Judiciary

A Cowgirl Rides the Circuits

Retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor puts her brand on federal appellate courts

Apr 1, 2008 4:07 PM CDT

Judge Holds DWI Court at High School

Instead of waiting to see area high school students show up on the wrong side of his courtroom, New Mexico Magistrate Danny Hawkes has decided to take his courtroom on the road—holding DWI hearings in packed auditoriums and requiring defendants to give impromptu speeches about why these youngsters shouldn’t drink…

Mar 31, 2008 10:33 PM CDT

Ex-Judge Gets 3-Month Suspension for Alcohol Issues and Criticizing Another Judge

A former Iowa judge, after a second conviction for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, is being barred from practicing law for three months partly because he criticized the judge presiding over his case. The Iowa Supreme Court’s ruling (PDF) Friday cited the convictions and two statements former Muscatine Judge James…

Mar 31, 2008 6:33 PM CDT

Former DA on Mission to Eliminate Closed-Door Sentencing Review Panels

Bolstered by support from the legislature, prosecutors in Georgia are mounting a full assault against the state’s system of judicial review panels that, in some cases, reduced prison terms. The challenge, which is being reviewed by the state supreme court today, could impact dozens of inmates whose sentences have already…

Mar 31, 2008 5:34 PM CDT

Ethics Commission Recommends Suspension for Miss. Judge Tied to Scruggs

Mississippi’s Commission on Judicial Performance has recommended an interim suspension for a trial judge under investigation in connection with plaintiffs lawyer Richard “Dickie” Scruggs. The commission is investigating allegations that a Scruggs associate promised Judge Bobby DeLaughter that he would be considered for a federal judgeship at the same time…

Mar 31, 2008 12:46 PM CDT

Judge: Learn English or Go to Jail

A judge in Luzerne County, Pa., has ordered four robbery defendants to brush up on their English-speaking skills. If they don’t they’ll face more jail time. Judge Peter Paul Olszewski Jr. made learning English a part of his sentence earlier this week, a decision that has garnered national media attention.…

Mar 28, 2008 5:15 PM CDT

Group Seeks Recall of Tree-Cutting Judge for ‘Evil Terrorism’ from the Bench

A recall petition against a California judge claims he inflicts “evil terrorism” from the bench and poses an “extreme danger to children and parents.” The recall targets Judge Peter McBrien of Sacramento for two decisions in 1998 and 1989 in which he is accused of placing children in the homes…

Mar 28, 2008 2:35 PM CDT

ABA President Calls for Reinstatement of Pakistan Judges

Momentum appears to be growing for the potential reinstatement of dozens of Pakistan appellate judges who were removed from office last year by the country’s president as part of an emergency suspension of the constitution. The judges’ release from house arrest Monday, as the first act of the country’s newly…

Mar 26, 2008 7:35 PM CDT

First Female Judge Named in United Arab Emirates

The president of the United Arab Emirates has appointed the federation’s first female judge. Acting in his role as the ruler of Abu Dhabi, the wealthiest of the seven member-states of the UAE, President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan yesterday named Kholoud Ahmad Jouan al-Dhaheri as a new member of…

Mar 26, 2008 4:50 PM CDT

‘Girls Gone Wild’ Founder Claims Judge Retaliated for Impeachment Effort

Raunchy-video king Joe Francis claims a federal judge is retaliating against him for looking into the possibility of impeachment. Francis, the founder of “Girls Gone Wild,” claims he is being targeted by U.S. District Judge Richard Smoak, the Associated Press reports. The judge oversaw a civil case filed by women…

Mar 26, 2008 1:46 PM CDT

9th Circuit Bounces Judge from Case for Favoring Prosecution

A federal appeals court has removed U.S. District Judge Manuel Real in a securities fraud case for creating an atmosphere that favored the prosecution. The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered a new trial for two convicted defendants, saying they were prejudiced by Real’s “excessive and biased…

Mar 26, 2008 12:00 PM CDT

Pakistan Judges Freed by New Prime Minister

In his first act as Pakistan’s new prime minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani today freed the country’s deposed supreme court chief justice and some 60 other jurists from the house arrest under which they have been held since November. “This is a historic moment, ushering in an era of democracy that…

Mar 24, 2008 8:36 PM CDT

Wisconsin Justice Dubbed ‘Loophole Louis’ in TV Ads

When Wisconsin voters decide whether to retain Justice Louis Butler on the state’s top court in the April 1 election, they may be swayed by a critical TV ad. It dubs the justice “Loophole Louis” for rulings favoring defendants in criminal cases. Not to be outdone, Butler supporters are running…

Mar 24, 2008 2:27 PM CDT

Texas Defense Lawyer Jailed Over Lewd Courtroom Gesture

A Texas defense lawyer representing a client in a DUI case was jailed briefly last week after he allegedly made a lewd gesture to let the judge know what he thought of a prosecution complaint in the case. Adam Reposa, 33, was held in criminal contempt of court and jailed…

Mar 21, 2008 6:03 PM CDT

Removal Recommended for Judge Who Disparaged ‘White Folks’

A judge accused of making racially charged statements about “white folks” and then lying about it in an affidavit should be removed from the bench, according to the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance. Judge Solomon Osborne is accused of making the statement in a September 2006 speech, the Clarion Ledger…

Mar 21, 2008 11:56 AM CDT