Criminal Procedure

Americans’ trust in government and elections differs by party affiliation, new report finds

With the November 2024 presidential election less than two months away, a new report by the World Justice Project is ringing alarm bells about American skepticism in the election process, political polarization and an overall lack of faith in government accountability.

Sep 17, 2024 12:01 AM CDT

Nonlawyer entities could provide legal services in Washington in proposed pilot program

Nonlawyer-owned entities would be allowed to deliver legal services in Washington under a pilot program proposed by the Washington State Bar Association and a board created by the Washington Supreme Court.

Sep 11, 2024 2:36 PM CDT

Lawyer chooses lethal injection for inmate who didn’t want to make decision

A South Carolina lawyer has picked lethal injection as the execution method for a client who didn’t want to make the decision because of religious qualms.

Sep 10, 2024 8:50 AM CDT

‘What Jennifer Did’: Senseless killings can take a toll on lawyers working the cases

It’s a tragedy any time a life is lost. This is especially true in situations in which one family member kills another.

Sep 9, 2024 2:48 PM CDT

Trump’s NY hush money sentencing delayed until after November election

A judge on Friday delayed Donald Trump’s hush money sentencing until after the November election, which means voters will cast ballots without knowing whether the Republican nominee could face jail time for his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records.

Sep 6, 2024 12:43 PM CDT

In historic case, father of 14-year-old school shooting suspect charged with murder

Georgia officials charged the father of the suspected Apalachee High gunman with two counts of second-degree murder Thursday—the most severe ever filed against the parent of an alleged school shooter.

Sep 6, 2024 11:15 AM CDT

Lawyer is accused of charging inmates for resentencing petitions despite little chance of success

A Los Angeles lawyer is accused in an ethics complaint of charging inmates to submit requests for resentencing to prosecutors who were unlikely to take action.

Sep 5, 2024 9:17 AM CDT

Creative Legal Fundings company was ‘neither creative nor legal,’ SEC official alleges

A California woman who created a company ostensibly to loan money to personal-injury attorneys is accused of spending millions of dollars in investor funds to support her "lavish lifestyle."

Sep 5, 2024 9:08 AM CDT

Maryland Supreme Court upholds decision to reinstate Adnan Syed murder conviction

The Maryland Supreme Court on Friday upheld an appellate court’s decision to reinstate the murder conviction of Adnan Syed, a blow to the “Serial” podcast subject but one that probably does not conclude his legal fight.

Aug 30, 2024 10:05 AM CDT

Judge must take training after banning law clerk from courthouse and threatening jail time

A Chicago judge who objected to a law clerk carrying his cellphone into her courtroom will have to undergo training after threatening him with jail time and banning him from the entire courthouse.

Aug 29, 2024 8:43 AM CDT

Judge Cannon tossing Trump’s case raises risk for acting prosecutors

Judge Aileen M. Cannon’s surprising dismissal of Donald Trump’s criminal case in Florida could jeopardize not just future special counsels but any federal prosecutor or senior official serving in a temporary position, according to legal experts.

Aug 27, 2024 3:00 PM CDT

Disbarred lawyer Tom Girardi is convicted for stealing $15M from clients

A disbarred lawyer famous for his legal team’s portrayal in the movie Erin Brockovich was convicted Tuesday for stealing $15 million from four clients over the course of a decade.

Aug 27, 2024 2:59 PM CDT

Worried your legal work could contribute to clients’ criminal conduct? New ABA ethics opinion shares guidelines

What are lawyers’ duties to assess the facts and the circumstances of every client’s or potential client’s situation—to ensure that the representation does not contribute or further the client’s criminal or fraudulent activity? This question is addressed in a new ethics opinion from the ABA’s Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility.

Aug 23, 2024 10:03 AM CDT

Family sues judge who ordered teen to be handcuffed after she fell asleep

The mother of a teenage girl sued the Detroit judge who detained and handcuffed her daughter after she fell asleep during a field trip to his courtroom.

Aug 22, 2024 10:03 AM CDT

Ex-babysitter who hit infant 40 years ago pleads guilty to manslaughter in his 2019 death

A former babysitter pleaded guilty to manslaughter Wednesday for the 2019 death of a 35-year-old man, saying in an apology letter she hit him when he was a baby 40 years ago.

Aug 22, 2024 9:56 AM CDT