Sentencing/Post Conviction

Lawyer pleads guilty in connection with cyberattacks on Leagle and RipoffReport

A lawyer in Wichita, Kansas, will have to pay about $430,000 after pleading guilty in connection with a cyberattack on websites that posted negative information about him.

Oct 17, 2019 10:45 AM CDT

Expunging records with new technology

In this new episode of the Legal Rebels Podcast, Legal Affairs Writer Jason Tashea talks to professors Colleen Chien and Sarah Lageson about their research into the modern trials and tribulations of expungement and sealing of criminal records.

Oct 16, 2019 6:00 AM CDT

Jurors reject death penalty for accused triggerman in law prof’s murder; another trial is pending

Jurors rejected Tuesday the death penalty for accused triggerman Sigfredo Garcia in the July 2014 murder of Florida State University law professor Dan Markel.

Oct 15, 2019 12:38 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: 9-year-old is charged with murder; court nominee won’t answer Ukraine questions

9-year-old boy is charged with murder A 9-year-old boy in central Illinois has been charged with arson and five counts of murder for allegedly causing a mobile home fire in April that killed four of his relatives and his mother’s fiance. The boy’s mother told the Chicago Tribune that her…

Oct 11, 2019 3:13 PM CDT

New California law allows felons who served their time to serve on juries

A new California law allows many former inmates with felony records to serve on juries. California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the measure Tuesday, the Recorder reports. KTVU has previous coverage of the bill. The “Right to a Jury of Your Peers” law allows felons to serve on juries if they…

Oct 11, 2019 12:09 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Arrests for low-level crimes plummet; inmate complains about commissary-money restitution

Arrests for low-level crimes plummet in some cities and states In some cities and states, arrests are plummeting for minor crimes such as disorderly conduct, loitering, prostitution and driving violations. Areas with lower arrest rates for such crimes include New York, California and rural Virginia, along with the cities of…

Oct 10, 2019 4:07 PM CDT

Murder conviction vacated on basis of ineffective lawyering that included false statements to jury

A federal judge in Indianapolis has cited ineffective assistance of counsel in vacating the 2006 murder conviction of a man accused of killing an Indiana University student.

Oct 9, 2019 11:12 AM CDT

After religious freedom group files ethics complaint, judge explains why she gave ex-cop a hug and a Bible

Judge Tammy Kemp said she gave former Dallas cop Amber Guyger a hug after she asked for one and a Bible after she said she didn’t have one. Kemp spoke about her actions after Guyger received a 10-year prison sentence for fatally shooting her neighbor.

Oct 8, 2019 2:54 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Lawyer convicted in conspiracy involving fake law firms; legal jobs fall

Lawyer convicted in conspiracy that involved creation of fake law firms Virginia lawyer David H. Miller, 70, of Fairfax was convicted Friday on charges of conspiring to defraud and to launder fraud proceeds totaling more than $1.5 million. Miller was accused of helping set up fake law firms to bill…

Oct 7, 2019 3:48 PM CDT

Judge gives Bible to ex-cop after conviction, bringing ethics complaint from religious freedom foundation

Convicted Dallas police officer Amber Guyger received a hug from the victim’s brother and a Bible from the judge after the sentencing hearing.

Oct 4, 2019 12:14 PM CDT

Former Willkie co-chair gets 1-month prison sentence in college admissions scandal

Gordon Caplan, the former co-chair of Willkie Farr & Gallagher, was sentenced to one month in prison Thursday after he apologized in a Boston courtroom for participating in the college cheating scandal.

Oct 3, 2019 3:00 PM CDT

Ex-lawyer gets jail time for stealing from and vandalizing law firm; judge cites ‘vengeful’ sex toy purchase

A disbarred Pennsylvania lawyer was sentenced to 1½ to 3 years in prison on Wednesday for stealing from her Harrisburg law firm and vandalizing its offices after she was fired.

Oct 3, 2019 10:54 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Justice for bilked law firms; conviction upheld for driving lawn mower while drunk

Belgian man to plead guilty in scheme to bilk US law firms and charities Belgian national Aref Said has notified a Massachusetts federal court that he plans to plead guilty in a case alleging that he and a co-conspirator used counterfeit checks to scam law firms and charities. In the…

Oct 2, 2019 4:21 PM CDT

Ex-judge receives 5-year prison sentence for bribery scheme

A former Texas judge who was found guilty in July of accepting cash bribes in exchange for favorable court rulings has been sentenced to five years in prison.

Sep 27, 2019 9:58 AM CDT

Judge warns about ‘unfettered’ disclosure of client secrets in lawyer response to unfiled-appeal claim

A federal magistrate judge has ordered a West Virginia lawyer accused of ineffective assistance of counsel to respond to his one-time client’s allegations in a way that limits disclosure of confidential information. U.S. Magistrate Judge Cheryl Eifert of Charleston, West Virginia, said lawyer Roger Lambert should respond to allegations that…

Sep 24, 2019 3:40 PM CDT