He was late to court. He claimed he was the father of a newborn who got stuck in Los Angeles traffic. The judge, who was unmoved by the burglary defendant’s excuses, disregarded his plea agreement and sent him to prison. But a California appeal court found his excuses acceptable and... Read More »
Vapes and e-cigarettes. They come in lots of kid-friendly flavors like Blue Razz, Pegasus Milk and Menthol Freeze. They hide the dangers of tobacco while they poison the brains of teens. Los Angeles County is one of over a hundred California localities to ban their sale. Big Tobacco fought the... Read More »
Perhaps inspired by the old proverb that advises, “If you throw enough mud at a wall, some of it will stick,” Donald Trump has sued Hillary Clinton and scores of others for “orchestrating an unthinkable plot” that “shocks the conscience and is an affront to the nation’s democracy.” All these... Read More »
There is nothing new about students obtaining copies of professors’ old exams. Fraternities, sororities and unethical individuals have been writing down test questions, hijacking midterms and finals, and keeping them in files for years. What is new is their easy online availability, due to companies that profit from the exchange. ... Read More »
Two Black high school students in Texas were banned from class and school activities because their long, braided hair violated the school’s grooming code. A Black woman in Alabama was hired to be a customer service representative, but when she went to her interview with Human Resources, she was told... Read More »
A convicted murderer, serving a 25-year sentence for killing his stepfather, asked for a conjugal visit from his wife. Such visits are governed by a California law that prohibits overnight stays to those who have committed violent crimes against family members. The man argued the victim was not a family... Read More »
Amazon, which controls over 41% of online commerce in the United States, must now comply with a California law that protects consumers by informing them when the products it sells contain chemicals that cause cancer or reproductive harm. The ruling said federal law will not exempt Amazon, nor does the... Read More »
A federal judge in New York dealt former President Donald Trump another setback in his effort to stop a suit by the woman who is accusing him of defamation after he denied raping her. His motions to add a new alternative defense and a counterclaim for violation of a New... Read More »
Copyright law protects only original authorship. A group of Christian hip-hop artists sued pop star Katy Perry, claiming one of her songs infringed on their copyright. They were awarded a multi-million dollar judgment. Perry appealed. The district court found no original elements or arrangement in the hip-hop song, and the... Read More »
According to Texas Governor Gregg Abbott, “subjecting” Texas children to procedures or drugs that aid in “gender transitioning” constitutes “child abuse.” He directed the state’s Family and Protective Services Agency (DFPS) to investigate any family that aids its children in medical transitioning. A Texas judge issued a temporary injunction against... Read More »
Social media facilitates the easy posting and reposting of defamatory material. Screenshots and “share” buttons can spread libel with a simple click, and words that damage a reputation can potentially live on forever. But how does timelessness fit into libel laws that are covered by the one-year statutes of limitations... Read More »
Donald Trump posted 25 Tweets on January 6, 2021. Among them were comments such as, “The steal is in the making in Georgia,” “Democrats scrounging up votes from mystical places again…” and “If Vice President @Mike_Pence comes through for us, we will win the Presidency…” Due to the content of... Read More »
Technology has radically transformed how information is sent and received. But it also poses major challenges for those with disabilities who cannot always access the Internet and all its bounties. One blind man sued a winery because he could not access its website. The trial court dismissed his case, but... Read More »
As the U.S. Supreme Court considers overturning or severely restricting Roe v. Wade, one California legislator is proposing a bill that would prepare the state for the possible arrival of many women whose states restrict their right to choose. Introduced by Senator Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), Senate Bill 1375... Read More »
The judge instructed the jurors with the words, “The past has nothing to do with what happens in this case…” Even though two police officers disclosed that a defendant was on parole, the judge’s extensive admonishment to the jury about disregarding the defendant’s criminal record convinced the appeals court that... Read More »
