D.C. Circuit Court

Raid of Congressman’s Office Improper

A federal appeals court ruled today that the FBI must return privileged legislative documents seized in a raid of U.S. Rep. William Jefferson’s office last year. Jefferson was indicted after the raid on charges he solicited more than $500,000 in bribes. He has pleaded not guilty. The U.S. Court of…

Aug 3, 2007 4:31 PM CDT

Whole Foods Hearing to Begin

In a two-day hearing that begins tomorrow, a federal judge will consider whether Whole Foods Market Inc. may gobble up its competitor, Wild Oats Markets Inc. The Federal Trade Commission contends the two grocers will dominate the market for premium organic groceries if the merger proceeds. To defeat the merger,…

Jul 30, 2007 8:14 PM CDT

NRA Had High Court Misgivings

The National Rifle Association may be a reluctant Supreme Court suitor in a Washington, D.C., case that challenges the district’s handgun ban. The lawyer who won a federal appeals court ruling striking down the ban says the NRA has joined him “ever so grudgingly” in the case, Legal Times reports.…

Jul 30, 2007 1:12 PM CDT

IRS E-Mail Advice to Be Disclosed

A federal appeals court has ruled that the Internal Revenue Service must release e-mail advice prepared by the Office of Chief Counsel for field personnel. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit disagreed with the IRS, which contended that e-mails prepared in less than two hours…

Jul 25, 2007 7:52 PM CDT

Court Bars Longer Trucker Hours

A federal appeals court has struck down a rule that allowed truckers to drive 11 consecutive hours a day. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled yesterday that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration failed to provide an adequate explanation for the 2005 rule, the Associated Press…

Jul 25, 2007 2:32 PM CDT

Court to Review Classified Gitmo Evidence

A federal appeals court has ordered the government to disclose classified evidence against Guantanamo detainees to the court and the lawyers who are defending them. The ruling on Friday by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit indicates the court intends to conduct full reviews of…

Jul 23, 2007 2:31 PM CDT

The Day the Internet Music Dies

Playing music on the Internet gets more expensive on Sunday—in some cases prohibitively so—because of inaction by a federal appeals court. Sunday is the day that broadcast royalty rates will increase because of a decision by an obscure group of federal judges called the Copyright Royalty Board, the Los Angeles…

Jul 13, 2007 5:05 PM CDT

Irked Judge Upholds Libby Commutation

In what a well-known U.S. Supreme Court blog describes as “a 10-page opinion bristling with actual and implied criticism” of President George W. Bush’s commutation of the 30-month prison term imposed on I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, the federal judge who sentenced the former top vice presidential aide held today that…

Jul 13, 2007 2:57 AM CDT

SEC Asserts Hedge-Fund Authority

The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted a new anti-fraud rule that clarifies its ability to sue hedge-fund managers who mislead investors. The new rule, which takes effect 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register, covers account managers who make false or misleading reports to investors, the…

Jul 11, 2007 6:58 PM CDT

Libby Probation OK, Briefs Say

I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby may be sentenced to two years of supervised release in spite of President Bush’s commutation of his prison sentence, prosecutors and defense lawyers agreed in court papers filed yesterday. U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton of the District of Columbia had questioned whether Libby could receive probation…

Jul 10, 2007 2:41 PM CDT

Alleged Madam May Reveal Records

The alleged D.C. madam has offered the media phone records that could identify customers after a federal judge’s decision to allow their release. Deborah Jeane Palfrey originally wanted to charge for the records, but now says they are available for free through her Web site, according to Reuters. “Jeane has…

Jul 6, 2007 4:30 PM CDT

Media Shields Anthrax Sources

Lawyers for a former Army scientist who says he was improperly named in connection with an anthrax investigation pressed to learn the source of the leak at a hearing on Tuesday. Lawyers for Steven Hatfill said he had met a two-pronged test to compel reporters to reveal their anonymous sources,…

Jul 5, 2007 4:08 PM CDT

Tax on Emotional Damages Upheld

A federal appeals panel has reversed course and upheld the power of the federal government to tax an award for emotional distress. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled today that Congress has the power to impose the tax under Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution.…

Jul 3, 2007 8:08 PM CDT

Last Resorts of Court

One date that’s on almost every federal judge’s calendar this summer is the meeting of his or her circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals, at which trial and appellate judges review the work of the court and socialize at some of the nicest resorts and hotels in the nation.…

Jul 1, 2007 7:04 PM CDT

Libby Appeal Seeks Stay of Sentence

Former White House aide I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby has asked a federal appeals court to delay his sentence pending an appeal. The motion filed yesterday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit says Libby has a good chance of winning, the Washington Post reports. The…

Jun 20, 2007 4:47 PM CDT