Military Law

Detainee Lawyer Discusses Gitmo Conditions

In an interview reported in the Wall Street Journal’s law blog today, New York City lawyer Sarah Havens says years of harsh treatment have worn down clients she represents who are being detained at the Guantanamo military prison. However, the presence of habeas attorneys has helped improve conditions, she contends.…

Apr 27, 2007 10:02 PM CDT

Germany Won’t Charge U.S. in War Crimes Case

German prosecutors reportedly said today that their country will not pursue a war crimes case against high-ranking U.S. officials that was requested by a New York City-based human rights group. The Center for Constitutional Rights had alleged that current and former Bush administration officials were complicit in the torture of…

Apr 27, 2007 8:38 PM CDT

Spain Indicts 3 U.S. Soldiers for Homicide

A Spanish judge indicted three U.S. soldiers today over the 2003 death of a Spanish journalist killed by tank fire while staying in a Baghdad hotel. The three were charged with homicide and “a crime against the international community,” which under Spanish law is defined as an indiscriminate or excessive…

Apr 27, 2007 8:37 PM CDT

Top U.S. Officer Allegedly Aided Enemy in Iraq

In an unusual case that could conceivably lead to the death penalty upon conviction, a former top U.S. military commander at a maximum security prison near Baghdad reportedly has been charged with aiding the enemy in Iraq. According to a statement released today by the military, Lt. Col. William H.…

Apr 26, 2007 10:02 PM CDT

Congress Votes to End War, Bush to Veto Bill

In an unprecedented challenge to the Bush administration’s policy concerning the so-called war on terror, Congress today enacted legislation that ties a deadline for withdrawing American combat troops to continued funding of the effort. The president has said he will veto the bill. In a 51-46 vote, the Senate agreed…

Apr 26, 2007 8:42 PM CDT

Today in Legal History: U.S. Declares War on Spain, NY Mandates Car Plates, ‘Dixie’ Flag Retired

On this day in 1898, the U.S. declared war against Spain, involving America in Cuba’s struggle for independence. For details, see this Library of Congress Web page. On this day in 1901, New York became the first state to require car owners to register and get license plates for their…

Apr 25, 2007 5:14 PM CDT

Captured at 15, Now a Gitmo Murder Defendant

In what may be the first of dozens of new prosecutions of foreign detainees being held at Guantanamo Bay, the U.S. military charged a Canadian with murder and other crimes today. The defendant, Omar Khadr, 20, reportedly was captured in 2002 in Afghanistan at age 15, after being severely wounded,…

Apr 25, 2007 12:26 AM CDT

Today in Legal History: Library of Congress, War Prisoner Code, Forensic Evidence Misused

On this day in 1800, President John Adams approved a then-hefty $5,000 appropriation to establish the Library of Congress, 20 percent of which went for law books (mainly on British and international subjects). Today the largest library in the world, with a collection of well over 100 million items, the…

Apr 24, 2007 5:21 PM CDT

Man Held, Secretly, in London Terror Bombings

A Pakistani man appeared in court last week for the first time in his home country after allegedly being abducted from South Africa 18 months ago and held secretly in connection with the 2005 suicide bombings in London, according to news reports. The lawyer for Khalid Mehmood Rashid said he…

Apr 18, 2007 7:45 PM CDT

Marine Pleads, Will Testify in 24 Iraqi Murders

In a plea deal announced today in the deadliest criminal case resulting from the Iraq war, the U.S. Marine Corps has dismissed all charges against one defendant and granted him immunity. In exchange for promised testimony by Sgt. Sanick P. Dela Cruz against fellow Marines, the service dismissed all charges…

Apr 17, 2007 11:36 PM CDT

Suspects Deny Terrorist Role

Two detainees accused of being high-level al-Qaida operatives denied taking part in terrorist attacks during their military review hearings, according to transcripts released by the Pentagon yesterday. One of the two men, Ali Abdul Aziz Ali, not only denied involvement, he also claimed to have supplied “vital and important information”…

Apr 13, 2007 4:09 PM CDT

House Investigates Misleading Military Statements

A House committee is investigating whether the U.S. military had a strategy of misleading the public about the death of Army Spc. Pat Tillman in Afghanistan and the “rescue” of Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch from a hospital in Iraq, and will hold a hearing on April 24, the Associated Press…

Apr 10, 2007 9:10 PM CDT

British Sailors Can’t Sell Their Stories

Britain has done an about-face about allowing 15 marines and sailors recently held captive in Iran to sell their stories. Reversing a highly controversial decision, the government announced today that no members of the military may sell information to the media, reports the New York Times. More details about the…

Apr 9, 2007 8:07 PM CDT

Military Lawyers In Service

ABA, JAG Corps Assist Our Citizen-Soldiers and Families on the Home Front

Nov 25, 2006 6:37 AM CST

Recruit Suit

Supreme Court to Consider Interplay of Federal Funding and First Amendment

Dec 29, 2005 11:51 AM CST