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Looks like even the governor has trouble complying with California’s traffic laws. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was caught getting into his silver convertible Porsche in a red zone, the Los Angles Times reports. The city typically issues a $90 citation to red zone violators. According to the California Driver Handbook, there is no stopping, standing, or parking in red zones. Buses may stop at a red zone marked for buses. His violations comes on the heels of California first lady Maria Shriver who was caught violating the same law a few weeks ago....

Apollo Nida, husband of “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Phaedra Parks, has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison. Nida’s sentence will also include restitution to the victims of the $2 million bank, mail, and wire fraud scheme Nida was convicted of perpetrating, reports The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. What was Nida’s scheme, and how did the judge calculate the eight-year sentence? Nida’s criminal enterprise involved using two fake companies to compile personal information on victims for use in identity theft, reports CNN....

Have you been wondering why you haven’t seen many media appearances by Jon Gosselin lately? A Maryland judge recently granted a preliminary injunction ordering the reality TV dad to stop making media appearances. This is the latest to unfold in Jon Gosselin’s ongoing legal battles against the TLC cable network. CNN reports that, TLC won a preliminary injunction against Gosselin that prevents the reality TV dad to stop making media appearances and endorsements the TLC network claim violate his contract....

A federal grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging nine people in Israel with operating a ‘boiler room’ telemarketing lottery scam that targeted elderly victims in the United States. The wire and mail fraud conspiracy charges allege that unknowing senior citizens were conned into sending millions of dollars for nonexistent sweepstakes lotteries. Like the Boiler Room movie, this reportedly four (4) year scam suggests there was a high-pressure operation targeting vulnerable victims....

Generally speaking, jury deliberations are considered a “black box,” into which courts are loathe to peer. The sanctity and secrecy of the jury room predates the Constitution itself, and courts have refused to review jury verdicts even in the face of claims of juror bias or drug or alcohol abuse in order to foster “full and vigorous discussion” of the case at hand. But racist remarks, according to a new ruling from the Supreme Court, may violate a defendant’s right to a fair trial and therefore require judicial review....

On Tuesday, January 9th, the U.S. House of Representatives began action on the 100 Hours legislative agenda. The specific measures scheduled to be taken up are: Tuesday, January 9 - Implement the 9/11 Commission Recommendations - H.R. 1 (Bill Status, Bill Text in HTML, Bill Text in PDF) Wednesday, January 10 - Increase the Minimum Wage - H.R. 2 (Bill Status, Bill Text in HTML, Bill Text in PDF) Thursday, January 11 - Expand Stem Cell Research - H....

The United States Department of Justice announced this week that it will phase out its use of private prisons for federal convicts. A DOJ memo noted that private prisons offered fewer rehabilitative programs and resources, were less safe, and cost just as much as Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities. The move away from private prisons could be a huge landmark in federal criminal justice, and could influence state use of private prisons as well....

Among the many important offices and issues voted on in yesterday’s midterm elections were marijuana legalization measures in Oregon, Alaska, and the District of Columbia. And after all was said and done, voters in both states and in Washington, D.C., voted to allow marijuana to be legalized, reports Reuters. Oregon and Alaska now join Washington state and Colorado as the third and fourth states to legalize recreational pot use. What will these new voter-approved laws allow once they take effect?...

The production company behind “Judge Judy” is filing a lawsuit against a YouTube user for allegedly posting unauthorized videos of the reality court show. No, Judge Judy will not be hearing the case, so put your gavel-shaped popcorn away. Since Oprah’s departure, Judge Judy has been the reigning queen of daytime television, boasting an estimated 9 million viewers a day. So it’s no surprise that the show’s creators want to keep a tight grip on the show’s material....

You’re more likely to get a ticket in a red car. You can beat a red light camera ticket by wearing a hat that blocks your face. Fact or fiction? Nobody knows how they started, but there are some speeding ticket myths that have become common what passes for common wisdom. Today, we’re playing Mythbusters, and we’re going to bust some speeding ticket myths for you. Buckle up. Myth No. 1: Your Ticket Will Be Dismissed if There’s A Mistake On Your Ticket....

With summer just days away, it’s a great time to sit out by the pool or hit the lake in a boat. Just don’t forget the sunscreen. But your skin isn’t the only thing that needs protection this summer. The Better Business Bureau has put together a list of popular summer scams that can put a serious burn on your pocketbook if you’re not too careful. Here are five types of scams the BBB is warning consumers about this summer:...

Amanda Bynes is mentally competent to stand trial in her DUI case, according to a Los Angeles judge. The judge determined, based on medical records from Bynes’ doctors, that the actress – who was recently diagnosed with schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder – is mentally competent to stand trial. But what exactly is mental competency? What Is Mental Competency? Mental competency refers to the ability of the accused to understand the nature of the legal proceedings against her....

It seems Omarosa didn’t really pay attention when she was on The Apprentice. The reality star and Apprentice alum, Omarosa Manigault sent a cease-and-desist letter to Real Housewives of Melbourne star Pettifleur Berenger. Omarosa claims that Pettifleur’s book Switch the Bitch: My Formula to Being the Champion of Your Life, Not the Victim infringes on Omarosa’s copyright for The Bitch Switch: Knowing How to Turn It On and Off. Omarosa claims that the titles are too similar....

Congress on Tuesday urged food company executives to do more to improve food safety, in the wake of recent recalls and illnesses related to beef products, spinach, peanut butter, baby food, and more. Reuters reports that food suppliers told a House Committee on Energy and Commerce subcommittee that they are putting in place “a series of initiatives to improve food safety at their facilities,” but lawmakers warned industry executives they “have not done enough to prevent future recalls and unsafe products from reaching consumers....

A Florida dad won’t be charged for beating his son’s alleged molester, despite leaving him “in a puddle of blood” on the floor. Raymond Frolander, 18, has been charged with felony sexual battery of a victim under 12, for allegedly assaulting his attacker’s 11-year-old son, Reuters reports. The unidentified father, 35, beat Frolander into submission after reportedly finding him sexually assaulting his son. Why did police choose not to press charges?...

When a police officer asks to search your cell phone, it may be difficult to know if you can legally refuse. The situations may vary, but in general, arrestees do not have to let the police search their cell phones, even if cops demand it. As one retired California judge told San Francisco’s KPIX-TV, officers can only look at a suspect’s cell phone with consent, in an emergency, or with a search warrant....

Instead of triumphant images of runners finishing the world-famous marathon, the lasting memories of the 2013 Boston Marathon will be the poor souls who were gravely injured by two explosions near the finish line of the race. One particularly disturbing image shows shrapnel from the initial explosion knocking down a runner, feet from the finish line, followed by National Guard reservists and volunteers running into the fray to respond to the injured spectators....

Facebook has joined the volunteer network of media outlets and organizations to disseminate Amber Alerts, the New York Times reports. Facebook announced on Wednesday that Amber Alert pages for all 50 states and one for Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia have been created. It is only natural that Amber Alerts would appear on Facebook given the popularity of social sites such Facebook and Twitter: “It’s another sign that web services like Facebook and Twitter are becoming the fastest ways to disseminate information to the largest number of people,” according to Media Post....

Additional recalls linked to the one from the FDA announced last week, on foods containing Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP) contaminated with Salmonella, are beginning to appear. The FDA announced Friday that the National Pretzel Company of Lancaster, Pa. is voluntarily recalling all Honey Mustard Onion flavored pretzels produced since December, 2009, due to the use in that product of the HVP recalled by Basic Food Flavors last week. No illnesses have been reported to date....

Just because a pill is labeled “all natural” or “herbal” does not mean it is safe for you. Today’s example comes via the FDA warning consumers to immediately stop using Man Up Now supplements. The pills are quite dangerous. According to the FDA, the supplements contain a variation of the active ingredient used in Viagra which can lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Man Up Now is a dietary supplement supposed to enhance sexual performance, according to the FDA....