#affirmative-defense

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US politics
fromLos Angeles Times
21 hours ago

The loophole that keeps a Trump loyalist serving as L.A.'s top federal prosecutor

Bill Essayli operates as a de facto U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, pursuing aggressive legal actions aligned with Trump's administration despite challenges to his position.
#self-defense
US news
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 day ago

Quadruple amputee cornhole pro says he fatally shot person in self-defense

Dayton Webber, a quadruple amputee, shot and killed Bradrick Wells in self-defense during an argument, according to his attorney.
US news
fromFortune
3 days ago

The quadruple amputee cornholer's shooting was in self-defense, lawyer says | Fortune

A quadruple amputee shot and killed a passenger in self-defense during an argument, facing murder charges and a lengthy trial.
US news
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 day ago

Quadruple amputee cornhole pro says he fatally shot person in self-defense

Dayton Webber, a quadruple amputee, shot and killed Bradrick Wells in self-defense during an argument, according to his attorney.
US news
fromFortune
3 days ago

The quadruple amputee cornholer's shooting was in self-defense, lawyer says | Fortune

A quadruple amputee shot and killed a passenger in self-defense during an argument, facing murder charges and a lengthy trial.
Law
fromAbove the Law
1 day ago

In-House Counsel Come Out In Support Of Biglaw Firms Fighting The Trump Administration - Above the Law

Executive Orders deter law firms from engaging with the legal system due to fear of federal retaliation.
NYC LGBT
fromAdvocate.com
2 days ago

How a 'trans panic' defense changed the outcome of two murders

D. F. McLaughlin's murder in 1986 highlights the dangers of transphobia and remains a significant yet overlooked case in the fight for justice.
SF politics
fromPadailypost
2 days ago

Opinion: A DA shouldn't be using his office this way

Allegations against DA Jeff Rosen suggest unethical fundraising linked to prosecution of pro-Gaza protesters, raising concerns about political neutrality in law enforcement.
Boston
fromBoston.com
2 days ago

Providence's Duncan Powell pleads not guilty to charges resulting from altercation with woman

Duncan Powell pleaded not guilty to domestic assault and disorderly conduct after allegedly threatening a woman and injuring her during an argument.
Mission District
fromsfist.com
2 days ago

Day Around the Bay: Sheryl Davis Delays Arraignment, Plans to Plead Not Guilty

Sheryl Davis plans to plead not guilty to charges of misappropriating $4.6 million in city funds, delaying her arraignment until May 6.
NYC parents
fromwww.amny.com
3 days ago

Criminal case against man shot by cops during mental health crisis will move forward | amNewYork

A Queens man shot by police during a mental health crisis faces criminal charges despite calls for dismissal from his mother and community members.
fromwww.mediaite.com
3 days ago

Irrelevant?' Justice Alito Grills ACLU Lawyer Over Key Precedent in Citizenship Case

Ask any American what our citizenship rule is and they'll tell you, everyone born here is a citizen alike. That rule was enshrined in the 14th Amendment to put it out of reach of any government official to destroy.
Social justice
#luigi-mangione
Law
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 days ago

Luigi Mangione to appear in New York court in effort to postpone federal trial

Luigi Mangione seeks to postpone his federal trial due to overlapping state trial preparations and constitutional rights concerns.
Law
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 days ago

Luigi Mangione to appear in New York court in effort to postpone federal trial

Luigi Mangione seeks to postpone his federal trial due to overlapping state trial preparations and constitutional rights concerns.
#murder-trial
NYC politics
fromGothamist
4 days ago

Murder trial of man accused of killing NYPD officer moves to closing arguments

Guy Rivera is on trial for the murder of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, facing life imprisonment if convicted.
Law
fromwww.amny.com
1 week ago

Mangione, Manhattan DA release dueling arguments prior to evidence suppression decision | amNewYork

Luigi Mangione's defense argues for suppression of evidence from his backpack in his murder trial for the killing of CEO Brian Thompson.
NYC politics
fromGothamist
4 days ago

Murder trial of man accused of killing NYPD officer moves to closing arguments

Guy Rivera is on trial for the murder of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, facing life imprisonment if convicted.
Law
fromwww.amny.com
1 week ago

Mangione, Manhattan DA release dueling arguments prior to evidence suppression decision | amNewYork

Luigi Mangione's defense argues for suppression of evidence from his backpack in his murder trial for the killing of CEO Brian Thompson.
Podcast
fromSlate Magazine
5 days ago

A Court Settlement Made Me a Millionaire. I've Barely Touched the Money.

Natalie received over a million dollars in a major abuse settlement after being sexually abused by her university gynecologist.
SF parents
fromPadailypost
5 days ago

Former ally of ex-sheriff sues county over rumors

A former assistant has sued ex-San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus over alleged drug use and inappropriate conduct during her campaign.
US politics
fromAbove the Law
1 day ago

Morning Docket: 04.03.26 - Above the Law

The Department of Justice may become more aligned with Donald Trump's influence following leadership changes.
fromPadailypost
1 week ago

Defense attorney says DA Rosen used Stanford protester case to solicit campaign donations

Judge Kelley Paul is considering whether to remove District Attorney Jeff Rosen from retrying five activists accused of vandalism, due to allegations of campaign fundraising misconduct.
California
Law
fromAbove the Law
2 days ago

Morning Docket: 04.02.26 - Above the Law

DOJ has prioritized deporting law-abiding individuals over prosecuting serious criminal cases.
US Elections
fromAbove the Law
1 week ago

Morning Docket: 03.23.26 - Above the Law

Robert Mueller's investigation revealed significant criminality within Trump's circle, including potential obstruction charges against Trump.
#prosecutorial-misconduct
US politics
fromLos Angeles Times
1 day ago

'Amateur hour at the U.S. attorney's office': L.A. prosecutors face more losses in protest cases

Prosecutors faced significant challenges in two separate trials for assault on federal officers in Los Angeles, with one case potentially dismissed due to discovery issues.
US politics
fromLos Angeles Times
1 day ago

'Amateur hour at the U.S. attorney's office': L.A. prosecutors face more losses in protest cases

Prosecutors faced significant challenges in two separate trials for assault on federal officers in Los Angeles, with one case potentially dismissed due to discovery issues.
Law
fromAbove the Law
1 day ago

DLA Piper Headed To Trial Over Firing Of Mom-To-Be - Above the Law

DLA Piper faces trial over allegations of firing an associate for taking maternity leave, challenging its employment practices and discrimination claims.
#kelsey-fitzsimmons
Law
fromBoston.com
2 days ago

Kelsey Fitzsimmons was found not guilty. Now she's suing.

Kelsey Fitzsimmons, a former police officer, was acquitted of assault and is pursuing a civil lawsuit against North Andover town officials.
Law
fromBoston.com
1 week ago

Why did Kelsey Fitzsimmons choose to have a judge decide her fate?

Kelsey Fitzsimmons is on trial for assault, with her fate decided by Judge Jeffrey T. Karp instead of a jury.
Law
fromBoston.com
2 days ago

Kelsey Fitzsimmons was found not guilty. Now she's suing.

Kelsey Fitzsimmons, a former police officer, was acquitted of assault and is pursuing a civil lawsuit against North Andover town officials.
Law
fromBoston.com
1 week ago

Why did Kelsey Fitzsimmons choose to have a judge decide her fate?

Kelsey Fitzsimmons is on trial for assault, with her fate decided by Judge Jeffrey T. Karp instead of a jury.
Law
fromAbove the Law
2 days ago

The Price Of Justice And The Promise Of AI - Above the Law

Rising legal service costs and declining access-to-justice funding widen the gap for those needing legal protections, with AI presenting potential solutions.
NYC politics
fromwww.amny.com
2 weeks ago

City moves to end legal defense of Adams in sexual assault suit | amNewYork

New York City's Law Department moved to stop taxpayer-funded defense of former Mayor Eric Adams in a sexual assault lawsuit, arguing his alleged 1994 actions fall outside the scope of public employment.
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
3 weeks ago

Thousands of lawyers oppose jury restriction plan

Over 3,200 lawyers and judges oppose government plans to abolish jury trials in certain cases, arguing there is no evidence this will reduce record court backlogs of nearly 80,000 cases.
Law
fromAbove the Law
2 days ago

Atlanta Prosecutor Repeatedly Cites Non-Existent Cases To Avoid Murder Retrial - Above the Law

AI hallucinations in legal work are leading to serious issues, including the citation of nonexistent cases by attorneys.
fromAbove the Law
3 weeks ago

Morning Docket: 03.13.26 - Above the Law

CFTC failing already a solid bet. Government says tariff refund system 40 percent to 80 percent complete which is quite the spread. Almost a they're just making stuff up kind of estimate.
US Elections
Law
fromAbove the Law
3 days ago

Judge Who Embarrassed Himself With IT Outrburst Doubles Down - Above the Law

Judge Nathan Milliron's behavior has sparked outrage, revealing a pattern of bullying and retaliation against staff and lawyers in the Texas legal community.
fromPadailypost
3 weeks ago

DA decides not to retry Galatolo case

Wagstaffe said he decided not to retry the remaining charges due to the high cost to San Mateo County taxpayers. He did not have an estimate as to how much a second trial would cost. Galatolo is facing 10 years in prison for the eight counts he was convicted of, which Wagstaffe says is a reasonable sentence, with or without the additional convictions.
California
US politics
fromAbove the Law
2 weeks ago

Morning Docket: 03.18.26 - Above the Law

Chief Justice Roberts calls for ending personal attacks on judges, while questions arise about presidential official acts; meanwhile, legal developments span judicial conduct, cryptocurrency regulation, Section 230 reform, and national security concerns.
Law
fromAbove the Law
3 days ago

Morning Docket: 04.01.26 - Above the Law

Trump is involved in legal matters, including birthright citizenship arguments and a recent criminal conviction.
fromABC7 Chicago
4 days ago

Lawyers for man accused of killing Charlie Kirk ask to delay preliminary hearing

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives could not conclusively connect a bullet fragment recovered during an autopsy to the rifle found near the scene. The FBI is running additional tests.
Law
NYC parents
fromPadailypost
4 weeks ago

Police, school district write checks to settle teen's suit alleging excessive force by police

Atherton town government and Sequoia Union High School District settled a lawsuit for $560,000 with a student after police forcibly detained him at school over a toy water gun incident.
Law
fromPoynter
3 days ago

Like journalists, prosecutors shaped a distorted view of crime. They can help fix it, too. - Poynter

Prosecutors and journalists both contribute to misleading public perceptions of crime, but prosecutors possess crucial data to tell a more accurate story.
fromAbove the Law
1 month ago

Discovery As Truth-Seeking: Win Hard Without Playing Hide-The-Ball - Above the Law

Effective discovery requires more than compliance - it requires strategy. Litigators can balance expansive discovery rights and privacy concerns without slowing cases down through practical, results-focused approaches that consider proportionality, electronically stored information management, and the specific discovery rules applicable to their jurisdiction.
Intellectual property law
#legal-ethics
fromsfist.com
1 month ago

Suspect Arraigned In Tenderloin Homicide Is Claiming Self-Defense

The video then allegedly shows Mr. Alatini shoot the victim in his back. What we did see is a brandishing of a firearm prior to the victim ever displaying pepper spray and/or using that pepper spray. So actually in that sense, it would support the victim having used some form of self defense.
San Francisco
#tax-fraud
Law
fromBoston.com
4 days ago

Judge denies Lindsay Clancy's request for two-part murder trial

Lindsay Clancy will stand trial in July for allegedly killing her three children, with an insanity defense based on postpartum mental illness.
fromIPWatchdog.com | Patents & Intellectual Property Law
1 month ago

When Lawyers Need Help: Supporting Colleagues While Protecting Clients

The legal profession rewards endurance, precision and control. It also quietly normalizes stress, isolation and overextension. For patent practitioners and other IP lawyers, the pressures are uniquely acute: compressed prosecution deadlines, high-stakes litigation exposure, often unrealistic client-driven budget constraints, regulatory whiplash at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and increasingly complex technologies layered with global filing and prosecution strategy.
Intellectual property law
Law
fromAbove the Law
5 days ago

Morning Docket: 03.30.26 - Above the Law

AI associates should not be blamed for failures, raising questions about their necessity.
Law
fromABA Journal
1 week ago

Drug convictions bar lawyer from bench but not from practicing law

Felony drug convictions prevent lawyer from becoming a judge but allow him to continue practicing law in Montana.
Law
fromwww.amny.com
1 week ago

Op-Ed | Protecting attorneys' autonomyadvancesAmericanaccountability | amNewYork

Restrictions on lawyers' access to venues undermine democratic principles and serve as intimidation tactics against legal opposition.
Law
fromsfist.com
1 week ago

Humpday Headlines: Judge Fines SF Public Defender For Turning Down Cases

SF Public Defender Mano Raju is hiring 36 new attorneys while facing contempt for turning down cases due to unmanageable caseloads.
Law
from48 hills
1 week ago

Judge sanctions public defender in case that raises critical issues about criminal justice - 48 hills

Public Defender Mano Raju was fined $26,000 for refusing cases due to overwhelming workloads, highlighting systemic issues in public defense funding.
Law
fromABA Journal
2 weeks ago

Fake lawyer who used real bar number to practice law pleads guilty

A man in Las Vegas pleaded guilty to impersonating a lawyer using another attorney's bar number.
US news
fromAbove the Law
1 month ago

Law Professor Arrested On 50 Counts In Child Sexual Abuse Materials Case - Above the Law

A Barry University law professor, Glen‑Peter Ahlers, was arrested on 50 counts of unlawful possession of materials depicting the sexual performance of a child and held on $100,000 bond.
New York City
fromwww.amny.com
1 month ago

Queens Defenders founder pleads guilty to stealing hundreds of thousands from the legal services provider amNewYork

Lori Zeno pleaded guilty to conspiring with her husband and an employee to embezzle nonprofit funds, diverting public defense money for personal luxury expenses.
Law
fromAbove the Law
2 weeks ago

People Often Confuse One Attorney For Another - Above the Law

Lawyers can minimize mistaken identity issues by clarifying their location and practicing due diligence in communication.
fromSlate Magazine
2 months ago

Don't Let Them Tell You That Was Self-Defense

Early Saturday morning in downtown Minneapolis, 37-year-old Alex Pretti was killed by federal agents in full public view. Within hours, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection officials released a familiar statement: an agent, they said, had acted in lawful self-defense against an armed and violent agitator. According to this narrative, Pretti instigated the violence that led to his death.
Law
fromAbove the Law
2 weeks ago

Say It So People Hear It - Above the Law

Effective legal communication requires controlling tone, pace, and presence across different audiences while maintaining truthfulness and clarity.
Law
fromLos Angeles Times
2 weeks ago

California trial attorneys push bills to rein in 'bad actors' in legal industry

California trial lawyers support bills increasing penalties for attorneys who illegally solicit clients or allow hedge funds to control case strategy.
California
fromwww.mercurynews.com
1 month ago

With murder trial looming, 3 take deals in killing of ex-San Jose cop who worked as KRON4 security guard

Three alleged gang members agreed to decades-long prison terms for a robbery that resulted in the 2021 killing of San Jose police Officer Kevin Nishita.
fromNew York Daily News
2 months ago

Defense lawyer 'subject' of probe as feds investigate possible witness tampering in boxer trial

Gogic, 46, who remains held without bail at MDC Brooklyn, was set to stand trial on charges in November that he played a key role in an operation that trafficked more than 20 tons of cocaine through U.S. ports. A day before opening statements, though, the trial was thrown into chaos, when prosecutors said they'd learned of a plot to offer a $100,000 bribe to a juror.
US news
Law
fromwww.mediaite.com
3 weeks ago

Lawyer Arrested for Allegedly Extorting Client He Successfully Got a Trump Pardon For

A lawyer who secured a presidential pardon for a tax fraud client was arrested for allegedly attempting to extort $500,000 from that same client.
US politics
fromAbove the Law
2 months ago

The Perp Walk Is The Point - Above the Law

The Justice Department sought to publicize an image of Don Lemon in handcuffs while prosecuting protesters and attempted to suppress public docket records.
fromAbove the Law
3 weeks ago

Lawyer Convicted Of Systematic Sexual Abuse Of Children - Above the Law

Bishop was found guilty on 24 counts of committing lewd acts on three minor victims, all described in court documents as victims under the age of 14. The span of these offenses covers multiple years. Evidence admitted at trial showed that Bishop possessed more than 600 images of child sexual abuse material depicting two of the minor victims.
Law
#sex-trafficking
fromwww.amny.com
2 months ago
US news

Attorney for real estate mogul Alexander brothers in sex trafficking trial opening: clients may be assholes,' but not criminals amNewYork

fromwww.amny.com
2 months ago
US news

Attorney for real estate mogul Alexander brothers in sex trafficking trial opening: clients may be assholes,' but not criminals amNewYork

Law
fromAbove the Law
3 weeks ago

Fright Makes Right - See Also - Above the Law

The DOJ's actions against law firms, weakening of the Hatch Act, law school pipeline expansion efforts, and major scholarship funding represent significant shifts in legal institutions and governance structures.
US politics
fromABA Journal
1 month ago

Law students demand loophole shielding federal officers from civil suits should be closed

Congress should pass the Federal Officer Accountability Act to allow civil suits against federal officers and prevent qualified immunity for excessive force.
fromABC7 Los Angeles
2 months ago

Defendant in Charlie Kirk's killing asks judge to disqualify prosecutors

Tyler Robinson is charged with aggravated murder in Kirk's Sept. 10 shooting on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, just a few miles north of the Provo courthouse. Prosecutors with the Utah County Attorney's Office plan to seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted. Robinson has not yet entered a plea. An 18-year-old child of a deputy county attorney attended the campus event where Kirk was shot.
US news
fromAbove the Law
3 weeks ago

Morning Docket: 03.09.26 - Above the Law

After about-face on withdrawing lawsuits against law firms, Justice Department uncorks almost 100 pages of vitriol against federal judges for ruling against the administration generally.
Law
US politics
fromAdvocate.com
2 months ago

'Nothing about what is going on here is normal': A fight over evidence in Good, Pretti cases

State and county lawyers sought court orders to prevent federal agencies from destroying evidence and to compel evidence sharing after alleged mishandling in fatal shootings.
US politics
fromAbove the Law
2 months ago

State AG Asks For Formal Legal Opinion From Himself - Above the Law

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier self-requested an opinion voiding many civil-rights laws, claiming reverse discrimination against white people on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
#sex-trafficking-trial
Law
fromwww.amny.com
1 month ago

Alexander brothers' defense team takes final swipe at victims' credibility in closing arguments after month-long trial | amNewYork

Defense attorneys for three luxury real estate brothers charged with sex trafficking argue accusers regret consensual encounters rather than experienced crimes, claiming insufficient evidence supports trafficking convictions.
Law
fromwww.amny.com
1 month ago

Alexander brothers prosecutors rest early, alleging defense intimidated victims out of testifying | amNewYork

Defense attorneys for luxury real estate brothers Alon, Oren, and Tal Alexander began their case after prosecutors alleged intimidation tactics caused two victims to withdraw from testifying in their federal sex trafficking trial.
Law
fromwww.amny.com
1 month ago

Alexander brothers' defense team takes final swipe at victims' credibility in closing arguments after month-long trial | amNewYork

Defense attorneys for three luxury real estate brothers charged with sex trafficking argue accusers regret consensual encounters rather than experienced crimes, claiming insufficient evidence supports trafficking convictions.
Law
fromwww.amny.com
1 month ago

Alexander brothers prosecutors rest early, alleging defense intimidated victims out of testifying | amNewYork

Defense attorneys for luxury real estate brothers Alon, Oren, and Tal Alexander began their case after prosecutors alleged intimidation tactics caused two victims to withdraw from testifying in their federal sex trafficking trial.
US news
fromwww.mercurynews.com
2 months ago

Lawyers deliver closing arguments in case of five activists accused of felony vandalism at Stanford

Five pro-Palestine activists face felony vandalism and conspiracy charges for alleged damage to Stanford executive offices during a June 2024 protest, facing prison and restitution.
Law
fromwww.amny.com
1 month ago

Op-Ed | The disappearance of the criminal jury trial | amNewYork

Federal criminal trials have nearly disappeared, with fewer than 3% of cases going to trial compared to 20% in the mid-20th century, undermining the integrity of the criminal justice system.
fromAbove the Law
2 months ago

AI In The Courtroom: Will We Trade The Rule Of Law For Efficiency's Sake? - Above the Law

It's not only law firms and legal departments that are adopting GenAI systems without fully understanding what they can and cannot do - court systems may also be tempted to adopt these tools to short circuit workloads in the face of limited resources. And that poses some risks and concerns to the rule of law, a notion that hinges on accuracy, fairness, and public perception.
Law
Law
fromAbove the Law
1 month ago

Threading The Needle: How To Win The Case That Can't Be Won (At Least Not The Obvious Way) - Above the Law

Win messy cases by accepting client imperfection, avoiding absolutism, and focusing ruthlessly on the single pivotal issue that defines where responsibility ends.
fromSocial Media Explorer
1 month ago

The Role of Witnesses in Strengthening Your Injury Case - Social Media Explorer

Witnesses play a crucial role in personal injury cases, often serving as the backbone of the evidence presented in court. Their testimonies can provide essential context and details that may not be captured through physical evidence alone. In many instances, the accounts of witnesses can corroborate the claims made by the injured party, lending credibility to their narrative. This is particularly important in personal injury cases, where the burden of proof lies with the plaintiff. A strong witness can help
Law
#expert-testimony
fromAbove the Law
1 month ago

Running Your Cases - Above the Law

They don't drive it. They don't manage it. They don't control it. They let it control them. And then one day, they look up and realize discovery closed last week, the client is asking why nobody has taken the key depo, the adjuster wants a status report "by the end of the day," and the partner is asking the question that makes your stomach drop: "Where are we on this file?"
Law
fromFindLaw Blogs
2 months ago

FindLaw Legal Blogs - FindLaw

FindLaw's Legal Blogs bring you the latest legal news and information. Both consumers and legal professionals can find answers, insights, and updates in the blogs listed below. To receive blog posts right in your inbox, subscribe to FindLaw's Newsletters. General Interest FindLaw's consumer blogs feature the best and latest in legal news, information, tips, trends, and analysis.
Law
Law
fromAbove the Law
1 month ago

How You Show Up In The Room Matters More Than You Think - Above the Law

In problem-solving meetings, in-house lawyers should listen, let options surface, speak calmly and concisely, and weigh legal risk alongside operational, financial, reputational, and human factors.
fromAbove the Law
1 month ago

I've Taken Steps To Protect My Client's Documents: But What Happens Post-Production? - Above the Law

You're getting ready to make a document production to the other side. You're worried though that the other side may use GenAI tools on the documents that don't ensure they are protected from public disclosure. You ask to see the other side's policies just to be sure. They refuse. You ask the judge for a protective order since some of your documents contain trade secrets.
Law
Law
fromAbove the Law
2 months ago

A Guide To Conducting Discovery - Above the Law

Effective discovery shapes litigation by building leverage, forcing admissions, and methodically narrowing the opponent's options to win cases pretrial.
Law
fromAbove the Law
2 months ago

On-Demand Webinar: What Winning Expert Testimony Looks Like - Above the Law

Effective expert testimony balances credibility with openness to opposing perspectives, clear translation of technical concepts for factfinders, and resilience under rigorous cross-examination.
Law
fromPadailypost
2 months ago

Jurors hear closing arguments in Stanford protester trial

Five students are on trial accused of conspiring to occupy the Stanford president's office, causing over $300,000 in property damage during a June protest.
fromwww.mercurynews.com
2 months ago

Nick Reiner's ex lawyer continues to defend him in public, if not in court

I want him to get the most robust defense that he possibly can get. I know he will, in the hands of the public defender's office, said Jackson. There's very little in the law that's indefensible. I never approach a case like I'm just defending an individual. We're defending the Constitution. Jackson said his line of work, which has included clients such as Karen Read, Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, is defending an idea.
Law
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