day sentence for violating her probation for an alcohol-related driving offense, many believe. Celebrity clout. An undisclosed medical condition reportedly prompted the Los Angeles County Sheriff to release the 26-year-old…

Jun 8, 2007 6:37 PM CDT

CA Atty Gen’l Eyes De Anza Rape Case

In the controversial rape case originally filed against three former Duke University lacrosse players last year, a North Carolina prosecutor went too far too quickly, relying on flimsy evidence at best, most observers now agree. But, in the wake of the public furor over the dismissal of the unfounded charges…

Jun 6, 2007 9:40 PM CDT