On anniversary for Elizabeth's return, trial date set for Brian David Mitchell Mar 13, 2010
Possible venues could include other states in the 10th U.S. Circuit courts: Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, Colorado or Wyoming. Mitchell's lawyer, Robert Steele, also said he plans to mount an insanity defense, arguing that his client was insane at the time of the alleged kidnapping. (FOX59, IN)
Former White House Counsel Craig Debriefs on Sotomayor Nomination Mar 4, 2010
Echoing complaints from Senate Democrats, Craig harshly criticized Republicans for "unconscionable" delays in confirming nominees for the district and circuit courts. He said non-controversial nominees, such as Barbara Keenan for the 4th Circuit, who , should receive votes sooner. (Law.com)
Masters screen family law matters Mar 1, 2010
In Maryland circuit courts, masters are appointed by the local judges. Carroll County Circuit Court has three standing masters. (Carroll County Times, MD)
Senate Republicans Wage Stealth War Over Judges Feb 17, 2010
Among pending nominees for the circuit courts, 4th Circuit nominee Barbara Keenan has been waiting the longest. A justice on the Virginia Supreme Court, she was endorsed by the Judiciary Committee four months ago and has not faced any public opposition. (Law.com)
Lingle picks two more judges Feb 11, 2010
Lingle picks judges for appeals, circuit courts - Pacific Business News (Honolulu) ... Lingle picks judges for appeals, circuit courts ... She has appointed six judges to the Intermediate Court of Appeals, 14 judges to the Circuit Courts and two justices to the Hawaii Supreme Court since taking office in December 2002. (Pacific Business News, HI)
Funding sought to fight online sexual predators Feb 10, 2010
House Bill 736 calls for the State Police and circuit courts to report information into a database called the Virginia Child Protection Accountability System. Quayle is sponsoring an identical bill in the Senate - SB 284. (Chatham Star Tribune, VA)
Hawaii civil lawsuits jump as courts face cutbacks Feb 10, 2010
The new lawsuits add to the growing caseload and backlog in the state s circuit courts, which have been hit with budget cuts, layoffs and furloughs in the recession. A total of 4,972 new civil lawsuits were filed in Hawaii s circuit courts in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2009, according to the latest figures from the ... The one-year increase, paired with the 7,871 pending cases already in the system, pushed the circuit courts total civil caseload to 12,843. (Pacific Business News, HI)
Fill the Bench Now Feb 6, 2010
In 2009, Obama nominated 33 judges to the district and circuit courts, and the Senate confirmed 12. These numbers are, in a word, pathetic. (Slate)
Court upholds Okla. migrant law injunction Feb 3, 2010
Julie Pace, a Phoenix lawyer representing groups in the coalition challenging Arizona's law, said the circuit courts' differing opinions made it more likely that the U.S. Supreme Court would take a look at the laws. "We hope that this decision will be helpful in our appeal of the 9th Circuit decision and in deterring other state and local governments from proceeding with patchwork employer-sanctions laws," Pace said. (AZCentral -- News)
Citizens United v. the FEC: The Return of Corporate Influence Peddling? Jan 14, 2010
"It's very clear that there is a coordinated effort going on to looking for each and every venue and each and every issue, to go shopping for cases and for friendly circuit courts, because they feel if they can get these questions to Supreme Court, they like their chances," said Meredith McGehee, who as policy director for reform-minded Campaign Legal Center has regularly fought these battles. "Jim Bopp is at the heart of it.". (ABC News)
Was the Supreme Court Right To Block the YouTube Broadcast of California's Prop. 8 Trial? Jan 12, 2010
The circuit courts are allowed to make their own rules about broadcasting: The Judicial Conference of the United States gives them that authority. This is a 9th Circuit problem, if it's that, not a national one. (Slate)
Solons face budget woes, Sanford rebuke Jan 11, 2010
A House panel last week said it would get a jump start on that next week with a resolution that, among other things, forces people fired for cause to take appeals to circuit courts, instead of the commission. But much of the overhaul effort will come after a Legislative Audit Council review of the agency is completed early this year. (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
