States

Rape Defendants: 3 Boys, 8, 9 and 9

In a case that is sure to be controversial, three boys in from a working-class Acworth, Ga., neighborhood have been charged in the alleged kidnapping and rape of an 11-year-old girl who reportedly is one of their regular playmates. “The victim said they were playing outdoors and the girl was…

Nov 20, 2007 12:19 AM CST

FBI Hate Crimes Stats Soar; Noose Use Not Counted

Hate crimes rose significantly in 2006, up nearly 8 percent in that one year alone, according to the FBI. “Police across the nation reported 7,722 criminal incidents in 2006 targeting victims or property as a result of bias against a race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnic or national origin or physical…

Nov 20, 2007 12:01 AM CST

Fired Principal Sues Over Ban on Reapplication

A controversial New York City school principal who was fired last year over a T-shirt slogan has sued because she wasn’t allowed to reapply for her job along with 25 other applicants. Debbie Almontaser, who founded the first Arabic-language school in New York City, filed suit today in federal court…

Nov 19, 2007 11:16 PM CST

18-Year-Old Aces Calif. Bar, Wins 1st Trial

An 18-year-old graduate of the UCLA School of Law is en route to become not only the youngest lawyer in the state but possibly the country. Kathleen Holtz, who learned Friday that she passed the California bar, has already been part of a winning trial team, reports the Wall Street…

Nov 19, 2007 8:50 PM CST

La. Criminal Defense Bar Draft Not a Hot Ticket for Lawyers

An attempt by a Louisiana judge to draft criminal defense lawyers to help out, on a pro bono basis, with a backlog of indigent cases was not an overwhelming success. Only 17 of the 33 lawyers notified last month that they should appear Friday in the courtroom of Orleans Parish…

Nov 19, 2007 7:52 PM CST

N.J. Lawmakers Consider Abolishing Death Penalty

A bill to abolish the death penalty in New Jersey is on a fast track for a vote by the end of the year. The bill is likely to pass in the assembly but faces a more uncertain future in the senate, the New York Times reports. Gov. Jon Corzine…

Nov 19, 2007 7:41 PM CST

Attorney Fee Expert Angers Judge

A Philadelphia judge has chastised an expert witness for his testimony challenging attorney fees in two cases, including the class action case against Wal-Mart for unpaid overtime. In opinions issued last Wednesday, Judge Mark Bernstein criticized the defense witness, John Marquess of Legal Cost Control Inc., for testimony in the…

Nov 19, 2007 6:45 PM CST

Wife Seeks Share in Church ‘Asset’ in Divorce Case

In a case that could signal the start of a potential new trend in New York state, the soon-to-be-divorced wife of a pastor is contending that his church should be treated as a marital asset. The wife, who is not named, says her husband treated the Brooklyn house of worship…

Nov 19, 2007 6:17 PM CST

Mike Tyson Gets 1-Day DUI Sentence

Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson will serve only one day in jail after his guilty plea in September to drug possession and driving under the influence. The 41-year-old Tyson was sentenced today to 10 days, but will only have to serve one day. He will also be required to perform…

Nov 19, 2007 5:30 PM CST

N.J. Police Discourage Witness Testimony in Gang Cases

New Jersey’s governor has directed police to use fewer witnesses in gang prosecutions for fear that they cannot be protected from retaliation. Gov. Jon Corzine is pushing for stricter sentences for intimidation and more money to relocate witnesses who may be in danger, Attorney General Anne Milgram told the New…

Nov 19, 2007 4:14 PM CST

Cyberbullying Suicide Can’t Be Prosecuted

Local and federal prosecutors say there is little they can do in the case of a Missouri couple accused of making up an online boy who romanced then taunted a 13-year-old girl until she committed suicide. Now authorities fear neighbors will take the law into their own hands, the St.…

Nov 19, 2007 3:13 PM CST

Grumpy Clients Could Be Cause for Notice to Malpractice Insurer

More insurance companies are trying to evade coverage of legal malpractice disputes by claiming law firms failed to notify them of a potential claim, according to a defense lawyer. Most claims-made policies require lawyers with prior knowledge of a potential claim to provide written notice to the insurance company before…

Nov 19, 2007 12:54 PM CST

Cozen O’Connor Says Sex Bias Plaintiff Fired for ‘Poor Judgment’

Cozen O’Connor claims in its answer to a sex discrimination suit that a junior female partner was fired because of “poor judgment and poor decision-making” rather than a double standard for male and female lawyers. Plaintiff Patricia Biswanger claimed in her lawsuit that the law firm fired her for using…

Nov 19, 2007 12:15 PM CST

New York Sues Yankees’ Jeter Over Residency Claim

A high-profile New York tax case against a professional baseball player is giving star billing to the legal issue of establishing state residency. Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees considers himself a resident of Florida, which has no state income tax. But the state and city of New York…

Nov 17, 2007 1:44 AM CST

Judge Gets 33 Months in Alleged Mob Money Case

A former New York judge was sentenced to a 33-month prison term today for conspiring with a reputed mobster to launder $400,000 in claimed proceeds from stolen jewelry. David Gross, 45, who served on the Nassau County District Court bench from 1999 to 2005, could have been sentenced to as…

Nov 17, 2007 12:13 AM CST