|
|
|
Man who killed wife, baby loses appeal in Mass.
Court Watch News |
2012/08/15 10:47
|
The highest court in Massachusetts rejected the appeal of a British man convicted of killing his wife and baby daughter in their rented home, saying in its decision released Tuesday that warrantless searches of the home were justified because those inside might have been in danger.
In arguing for a new trial, lawyers for Neil Entwistle said evidence obtained during the warrantless searches of the Hopkinton home while police were looking for the missing family should have been dismissed at trial.
They also argued he was denied a fair trial, claiming that "saturating and inflammatory" media coverage tainted the jury pool and the judge refused to question prospective jurors more deeply about how publicity may have biased them.
The court rejected the arguments, concluding that Entwistle "received a fair trial that was ably tried and judged."
Entwistle was convicted of the 2006 shootings of his wife, Rachel, and their daughter, 9-month-old Lillian. He is serving life in prison without the possibility of parole for their murders. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
NJ court upholds decal law for young drivers
Lawyer News |
2012/08/10 12:09
|
Young drivers in New Jersey will have to continue displaying a red decal on their license plates.
The state Supreme Court upheld "Kyleigh's Law" in a ruling Monday.
In a unanimous opinion, the high court ruled that requiring the decals doesn't violate federal privacy laws or laws against unreasonable search and seizure. An appeals court had ruled similarly last year in a challenge brought by two parents.
The law is named for a New Jersey teenager who was killed in a 2006 crash. It's meant to aid police in enforcing restricted privileges for young drivers.
Opponents say displaying the decals could leave teen drivers vulnerable to predators. But a report last year found only one reported incident in which an underage driver was stopped by someone impersonating a police officer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fed. appeals court denies ex-Ill. governor appeal
Court Watch News |
2012/08/08 12:09
|
A federal appellate court in Chicago has denied an appeal filed by imprisoned former Illinois Gov. George Ryan.
The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals released a 16-page ruling on Monday denying the 78-year-old Republican's appeal.
A ruling in his favor could have led to Ryan's release from an Indiana prison. It was widely seen as his last chance to get out of prison early.
Ryan is nearing the end of a 6 1/2-year sentence. He's due to be released in mid-2013.
The U.S. Supreme Court in April ordered the appeals court to revisit Ryan's arguments to overturn his conviction.
Last year, the lower court rejected arguments that the 2006 convictions should be tossed because prosecutors never proved Ryan took a bribe. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dennis Wheeler - San Francisco Bankruptcy Lawyer
Lawyer News |
2012/08/07 10:53
|
Mr. Dennis R. Wheeler is a San Francisco Bankruptcy lawyer who specializes in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. Clients facing bankruptcy may be struggling to make ends meet and is under high stress but we can help. With our experience working with these Bankruptcy Chapters, our law office can give you the debt relief option that is best fit for your situation.
Bankruptcy is the legal process of getting the chance to discharge and clear out most of your debts, giving you the opportunity for a clean, fresh financial start. Our knowledge in the field will give us the advantage over others and when we file your case, we can immediately help stop the harassing phone calls and letters, stop creditor lawsuits, stop foreclosures and repossessions, and stop wage garnishments and all other attempts at collection.
Bankruptcy is not right for everyone. Depending on your financial situation, we will advise you the best route to take. If you are dealing with financial burden, we highly encourage our clients to explore all options, including bankruptcy, although some can be hesitant.
Our free initial consultation will allow us to discuss
- Other debt relief plans aside from bankruptcy
- Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy options
- What your situation is and what would provide you the most debt relief
- Costs of bankruptcy filings
- All your concerns and questions regarding your unique situation
Our San Francisco Bankruptcy Lawyer has proudly served Bay Area residents of San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Mateo Counties. Call us at 415-856-0212.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
County's court records found in open recycling bin
Court Watch News |
2012/08/03 16:44
|
Court administrators in Madison County say they'll do a better job of disposing of public records after court documents turned up in an open recycling bin.
The Alton Telegraph reports that one of its reporters responding to a tip found hundreds of the court records plainly visible in the container outside the county's complex in Wood River.
The records showed names of victims, including minors, dates of birth, addresses, telephone numbers, detailed accounts of why an order of protection was needed and Social Security numbers.
Madison County Interim Circuit Clerk Judy Nelson says a hauler who waited a couple of weeks to cart off the documents won't be used again. Nelson says the records instead will be disposed of immediately. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Court spurns religious claim to name change
Law Opinions |
2012/08/01 11:44
|
An appeals court has rejected a Kansas man's claim that the federal justice system's refusal to recognize his new Muslim name violates his constitutional religious rights.
The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that Michael White failed to show it was unreasonable to deny his request to amend all records in his criminal case.
A lower court held that replacing the name Michael White with Abdul Hakeem Kareem Mujahid in all federal court records would create confusion.
Mujahid is serving 10 years at a prison in Colorado for killing another inmate at the U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth. A Kansas court granted his petition to change his name in December 2010.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Court rejects Florida prison privatization appeal
Headline Court News |
2012/07/27 11:02
|
An appellate court on Tuesday tossed out Attorney General Pam Bondi's request for a decision to uphold the proposed privatization of 29 South Florida prison facilities.
A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal rejected her plea to reverse a lower court's ruling against privatization, saying Bondi couldn't appeal on her own after her client, the Department of Corrections, declined to do so. The panel unanimously dismissed the case because Bondi was not a party.
"A party who suffers an adverse judgment in Circuit Court has the right to appeal, but nonparties whose rights have not been adjudicated have no right of appeal," Chief District Judge Robert Benton wrote for the court.
Leaders of the Republican-controlled Legislature had urged Bondi to appeal after Gov. Rick Scott decided the department, which is part of his administration, would not.
One of Bondi's assistants acknowledged during oral argument last month that it was too late to carry out the privatization due to the expiration of a budget provision authorizing the plan. Nevertheless, Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Glogau asked the appellate court to issue a ruling upholding the privatization provision that would set a precedent for future budgets.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Legal News RSS Feed
