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Media lawyer: Court's secrecy note not a surprise
Court News |
2014/07/11 12:31
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Critics of House Speaker Bobby Harrell said Thursday they're concerned by the state Supreme Court's call for secrecy in future court arguments in his case.
But media attorney Jay Bender said he thinks the justices only recognized the secrecy of grand juries.
On Wednesday, the state's high court unanimously overturned a lower court's decision and said Attorney General Alan Wilson has the authority to investigate Harrell and empanel a state grand jury to consider allegations the powerful Charleston Republican abused his power for personal benefit.
That lower court must now decide whether Wilson should be removed from the case, as Harrell initially sought in his February motion. The justices noted Judge Casey Manning had raised questions about Wilson's jurisdiction on his own.
Harrell, speaker since 2005, maintains he's done nothing wrong. He's called the allegations and investigation politically motivated.
Bender, a freedom of information expert, does not represent any parties in the case but does represent the news media, including The Associated Press.
He said he's not disturbed by a footnote in the ruling, which orders future arguments on jurisdiction and related issues to be held in private. Such hearings will likely involve what the grand jury is hearing, he said.
Bender noted that Wilson wanted to present sealed grand jury evidence to the Supreme Court as part of his appeal. The justices did not allow it, saying he can't use documents on appeal that were never presented to Manning.
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Fla. man pleads guilty to rhino horn trafficking
Headline Legal News |
2014/07/08 14:28
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A South Florida man has pleaded guilty to illegally trafficking in the horns of the black rhinoceros in violation of the Endangered Species Act.
A federal judge is scheduled in September to sentence 76-year-old Gene Harris of Miami following his guilty plea this week. Harris could get up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to court records, Harris sold a variety of wildlife products, including taxidermy mounts. In 2011, he arranged for a customer in California to buy two black rhinoceros horns from a seller in Phoenix, Arizona, for $60,000.
Court documents show Harris was paid a $10,000 finder's fee.
Black rhinoceros horns are prized commodities in many Asian countries, where they are turned into ornamental carvings and other items.
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MJM Law Office, P.C. - Eugene, Oregon DUII and Criminal Defense Services
Attorney News |
2014/07/08 14:28
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Driving under the influence is not a good idea, but it's a common occurence in all states. Oregon residents should be warned that the state's drunk driving laws are among the most unforgiving in the country. If you've been charged with a DUI, you'll want to have an experienced DUI lawyer by your side to ensure you make the best possible decisions throughout your case. Detailed reviews and investigations by a criminal defense lawyer can either make or break your case. Why risk losing your license and driving privileges? Following a DUII arrest, you're placed at risk of losing your license through the court and through DMV. Don't delay in getting in touch with an experienced Eugene DUI attorney. At the MJM Law Office, P.C., we will give your case the attention and detail it deserves.
We work closely with clients to understand and resolve their issues. We will listen to your unique situation and explain the available options. MJM Law Office, P.C. was founded to provide clients with quality representation in DUII Cases. Mr. Mizjewski, founder of MHM Law Office, understands the difficult and complex process of working through the legal system. We will help you every step of the way. MJM Law Office focuses on serving clients in Lane County, Oregon and are very familiar with the individual judges, district attorneys, and court staff.
If you find yourself in need of a Eugene DUII Lawyer, look no further and contact us today!
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US Supreme Court lets Equifax tax ruling stand
Court News |
2014/07/01 12:21
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The U.S. Supreme Court said Monday that it won't hear an appeal from credit bureau Equifax Inc. involving what it considered an adverse tax ruling in Mississippi.
The appeal was a reaction to a 2013 Mississippi Supreme Court decision that Equifax had to prove that it didn't earn any taxable income in the state. The state Department of Revenue examined Equifax's income and allocated some to Mississippi, ruling it owed taxes and penalties.
The Mississippi court upheld the Revenue Department's calculation of the company's taxes based on revenue earned in Mississippi, thus increasing its tax liability from zero to over $700,000, according to court documents.
The Council on State Taxation, Georgia Chamber of Commerce and The Institute for Professionals had filed "friend of the court" briefs in the case.
Lawmakers responded during the 2014 session by passing a law to change how the state collects taxes.
A key part of the law could make it harder for the state to rule that multistate corporations are paying too little in taxes to Mississippi. It says the Department of Revenue would have to present clear and convincing proof before it could reallocate how a company splits its income among states, and only do so in "limited and unique, nonrecurring circumstances."
The Department of Revenue estimates all changes in the law, including a phase-in of lower interest rates for overdue taxes, will cost Mississippi $100 million a year. |
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California high court to decide defibrillator case
Court News |
2014/06/25 09:35
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The California Supreme Court will decide whether large retailers in the state are required to have defibrillators on hand to help treat customers and workers who suffer sudden cardiac arrest.
The high court said it will issue an opinion Monday morning. The devices deliver a jolt of electricity to a stalled heart and help victims recover.
For two decades, an increasing number of public places in the U.S. have been required to have automated external defibrillators on hand, including government buildings, airports and many other public places. A Los Angeles-area family who lost a relative to sudden cardiac arrest while shopping in Target filed a lawsuit to require large retailers to join the list.
During oral arguments in May, a majority of the seven-judge court appeared cool to the idea. |
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