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.

Illinois, Judicial error, New trials, Vargas, Israel

---

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.

Attorneys, Discipline, Lawyers, Texas, Legal etiquette, Hilliard, Bob

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Police protection; some courts say officers can assert immunity for shootings that are an excessive use of force
• Abstracts: Global justice edges closer; creation of international criminal court under negotiation. Indiana Jones, Esq.: lawyer-explorer finds the lost city of Ubar
• Abstracts: Studies: community release works; easing transition from hospital to freedom helps keep mentally ill out of trouble
• Abstracts: Bar winners and losers; N.Y. committee suggests lawyer exams test wrong skills, unfair to minorities. Punitives under control; but tort reform boosters see bias in study findings
• Abstracts: Battered child's defense; youths who killed relatives offer evidence of abuse with mixed results. Liability for spouse's abuse; new theory holds mothers accountable for failing to protect children

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.