Heading back to the thicket: voting district cases pose politically and racially charges questions

Article Abstract:

By agreeing to review voting district cases Shaw v. Hunt and Bush v. Vera in the 1995-96 term the US Supreme Court revisits a difficult area where its recent decisions give no clear direction. If the court extends its 5-4 decision in Miller v. Johnson and overturns more voting districts, redrawing them during an election year would be highly disruptive to the elections. Justice Sandra Day O'Connor seems to be the key vote, with her concurrence in Miller suggesting that opinion will not be broadened.

Cases, Voting, Apportionment (Election law)

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Taking the initiative: California voters bar pain-and-suffering damages for uninsured or drunken drivers in car accidents

Article Abstract:

California voters decided in Proposition 213 that drunken drivers and uninsured motorists were ineligible for non-economic damages, including those for pain and suffering, arising from traffic accidents. The initiative is sure to have a big impact since one in three California drivers is uninsured. Critics of the initiative feel it is mean-spirited, while proponents are sure it will save a great deal of insurance costs as lawyers will have less reason to file suits under the contingency fee system.

Laws, regulations and rules, Remedies, California, Limitation of damages, Limitations of damages, Liability for traffic accidents, Mental distress (Law)

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Stuntpersons add drama to cases; accidents are re-created to support litigants' version of events

Article Abstract:

Some lawyers say that dramatizing an accident or injury case with a stunt actor can be visually compelling and persuasive, though not decisive. Fees for stuntpersons range up to $4000 per stunt and $1500 per day of testimony, steep figures because stunts for the courtroom permit less use of off-camera safety equipment. Lawyers hire them to illustrate a victim's claims or injury as well as for the defense, to disprove an unlikely allegation.

Usage, Innovations, Personal injuries, Evidence, Demonstrative, Testimony, Demonstrative evidence, Stunt men and women, Stunt performers

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