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A Public Defender 

Criminal law news from Connecticut and around the country.
Post Frequency: 10.1/day Last Entry: March 31, 2011 at 12:17:35 Recent Entries: 819
By Gideon
Go to A Public Defender, find other Public Defense blogs, or browse all law blogs.
Sunday Stupidity: It?s more difficult than it looks edition
Posted on October 26, 2008You try stackin’ ‘em Massive Shopping Cart Fail by Two Morons - Watch more free videos
In infinitas infinitio
Posted on October 26, 2008Will this blog be remembered like this in days to come? I hope not.
Troy Davis gets a stay
Posted on October 24, 2008The 11th Circuit has stayed Davis’ execution - set for Monday - and asked both parties to brief whether Troy can file a successive petition. They also included this interesting question: It asked the parties to address whether Davis can still be executed if he can establish innocence under the second standard [clear and convincing evidence [...
To bail or not to bail
Posted on October 22, 2008If you listen to nothing else this week, listen to today’s episode of On Point with Tom Ashbrook as he discusses the mortgage crisis and what we should do about homeowners who are facing foreclosure.
Trading cases
Posted on October 22, 2008Say it ain’t so, David F.! Last night’s episode of Raising the Bar included a storyline about a client of Bobbi the public defender, who had been waiting two years for a trial, but which the prosecutor kept putting off because she wasn’t ready...
The war on drugs: Making friends customers
Posted on October 21, 2008R U mai fren or mai deelerz? In another stirring strike for the war on drugs, the Second Circuit last week issued this impressive decision in U.S. v. Luna (but the appeal is really about some guy named Hawkins). The facts go thusly: Hawkins wanted to buy some drugs from Luna, so he talked to him about [...
Troy Davis is ?innocent? because?
Posted on October 20, 2008This “rebuttal” of Troy Davis’ advocates does little to dispel any notions of an impending injustice [via Paul Cassell at Volokh]. More disturbing than the weak “rebuttal”, however, is the post itself by Paul “I used to be a Judge” Cassell, which contains some very disturbing assertions and implications...
Raising The Bar: Episode Seven of Nine (Actually Eight)
Posted on October 20, 2008Oh how I miss seeing the Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix Zero-One on TV. Maybe they could have a storyline where Zach Morris has to defend Seven after she’s killed a Borg member in self-defense, because the Borg was trying to assimilate the prosecutor’s office...
Same-sex marriage: How long will it last in CT?
Posted on October 19, 2008Last week brought the thoroughly good news that same-sex marriage was now legal in CT. Ah, but were that the end of the story. As I mentioned in my oddly prescient post the morning of the decision, there will be a question on the ballot this Nov. 4th, asking voters whether CT should hold its [...
Wanna play in the NFL?
Posted on October 19, 2008Think you have what it takesto be an NFL quarterback? Prove it. Take the Wonderlic.
Speedy trial: whose responsibility is it?
Posted on October 17, 2008How many defense attorneys does it take to screw up a case? Or better yet, how badly malfunctioning does a public defender system have to be to get a court to blame it for delays in the criminal justice system? Back in March, the Vermont Supreme Court issued a very curious opinion reversing a conviction for [...
Calling all married people
Posted on October 15, 2008Has your marriage gotten worse since Monday? Do you somehow feel “less” married? Husband/wife refusing to act “spous-y”? Please share if you answered yes to any of the questions.
Oh (de)Jesus! Calling propensity propensity
Posted on October 13, 2008(I warn you at the outset: this is a very long post about general evidentiary principles and the CT Supreme Court’s jurisprudence on prior misconduct evidence. If you’re a CT lawyer, you probably should read it. If you’re not, you might as well read it anyway, because I spent an hour researching and writing it [...
Monday Morning Jumpstart: Columbus Day v2.0
Posted on October 13, 2008Good morning folks. Hope everyone is able to enjoy this long weekend. I’m taking advantage of the day off by posting a Jumpstart, after a several week hiatus. Here are the weekend’s most interesting posts and stories: Two law schools will now disregard the LSAT...
Liveblogging Raising the Bar Episode Next
Posted on October 13, 2008Sorry for the late start. We’re ready to go!
Sunday Stupidity: Driving lessons as condition of probation
Posted on October 12, 2008Epic fail. Click here to view the embedded video.
The world has not ended
Posted on October 11, 2008Gay marriage is legal in CT and yet, for some unexplainable reason, the world has not ended. We’re still on terra firma, part of these contintental United States. I’m flabbergasted. PS: Remember to vote “NO” to the Constitutional convention on Nov...
Same sex marriage: Does Justice Borden really oppose it?
Posted on October 11, 2008We all know the vote tally in Kerrigan v. Comm’r of Public Health: 4-3 in favor of the plaintiffs. Justices Palmer, Norcott, Katz and Judge Harper voting in favor and Justices Borden, Vertefeuille (Ryan takes a stab at unpacking her dissent) and Zarella against...
Same-sex marriage legal in Connecticut (with music)
Posted on October 10, 2008In a landmark decision (with three dissents), the Connecticut Supreme Court today ruled in Kerrigan v. Commissioner of Public Health, that prohibiting same-sex marriages violates the State Constitution’s equal protection clause. In doing so, CT joins CA and MA in legalizing gay marriages via judicial decisions...
Breaking: same sex marriage legal in CT
Posted on October 10, 2008In an historic decision, the CT supreme court today struck down the civil union statutory scheme as violating the equal protection clause of the State constitution. Gay marriages are now legal, by a vote of 4-3. The opinions are available on the judicial website...
Can the Constitution be unconstitutional?
Posted on October 10, 2008Okay, so I wasn’t exactly honest with that question. The real question is: can a Constitutional Amendment be unconstitutional? (But since a Constitutional amendment becomes the Constitutional, it wasn’t exactly dishonest, either.) Now this is a purely hypothetical question, because in most cases, there wouldn’t be an amendment that also didn’t repeal a prior amendment that [...
I?m jealous of the 4th Amendment
Posted on October 08, 2008She seems to keep getting smaller shedding weight, while I can’t drop a pound even after a 4-week starvation diet.
Happy 10th Birthday, Sex Offender Registry!
Posted on October 06, 2008Connecticut’s sex offender registry has turned 10. Yay. Along with this 10th anniversary comes the first wave of offenders (lucky enough to be sentenced to only 10 years) who will have their name removed. By the end of October, 29 names will have been removed...
Raising the Bar Liveblog: Episode 6
Posted on October 06, 2008Just a reminder: Liveblog upcoming at 10pm. Join in!
OMG! Do you know?
Posted on October 06, 2008The bird is the word… Click here to view the embedded video. Awww yeah.
Gideon unmasked
Posted on October 02, 2008If you want to see what I look like, go here. Limited time offer. Thanks for making this happen, David G. FTW (definition 1, not 2).
You can thank me later
Posted on September 29, 2008It's the economy, stupid I have the solution for the country’s economic woes. Really. If the country’s politicians do what I say, there will be large revenues available to stabilize the markets and to inject back into the stream of commerce, thereby making everyone happier...
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World-renowned Dermatologist Warns Public of Botox Dangers
Beverly Hills, CA: Dr. Arnold Klein, a world-renowned dermatologis...
NO TRIMMING IN PUBLIC PLACES
In the Village of Scarsdale, you're not allowed to "...
I have worked for this employer for only three weeks. The employer makes up his own rules as to what he chooses to report for the purpose of property taxes. He tells me to "let them come after us". He defines Entertain
He arrogantly insists, "let them come after us." Well, if you are invo...
Does a Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge a secured mortgage loan?
Yes if you file they cannot sue you to the knowledge I know. My brother is in re...
How to prevent an arrest from appearing in the local newspaper?
Dont know the law in Minnesota but in most jurisdictions an arrest is a matter o...
When there is a very high level of abuse in which nursing home patient died, neglect from her nurse is mediation good for this or is a jury trial more apropriate?
Totally against mediation! I agree with you, it will never resolve your mother...
My situation is somewhat difficult to describe, but about two months ago planes began arriving at an airport near my house and an organized stalking effort began. As I'm driving to and from home, cars will begin encircli
I would like this person 'anonymous' to get in touch with me. Question...

I have worked for this employer for only three weeks. The employer makes up his own rules as to what he chooses to report for the purpose of property taxes. He tells me to "let them come after us". He defines Entertain
He arrogantly insists, "let them come after us." Well, if you are invo...
Does a Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge a secured mortgage loan?
Yes if you file they cannot sue you to the knowledge I know. My brother is in re...
How to prevent an arrest from appearing in the local newspaper?
Dont know the law in Minnesota but in most jurisdictions an arrest is a matter o...
When there is a very high level of abuse in which nursing home patient died, neglect from her nurse is mediation good for this or is a jury trial more apropriate?
Totally against mediation! I agree with you, it will never resolve your mother...
My situation is somewhat difficult to describe, but about two months ago planes began arriving at an airport near my house and an organized stalking effort began. As I'm driving to and from home, cars will begin encircli
I would like this person 'anonymous' to get in touch with me. Question...








