USA Archive - Law Commentary

Heir to Coca-Cola Fortune Must Pay Over $50 Million for Lascivious Acts

One would think that indecent sexual conduct has disappeared from the entertainment industry in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandals. One would be wrong. Another Hollywood executive, who is also the heir to the Coca-Cola fortune, has demonstrated “highly reprehensible, degrading and outrageous behavior” toward a “low-wage industry worker.” ... Read More about Heir to Coca-Cola Fortune Must Pay Over $50 Million for Lascivious Acts

A man wearing a California flag face mask while seated on an airplane.

Arizona Man Says American Airlines to Blame over His False Arrest

An American Airlines passenger who was mistaken for a burglary suspect is suing the airline after he spent 17 days behind bars. The lawsuit was filed earlier last week in Texas and alleges that the man, 46-year-old Michael Lowe, suffered from “incomprehensible trauma” after spending time in a New Mexico... Read More about Arizona Man Says American Airlines to Blame over His False Arrest

A family gathering with five individuals, including an elderly man seated in front, smiling with his arms crossed, surrounded by younger family members.

Widow of Dementia Patient Who Walked Out of Healthcare Facility Sues Over His Wrongful Death

The widow of an Oregon man who walked out of an assisted living facility is suing the facility for wrongful death after her husband was found dead in a nearby creek. Toufik “Tom” Tanous, 79, was a dementia patient at Hawthorne House, a care facility in Forest Grove. Tanous suffered... Read More about Widow of Dementia Patient Who Walked Out of Healthcare Facility Sues Over His Wrongful Death

Exterior view of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles building.

Archdiocese’s Failure to Warn About Priest’s Child Molestation Is Not Protected Speech

What did the Archdiocese know about child molestation by its priests, when did they know it, and what did they do about it? Seven plaintiffs sued the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for “vicarious liability” and negligence for failing to protect children from sexual harm they knew was occurring. The Church... Read More about Archdiocese’s Failure to Warn About Priest’s Child Molestation Is Not Protected Speech

California Highway Patrol badge displayed on a patrol vehicle.

California Highway Patrol Reaches $4M Settlement With Victim of a Murder-Suicide Involving a Former Officer

The plaintiff who brought a lawsuit against the California Highway Patrol has reached a settlement with the agency totaling $4 Million. The lawsuit was brought forward by a man named Trae deBeaubien. DeBeaubien was in a relationship with 42-year-old May Wheat, the estranged wife of CHP officer Brad Wheat.... Read More about California Highway Patrol Reaches $4M Settlement With Victim of a Murder-Suicide Involving a Former Officer

A hand holding a marijuana cigarette while gripping a car steering wheel.

Driving While High on Marijuana Is Second Degree Murder if Accident Causes Death

He was high on marijuana. He drove his Lexus at nearly 90 miles per hour and ran a red light. His car hit another and three people died. He was charged with and convicted on three counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to three concurrent prison terms of 15 years... Read More about Driving While High on Marijuana Is Second Degree Murder if Accident Causes Death

A close-up of the back of a car displaying both Uber and Lyft stickers.

Uber Has No Duty to Warn Passengers That Rapists Are Posing as Drivers

After a night of drinking and socializing, a popular way to get home safely is to call an Uber. On separate occasions, three women (collectively “the Jane Does”) used Uber apps for this purpose. But each was picked up, not by an Uber driver, but by an “imposter” with an... Read More about Uber Has No Duty to Warn Passengers That Rapists Are Posing as Drivers

A lawyer giving a presentation in a courtroom, with a judge seated in the background.

Pandemic Trumps Right to Speedy Trial in Criminal Case

In normal times, both the California Constitution and the United States Constitution give criminal defendants the right to a speedy trial. The pandemic’s impact on the courts has clearly demonstrated that these are not normal times. A man whose trial for a series of horrific domestic violence incidents was continued... Read More about Pandemic Trumps Right to Speedy Trial in Criminal Case

Johnny Depp gesturing peace sign during his defamation trial.

Depp’s Defamation Win May Signal New Legal Strategy: Lawsuits Filed in Weak Anti-SLAPP Law States Like Virginia

Johnny Depp won his historic defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard after a seven-person jury found she defamed him in her 2018 Washington Post op-ed essay about domestic abuse. The dramatic six-week trial captured the world’s attention, with salacious, conflicting stories told by both Depp and Heard. When Depp... Read More about Depp’s Defamation Win May Signal New Legal Strategy: Lawsuits Filed in Weak Anti-SLAPP Law States Like Virginia

Image of a man in a suit speaking, with a blue curtain and an American flag in the background.

Biden Administration Announces Loan Forgiveness for Students Who Attended Corinthian Colleges: Here’s Who Qualifies

The Biden administration campaigned heavily on student loan forgiveness. While these campaign promises have not yet come to fruition, the administration has announced the largest one-time debt cancellation ever made by the Department of Education. This massive discharge will total $5.8 billion and will impact roughly 560,000 borrowers. Unlike the... Read More about Biden Administration Announces Loan Forgiveness for Students Who Attended Corinthian Colleges: Here’s Who Qualifies

Electric scooters lined up in a row, set against a cloudy sky and waterfront background.

City Can Track and Disclose Locations of Electric Scooter Renters Without Violating Their Privacy

Electric scooters are the latest hot transportation trend, with ads promising they are “fast, fun, and easy to ride.” Their “micromobility” offers a “quick and cheap” alternative to cars that demand pricey gas. As a condition of renting a scooter, however, companies require riders to consent to having their routes... Read More about City Can Track and Disclose Locations of Electric Scooter Renters Without Violating Their Privacy

Letter from the Chilton County School District regarding repayment of overpaid salaries.

Two Alabama School Workers Sue School District After County Demands Repayment of Over $55,000

Two Alabama public school workers are suing their employer after being asked to pay back over $55,000 in accidental overpayment. The school system is asking for the money back as a result of overpayment in salary that school administrators say the workers were not entitled to. The lawsuit was filed... Read More about Two Alabama School Workers Sue School District After County Demands Repayment of Over $55,000

A close-up of a person's hands gripping prison bars, symbolizing incarceration.

Compassionate Release Denied to Asthma Sufferer Convicted of Multiple Gang Crimes

COVID-19 has caused serious problems for every sector of the country. Governments are struggling to achieve a delicate balance between public health and public safety. Because of crowded prison conditions that contribute to COVID-19, one population group—inmates with underlying conditions—has been treated so generously that critics have labeled early release... Read More about Compassionate Release Denied to Asthma Sufferer Convicted of Multiple Gang Crimes

MetLife Stadium, home to the New York Giants and New York Jets, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Fans sue ‘New York’ Giants & Jets for $6 Billion, saying teams should play in NY, not in NJ as advertised

The New York Giants and the New York Jets are known for their ride-or-die fans. But at least two major fans are suing the teams, since both play their home games in New Jersey, and not in New York. The fans are seeking $6 billion, including $2 billion in monetary... Read More about Fans sue ‘New York’ Giants & Jets for $6 Billion, saying teams should play in NY, not in NJ as advertised

Signage of American Airlines on a building with a cloudy sky in the background.

Racial Discrimination Suit Against American Airlines Dismissed by Ninth Circuit

Next time you decide to fly on American Airlines, you might want to know that the Ninth Circuit has ruled that it owes passengers no duty of care. Passengers have no contractual right to bring a carry-on bag, change seats, or get a voucher for overnight accommodations if a flight... Read More about Racial Discrimination Suit Against American Airlines Dismissed by Ninth Circuit