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Justice Dept opposes Texas voter ID law
Legal Career News |
2012/03/12 14:36
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The Justice Department's civil rights division on Monday objected to a new photo ID requirement for voters in Texas because many Hispanic voters lack state-issued identification.
Texas follows South Carolina as the second state in recent months to become embroiled in a court battle with the Justice Department over new photo ID requirements for voters.
Photo ID laws have become a point of contention in the 2012 elections. Liberal groups have said the requirements are the product of Republican-controlled state governments and are aimed at disenfranchising people who tend to vote Democratic — African-Americans, Hispanics, people of low-income and college students.
Proponents of such legislation say the measures are aimed at combating voter fraud. But advocacy groups for minorities and the poor dispute that and argue there is no evidence of significant voter fraud.
In regard to Texas, "I cannot conclude that the state has sustained its burden" of showing that the newly enacted law has neither a discriminatory purpose nor effect, Thomas E. Perez, the head of the Justice Department's civil rights division, said in a letter to the Texas secretary of state.
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbot has said the Obama administration is hostile to laws like the one passed last year in Texas. |
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Sydney Criminal Lawyers - Criminal Defense Lawyers
Law Firm News |
2012/03/11 16:37
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Armed robbery sydney
rmed robbery is a serious case in all matters. Robbery refers to taking of property by actual or threatened force. A robbery can occur anywhere and involve one or many people. It can take place at a business (usually a service station, bank, or convenience store) or a home (breaking in the house and forcing the occupier to hand over cash, or monetary items), or an incident on the street (usually mugging a person or car jacking). The courts in Sydney do not treat robbery offences lightly, especially when they are alleged to involve weapons or more than one defendant. When a person is harmed or killed, the seriousness of the case is increased significantly. However, there are many times when it can be difficult to provide proof for an armed robbery to the police. In some cases, evidence is not enough to show proof or there may be partial DNA or fingerprint matches. This is the fine line that can prove a person has committed robbery and our lawyers can help you.
Sydney Criminal Lawyers are here for you. Our Accredited Criminal Law Specialists are expertise in robbery matters. We defend your freedom and get you back on the road. We are able to carefully assess the prosecution evidence and will fight for our clients to be released on bail. Don't leave your robbery charge at chance without a great criminal lawyer to represent your case. Call us today to schedule a free first appointment at or visit us on the web at http://www.criminallaw.com.au/robbery-charges for more information. |
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Belgium seeks world court order on ex-Chad leader
Legal World News |
2012/03/11 16:35
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Lawyers for Belgium urged the United Nations' highest court Monday to order Senegal to prosecute former Chad dictator Hissene Habre or extradite him for trial for allegedly masterminding atrocities during his brutal eight-year rule.
Habre has lived in a luxury villa in Senegal's capital, Dakar, since rebels ousted him 1990 and has become a symbol of Africa's inability to try leaders from the continent accused of rights abuses.
The case at the International Court of Justice is about "taking a stand against impunity in the most serious crimes in international law," Belgian representative Paul Rietjens told judges in the wood-paneled Great Hall of Justice.
Belgium indicted Habre in 2005 for crimes against humanity, war crimes and torture based on complaints by survivors of his regime, some of whom have Belgian citizenship, but has failed to persuade Senegal to extradite him to Brussels despite repeated requests. |
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Miss. Supreme Court rules Barbour pardons valid
Court Feed News |
2012/03/09 17:34
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The Mississippi Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the pardons issued by former Gov. Haley Barbour during his final days in office, including those of four convicted killers and a robber who had worked at the Governor's Mansion.
Barbour, a Republican who once considered running for president, pardoned 198 people before finishing his second term Jan. 10. Most of the people pardoned had served their sentences years ago, but crime victims were outraged and created a furor that lasted for weeks.
Democratic Attorney General Jim Hood challenged the pardons based on the argument that many of them didn't follow a requirement in the state Constitution to publish notices in newspapers for 30 days.
In their 6-3 opinion, the Mississippi Supreme Court wrote "we are compelled to hold that — in each of the cases before us — it fell to the governor alone to decide whether the Constitution's publication requirement was met." The court also said it couldn't overturn the pardons because of the Constitution's separation of powers of the different branches of government.
"In this decision, the Supreme Court has reaffirmed more than a century of settled law in our state. But this was not only about the power of the pardon or even the power of the office, but about the ability of a governor to grant mercy," Barbour said in a statement. |
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Ex-Detroit lawyer loses case over 'ghetto' remark
Headline News |
2012/03/09 12:33
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A former top lawyer for the city of Detroit who lost her job for describing a local court as "ghetto" has lost an appeal over her dismissal.
A federal appeals court says Friday that Kathleen Leavey's comments in 2009 were not protected under the First Amendment because they were made as part of her job.
Leavey, who is white, has said she used the word "ghetto" in a conversation with a court employee to describe Detroit's 36th District Court as inefficient and poor in serving the public. The chief judge, who is black, heard about the comment and contacted city hall. The angry call to a deputy mayor led to Leavey's departure.
The appeals court says the Constitution does not shield certain expressions made during official duties. |
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Law Offices of Howard G. Smith Announces Class Action
Class Action News |
2012/03/08 17:20
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Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of purchasers of the common stock of Walter Energy, Inc. between April 20, 2011 and September 21, 2011, inclusive, seeking to pursue remedies under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court, Northern District of Alabama.
Walter Energy produces and exports metallurgical coal for electric utility and industrial customers primarily in the United States. The Complaint alleges that defendants misrepresented or failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company’s business and financial prospects, including that: (1) the Company was experiencing so-called “squeeze” events in Alabama and lower coal transportation rates in Canada that significantly reduced the Company’s coal production; (2) the Company’s commitment to ship more than 700,000 tons of coal in the second quarter at first quarter sales prices would result in a material adverse effect on Walter Energy’s average sales prices and operating results during the second quarter; (3) the Company was experiencing a significant decline in its margins and profitability; and (4), based on the foregoing, defendants lacked a reasonable basis for their positive statements about the Company and its business and financial prospects during the Class Period.
No class has yet been certified in the above action. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. If you purchased Walter Energy common stock between April 20, 2011 and September 21, 2011, you have certain rights, and have until March 26, 2012 to move for lead plaintiff status. To be a member of the class you need not take any action at this time, and you may retain counsel of your choice.
www.howardsmithlaw.com |
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