Criminal Law

Supreme Court hears argument in confrontation case

Posted on April 22, 2008
This morning the US Supreme Court heard argument in Giles v. California. The case concerns the admissibility of testimonial statements from a witness whose death was caused by the defendant. Scotusblog's summary of the case is available here. Transcripts of the argument are available here...

In the news

Posted on April 22, 2008
Ex-Justice official is charged in corruption inquiry in connection with Jack Abramoff. LATimes 4/21/08 Detains allege being drugged, questioned. Washington Post 4/22/08 Black widow freed because oops, no murder. Slate 4/22/08 Appellate Argument: An artist's view...

Swearing-In Ceremony scheduled for May 5

Posted on April 21, 2008
From the State Bar of Nevada: "The Nevada Supreme Court has scheduled the spring swearing-in ceremony for new applicants to the bar for May 5, 2008. The ceremony will take place at the Supreme Court Building in Carson City, Nevada, at 3:30 p.m. The First Judicial District Bar Association and the Washoe County Bar Association will host a reception immediately following in the second-floor rotunda...

In the news

Posted on April 21, 2008
Guantanamo commute is a real trial. LATimes 4/21/08 Few clear wins in US anti-terror cases. Washington Post 4/21/08 From DNA of family, a tool to make arrests. Washington Post 4/21/08 DNA tests offer deeper examination of accused. Washington Post 4/21/08 More convicted felons allowed to enlist in Army, Marines...

To access this complete feed in the blog feed reader login or register for free.

8th JD District Court Vacancy Announced

Posted on April 21, 2008
From Chief Justice Gibbons: "Following the retirement of the Honorable Gerald W. Hardcastle, the Commission on Judicial Selection is now accepting applications for the position of Judge in the Eighth Judicial District Court, Family Division, Department D...

Supreme Court grans cert on sentencing case

Posted on April 21, 2008
This morning the United States Supreme Court granted certiorari in Chambers v. United States. The case presents the question of whether a failure to report to prison that leads to a conviction for escape can be the basis for enhanced sentencing under the Armed Career Criminal Act...

Weekend news

Posted on April 20, 2008
Smith: Charlie Waterman helped Democrats follow their hearts with passion. LVRJ 4/20/08 Mitchell: Sealing everything in sight. LVRJ 4/20/08 Inmate's appeal alleging coercion denied. LVRJ 4/19/08 Police make arrest in Vegas strip club shooting...

Oral argument recordings available

Posted on April 18, 2008
Audio recordings are available for this week's oral arguments. Criminal cases include the following: Hernandez v. State - concerning whether notice is required prior to trial of the State's intent to use a transcript of prior testimony based upon the unavailability of a witness, also addresses whether prosecutors should be sworn when declaring that a witness is unavailable...

In the news

Posted on April 18, 2008
Democractic leader, lawyer Waterman dies of heart attack. LVRJ 4/18/08 LA's top federal prosecutor accused of setting quotas. LATimes 4/18/08 Capital punishment common sense. LATimes 4/18/08 Justice Stevens renounces capital punishment. NYTimes 4/18/08 Editorial: Whose privilege? NYTimes 4/18/08 Copper theft leaves Las Vegas streets dark...

Nevada Supreme Court issues 2 decisions

Posted on April 17, 2008
Please disregard this morning's post in which I said that there were no opinions today. The Court varied from its typical morning release of opinions and issued two opinions this afternoon. Buzz Stew LLC v. City of N. Las Vegas - "In this appeal, we examine whether a landowner may assert a cause of action for precondemnation damages that arise when a municipality announces its intent to condemn a parcel of land and then unreasonably delays instituting an eminent domain action...

RIP Charlie Waterman

Posted on April 17, 2008
Sad news. John Ralston reports on his Ralston Flash that defense attorney Charlie Waterman has died after suffering a heart attack. Charlie served as the Clark County Democratic Party Chairman and worked as a criminal defense attorney in Las Vegas for many, many years...

In the news

Posted on April 17, 2008
Supreme Court finds lethal injections a humane means of execution. LATimes 4/17/08 Justices uphold lethal injection procedure. Washington Post 4/17/08 The Capital Gang: The Supreme Court jump-starts the machinery of death. Dahlia Lithwick Slate 4/16/08 In reversal, Stevens says he opposes death penalty...

Position available on Judicial Selection Commission

Posted on April 16, 2008
From the State Bar of Nevada: "Due to the announced retirement of the Honorable Gerald W. Hardcastle, the Nevada Commission on Judicial Selection has begun the process to fill the vacancy in the Eighth Judicial District Family Court, Department D. Pursuant to Article 6, Section 20, of the Constitution of the State of Nevada, the appointment of a temporary member appointed by the State Bar of Nevada to serve for the purpose of filling this vacancy is necessary...

In the news

Posted on April 16, 2008
Supreme Court upholds executions by lethal injection. LATimes 4/16/08 Supreme Court upholds use of lethal injection. Washington Post 4/16/08 Supreme Court allows lethal injection for execution. NYTimes 4/16/08 Dick Cheney need not testify in wrongful arrest lawsuit...

US Supreme Court issues 2 other decisions in criminal cases

Posted on April 16, 2008
In addition to the opinion in Baze v. Rees, which is noted below, the US Supreme Court also issued decisions today in Begay v. U.S. and Burgess v. U.S. In Begay the Court held, in a 6-3 decision, that drunk driving is not a "violent felony" for the purposes of an enhanced prison sentence under the Armed Career Criminal Act...

US Supreme Court hears argument on death penalty for child rape

Posted on April 16, 2008
The US Supreme Court heard argument this morning in Kennedy v. Louisana. The case presents the issue of whether a state may impose the death penalty for a person convicted of raping a child. Scotusblog provides details and links to the briefs of the parties and amicus.

Supreme Court says lethal injection o.k.

Posted on April 16, 2008
Scotusblog reports that the United States Supreme Court has issued a ruling in which it finds that use of lethal injections is not unconstitutional. There were several opinions with a vote of 7-2 for the result. The opinion in Baze v. Rees is available here...

In the news

Posted on April 15, 2008
Lawyers may get millions more for courthouse fight. LV Sun 4/15/08 Fiscal consequences: Costly court decision rehearing urged. LVRJ 4/15/08 Court to review gaming tax boost. LVRJ 4/15/08 Police: No evidence 'Buffalo' Jim was killed. LVSun 4/15//08 Editorial: A question of credibility...

In the news

Posted on April 14, 2008
Gun case puts focus on law. LVRJ 4/14/08 Counties differ on weapons privacy. RGJ 4/14/08 Fallon man charged with 265 counts of child pornography possession. Nevada Appeal 4/13/08

Weekend news

Posted on April 13, 2008
In brief (re: Mirch disbarment). LVRJ 4/12/08 Morrison: Tempest in teapot, maybe, but candidate should expect ethics complaint (re: Kephart campaign for Dept. 10). LVRJ 4/12/08 High profile Henderson case: police shooting justifiable. LVRJ 4/12/08 Addiction trips up former top cop...

In the news

Posted on April 11, 2008
Family sues prison system over dead inmate. RGJ 4/11/08 Police give up plans for prison. LVRJ 4/11/08 Officer involved shooting in Henderson. Witnesses testify woman had knife. LVRJ 4/11/08 Haunting testimony, many firsts. LVSun 4/11/08 Editorial: Camera shy...

No opinions today

Posted on April 10, 2008
The title says it all. Check back next Thursday.

Survey help wanted

Posted on April 10, 2008
The State Bar of Nevada, Clark County Bar Association and Washoe County Bar Association are asking for help with an anonymous survey concerning professionalism within the practive of law in Nevada. The results will be shared at the 4th Annual Professionalism Summit, which will be held in Reno on April 23 and Las Vegas on April 24.

Del Vecchio files motion to stay judicial discipline proceedings

Posted on April 10, 2008
Judge Nicholas DelVecchio has filed a motion to stay judicial discipline proceedings pending resolution of a related civil action that was filed in the Eighth Judicial District Court. The 21 page document provides his general responses to the allegations filed against him in a complaint by the Judicial Discipline Commission and includes a copy of the civil complaint...

Coroner's Inquest Live

Posted on April 10, 2008
The District Attorney's Office will begin presenting evidence at 9:00 a.m. concerning the shooting death of Deshira Selimaj. She's the ice cream truck driver shot by Henderson Police on February 12, 2008. LasVegasNOW and Las Vegas One - Channel 19 will have the entire proceeding live starting Thursday morning at 9 a...

In the news

Posted on April 10, 2008
Rule would free low-risk inmates early. LVRJ 4/10/08 Judge denies claims of abuse, declares he loved accuser. LVRJ 4/10/08 Gibbons, legislators OK more cuts. LVRJ 4/10/08 Plan takes $350 more million from budget. RGJ 4/10/08 Prison official: Tougher sex offender laws creating extra costs...

Advisory Comm. on Admin. of Justice meets at Prison on Monday

Posted on April 09, 2008
The Advisory Commission on the Administration of Justice will hold its next meeting on Monday, April 14, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at the High Desert State Prison in Indian Springs. The meeting will be videoconferenced to Carson City and the State Office Building in Las Vegas and may be viewed via the internet at the Legislature's website...

In the news

Posted on April 09, 2008
A life of honor, one day at a time. LA Times 4/9/08 A divide between Pellicano witnesses. LATimes 4/9/08 In Justice shift, corporate deals replace trials. NYTimes 4/9/08 Court files detail claims of sect's 'pattern' of abuse. NYTimes 4/9/08 Hung jury in case of noted coroner, but he'll be retried...

Oral argument mp3s now available

Posted on April 08, 2008
Audio recordings are now available for oral arguments that took place before the Nevada Supreme Court yesterday and today. The arguments in criminal cases were: Fergusen v. State - competency determination Jones v. State - death penalty habeas The arguments in civil cases were: Baldonado v...

In the news

Posted on April 08, 2008
Justices conduct hearing on 'competency court.' LVRJ 4/8/08 At Justice, new pressure to release documents. Washington Post 4/8/08 Focus on raid in Texas was living out of state. NYTimes 4/8/08 Ex-lawmaker is sentenced to prison. NYTimes 4/8/08 Challenges arise to border fence project...

Bloggers, promote your law blog by nominating your blog for inclusion in USLaw.com's Law Blog Directory and RSS Reader. Benefits described.