Judiciary

Big Coal Co. Wins in Recusal Dustup; ABC Claims CEO Scuffled With Producer

The West Virginia Supreme Court has once again overturned a $50 million verdict against the nation’s fourth largest coal company, but that apparently didn’t stop the winning company’s chief executive officer from getting into a parking lot scuffle with an ABC producer. The state high court decided to rehear the…

Apr 4, 2008 1:28 PM CDT

Eugene Pincham: ‘Giant’ of Chicago Legal Community Dies

Chicago-area legal legend R. Eugene Pincham, who served as a state appellate judge but proved too confrontational for political office, died Thursday after a long illness. He was 82. Chief Cook County Judge Timothy Evans confirmed the news for the Chicago Tribune, saying, “He was one of the best and…

Apr 3, 2008 8:23 PM CDT

Judge Decides ‘Media Frenzy’ After Arrest Doesn’t Require Him to Quit

A well-respected Boston bankruptcy judge is reconsidering his decision to resign after a flurry of publicity about the circumstances of his arrest for drunken driving. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Somma had submitted his resignation after media reports that he was wearing a cocktail dress and high heels at the time…

Apr 3, 2008 10:55 AM CDT

Judge Says Kicking White Lawyers Out of Courtroom Was ‘Mistake’

An Atlanta judge who told white lawyers to leave his courtroom so he could lecture African-American defendants last week now says he regrets the move. “In retrospect, it was a mistake,” Judge Marvin Arrington told CNN. “Because my sheriff said to me, ‘Judge, that message should be given to everybody’—‘Don’t…

Apr 2, 2008 7:04 PM CDT

Nasty Race for Wisconsin Supreme Court Ends With Upset

An expensive, bitter supreme court race in Wisconsin ended Tuesday with the first unseating of a justice since 1967, when Chief Justice George Currie was ousted after he allowed the Milwaukee Braves to relocate to Atlanta. Burnett County Circuit Judge Michael Gableman succeeded in his bid for the high court,…

Apr 2, 2008 6:25 PM CDT

Ohio Offers Free Legal Services for Homeowners Facing Forclosure

As home foreclosure rates continue to reach record levels, Ohio’s political leaders are supporting a program that offers free legal representation to Ohioans making below $54,000 a year for a family of four and are in danger of losing their homes. The Save the Dream program involves a network of…

Apr 2, 2008 6:09 PM CDT

Dallas Courts Consider Sealing Records to Protect Witnesses, Agents

Dallas may become the next jurisdiction to seal some or all of its plea deal data to protect identities of cooperating witnesses and undercover agents. Federal officials in Dallas will review their public records and decide by June what steps to take. The move comes after the U.S. Judicial Conference…

Apr 2, 2008 5:25 PM CDT

Ethics Group Recommends $25K Fine for Judge’s ‘Bizarre’ Letters

A judicial ethics commission has recommended a $25,000 fine and 30-day suspension for a judge who sent two “bizarre” and “threatening” letters to the publisher of the Boston Herald. The Commission on Judicial Conduct said in its report (PDF) that the conduct by Judge Ernest Murphy was intentional and therefore…

Apr 2, 2008 2:59 PM CDT

So. Fla. Judge Barred From Courthouse Calls it Quits

Updated: A Broward County, Fla., judge abruptly resigned Monday after the chief judge inexplicably barred him from the courthouse. The Miami Herald reports that Chief Judge Victor Tobin had reassigned Judge Jay Spechler last week. Spechler, a former administrative chief of the county court, was handling traffic and parking matters…

Apr 1, 2008 9:52 PM CDT

A Cowgirl Rides the Circuits

Retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor puts her brand on federal appellate courts

Apr 1, 2008 4:07 PM CDT

Judge Holds DWI Court at High School

Instead of waiting to see area high school students show up on the wrong side of his courtroom, New Mexico Magistrate Danny Hawkes has decided to take his courtroom on the road—holding DWI hearings in packed auditoriums and requiring defendants to give impromptu speeches about why these youngsters shouldn’t drink…

Mar 31, 2008 10:33 PM CDT

Ex-Judge Gets 3-Month Suspension for Alcohol Issues and Criticizing Another Judge

A former Iowa judge, after a second conviction for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, is being barred from practicing law for three months partly because he criticized the judge presiding over his case. The Iowa Supreme Court’s ruling (PDF) Friday cited the convictions and two statements former Muscatine Judge James…

Mar 31, 2008 6:33 PM CDT

Former DA on Mission to Eliminate Closed-Door Sentencing Review Panels

Bolstered by support from the legislature, prosecutors in Georgia are mounting a full assault against the state’s system of judicial review panels that, in some cases, reduced prison terms. The challenge, which is being reviewed by the state supreme court today, could impact dozens of inmates whose sentences have already…

Mar 31, 2008 5:34 PM CDT

Ethics Commission Recommends Suspension for Miss. Judge Tied to Scruggs

Mississippi’s Commission on Judicial Performance has recommended an interim suspension for a trial judge under investigation in connection with plaintiffs lawyer Richard “Dickie” Scruggs. The commission is investigating allegations that a Scruggs associate promised Judge Bobby DeLaughter that he would be considered for a federal judgeship at the same time…

Mar 31, 2008 12:46 PM CDT

Judge: Learn English or Go to Jail

A judge in Luzerne County, Pa., has ordered four robbery defendants to brush up on their English-speaking skills. If they don’t they’ll face more jail time. Judge Peter Paul Olszewski Jr. made learning English a part of his sentence earlier this week, a decision that has garnered national media attention.…

Mar 28, 2008 5:15 PM CDT