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30004 ABA Journal States articles.

Lone N.J. Juror Can Decide Retardation

The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled yesterday that a defendant may not receive a death sentence if at least one juror finds he is mentally retarded. The court said the finding must be made in a sentencing hearing after a guilty verdict, the New York Times reports. The court said…

Jun 19, 2007 3:13 PM CDT

No Apology by Convicted Fashion Writer

A former fashion writer has been sentenced to a minimum of 18 years in prison for raping a colleague. Peter Braunstein made his first public statement about the crime before he was sentenced. He said the crime was motivated by “irrationality” and mentioned severe depression, the New York Times reports.…

Jun 19, 2007 2:50 PM CDT

Union of Feuding Mothers Dissolved

A Vermont judge has dissolved a civil union between two women whose fight over the custody of their daughter produced court opinions in two states. The judge affirmed that both women were parents of the girl conceived by artificial insemination, Adam Liptak reports in the New York Times. Judge William…

Jun 19, 2007 1:54 PM CDT

More Missing White House E-mail; Official Cites ‘Extensive’ Violations

Far more e-mail than originally thought was sent and received by White House officials on Republican National Committee accounts, and records of many of those e-mails are missing. And that suggests there may have been “extensive” violations of federal open records law by the Bush administration, says the Democratic chair…

Jun 19, 2007 3:00 AM CDT

White Lawyer Takes Misdemeanor Plea; Black Youth Faces 20-Year Prison Term

Their crimes, arguably, are quite similar. Both were accused of shooting at another person. Both say they didn’t. And, fortunately, nobody was seriously injured in either case. But the resulting punishment faced by two Florida men is quite different. A well-connected white former prosecutor has taken a misdemeanor plea, which…

Jun 19, 2007 2:31 AM CDT

ACLU ‘Juneteenth’  for Florida Ex-Cons

Seeking to help disenfranchised former convicts in Florida, the American Civil Liberties Union is promoting a “Juneteenth” effort. Its purpose is to make them aware of a state clemency program and help them apply for a restoration of their civil rights–including the right to vote. The effort takes its name…

Jun 19, 2007 1:28 AM CDT

Duke Settles With Players in Rape Case

The fallout continues over three former Duke University lacrosse players falsely accused of rape. A settlement agreement, in an undisclosed amount, was announced Monday by Duke University concerning its treatment of three former men’s lacrosse team members. Meanwhile, litigation is likely and there could even be criminal sanctions against the…

Jun 18, 2007 10:32 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

‘Phenomenal Year’ for Florida Lawyers

Defying predictions of a law practice slowdown, attorneys in South Florida report their business is booming. “It was a phenomenal year to be a lawyer,” John C. Sumberg, managing partner of Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod, an 85-attorney firm in Miami, tells the Daily Business Review. “We had many…

Jun 18, 2007 9:16 PM CDT

Authorities: Happy Father’s Day ... Not

Inspired by Father’s Day, Chicago-area authorities decided to try to make a dent in the state’s $3 billion child support backlog. Cook County sheriff’s police arrested 130 deadbeat dads last week, and tried to arrest, but could not find, four deadbeat moms, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. Among them: Edward Kearns,…

Jun 18, 2007 8:40 PM CDT

The Washington Web of Lawyers

Washington lawyers who represent corporate targets of government investigations are connected by financial and social ties. The personal connections often determine which lawyers get referrals in high-stakes, high-paying cases, the Washington Post reports. Among the elite is Robert Bennett, who has passed along business he couldn’t handle from big clients…

Jun 18, 2007 5:50 PM CDT

Activist Backs Plea in Teen-Sex Case

The attorney for a youth sentenced to 10 years in prison for consensual teen sex is battling with a community activist over defense tactics. The Rev. Markel Hutchins told reporters that attorneys for Genarlow Wilson should consider a plea deal, according to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution. But Wilson’s lead lawyer, B.J.…

Jun 17, 2007 11:14 PM CDT

Duke Lacrosse Prosecutor Disbarred

The Durham, N.C., prosecutor who came under intense fire for his rape prosecution of three former Duke University lacrosse players was disbarred today after a state ethics panel found he violated numerous professional conduct rules. Mike Nifong tearfully testified during disciplinary proceedings on Friday that he intended to resign no…

Jun 17, 2007 12:19 AM CDT

Judge: Scruggs in Criminal Contempt

A federal judge in Alabama is asking the U.S. Justice Department to prosecute a high-profile trial lawyer for criminal contempt, contending that Richard Scruggs brazenly violated a court injunction by sharing documents concerning Hurricane Katrina-related insurance claims with the Mississippi attorney general. In an order, Dist. Judge William Acker asks…

Jun 16, 2007 1:16 AM CDT

Chadbourne, London Firm to Merge?

A New York City-based law firm known for its insurance coverage work is in merger talks with a London counterpart. Chadbourne & Parke’s managing partner says the firm is discussing a possible combination with Watson, Farley & Williams, reports American Lawyer. The two firms have about 400 and 200 attorneys…

Jun 16, 2007 12:51 AM CDT

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