Judiciary

Erosion of Courts’ Power Worries Justices

In extended oral arguments (PDF) yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court weighed the power of President Bush to order state courts to carry out an international court decision. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. allowed the usual one-hour argument to go on an extra 26 minutes, “a bonus of nearly 50…

Oct 11, 2007 10:37 AM CDT

Four NJ Judges Investigated in Parking-Ticket Probe

The New Jersey attorney general is investigating whether four municipal court judges in Jersey City fixed parking tickets for friends and family. One of the judges under investigation is Wanda Molina, who was the chief judge until she resigned last month, the New York Times reports. Officials told the newspaper…

Oct 10, 2007 1:09 PM CDT

Costly Error Linked to 4th Circuit Nominee

A lawyer nominated to a federal appeals court was lead attorney on an $8 million appeal that got tossed because the trial transcript was not filed by the deadline. E. Duncan Getchell Jr. of McGuireWoods asked the Virginia Supreme Court to hear the appeal anyway, but the judges refused, the…

Oct 10, 2007 11:00 AM CDT

Brain Secrets Study Could Change Courts

A $10 million multidisciplinary brain secrets study launched today could eventually bring big changes to the nation’s courtrooms. With the help of 25 participating universities, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is bringing “lawyers, judges, philosophers, legal scholars and scientists together to address how to use in the…

Oct 9, 2007 4:18 PM CDT

Man Accused of Shooting Divorce Judge Gets New Venue

After three days of unsuccessful jury selection, a judge in Nevada has ordered a venue change in the case of a man accused of killing his estranged wife and shooting the judge handling their divorce. Judge Douglas Herndon cited a list of special factors that led to the decision to…

Oct 5, 2007 10:27 AM CDT

Top NJ Judge Joins 2—Yes, 2—Family Firms

When it came time to retire from the bench and return to law practice, former New Jersey Chief Justice James Zazzali had a hard time making a choice between two family law firms. So he didn’t. Zazzali is now counsel at both a Newark, N.J., law firm started by his…

Oct 4, 2007 7:05 PM CDT

Reporter Shield Law Moves Ahead in Senate

A proposed federal law that would protect journalists from having to reveal their sources in federal court has moved forward in the U.S. Senate. The Free Flow of Information Act was passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee onto the floor today, reports the Associated Press. If enacted, it would…

Oct 4, 2007 4:27 PM CDT

Arson Fire Destroyed Home of TX Justice, Marshal Says

A June fire that gutted the home of Texas Supreme Court Justice David Medina was arson, the fire marshal has concluded. Investigators have subpoenaed cell phone records of the judge’s family members and friends, six of whom have been identified as “people of interest,” the Houston Chronicle reports. Family members…

Oct 4, 2007 3:21 PM CDT

Justices Ask: What’s Wrong With ‘Sham’ Judge Elections?

Skeptical U.S. Supreme Court justices appear to side with the state of New York in a challenge to its system of electing judges. In oral arguments yesterday, only Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg appeared sympathetic to the judge challenging the nominating convention system where political party leaders hold sway. And she…

Oct 4, 2007 11:59 AM CDT

Efforts to Protect Judges Fall Short

Threats against federal judges are rising, yet efforts to improve protection for them are “languishing,” according to a Justice Department report (PDF). The U.S. Marshals Service, charged with protecting federal judges, had a backlog of 1,190 reported threats to review as of October 2006, according to the Associated Press. In…

Oct 4, 2007 10:42 AM CDT

L.A. Courthouse Evacuated

Police ordered the evacuation of the federal courthouse in Los Angeles this morning because of an item described as a briefcase or possibly a travel bag left outside. A bomb squad removed the “suspicious item” and found no explosives, KNBC.com reports.

Oct 3, 2007 5:02 PM CDT

Former Top Judge Regains Law License

The former chief judge of New York’s highest court has regained his law license, 15 years after he was arrested for harassing socialite Joy Silverman. The 77-year-old Sol Wachtler told the New York Post he is delighted. He plans to do legal work for the poor and mentally ill, the…

Oct 3, 2007 2:29 PM CDT

Judge Accused of Spanking Inmates Resigns

Ethics charges have been dropped against an Alabama judge accused of helping friends and family by reducing their sentences or changing their status. The Judicial Inquiry Commission moved to dismiss the charges less than a day after Judge Herman Thomas resigned from the bench, WKRG.com reports. A criminal investigation, however,…

Oct 3, 2007 12:35 PM CDT

‘Bar-Certified Sane Lawyer’ in New Judge Dispute

Anti-porn crusader Jack Thompson has had his share of disputes with judges. The South Florida lawyer is vocal in his criticism—so vocal that The Florida Bar is considering two complaints that contend his statements about two judges violated ethics rules. Now Thompson’s lawsuit (PDF) attempting to put a stop to…

Oct 3, 2007 12:10 AM CDT

20-Year CA Judge Removed from Bench

A former prosecutor who was appointed a California state court judge nearly 20 years ago has been removed from the bench for “misconduct” and “gross neglect” of his judicial duties. Superior Court Judge Robert Spitzer, who sits in Riverside County, was removed from the bench today by the California Commission…

Oct 2, 2007 10:20 PM CDT