Judiciary

Deposed Pakistan Chief Justice Still Under House Arrest

More than 10 weeks after the president of Pakistan suspended the country’s constitution and declared what many considered martial law, the chief justice of the country’s supreme court remains under house arrest with his family. Nearly half of the not quite 100 top judges in Pakistan lost their jobs in…

Jan 19, 2008 12:53 AM CST

Texas Justice Indicted, Prosecutor to Seek Dismissal of Charges

The district attorney in Houston says he will ask a court to dismiss charges against Texas Supreme Court Justice David Medina and his wife, indicted yesterday in connection with an arson fire that destroyed their home. Medina was charged with evidence tampering and his wife with arson under the grand…

Jan 18, 2008 11:47 AM CST

Colo. Pedestrians Nabbed for Jury Duty

A number of pedestrians in Greeley, Colo., were stunned yesterday to be handed documents requiring them to report immediately for jury duty as they were out and about, attending to their own affairs. After only 40 of the 200 people summoned for jury duty by mail showed up in court,…

Jan 18, 2008 12:17 AM CST

Mass. Judge Sues Over Injury on Courthouse Steps

Judges in Massachusetts don’t qualify for workers’ compensation. So, after Paul Chernoff fell on some jagged steps at the Norfolk Superior Courthouse in Dedham and fractured his knee, the jurist eventually decided he had no choice but to sue to get someone to take responsibility for his injuries. The judge,…

Jan 17, 2008 11:43 PM CST

Scruggs’ Lawyers Accuse Judge of Targeting Their Client in Bribe Case

Lawyers for Richard “Dickie” Scruggs are seeking to throw out taped conversations about an alleged attempt to bribe a state judge, arguing that one exchange suggests the judge wanted to set up his client. Scruggs’ lawyers are seeking more information about the extent to which Judge Henry Lackey of Mississippi…

Jan 17, 2008 3:39 PM CST

Two Senators Target Judges’ Junkets, Tie Pay Raise to Stricter Rules

Two senators are trying to rein in federal judges’ controversial participation in all-expenses-paid educational junkets sponsored by big corporations, tying a hefty proposed judicial pay increase to stricter rules limiting freebies that the jurists can accept. Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., and Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., are circulating a draft amendment…

Jan 16, 2008 9:01 PM CST

Motion Questions W. Va. Chief Justice’s Monte Carlo Meals With Coal CEO

A motion filed Monday seeks the disqualification of the chief justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court in a case against a coal company based on allegations he vacationed with the CEO in Monte Carlo. The motion seeking the disqualification of Justice Elliott “Spike” Maynard included photographs taken in Monte…

Jan 15, 2008 1:25 PM CST

Investments Stop Calif. High Court From Hearing Lockheed Case

Because four of seven justices on the California Supreme Court own stock in Lockheed Martin or companies that provided related materials, they can’t hear an appeal involving several dozen workers who say they were injured by chemical exposure. The case is the talk of the state appellate bar, but Chief…

Jan 15, 2008 12:51 AM CST

More Details Emerge in Scruggs Bribery Case, Former Counsel Pleads

More details were revealed in court today concerning an alleged attempt by famed Mississippi personal injury attorney Richard Scruggs and four others to bribe a judge last year for a favorable ruling in a $26.5 million case involving Hurricane Katrina legal fees. Meanwhile, in a separate case in which Scruggs…

Jan 14, 2008 7:15 PM CST

Judge Accused of Sex Harassment Returns to Bench

U.S. District Judge Samuel Kent returned to the bench in Galveston, Texas, yesterday after a four-month suspension for alleged sexual harassment. He won’t be hearing cases involving sexual misconduct or in which the federal government is a party, the Galveston Daily News reports. Kent was suspended based on accusations he…

Jan 11, 2008 2:09 PM CST

Judge’s Night Gig: White-Collar Boxing

By day, Philip Maier is an administrative law judge in New York, applying the rule of law to resolve labor disputes. But at night the 49-year-old jurist can often be found duking it out with other professionals in the boxing ring, reports the Epoch Times. A participant in a 20-year-old…

Jan 10, 2008 4:13 PM CST

DA Probes ‘Sadly Predictable’ Murder; Victim Never Warned of Spouse’s Release

New details have emerged in the case of a California woman murdered last week by her increasingly abusive husband, and the district attorney’s office in Los Angeles County reportedly is investigating why the prosecution not only didn’t oppose but actually recommended his release on his own recognizance as part of…

Jan 9, 2008 6:26 PM CST

Judge Fit to Be Tied Over Ascot-Wearing Lawyer

A Milwaukee judge known as a fastidious dresser held up a sentencing hearing for three hours yesterday because a prosecutor came to court wearing an ascot. Judge William Sosnay said the ascot violates a court rule that requires lawyers to wear neckties and “borders on contemptuous,” the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel…

Jan 9, 2008 2:02 PM CST

Judge: Listening to Lawyers is Hard Work

It isn’t easy trying to pay close attention to lawyers talking in court, because they can be quite boring, says a senior Australian judge. Too often, complains Justice Peter Young, traditional presentations to the court lack drama, and may not even be particularly relevant to the case, reports the Australian,…

Jan 8, 2008 11:02 PM CST

Formal Charges Filed Against Controversial Vegas Judge

Formal ethics charges have been filed against Las Vegas Judge Elizabeth Halverson, who was suspended on an interim basis this fall based on allegations that she mistreated staff and slept during court hearings. The 14-count complaint (PDF) contends Halverson fell asleep on the bench three times, had improper conversations with…

Jan 8, 2008 8:32 PM CST