Legal System

Warren Jeffs Fires Defense Team, Now Represented by God

Everybody wants God on their side, but über-polygamist Warren Jeffs is apparently getting legal advice directly from Him. Jeffs, who is the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS), is on trial in Texas…


Blagojevich’s Mouth Turned Against Him in Retrial, Jurors Say

Quick flashback to Blagojevich I (from a July 2010 post): "Rod Blagojevich yells his innocence as he comes out offederal court Thursday afternoon." (Chicago Sun-Times) I'd like to think that each of the Blagojevich II jurors struck the same pose as he…


Opera Singer Acquitted of Tofu-Related Assault Charges

Bringing an end to what will certainly be the next ripped-from-the-headlines "Law & Order" drama, a New York judge acquitted Marcella Caprario on Wednesday of charges that she slapped another shopper at Trader Joe's. The fight with Dr. Cathleen London…




How to Avoid Jury Duty, #8: Be Pals With a Serial Killer

Here's how this one works: Standard voir dire question: "Has anyone you know ever been convicted of a crime?" Non-standard answer: "I had a close friend in high school who killed 17 people." Resulting statement: "We would like to thank…


Blagojevich Convicted on One of 24 Counts

The jury in the trial of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has, after two weeks of deliberating, managed to agree on exactly one of the 24 counts alleged in the indictment.  The jury apparently agreed that Blagojevich lied to federal…


Watch Those “Jury Duty” Tweets, People

I was on NPR's Science Friday show this week, yapping about how lawyers are using Facebook profile information as evidence (summary: we use it all the time, if it might be relevant), and one of the topics we discussed is…



Christ Excused From Jury Duty

Yet another way to get out of jury duty: change your name to "Jesus Christ." Actually, that may not be enough, based on the report this week that Jesus Christ, in this incarnation a 59-year-old woman formerly known as "Dorothy…