Brilliant Arguments


George Orwell Is Coming to Get You Both

Well, this is quite remarkable. In this commentary (via Salon), the lawyer who argued that waterboarding does not constitute "torture" now harshly criticizes another lawyer for arguing that bombing does not constitute "hostilities." The making of "utterly farcical" arguments of this kind undermines…



A New Contender for Worst Legal Brief

In considering whether something could be the "worst legal brief" ever filed, we have to recognize that there are different kinds of badness. Many briefs are filed every year by people who are, evidently, insane. If it is fair to…


Teeth Are Not “Dangerous Weapons,” Says Oregon Court

Oregon has joined those jurisdictions holding that teeth are not "dangerous weapons" for purposes of a statute that enhances punishment for crimes in which they are employed. The defendant had employed said teeth Mike-Tyson-style to detach part of his neighbor's…


Woman Sues Adidas After Fall She Blames on Sticky Shoes

Please be advised that certain new shoes may pose a tripping hazard, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday against Adidas. The Chicago Sun-Times reports (via the ABA Journal) that a woman is alleging she was injured in 2010 because her…


Please, Lord, Let Joe Francis Represent Himself at Trial

If I remember correctly, Joe Francis, the "brains" behind "Girls Gone Wild" and sleazemaster extraordinaire, has been mentioned here before. <Google search> "Girls Gone Wild" Founder Says Judge Has Gone Wild in Suit Filed by Girls Who Had Previously Gone…



Judge Rules Pizza Slice Is a “Solid Object”

A Pennsylvania statute provides: Whoever intentionally throws, shoots, drops or causes to be propelled any solid object, from an overpass or any other location adjacent to or on a roadway, onto or toward said roadway shall be guilty of a…


Prosecutors Taking a Second Look at the Red Bull Defense

It appears that prosecutors in Pinellas County, Florida, may have changed their minds about accepting the Red Bull defense being asserted by Stephen Coffeen. As you may recall, Coffeen is the gentleman claiming that a combination of sleep deprivation and…