Lesbianism at center of custody dispute: Va. Supreme Court denies mom's petition to raise her son in gay environment

Article Abstract:

The Virginia Supreme Court denied Sharon Lynne Bottoms' petition to regain custody of her son because of her active lesbian relationship since lesbianism is a Class 6 felony in the Virginia code. Custody is currently held by the son's grandmother, Pamela Kay Bottoms. Sharon was ruled unfit because of periods of unemployment, behavior considered neglectful and numerous affairs. Alleged sexual abuse of Sharon by Pamela's live-in companion was raised but the companion no longer lives with Pamela. Gay rights advocates see this ruling as a major set back for equality for gays.

Virginia, Custody of children, Child custody, Gay parents

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From courtroom to classroom: college-level reading program for criminals shows early success

Article Abstract:

English professor Robert Waxler and trial judge Robert Kane created a program called Changing Lives Through Literature to introduce convicts to college-level literature. The program, with an annual budget of $100,000, dropped the recidivism rate of at least one group from 45% to 18.8%, and has drawn queries from NY, TX, and FL. It operates in 6 jurisdictions in MA, with college professors teaching 12-week courses of six workshops on college campuses. Most of the program graduates have since pursued more education.

Analysis, Innovations, Education of prisoners, Correctional education, Sentences (Criminal procedure)

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Guidelines instead of bright lines: state rulings on punitives unlikely to be uniform despite High Court guidance

Article Abstract:

She US Supreme Court in BMW v. Gore gave standards for deciding whether punitive damages were reasonable rather than imposing a mathematical limit. These included how reprehensible the defendant's conduct was, the ratio of compensatory to punitive damages and the civil or criminal penalties that could be given for comparable misconduct. Scholars disagree over the effect of Gore on the case for punitive damages limits.

Exemplary damages, Punitive damages, Limitation of damages, Limitations of damages, states

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