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Pa. high court fast tracks juvenile lifer appeals
Legal News Interview |
2012/08/08 12:41
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Pennsylvania's highest court is moving quickly to determine how to respond to a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that mandatory life-without-parole sentences for juveniles aren't constitutional.
The Sentencing Project, an advocacy group based in Washington, has said Pennsylvania leads the nation in the number of juvenile lifers.
The state Supreme Court scheduled oral argument for Sept. 13 in a pair of cases that will determine what to do about the hundreds of people serving such sentences, as well as how to handle the issue going forward.
The 5-to-4 U.S. Supreme Court decision issued June 25 still makes it possible for juveniles to get life, but it can't be automatic.
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections says 373 lifers were under age 18 at the time they were sentenced. |
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Pettler Miller LLP - Experienced Estate Planning Attorneys
Attorney Legal Opinions |
2012/08/07 11:32
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Pettler amp; Miller LLP focuses in the area of probate and trust law.nbsp; Our extensive knowledge in the field allows us to offer advice, document drafting as well as other required or appropriate litigation based on your situation. Our a href=http://www.pettlermillerlaw.com/estate planning attorneys/a handle all cases involving estate planning, probate, trust administration, conservatorships, guardianships and probate/trust and related litigation.
Our personalized services to our clients give you the attention you deserve with our ability to work closely to custom draft documents combined with representation in future court proceedings and litigation. While we represent individuals, we also have worked frequently with private professional fiduciaries as well as banks and trust companies.
We pride ourselves in working closely within the community and have been active in the area since 1935. Pettler amp; Miller supports the court system and the community involved. Many of our attorneys and staff members are actively involved in events with the legal community and charitable organizations. |
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Court orders Chevron to stop drilling for oil
Court and Trial |
2012/08/03 16:56
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A federal court has given Chevron Corp. and driller Transocean Ltd. 30 days to suspend all petroleum drilling and transportation operations in Brazil until the conclusion of investigations into two oil spills off the coast of Rio de Janeiro.
The court says in a statement posted Wednesday on its web site each company will be fined 500 million reals ($244 million) for each day they fail to comply with the suspension.
About 155, 000 gallons of oil crude began seeping from cracks in the ocean floor at the site of a Chevron appraisal well in November. Two weeks later, the National Petroleum Agency said the seepage was under control. But in March, oil again started leaking and Chevron voluntarily suspended production in the field. |
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Court spurns religious claim to name change
Lawyer World News |
2012/08/02 16:55
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An appeals court has rejected a Kansas man's claim that the federal justice system's refusal to recognize his new Muslim name violates his constitutional religious rights.
The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that Michael White failed to show it was unreasonable to deny his request to amend all records in his criminal case.
A lower court held that replacing the name Michael White with Abdul Hakeem Kareem Mujahid in all federal court records would create confusion.
Mujahid is serving 10 years at a prison in Colorado for killing another inmate at the U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth. A Kansas court granted his petition to change his name in December 2010. |
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Appeals court reinstates lawsuit against Glock
Legal News Interview |
2012/07/27 11:34
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A California appeals court has reinstated a now-retired paralyzed Los Angeles police officer's product liability lawsuit against gun manufacturer Glock.
Enrique Chavez was paralyzed from the waist down when his 3-year-old son accidentally shot him with his service pistol.
The lawsuit claims the .45-caliber Glock 21 pistol lacks adequate safeguards against accidental discharge. There is no grip safety on the Glock.
A Los Angeles judge dismissed the suit two years ago, saying a Police Department review of the gun's design found the Glock's advantages outweighed any inherent risks.
The San Francisco Chronicle says the 2nd District Court of Appeals on Tuesday reinstated the suit, saying a jury could conclude that a grip safety strong enough to withstand a child's grasp would minimize the risk of accidental discharge. |
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