Phone hex: a defendant's conviction is overturned because the judge left the bench during trial to answer a call
Article Abstract:
The Illinois Supreme Court ruled in People v. Vargas in favor of a new trial for Israel Vargas because Judge Michael Toomin left the bench to take a phone call during the original proceeding, thereby, the court ruled, violating the defendant's right to a fair trial. The judge readily admits an error but feels the issue is not as clear as the opinion would suggest, since the subject of the phone call was court business.
Publication Name: ABA Journal
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0747-0088
Year: 1997
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It didn't please the court: Texas Supreme Court refers a lawyer for possible disciplinary action because he insulted the justices
Article Abstract:
The Texas Supreme Court petitioned the State Bar to discipline attorney Bob Hilliard, who filed a brief expressly criticising both the court and its judges. The brief sought to have the Texas Supreme Court reconsider its reversal of an appellate court's judgment awarding damages to the lawyer's clients. Hilliard filed a petition for a writ of certiorari to the US Supreme Court in Feb 1998.
Publication Name: ABA Journal
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0747-0088
Year: 1998
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