Senior judge ranks close vacancy gap; political squabbles upset judges who shun full-pay retirement in order to work

Article Abstract:

A good many senior judges have reacted to the politicization of judicial selection and resulting delay filling vacancies by remaining on the job. At last count, more than 380 had done so and they were responsible for more than 19% of all district court trials and had a part in nearly 14% of appeals. These statistics came from David A. Sellers, spokesman of the Administrative Office of the US Courts (AOUSC). AOUSC statistics also showed a total of 645 federal district court positions, of which 311, or nearly half, were as of July 1, 1996, filled by senior judges.

Innovations, Officials and employees, Federal courts, Practice, Judicial selection, Retired judges

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Adoption case sparks press-judiciary feud; press continues to fault judges for 'Baby Richard' case; judges say the press lacks legal savvy

Article Abstract:

The IL Supreme Court's notorious decision to return 'Baby Richard' to his natural parents in 1994 has led to a sharp conflict between journalists and jurists in the state. Chicago Tribune columnist Bob Greene has repeatedly castigated Justice James D Heiple, who wrote the unanimous opinion, for not taking the child's interests into account. Heiple says he applied the law as it was written, and that common law excluded the child's interests. Some bar groups are sponsoring forums to improve judge-journalist communications.

Public opinion, Illinois, Custody of children, Child custody, Adoption, Free press and fair trial, Pretrial publicity, Right to fair and impartial trial

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Insurance scam artists, beware; insurers are tapping computers, RICO experts in a campaign to snare attorneys involved in fraud

Article Abstract:

The insurance industry used using RICO attorneys and computer tracking to investigate alleged insurance fraud. This investigation culminated in a $12 mil federal suit filed against at least 20 doctors and three attorneys on Oct 1, 1996. The suit, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co v. Abrams, used RICO to accuse the defendants of 349 staged automobile accidents over six years. The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission has investigated other insurance fraud allegedly committed by lawyers.

Direct Property and Casualty Insurance Carriers, Fire, marine, and casualty insurance, Auto Insurance, Investigations, Automobile insurance, Racketeering, Insurance fraud

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