Two states have had their early abortion bans blocked in federal court this month, and although Arizona and Arkansas laws are among the first early abortion laws to receive a real federal judicial treatment, they won’t be the last. Many states have been able to push through legislation that complies with Roe v. Wade but still limits abortions, like Texas’ pre-abortion ultrasounds. So how did these laws not pass federal muster?...
It’s hard out here for a Juggalo. Just ask Sarah Hastings, devoted Insane Clown Posse fan who took to the stage at a concert in St. Petersburg, then took a dive after slipping in the band’s boisson de guerre, Faygo soda. While Faygo showers are a normal element of ICP’s live shows, Hastings claims the venue’s staff should have done better to ensure the floor “was not left in a slippery and dangerous condition....
Teenage love grips many of the nation’s minors, and many minors will become sexually active by sleeping with another minor. But statutory rape laws make it a crime to have sex with any person under the “age of consent.” Lawmakers understand that teens want to make love, but is sex between two minors a crime? Statutory Rape Laws Young peers having sex is a story as old as Pyramus and Thisbe, Romeo and Juliet, or half the cast of “Glee” with the other half....
An Oklahoma man will now face prison time after killing his stepfather … with an atomic wedgie. It isn’t even close to being a joke, even though it sounds like one. Brad Lee Davis was charged with murder of his stepfather, Denver St. Clair, after a drunken family brawl left the older man dead from asphyxiation. Davis has pleaded guilty to first degree manslaughter and now awaits sentencing. The Fight According to police, Davis and St....
Since 2004, companies SCO Group and Novell, Inc., have been litigating the question of who owns the copyrights to the Unix operating system. On March 30, a federal jury verdict in Salt Lake City found that Novell is the legal owner of the Unix copyrights. eWeek reports that Novell executives testifying in court admitted that they had intended to sell ownership rights along with the service rights to SCO. However, the jury found that the 1996 amendment to the contract transferring these rights was never voted on by Novell’s board of directors and never became a binding agreement....
How does the saying go? “It takes a wolf to catch a wolf.” And it appears that the wolf who ran Silk Road was caught by a couple law enforcement wolves who were pocketing bitcoin during their investigation. Ross Ulbricht was convicted of seven criminal charges in his operation of the underground website, ranging from hacking to drug trafficking, and was sentenced to life in prison. He is appealing both his conviction and sentence based on two federal agents pleading guilty to corrupt misconduct during his investigation....
Temperatures are dropping, which means many consumers are in the market for a new space heater for the winter. But beware: While it’s an important and useful appliance, a space heater can also be harmful to you and your family. Heating elements can cause burns, and can be a fire hazard if not treated carefully, Denver’s KUSA-TV reports. If it’s time to buy a space heater or upgrade your old model, keep the following tips in mind to stay safe and warm this winter:...
The U.S. Supreme Court has potentially changed the way defense attorneys handle plea bargains. In a pair of cases out of Missouri and Michigan, the Court has ruled that the Sixth Amendment right to effective counsel in criminal proceedings applies to plea offers that lapse or are rejected. Justice Kennedy, writing for the majority, also wrote that plea bargain counsel has a duty to communicate all formal and favorable prosecution offers to the accused....
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday reversed an appeals court ruling that would have given Mumia Abu-Jamal a chance to dodge the death penalty. According to CNN, the Supreme Court ruling tossed out a lower court ruling that would have invalidated the death sentence of black political activist Mumia Abu-Jamal for the 1981 murder of a Philadelphia police officer. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals had previously ruled that Abu-Jamal was entitled to a new sentencing hearing....
In an effort to target gang violence, states create statutes that punish gang-related crime more severely than other offenses. Enhancement statutes are used as a tool in plea negotiations by prosecutors and in sentencing by judges. But now one such law in Tennessee has been struck down as overly-broad and unconstitutional, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel, which means that defendants sentenced under this statute will need new hearings. Let’s look at why it was unconstitutional and who might get a new hearing....
Mobile malware is becoming a bigger problem every day. Especially now, considering some Americans use their phones more than their computers. Putting a stop to mobile malware isn’t that easy. What is malware? It’s essentially viruses or programs that can wreak havoc on your phone . Malware can cause lags and system errors, and can introduce worms and trojans to your system. In short: you don’t want malware on your phone....
After a national tragedy, like the recent mass shooting in Las Vegas at the Route 91 Harvest Festival, you may want to reach deep into your pocketbook to help the victims, or donate to related causes. However, before you decide to donate, you may want to confirm that you’re really donating your money to a real charity rather than just giving it to a scammer. As disgusting as it sounds, some scammers have already tried to capitalize on the mass shooting in Las Vegas....
For some, the biggest news out of this November’s election was the legalization of recreational marijuana use in Oregon, Alaska, and Washington, D.C. The two states and the District of Columbia are now set to join Colorado and Washington state – which both passed recreational marijuana laws in 2012 – in allowing both medical and recreational use of marijuana. But until the newly passed laws take effect, pot users may still run afoul of existing laws prohibiting marijuana use in these jurisdictions....
Will a cow shot cure our national difficulties combating E. coli? It just might. Vaccines like the one recently approved by the Department of Agriculture may not totally wipe out the dangerous strain of E. coli bacterium called O157:H7, but in combination with the other safeguards already in place, it could substantially lessen the outbreaks that can sicken and kill. Since January of 2007, there were 52 recalls of beef due to E....
A former “MasterChef’” finalist was arrested Monday for assaulting a university police officer – part of a wild rampage that the reality show contestant allegedly blamed on celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. Josh Marks, 26, was approached by a University of Chicago police officer who noticed cuts on his face while he attempted to use an emergency phone. The incident ended with Marks allegedly lunging at the cop, “striking him with a closed fist,” and trying to grab the officer’s gun, TMZ reports....
About 1 million Simplicity cribs are being recalled due to a hardware problem that could lead to infant suffocation or entrapment, according to an announcement from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Some of the affected cribs carry a “Graco” logo. A CPSC Press Release contains detailed information about the recall, including affected model numbers and photos illustrating the hardware and installation issues. At least three infant deaths and seven infant entrapments are among the more than 50 incidents that have been reported to CPSC involving these cribs....
Chances are good that you already know what DUI means. After all, drunken driving – no matter what you call the offense – is a crime in every state. But while DUI might be a familiar legal term to most laypeople, many of the other words and phrases associated with DUI law may not be. Here are five DUI terms that every driver should know: If you are facing DUI-related charges, a DUI lawyer can help explain the charges and your legal options....
Advocates for same sex marriages won a small victory in the state of New York’s Supreme Court on Thursday. The court unanimously rejected the challenge to NY’s policies that can recognize benefits stemming from same sex unions legal in other states such as Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont. Who will be positively affected? One case before the court involved the State Department of Civil Service which granted insurance benefits to same sex partners of state and local workers married out of state....
Who really wants to watch a reality television show based on the comings and goings at the DMV? Apparently, Ashton Kutcher believes a lot of people do as he sought to create a reality show centered on the Department of Motor Vehicles in California. But with the state department backing out last minute, Ashton Kutcher sues DMV seeking damages and costs. Ashton Kutcher’s television production company, Katalyst Media, wants $1.44 million from the DMV....
The summer of recalls continues, with BMW getting in on the action. The automaker is recalling nearly 200,000 vehicles. The BMW recall includes BMWs from the 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series, and Roll-Royce. The safety concern involves power brake lines which could develop a leak. BMW said it has no reports of accidents or injures and that mechanical braking would still stop the vehicle in the case of a leak....
