Criminal Procedure

Trump’s social media post about law clerk leads to gag order

The trial judge hearing the civil fraud case against former President Donald Trump drew the line Tuesday after learning of a social media post targeting his law clerk that included her photo and her name.

Oct 3, 2023 3:47 PM CDT

Ex-lawyer Alex Murdaugh, serving time for murder, pleads guilty to stealing from clients

Disbarred South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh pleaded guilty Thursday to 22 federal charges for stealing millions of dollars from clients and the estate of his late housekeeper.

Sep 22, 2023 10:09 AM CDT

Texas AG Paxton warns Biden administration to ‘buckle up’ after acquittal at impeachment trial

After his acquittal at an impeachment trial Saturday, Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton alleged that the “sham” proceeding was coordinated by the Biden administration along with the “liberal” speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, Republican Dade Phelan.

Sep 18, 2023 10:03 AM CDT

Ex-lawyer Tom Girardi lashes out at prosecutor in competency hearing; brain shrinkage reported

A prosecutor in Los Angeles claimed that an outburst by ex-lawyer Tom Girardi during a competency hearing Wednesday shows that the disbarred lawyer understands the criminal proceedings against him.

Sep 15, 2023 8:41 AM CDT

Leading criminal defense lawyer who represented Clinton in sex scandals dies at 84

Lawyer Robert S. Bennett, known for his representation of high-profile clients enmeshed in scandal, has died at age 84.

Sep 14, 2023 9:33 AM CDT

Criminal charges add twist to Trump lawyers’ disciplinary cases

“Lawyers take an oath, and they have a responsibility that’s not just to their client but to the larger legal community, to the profession and to democracy. When you have lawyers who are working against the rule of law [it’s important] to bring a comprehensive system of accountability,” says Michael J. Teter, the managing director of the 65 Project.

Sep 14, 2023 8:55 AM CDT

Lawyer hired to investigate enemies of Texas AG’s friend was misled and never paid, he testifies

A Houston lawyer hired by suspended Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to investigate conspiracy claims by Paxton’s developer friend has said he was misled and never paid for his work.

Sep 13, 2023 11:16 AM CDT

Collateral estoppel allows jurors to skip liability issue in second Trump defamation trial

A jury considering a second defamation lawsuit against former President Donald Trump by writer E. Jean Carroll can skip the liability issue and decide on damages, a federal judge in New York City has ruled.

Sep 7, 2023 8:59 AM CDT

Meddling clerk ‘betrayed her oath of office’ in Alex Murdaugh murder case, new-trial motion alleges

The elected court clerk in the murder trial of disbarred South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh warned jurors about defense testimony, met privately with a jury foreperson, and “invented a story” about a Facebook post that got a juror removed, according to allegations in a motion for a new trial.

Sep 6, 2023 12:49 PM CDT

So you were convicted of killing someone who’s still alive—now what?

Many installments of this column have focused on true-crime documentaries examining murder convictions and the legal process and “evidence” that led to them. While those series or stand-alone shows are undoubtedly intriguing, we always seem to be left with the same conclusion: Even if the defendant didn’t kill the person, the person is still dead. But what if we were presented with a situation in which someone was convicted for the murder of a person who was subsequently found alive and well?

Sep 6, 2023 9:42 AM CDT

Paxton not fit to be Texas AG, prosecutor says; impeachment trial starts after Senate allows charges

Suspended Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is “not fit to be the attorney general for the state of Texas," according to Texas State Rep. Andrew Murr, who is serving as an impeachment prosecutor.

Sep 6, 2023 8:13 AM CDT

Top state court upholds unaffordable bail for ‘putative gun-toting drug dealer’

Delaware’s constitutional right to bail does not mean that it must be affordable for dangerous defendants, the state’s top court has ruled.

Sep 1, 2023 11:29 AM CDT

A Great Escape: Fugitives and prison cruelty throughout cinematic history

I subscribe to quite a few news apps on my iPhone. I like to get my information regarding U.S. and world events from multiple sources, and feel that if I vary the input sources, there is less chance I’ll fall victim to the self-imposed echo chambers so many of us live in these days.

Aug 29, 2023 10:08 AM CDT

Investigations of federal judges are rare and should happen more, former clerk says

The investigation of federal judges falls under the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act, and it doesn’t happen nearly as often as it should, says the president and founder of the Legal Accountability Project.

Aug 28, 2023 8:16 AM CDT

Federal initiative recovers over $836M in stolen COVID-19 relief funds, DOJ says

From May through July, the U.S. Department of Justice led enforcement actions against 718 individuals for offenses involving more than $836 million in alleged COVID-19 fraud.

Aug 25, 2023 11:42 AM CDT