Pro Se Defense Attorney to Be Shocked If He Leaves Authorized Courtroom Area During RICO Trial

Four U.S. marshals will be in the courtroom as attorney Paul Bergrin goes on trial in federal court in Newark, N.J., next month. He faces a racketeering case in which he is accused of operating his law firm as a criminal enterprise and conspiring with another New Jersey lawyer to…

Sep 19, 2011 6:01 PM CDT

Convicted in Client Money-Launder Case, Lawyer Faces New Trial After Fed’l Judge Nixes Jury Verdict

The roller-coaster ride continues for a California attorney charged with helping a law firm client launder money. Following a federal jury conviction in July (jurors deadlocked on a conspiracy charge), Jamie Harley, previously known as Jamie Harmon, saw the verdict in the San Jose case set aside by Chief U.S.…

Sep 7, 2011 11:51 PM CDT

Bronx Prosecutor’s Blown Deadline Means Case Dismissal

A 20-year veteran prosecutor may face disciplinary action after missed deadlines forced charges to be dropped against a parolee accused of trying to kill a New York City police officer. Prosecutor Christine Scaccia, director of gang prosecutions at the Bronx district attorney’s office, dragged her feet and blew through several…

Sep 2, 2011 8:29 PM CDT

Deputy Sheriff’s Comments Taint Jury Pool, Delays Criminal Trials

Several criminal trials were postponed this week in Kentucky after a deputy sheriff told nearly 200 prospective jurors to punish criminal defendants. Jefferson County Judge Charles Cunningham reported that he overhead the deputy tell the jury pool that his car had been broken and items, including a gun were stolen.…

Sep 2, 2011 6:24 PM CDT

After Philadelphia Prison Case, Many Still Weigh the Effects of Releasing Inmates

Sep 1, 2011 7:40 AM CDT

Govt’s Discussion of Plea with Represented Murder Defendant Results in Case Dismissal, Reprimands

Errors by the prosecution in pursuing a possible plea deal directly with a represented murder defendant resulted in the dismissal of the Apache County, Ariz., case, reports the National Organization of Bar Counsel in its “Case of the Month” column. Plus, the county’s two top prosecutors were reprimanded, both for…

Aug 31, 2011 8:50 PM CDT

US Atty for Ariz. Resigns, Minn. US Atty Promoted in Shake-Up re Botched ATF Gun-Running Probe

The top federal prosecutor in Arizona has resigned, effective immediately, and two other officials who oversaw a botched federal investigation of gun-running operation have been reassigned. In the probe, agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives reportedly stood by as hundreds of weapons were illegally purchased for…

Aug 31, 2011 7:16 PM CDT

Did Wis. Justice Put Colleague in Chokehold? Prosser Admits Reflexive Neck Touching

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser has admitted he touched the neck of a colleague who accused him of putting her in a chokehold, but said it was a reflexive reaction. Prosser’s admission was among statements by the justices released Friday by detectives investigating the June 13 incident, the Milwaukee…

Aug 29, 2011 3:24 PM CDT

Suspect in Killing of Mercer Law Grad Had Talked of a Perfect Murder, Police Say

The suspect in the killing of Mercer University law graduate Lauren Giddings once talked of committing the perfect murder, according to a police officer who testified in a court hearing today. Macon police detective David Patterson outlined the evidence against suspect Stephen McDaniel, who graduated from the law school with…

Aug 26, 2011 5:03 PM CDT

Top NJ Court Changes Rules re Eyewitness ID, Calls for More Pretrial Scrutiny, New Jury Instructions

In a landmark ruling today, the New Jersey Supreme court changed procedural and evidentiary rules concerning eyewitness identification of suspects, saying that 30 years of scientific research had showed it to be less reliable than once thought. Depending on the circumstances of an arrest, suspects will be offered a greater…

Aug 25, 2011 12:17 AM CDT

Inmate Hires Banner Plane to Call Attention to His Delayed Case

A Manhattan inmate awaiting trial for his alleged role in an ID theft ring hired a banner plane to protest his long incarceration. Vadim Vassilenko paid $1,250 to the pilot who displayed his message on Tuesday, the New York Post reports. It read: “V. VASSILENKO JAILED 5+ YRS — NO…

Aug 24, 2011 4:03 PM CDT

Judges’ Role in Policing Eyewitness Testimony Is Back Before Supreme Court

The reliability of eyewitness identification is an issue in a case set to be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in November. The Supreme Court has previously ruled that the due process clause requires judges to exclude at least some eyewitness testimony based on unreliability, the New York Times reports.…

Aug 24, 2011 10:30 AM CDT

Fla. Bar Investigating Casey Anthony Lawyer Jose Baez Over Probation Matter

State bar officials in Florida have opened an investigation into Jose Baez over whether he was fully candid with the court over his client Casey Anthony’s probation. The issue stems from a hearing earlier this month when Orange-Osceola Chief Judge Belvin Perry was determining whether the Anthony ought to be…

Aug 19, 2011 7:40 PM CDT

US to Review 300,000 Deportation Files; Many Might Win Reprieve Under New Case-By-Case Policy

The United States is going to review 300,000 files of those currently in deportation proceedings as alleged illegal immigrants, as well as all future cases, to determine whether the individuals at issue qualify for a reprieve under a new federal policy announced by the White House yesterday. While it isn’t…

Aug 19, 2011 12:44 PM CDT

New Hearing Granted After Lawyer’s Tardiness Is Ruled to Have Deprived Man of Right to Counsel

A man convicted and sentenced to 12 years in prison was granted a new hearing by an appeals court after his attorney failed to show up to the original hearing evidence on time. A 4-1 Appellate Division, First Department panel held that it did not matter that the lawyer for…

Aug 12, 2011 9:29 PM CDT