AZ: Many agencies brace to close; public safety will be top priority
Without a budget resolution late Tuesday, there was widespread uncertainty about how state government would function today.
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Archive of Crime & Courts on Wednesday July 01, 2009
AZ: Many agencies brace to close; public safety will be top priority
Without a budget resolution late Tuesday, there was widespread uncertainty about how state government would function today. Read More
AL: Ex-governor of Alabama seeks retrial
Lawyers for Donald E. Siegelman, the former Alabama governor convicted on corruption charges in 2006, have asked for a new trial based on "newly discovered evidence" of prosecutorial misconduct in the case. Read More
AK: Palin e-mail hacker asks for dismissal
A Tennessee college student charged with hacking into former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's e-mail was in court Tuesday asking for a dismissal. Read More
AL: Siegelman seeks new trial in bribery case
Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman has asked for a new trial in his bribery case, citing claims by a whistleblower in the federal prosecutor's office that a key government witness was heavily coached. Read More
AR: Prison director explains escape, other problems, to lawmakers
The director of state prisons told lawmakers Tuesday he was "embarrassed" over recent serious incidents in the system, but that they were isolated and not part of a bigger problem. Read More
AZ: Arizona House rejects immigration enforcement bill
With many members absent, the Arizona House early Wednesday defeated a bill to criminalize the presence of all illegal immigrants in the state and draw local police officers deeper into the fight against illegal immigration. Read More
AZ: State lawmakers approve bill allowing guns in bars
The Arizona Senate has approved a bill to allow people with concealed weapons permits to carry a gun into a business that serves alcohol. Read More
CA: Public hearing turns into passionate debate on death penalty
It was supposed to be a dry public hearing on a "notice of proposed regulations," a meeting to let citizens speak about technical aspects of how lethal injection is administered to condemned inmates. Read More
CA: Opposition to death penalty in California voiced at hearing on lethal injection
Corrections officials heard overwhelming condemnation of proposed new lethal injection procedures Tuesday at the first-ever public hearing on execution methods in the state. Read More
CO: As new laws kick in today, Colorado auto fees to rise
Starting today, Coloradans will pay more to register their vehicles. They'll face criminal charges if they possess someone else's passport, Social Security card or driver's license without that person's permission. And adults will be in big trouble if they're caught "sexting" to a child. Read More
CT: Legacy of the Rowland scandal, five years later
It's the kind of anniversary no one wants to commemorate: Five years ago today, on July 1, 2004, Gov. John G. Rowland resigned amid a corruption scandal that would send him to prison and scar a state. Read More
DE: Law gives public access to Adult Abuse Registry
Gov. Jack Markell signed legislation Tuesday that provides greater protections for senior citizens and residents with disabilities. Read More
DE: Bill would reform handling of sex crimes in prisons
State Rep. James "J.J." Johnson, D-Jefferson Farms, introduced legislation Tuesday that would change the law regarding how sexual crimes inside state detention centers are handled. Read More
FL: 65 new Florida law changes take effect today
Sixty-five new state laws go into effect today. They include an electronic tracking system to reduce the illicit sale and abuse of prescriptions drugs; requiring felony suspects to provide DNA samples; a limit to lawyer fees in workers' compensation cases; and allowing state universities to put up columbaria for the ashes of deceased alumni. Read More
GA: Perdue to nominate next high court justice
Possibly as soon as Wednesday, Gov. Sonny Perdue will have a short list of nominees who want to be Georgia's next Supreme Court justice. Read More
GA: Tight budget only latest challenge for new chief justice
Carol Hunstein says her mantra is: Equal justice for all litigants, be fair and impartial and treat everyone with dignity and respect. Read More
IA: Number of prison inmates in Iowa falls
Iowa's prison population is on the decline, and the aging of baby boomers may be aiding that trend. Read More
IA: High court to decide slot jackpot dispute at Prairie Meadows
The Iowa Supreme Court will referee a Des Moines truck driver's fight to reclaim nearly $10,000 in slot machine winnings that were confiscated because he had earlier been barred from the casino. Read More
IA: Advice for schools on new sex offender rules
Attorneys with the Iowa Association of School Boards are issuing advice to schools about complying with a new law that goes into effect tomorrow. Anyone on the sex offender registry must have written permission to be on school grounds, or they can be charged with loitering. Read More
ID: Funding loss would force layoffs, ISP tells legislators
If the Idaho State Police has to absorb the loss of all its gas tax funding a year from today, it won't have anyone left to patrol the state's roads, police officials told lawmakers Tuesday. Read More
ID: Idaho seizes Iraqi dinars in investment scheme case
The state of Idaho has seized about $1 million worth of Iraqi dinars purchased in a Coeur d'Alene man's investment scheme. Read More
IL: Judge orders state to meet child welfare rules
A federal judge says planned cuts in child-welfare services envisioned under the so-called doomsday budget passed by both houses of the Illinois legislature violate basic, court-ordered standards. Read More
IN: New batch of laws go into effect today
You'll have to keep your hands on the wheel and off your cell phone, BlackBerry, iPhone or whatever tech device you favor to keep in touch with your friends. Emergency calls remain OK. Read More
KS: State cuts DUI program's funds by 70%
State money to treat repeat drunken driving offenders has been cut by 70 percent, even as a new law calls for the program to expand. Read More
LA: Fireworks use OK in some areas, not all
HAMMOND, La. — Even with a statewide burn ban in place, residents in Tangipahoa and Livingston parishes will be able to celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks where they are legal. Read More
LA: Jindal signs sex predator bills into law
Gov. Bobby Jindal signed nine bills into law Tuesday to crack down on sexual predators in Louisiana. Read More
MA: Quinn Bill funds gutted in budget
The state's $40 million cut this week in a bonus program for local police officers has put many cities and towns across Massachusetts in legal and financial limbo, as they wrestle with unexpected salary costs, sudden retirements, and potentially thorny negotiations with labor unions. Read More
MD: Federal grant will help juvenile offenders get jobs
Maryland received a $3.1 million federal grant to help young offenders in Baltimore enter the work force, the U.S. Department of Labor announced Tuesday. Read More
MD: Md. to attack warrant backlog with $1 million of stimulus
More than $1 million in federal stimulus funding will be directed to pay overtime for police officers and sheriff's deputies to reduce a backlog of outstanding warrants, Gov. Martin O'Malley announced Tuesday. Read More
MD: New state laws will take effect tomorrow
Businesses that violate liquor laws will face steeper penalties and the local tourism bureau will be on track for a funding boost under new state laws set to take effect tomorrow. Read More
ME: New jail roles could save state $1.4 million
The state Board of Corrections has approved a plan to save $1.4 million by changing how three county jails are used. Read More
MI: Bankruptcy not only option for DPS
Detroit Public Schools officials said Tuesday that a Chapter 9 bankruptcy filing is just one of many options being considered to address its multi-year deficit, but questions remain on how much such a filing would cost and whether the district would reap adequate benefits. Read More
MI: Lear ready to slip into bankruptcy
Lear Corp. is poised to file for bankruptcy protection as early as today, while Visteon Corp., already in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, is asking a judge to cancel retiree benefits. Read More
MI: Riddle -- FBI probed $50K deal with Dems
Political consultant Sam Riddle says federal investigators have questioned $50,000 he received in 2006 from the Michigan Democratic Party-- payments he described as election year "hush money." Read More
MI: No texting, Twittering, Googling for jurors in Michigan
The Michigan Supreme Court on Tuesday banned all electronic communications, including text messages and Twitter feeds, for jurors on duty. Read More
MN: At last, a second senator for Minnesota
Al Franken, a satirist known for his biting political humor, is headed to the U.S. Senate, the survivor of an epic legal struggle that opponent Norm Coleman finally conceded he couldn't win. Read More
MN: Franken wins Senate battle
The Minnesota Supreme Court yesterday declared comedian-turned-politician Al Franken the winner of the state's U.S. Senate race, ending an eight-month-long election saga and giving Democrats a 60-seat majority that theoretically would allow them to block GOP filibusters. Read More
MO: Missouri judge rejects eminent-domain ballot summary
A Missouri judge has struck down a ballot summary prepared by Secretary of State Robin Carnahan for a proposed constitutional amendment restricting eminent domain. Read More
MT: Abortion foes to submit initiatives
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Abortion opponents in Colorado and Montana want to try again to pass amendments giving human rights to embryos. Read More
ND: Prison of the future
Work is already under way to start the $64 million expansion of the State Penitentiary in Bismarck. Read More
NE: Nebraska judge rejects flag-desecration case appeal
OMAHA, Neb. — A judge agreed Tuesday to let prosecutors move forward with their case against a Kansas woman accused of violating Nebraska's flag-desecration law. Read More
NH: NH increasing some court fees, creating new ones
An increased fee for records research and new fees for certain petitions, motions, and other matters are going into effect in the New Hampshire court system. Read More
NJ: Local agencies get $4,000 to target aggressive driving
The state is distributing $4,000 grants to 75 law enforcement agencies this month as part of a campaign to crack down on aggressive driving. Read More
NM: Attorney General's Office trains local law enforcement in human trafficking
Slavery in the United States didn't end with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. It still exists today, in the form of human trafficking. Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Read More
NV: Court moves to mediate -- foreclosure hearings coming
The court action put into effect a law passed by the 2009 Legislature. Read More
NV: Nevada Supreme Court OKs foreclosure program rules
The state Supreme Court voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt rules governing confidential meetings between homeowners and lenders that could head off foreclosures. Read More
NV: Judge green-lights suit against Gibbons
Chief U.S. District Judge Roger Hunt is refusing to toss out Chrissy Mazzeo's civil rights lawsuit. In a 27-page decision this week, Hunt dismissed some of Mazzeo's claims, but allowed her to move forward with the suit. The former cocktail waitress alleges that several people conspired with Jim Gibbons on a cover-up after his encounter with Mazzeo outside a Las Vegas restaurant less than a month before his gubernatorial election. Read More
NY: Merkin reaches accord with Cuomo on art sale
J. Ezra Merkin, the disgraced financier who lost more than $2.4 billion of his clients' money in Bernard L. Madoff's Ponzi scheme, agreed on Tuesday to sell his art collection for $310 million in a deal that could pave the way for a settlement with the New York attorney general, Andrew M. Cuomo. Read More
NY: State's top court will hear appeal against Atlantic Yards
New York's highest court has agreed to hear a case challenging the state's use of eminent domain on behalf of the Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn. Read More
OH: Firms win prevailing wage ruling
In an Ottawa County case that could affect economic development projects across the state, the Ohio Supreme Court yesterday ruled unanimously that private developers do not have to pay prevailing wages when they use public dollars. Read More
PA: Pennsylvania House honors Pittsburgh's 3 fallen Pittsburgh police officers
Fallen Pittsburgh police Officers Eric G. Kelly, Stephen J. Mayhle and Paul J. Sciullo II were honored Tuesday by the state House. Read More
PA: Pa. high court to hear challenge in Risperdal case
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court agreed yesterday to hear a legal challenge over whether the Rendell administration should be allowed to use a Texas law firm to pursue a case against a drugmaker on behalf of Pennsylvania. Read More
PA: Bill would shift Pa. legal notices to the Web
A state House committee yesterday advanced a bill that would allow municipalities and school boards to cut costs by posting legal notices online. Read More
RI: R.I. Supreme Court holds Department of Corrections liable for contaminated food
The state Supreme Court on Tuesday, vacating a lower court decision, ruled that the Department of Corrections is not shielded from liability for distributing a potentially contaminated product just because it was doing so as a part of a program for the public good. Read More
RI: R.I. hospitals agree on safety protocol for surgeries
All the hospitals and outpatient surgical centers in Rhode Island have agreed to follow the same process to prevent errors in surgery. Read More
RI: Carcieri pushes for expanded R.I. Ethics Code
Governor Carcieri on Tuesday urged the General Assembly to give voters a chance to extend the state's Ethics Code to cover legislative votes and other official actions taken by Rhode Island lawmakers. Read More
SC: SLED chief sees no evidence of crime
SLED director Reggie Lloyd said Tuesday he is worried his criminal investigative agency is being pulled into a new realm — political inquiries. Read More
SC: Criminal probe darkens Sanford's political prospects
Just as South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford seemed to turn the corner on surviving a scandal that threatened to unseat him, an official criminal investigation will probe whether the governor broke any state laws while conducting a transnational tryst with an Argentinian mom and former TV reporter. Read More
US: Abortion foes try again on 'personhood' amendments
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Abortion opponents in Colorado and Montana want to try again to pass amendments giving human rights to embryos. Read More
US: Term saw high court move to the right
For the Supreme Court, it was the year of living on the verge. Read More
US: The Roberts court, tipped by Kennedy
WASHINGTON — Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. emerged as a canny strategist at the Supreme Court this term, laying the groundwork for bold changes that could take the court to the right even as the recent elections moved the nation to the left. Read More
VA: State accuses Northrop Grumman of breach
The state now is accusing Northrop Grumman of failing to deliver computer services and hinting at unspecified action against the giant company. Read More
VA: Texting ban, other new laws in effect today across Virginia
The following laws, passed by the Virginia General Assembly, go into effect July 1, 2009. Read More
VA: Prohibition on texting by drivers starts in Va.
Virginia drivers will face new restrictions today, when hundreds of laws take effect, including a ban on sending or reading text messages and e-mails. Read More
VT: State hires bankruptcy firm for FairPoint case
The state of Vermont hired a law firm with experience in corporate bankruptcy cases this week as FairPoint Communications, one of its largest telephone and Internet companies, flounders financially. Read More
WA: State Fire Marshal's Office warns of fireworks dangers
With fireworks season and dry weather upon us, the state Fire Marshal's Office on Tuesday urged South Sound residents to be safe with their Fourth of July celebrating. Read More
WA: WSDOT employee under investigation for overtime fraud
The State Patrol is investigating an employee with the state Department of Transportation after a payroll audit showed $67,000 in unearned overtime and compensation during the past two years. Read More
WA: Cell phone law a year old, but problems persist
A year ago, a top research official at the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety made a prediction about Washington's law prohibiting drivers from using hand-held cell phones in most cases. Read More
WI: Doyle's veto hasn't solved UW union controversy
Gov. Jim Doyle used his veto pen this week to weigh in on a dispute over whether some University of Wisconsin System staff can be absorbed - without an opportunity to vote - into existing labor unions. Read More
Furloughs cut into state services
With states facing a $121 billion shortfall in the next fiscal year, a growing number of them have turned to squeezing their workforce for savings, and effects both great and small will be felt. Read More |
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