How Long Can Your Lawyer Nap Before It’s “Ineffective Assistance of Counsel”?
As long as it’s it’s less than a “substantial portion” of trial, the Constitution doesn’t mind.
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…
Motion to Exclude Large-Breasted Woman From Trial
Defendant’s counsel apparently believed she would be a distraction.
Though in Contempt (and Contemptible), Joe Francis Still Wins
The ABA Journal reports today that the jury in the civil suit against "Girls Gone Wild" guy Joe Francis has found in his favor, after deliberating for 12 hours on Wednesday night. As I reported last week, Francis was going…
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…
Juror in Stolen-Credit-Card Case Steals Fellow Juror’s Credit Card
Prosecutors in the Bronx have charged 20-year-old Jennifer Mercado with credit card theft after a shopping spree in which she allegedly bought over $500 worth of stuff using someone else's credit card without authorization. She may have gotten the idea…