law

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Monster Bans, Other Crazy Illinois Laws

Bowling bans, anti-monster ordinances still on books in land of Lincoln

(Newser) - Sure, every state has some bizarre laws on the books, but Illinois might take the cake for the oddest. Some highlights from WBBM-TV's compilation of the most perplexing:
  • In Chicago, it is illegal to eat in a burning building.
  • In Eureka, a man with a mustache is prohibited from kissing
...

Fla. Law Changes Terms to Make Divorce Less Toxic

Change removes contentious terms from books

(Newser) - Divorcing parents won't be making deals on "custody" and "visitation" in Florida in the future; a new law scrubs the terms from its legal code in a bid to reduce acrimony and give kids a better shot at continuing relationships with both parents. Starting next month, custody will...

Calif. Therapists Rake in Millions Under Sex Offender Law

Billed $24M for 2007 Jessica's Law services

(Newser) - Psychologists and psychiatrists are cashing in on a California law requiring mental health screening for sex offenders, the LA Times reports. Last year, private contractors billed the state for millions of dollars in prisoner evaluations, with one psychologist bringing home $1.5 million. State officials defend the expense as necessary...

Is Killing Liberals a Hate Crime?
 Is Killing Liberals a Hate Crime? 
ANALYSIS
Jul 31, 2008 5:45 PM CDT

Is Killing Liberals a Hate Crime?

Slate finds few states consider political violence a hate crime

(Newser) - The suspect in last weekend’s Knoxville church shooting told police that “liberals should be killed because they were ruining the country.” But Tennessee, like the federal government and most states, doesn’t extend hate-crime law to political affiliation, explains Chris Wilson in Slate. In fact, legal experts...

French Fight Ban on Insulting Civil Servants

More civil servants filing suits when slighted

(Newser) - A Paris publisher has launched a high-profile crusade to legalize an increasingly popular crime: the insulting of public officials, the London Times reports. After being fined €150 for calling a cop a connard—or stupid bastard—Jean-Jacques Reboux got even angrier, and accused civil servants of abusing the law...

Rome Cracks Down on Revelers
 Rome Cracks Down on Revelers 
Jul 11, 2008 5:50 PM CDT

Rome Cracks Down on Revelers

New ordinance forbids eating, drinking, noise

(Newser) - Rome's residents and visitors had best behave themselves for the next 4 months: An experimental ordinance bans eating and drinking in the streets of the Eternal City, and cracks down on hooligans who want to "shout, sing or be noisy," Reuters reports. The newly elected mayor enacted the...

No Charges for Texas Man Who Shot Neighbor's Burglars

Laws covering deadly force under scrutiny

(Newser) - A Texas grand jury’s decision to take no action against Joe Horn, who killed two burglars on his front lawn, has focused attention on the state’s “deadly force” laws, the Houston Chronicle reports. Horn’s life was not in danger until he confronted the thieves fleeing his...

O'Connor's Imprint Fades
 O'Connor's Imprint Fades 
analysis
Jun 10, 2008 4:15 PM CDT

O'Connor's Imprint Fades

First female Supreme Court justice's legacy uncertain

(Newser) - Even as Sandra Day O’Connor public profile as an advocate for Alzheimer’s disease research grows, the legal imprint of the first woman Supreme Court justice is fading, USA Today reports. Since her departure, the Roberts court has shifted course on abortion and retreated from positions supported by her...

Aussies Ditch Dueling Law
 Aussies Ditch Dueling Law 
May 3, 2008 12:56 PM CDT

Aussies Ditch Dueling Law

Laws on duels, piracy walk the plank as criminal code is updated

(Newser) - There's no longer a law against challenging somebody to a duel in Queensland, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. As part of an effort to get old laws off the books, the Australian state is also scrapping laws against piracy on the high seas, and mayors will no longer have to...

LA Lawmaker Targets Paparazzi
LA Lawmaker Targets Paparazzi
Feb 2, 2008 6:09 AM CST

LA Lawmaker Targets Paparazzi

Spears mayhem prompts call for 'personal safety zone' for celebs

(Newser) - A Los Angeles councilman is pushing for a "personal safety zone" for celebs after a 12-cop police escort—cost to the city, $25,000—was needed to get Britney Spears past paparazzi to a hospital this week, the Los Angeles Times reports. Councilman Dennis Zine said camera-toting hoards present...

31 States Ring In New Laws for New Year

From minimum wage hikes to approval for kangaroo-hide shoes

(Newser) - Anyone planning to import shoes made of kangaroo hide into California can legally begin this year—but they'd better not try to sell any foreign-made US flags in Minnesota. Both states are among 31 that launched a host of new laws beginning New Year's Day, some of them rather unusual,...

Did Jamie Lynn's Beau Break the Law?

Her pregnancy spurs legal debate on statutory rape laws

(Newser) - The pregnancy of 16-year-old Jamie Lynn Spears by her 18-year-old boyfriend is sparking renewed debate about the nation's uneven patchwork of statutory rape laws. Teens in some states can be sentenced to jail for having consensual sex with people not much younger than they are. Because prosecution is left to...

Judge: Cops Can't Force Defendant to Tell Password

An accused child pornographer has the right to keep his laptop password, and images, private

(Newser) - In what could turn out to be a landmark decision on computer privacy and Fifth Amendment rights against self incrimination, a federal judge in Vermont has ruled that a man accused of transporting child pornography across the US border with Canada can’t be forced to turn over his laptop...

Ads Could Spark Privacy Lawsuits by Facebook Users

Using member's images without consent could violate laws

(Newser) - Facebook's new cutting-edge ads which cherry-pick the names and faces of members who use featured products may violate privacy laws. The ads attach photos and identities of members to products they've purchased or endorsed, but without explicitly obtaining members' consent, reports the New York Times. That could open Facebook to...

Bush's AG Pick Has History With Terror Trials

Blind sheik case gave preview of security issues facing Mukasey

(Newser) - Before America was paying attention, Judge Michael Mukasey tried a landmark terrorism case. The 1995-96 trial of blind sheik Omar Abdel Rahman, convicted with nine others of plotting a massive "day of terror" at three New York sites, forced Mukasey, now President Bush's nominee for US attorney general, to...

Six Arrested in Horrific W.Va. Abuse Case

Woman was kidnapped, tortured and sexually assaulted

(Newser) - Six people were arrested in a grisly kidnapping and assault case in rural West Virginia, and two others are still wanted. Police say an internet acquaintance delivered 23-year-old Meghan Williams to her assailants, who held her captive for at least a week, while stabbing, burning, and sexually assaulting her. “...

Jury Convicts 5 in 'Family' Affair
Jury Convicts 5 in 'Family' Affair
Sep 10, 2007 5:20 PM CDT

Jury Convicts 5 in 'Family' Affair

Chicago's top kingpin nailed in 'Family Secrets' case

(Newser) - Chicago’s top mob boss was one of five men convicted today in a trial federal authorities dubbed “Operation Family Secrets” after one defendant's relatives offered unprecedented cooperation. Testimony from the son and brother of alleged hit man Frank Calabrese was key in convicting him, along with three Outfit...

Craig Moves to Retract Guilty Plea

Strategy could delay resignation and stave off ethics probe

(Newser) - Toe-tapping Senator Larry Craig will file a motion today to retract his guilty plea to charges linked to allegedly soliciting sex in a public men's room. Minnesota law allows convicts to recant pleas if they can prove they were not intelligently made, but such strategies rarely succeed. The legal proceedings...

No Ifs, Ands, or Butts: Town Outlaws Saggy Pants

If your underwear shows, you'll pay for it

(Newser) - A Louisiana town has taken a stand against saggy pants: starting tomorrow, anyone whose underwear shows will be hit with fines or jail time. And those who want to argue will just have to zip it. "Pull ‘em up or pay up," warned the police chief of...

$54M Pants Party Helps Pay Legal Fees
$54M Pants Party Helps Pay Legal Fees
Jul 25, 2007 12:40 PM CDT

$54M Pants Party Helps Pay Legal Fees

Slacks are most famous guest at fundraiser for dry cleaners

(Newser) - A guard stood watch over the most expensive pair of pants in the world at a fundraiser yesterday evening in Washington. Guests sipped cocktails, nibbled appetizers, and took photos with the notorious garment, which was so important to its original owner that he sued his dry cleaners for $54 million....

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