Law-related programs facing ax: State Justice Institute among those targeted by congressional budget-cutters

Article Abstract:

Among the legal education and law-related programs facing a cutoff or sharp reduction in federal funds is the State Justice Institute, the Council on Legal Education Opportunities, the Legal Services Corp, and Law School Clinical Experience. The State Justice Institute survived with its budget cut from $13.5 million to $5 million to maintain its grants to state courts, such as Arizona's QuickCourt legal kiosks. It had no ideological opponents in Congress, though the House argued states should fund state-level programs.

Finance, Budget, Budgeting, Budgets, Domestic policy, Government programs, 1996 AD, State Justice Institute

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A funny thing happened on the way to the courthouse: mens rea, document destruction, and the federal obstruction of justice statute

Article Abstract:

The principle of mens rea established in United States v Neiswender is inconsistent with section 1503 of the federal law on obstruction of justice. For example, negligent document destruction could result in prosecution under Neiswender. This mens rea principle also conflicts with Pettibone v United States and other mens rea principles. Congress should pass laws clarifying section 1503, similar to the Model Penal Code, to prevent the harsh use of Neiswender.

Analysis, Criminal intent, Obstruction of justice, Legal documents, Evidence spoliation

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Debating the future of the Independent Counsel statute

Article Abstract:

The Ethics in Government Act of 1978, commonly called the Independent Counsel statute, will expire in June 1999 unless Congress renews it. Two views prevail: that the statute should be renewed with amendments, and that the statute is too flawed to be amended and should be allowed to expire. An analysis of the statute's flawed rationale, in particular concerning the Department of Justice and the role of checks and balances, supports the second view.

United States, Special prosecutors

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