Malpractice case alleges 'lawsuit abuse'; lawyers accused of stirring up groundless toxic-tort litigation after plant fire

Article Abstract:

Houston, TX, lawyer Larry J. Doherty has filed a legal malpractice suit in a state trial court alleging that a group of attorneys fabricated a toxic-tort case against the Hoechst Celanese Corp, stemming from a chemical plant explosion in 1987. The malpractice case, on behalf of Catherine P. Anthony, is the first of about 80 Doherty expects to bring, accusing Thomas J. Upchurch, Wayne B. Barfield, and others of seeking out and recruiting potential plaintiffs, then tricking them into taking only a small share of the settlement money, leaving millions for the lawyers.

Cases, Attorneys, Lawyers, Ethical aspects, Texas, Malpractice, Frivolous suits (Civil procedure), Toxic torts, Legal malpractice

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Putting a crimp in crime: experts differ over reasons for falling rates of serious offenses

Article Abstract:

The continued decrease in the rate of serious crime by mid-1996 may be attributable to several factors, according to criminal justice experts. The crime drop may be related to a cyclical trend, better police work, or the demographic decrease in the number of crime-prone youth and young adults. NY City police dept's crime prevention efforts have proven successful, for example. However, demographic shifts and poverty or other social ills could lead to a rise in serious crime within a few years.

Police Protection, Crimes NEC, Analysis, Causes of, Violent crimes, Crime, Criminal statistics

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In the shoes of the wrongly accused: Americans worried about jury fairness, serious about service, study says

Article Abstract:

A survey of 436 people by Research USA found that almost 30% were not confident that their jury would acquit them if they were falsely accused. However, few felt that a similar racial, gender or economic status was necessary for a correct result. The majority of those surveyed were willing to serve on a jury despite often unpleasant situations faced by juries through either case content or courthouse conditions.

Public opinion, Criminal justice, Administration of, Administration of criminal justice, Jury, Juries

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