Judiciary

New judge to be assigned to California seat

December 18, 2007 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) today announced that the U.S. Senate has approved legislation to add a new judgeship to the Ninth Circuit, which is experiencing a judicial emergency so severe that judges have the highest caseload in the nation.    » read more »

WASHINGTON -- Dec. 4, 2007 – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Tuesday exposed the White House for stalling key nominations for vacancies in the Department of Justice. The Administration Nov. 15 announced it intended to send nominations to Capitol Hill for the Deputy Attorney General, the Associate Attorney General, and the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division. Almost three weeks later, the Senate has not received the nominations.

Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy,

Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee    » read more »

November 1, 2007 -- (MONTGOMERY) — Alabama Attorney General Troy King today filed a motion asking the Court of Criminal Appeals to order Hale County Circuit Court Marvin Wiggins to recuse himself from a case involving an investigation of voter fraud in Hale County. In his motion, Attorney General King states that Wiggins "who has a history of obstructing voter fraud investigations*, has revealed his personal bias against the State and its investigation and/or his commitment to impede this investigation and thereby protect members of his family."    » read more »

October 29, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement on the confirmation of Judge Leslie Southwick to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

“Southwick's appalling record on civil rights and the rights of employees who challenge corporate abuses does not qualify him for a lifetime appointment to the court of appeals. His confirmation is a setback for our nation and especially for the Fifth Circuit, the court once famed for the courage of its judges in standing up for civil rights.”

Source: Senator Ted Kennedy

October 24, 2007 -- "Mr. President, I will oppose the nomination of Leslie Southwick to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals because I have serious questions about his ability to be an impartial jurist.

I am concerned that Judge Southwick’s views of racial discrimination in jury selection reflect a lack of adequate respect for Supreme Court precedent. In Batson v. Kentucky, the Supreme Court ruled against preemptory dismissal of jurors without stating a valid cause for doing so may not be used to exclude jurors based solely on their race.    » read more »

October 24, 2007 -- Washington, DC – “I opposed the nomination of Leslie Southwick to serve a lifetime appointment on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. His tenure as a judge on the Mississippi Court of Appeals reveals a record that fails to honor the principles of equality and justice and demonstrates a disregard for civil rights.    » read more »

October 24, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today released the following statement on the Senate’s vote to confirm Judge Leslie Southwick, of Mississippi, to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Obama opposed Southwick’s nomination.    » read more »

Oct 24, 2007 -- Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Senator John Edwards released the following statement in response to the Senate's confirmation of Leslie Southwick to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit:    » read more »

October 5, 2007 -- ATLANTA – Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the following five judicial appointments:

* Patricia W. Booker – State Court of Richmond County
* Donald W. Gillis – Superior Court of the Dublin Judicial Circuit
* T. Harry Hurt – Superior Court of the Cordele Judicial Circuit
* Carlton LeTain “Tain” Kell, Sr.– Superior Court of the Cobb Judicial Circuit
* Murphy C. Miller – Superior Court of the Enotah Judicial Circuit    » read more »

Octoberber 3, 2007 -- (Washington, DC) - Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) and Subcommittee Chairpersons Robert C. Scott (D-VA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), and Linda Sánchez (D-CA) sent a letter to Acting Attorney General Peter D. Keisler seeking answers about allegations of voter suppression in battleground states across the country, using a technique called "phone jamming," as well as failing to register Democratic voters and destroying Democratic voter registration cards.    » read more »

Albany, NY (October 1, 2007)—The U.S. Supreme Court today refused to hear Catholic Charities’ attempt to dismantle New York’s Women’s Health and Wellness Act. The law — which has been in effect since January 1, 2003 — requires insurance plans to cover women’s health services including osteoporosis exams, prescription contraceptives, and breast and cervical cancer screening.    » read more »

September 5, 2007 -- SANTA FE – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today ordered flags to fly at half-staff in honor of New Mexico Supreme Court Justice Pamela B. Minzner, who passed away on Friday, August 31, 2007.    » read more »

Association Outlines Serious Concerns with Department of Justice Plan to Certify State Capital Systems

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Aug. 30, 2007--The American Bar Association is taking issue with proposed regulations to implement a statute that offers states a drastically streamlined habeas corpus review in death penalty cases in exchange for improvements in their post-conviction defense process. In comments filed Aug. 25 with the Department of Justice, the ABA said the proposed rule ignores key parts of the authorizing legislation and fails to follow what Congress outlined.    » read more »

August 31, 2007 -- COLUMBUS ~ After thorough consideration and close discussions with the victim’s family, Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann and Putnam County Prosecutor Gary Lammers will forego any further appeals to a recent federal court ruling overturning the conviction of Scotsman Kenneth Richey for the 1986 arson death of 2-year old Cynthia Collins.

The Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions and Capital Crimes sections have agreed to assist with Putman County in retrying the case in accordance with the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals most recent decision.    » read more »

August 31, 2007, Juneau, Alaska - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin today appointed Philip Pallenberg to the Juneau Superior Court. He replaces the Honorable Larry Weeks, who retired.

Pallenberg, 45, has been an Alaska resident for more than 23 years and has practiced law for more than 22 years. He graduated from the University of Washington Law School in 1983, and is currently a part-time U.S. Magistrate Judge in Juneau. Before this appointment, Pallenberg’s private practice included criminal law, civil litigation and family law.    » read more »