Criminal Law Overview
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Overview
Criminal law addresses the government's prosecution of individuals who have committed an act classified as a crime. Federal, state, and local governments codify crimes and prosecute criminals. A prosecuting attorney represents the people of a particular jurisdiction, and acts on behalf of the government by bringing a case against an accused.
Show Extended SummaryDockets 
- Billizone v. Haley
Louisiana Middle District Court
Civil Rights
Filed: April 23, 2009
Plaintiff: Ernest Billizone Defendant: Unknown Haley
(April 22, 2009) - Samuels v. LeBlanc
Louisiana Middle District Court
Civil Rights
Filed: April 23, 2009
Plaintiff: Clarence Samuels Defendant: James LeBlanc
(April 22, 2009) - Pittman v. Martel
California Southern District Court
General
Filed: April 23, 2009
Petitioner: Wilbur Lann Pittman, Respondent: M Martel
(April 22, 2009) - Brown v. Gusman et al
Louisiana Middle District Court
General
Filed: April 23, 2009
Petitioner: Scherick Brown Respondent: Marlin Gusman, Attorney General State of Louisiana
(April 22, 2009) - Plaintiff v. Defendant
Pennsylvania Eastern District Court
Mandamus and Other
Filed: April 22, 2009
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(April 21, 2009)
Legislation 
- Bill Introduced: S.Res.724 A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on the horrific ...
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on the horrific terrorist attacks and siege in Mumbai, India, beginning on November 26, 2008, and concluding on November 29, 2008.
(December 7, 2008) - Bill Introduced: S.Res.707 An original resolution authorizing the President of the Senate to ...
An original resolution authorizing the President of the Senate to certify the facts of the failure of Joshua Bolten, as the Custodian of Records at the White House, to appear before the Committee on the Judiciary and produce documents as required by Committee subpoena.
(November 17, 2008) - Bill Introduced: S.Res.708 An original resolution authorizing the President of the Senate to ...
An original resolution authorizing the President of the Senate to certify the facts of the failure of Karl Rove to appear and testify before the Committee on the Judiciary and to produce documents as required by Committee subpoena.
(November 17, 2008) - Bill Introduced: S.3689 Economic Recovery Act of 2008
A bill making supplemental appropriations for job creation and preservation, infrastructure investment, and economic and energy assistance for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes.
(November 15, 2008) - Bill Signed by President: H.R.2095 Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2007
To amend title 49, United States Code, to prevent railroad fatalities, injuries, and hazardous materials releases, to authorize the Federal Railroad Safety Administration, and for other purposes.
October 16, 2008: Signed by President.
(October 14, 2008)
Regulations 
- Rule - Implementation of the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008
Drug Enforcement Administration
Rule
Implementation of the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008,
15596-15625 [E9-7698]
Part II Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration 21 CFR Part 1300, 1301, 1304, et al. Implementation of the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008; Final Rule DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Drug Enforcement Administration 21 CFR Parts 1300, 1301, 1304, 1306 [Docket No. DEA-322I] RIN 1117-AB20 Implementation of the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 AGENCY: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Department of Justice. ACTION: Interim final rule... [read document]
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(April 5, 2009) - Proposed Rule - Increase in Tax Rates: Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes; Floor ...
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bureau
Proposed Rule
Increase in Tax Rates:
Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes; Floor Stocks Tax, etc.; Cross-Reference to Temporary Rule,
14506-14508 [E9-7076]
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau 27 CFR Parts 40, 41, 44, 46 and 71 [Docket No. TTB-2009-0001; Notice No. 93; Re: T.D. TTB-75] RIN 1513-AB70 Increase in Tax Rates on Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes; Floor Stocks Tax on Certain Tobacco Products, Cigarette Papers, and Cigarette Tubes; and Changes to Basis for Denial, Suspension, or Revocation of Permits (2009R-118P) AGENCY: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Treasury. ACTION: Notice of... [read document]
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(March 29, 2009) - Rule - Increase in Tax Rates: Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes; Floor Stocks Tax, etc
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bureau
Rule
Increase in Tax Rates:
Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes; Floor Stocks Tax, etc.,
14479-14491 [E9-7077]
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau 27 CFR Parts 40, 41, 44, 46 and 71 [Docket No. TTB-2009-0001; T.D. TTB-75; Re: Notice No. 93] RIN 1513-AB70 Increase in Tax Rates on Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes; Floor Stocks Tax on Certain Tobacco Products, Cigarette Papers, and Cigarette Tubes; and Changes to Basis for Denial, Suspension, or Revocation of Permits (2009R-118P) AGENCY: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Treasury. ACTION: Temporary... [read document]
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(March 29, 2009) - Proposed Rule - Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Lacosamide into Schedule V
Drug Enforcement Administration
Proposed Rule
Schedules of Controlled Substances:
Placement of Lacosamide into Schedule V
,
10205-10207 [E9-4890]
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Drug Enforcement Administration 21 CFR Part 1308 [Docket No. DEA-325P] Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Lacosamide into Schedule V AGENCY: Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. SUMMARY: This proposed rule is issued by the Deputy Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to place the substance lacosamide [(R)-2-acetoamido-N-benzyl-3-methoxy-propionamide] and all products containing... [read document]
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(March 8, 2009) - Proposed Rule - Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Tapentadol into Schedule II
Drug Enforcement Administration
Proposed Rule
Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Tapentadol into Schedule II
,
7386-7388 [E9-3150]
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Drug Enforcement Administration 21 CFR Part 1308 [Docket No. DEA-319P] Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Tapentadol Into Schedule II AGENCY: Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. SUMMARY: This proposed rule is issued by the Deputy Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to place the substance tapentadol, including its isomers, esters, ethers, salts and salts of isomers, esters, and... [read document]
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(February 16, 2009)
Government 
- Notice - Declatory Order Terminating Registration: Gregg and Son Distributors
Drug Enforcement Administration
Notice
Declatory Order Terminating Registration:
Gregg and Son Distributors
,
17517-17524 [E9-8621]
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Drug Enforcement Administration [Docket No. 05-43] Gregg and Son Distributors; Grant of Conditional Registration On August 3, 2005, the Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration, issued an Order to Show Cause to Gregg and Son Distributors (Respondent), of Powell, Tennessee. The Show Cause Order proposed the revocation of, and the denial of its pending application to renew, Respondent's DEA Certificate of Registration,... [read document]
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(April 14, 2009) - Notice - Consent Decree: U.S. v. City of Independence, MO
Department of Justice
Notice
Consent Decree:
U.S. v. City of Independence, MO
,
17515 [E9-8570]
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Under the Clean Water Act (CWA) Notice is hereby given that on March 31, 2009, a proposed Consent Decree in the case of U.S. v. City of Independence, Missouri, Civil Action No. 4:09-cv-00240-DGK, was lodged with the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri. The United States filed a complaint concurrently with the Consent Decree alleging that on numerous occasions the City of Independence illegally discharged... [read document]
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(April 14, 2009) - Notice - Declatory Order Terminating Registration: George C. Aycock, M.D
Drug Enforcement Administration
Notice
Declatory Order Terminating Registration:
George C. Aycock, M.D.,
17529-17544 [E9-8624]
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Drug Enforcement Administration [Docket No. 08-52] George C. Aycock, M.D.; Revocation of Registration On June 25, 2008, the Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration, issued an Order to Show Cause to George C. Aycock, M.D. (Respondent), of Sumter, South Carolina. The Show Cause Order proposed the revocation of Respondent's DEA Certificate of Registration, AA1071947, which authorizes him to dispense controlled substances as... [read document]
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(April 14, 2009) - Notice - Declatory Order Terminating Registration: Joseph Baumstarck, M.D
Drug Enforcement Administration
Notice
Declatory Order Terminating Registration:
Joseph Baumstarck, M.D.,
17525-17528 [E9-8612]
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Drug Enforcement Administration [Docket No. 08-49] Joseph Baumstarck, M.D.; Revocation of Registration On May 19, 2008, I, the Deputy Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, issued an Order to Show Cause and Immediate Suspension of Registration to Joseph Baumstarck, M.D. (Respondent), of Lovell, Wyoming. The Order proposed the revocation of Respondent's DEA Certificate of Registration, BB2806480, which authorizes him to dispense controlled substances in... [read document]
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(April 14, 2009) - Notice - Declatory Order Terminating Registration: Sylvester A. Nathan, M.D.
Drug Enforcement Administration
Notice
Declatory Order Terminating Registration:
Sylvester A. Nathan, M.D.
,
17516-17517 [E9-8625]
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Drug Enforcement Administration [Docket No. 08-50] Sylvester A. Nathan; Dismissal of Proceeding On June 25, 2008, the Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration, issued an Order to Show Cause to Sylvester A. Nathan, M.D. (Respondent), of Woodridge, Illinois. The Show Cause Order proposed the revocation of Respondent's DEA Certificate of Registration, AN1430343, which authorized him to dispense controlled substances as a... [read document]
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(April 14, 2009)
Articles 
- When Willie Francis Died: The 'Disturbing' Story Behind One of the Eighth Amendment's Most ...
DEATH PENALTY STORIES, John H. Blume & Jordan M. Steiker, eds., pp. 17-94, Foundation Press, 2009 , Fordham Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 1370571 Deborah W. Denno Fordham University School of Law Date Posted: April 6, 2009 Last Revised: April 24, 2009
(April 23, 2009) - For Execution Methods Challenges, the Road to Abolition is Paved with Paradox
THE ROAD TO ABOLITION, Charles J. Ogletree, Jr. & Austin Sarat , eds., New York University Press, Forthcoming, Fordham Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 1370581 Deborah W. Denno Fordham University School of Law Date Posted: April 5, 2009 Last Revised: April 24, 2009
(April 23, 2009) - Prosecutorial Discretion and Post-Conviction Evidence of Innocence
Ohio State Journal of Criminal Law, Vol. 6, No. 467, 2009 Bruce A. Green and Ellen Yaroshefsky Fordham University School of Law and Yeshiva University - Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law Date Posted: April 24, 2009 Last Revised: April 24, 2009
(April 23, 2009) - Litigation, Legislation, Reflection and Repeal: The Legislative Abolition of the Death Penalty ...
Seton Hall Legislative Journal, Vol. 33, No. 1, 2008 George W. Conk , James R. Zazzali and Jon Corzine Fordham Law School , Gibbons, PC and Government of the State of New Jersey Date Posted: April 22, 2009 Last Revised: April 23, 2009
(April 22, 2009) - The Limits of Victims' Rights in a System of Public Prosecution
Northwestern University Law Review, Vol. 104 Danielle Levine Northwestern University School of Law Date Posted: April 23, 2009 Last Revised: April 23, 2009
(April 22, 2009)
News 
- New Museum Exhibit in LR on Crime and Punishment
KARK, Little Rock
Though sparsely populated, criminal activity was common and law enforcement limited. State and local government struggled to create a safe environment for its citizens and justice was often administered by vigilante groups. ...
Arkansas' History of Crime and Punishment on Display at Old State ... KARK
all 3 news articles
(April 23, 2009) - Mexican Prosecutors Train in US for Changes in Their Legal System
New York Times, United States
The effort to make the Mexican system more open and transparent is intended to bolster public confidence in criminal justice and root out the effects of organized crime, which many legal experts and others believe manipulates the system in its favor. ...
(April 23, 2009) - Atty: Neb. CSI head not a criminal, may have erred
The Associated Press
(AP) — The lawyer for a crime scene investigator charged with falsifying records in a murder case said Friday his client may have made mistakes but did not commit a crime. And a prosecutor said no evidence has been found suggesting problems with other ...
National Briefing | Plains Nebraska: Investigator Is Charged New York Times
Conviction questioned in wake of CSI charges KPTM-TV
Kofoed Indictments May Reopen Other Cases KETV.com
Forensic - The Associated Pressall 489 news articles
(April 23, 2009)
ABC News
Contra Costa DA feels growing heat from decision to reduce ...
San Jose Mercury News, USA
The district attorney sent a letter Monday to police chiefs listing misdemeanor crimes that will not be considered for prosecution after May 4. Bonilla, who chairs the board of supervisors, has called an emergency public safety meeting next week. ...
Budget Cuts Force Contra Costa County to Stop Prosecuting ... ABC News
Recession Watch: Calif. County Won't Prosecute Petty Thieves Wall Street Journal Blogs
Editorial: Contra Costa County cuts are inevitable Contra Costa Times
East Bay Express - San Jose Mercury Newsall 59 news articles
(April 23, 2009)
USA Today
Commentary: Torture memos aren't criminal
CNN
I can imagine the same argument from conservatives the next time a liberal-leaning state attorney general issues a legal opinion supporting gay marriage. Just because a lawyer comes back with an opinion you don't like doesn't make it a crime. ...
Video: DC On Obama Torture Remarks CBS
PETER JOHNSON, JR.: Obama Must Stop the Terror Interrogation ... FOXNews
Why President Obama Should Consider Pardoning those Who Designed ... FindLaw
New York Times - Idaho Mountain Express and Guideall 3,539 news articles
(April 23, 2009)
Blog Posts 
- Tarrant County District Attorney Tim Curry, dead at age 70
Long-time Tarrant County District Attorney Tim Curry died this morning at his home after a long fight with lung cancer. Diagnosed in mid-2008, Mr. Curry had been undergoing an aggressive form of cancer treatment. For the last several months, Mr. Curry had been working primarily at home. Tim Curry served as the elected District Attorney of Tarrant County since 1972. He was the longest-serving district attorney in Texas. Through that time, the Tarrant County District Attorney's office became...
(April 23, 2009) - Judge Rakoff Courageously Does It Again: "When the letter of the law so far departs ...
United States v. Ballard, 599 F. Supp. 2d 539 (S.D.N.Y. March 2, 2009) The distorting effects of mandatory minimum sentences are never more evident than in the case of defendant Zachary Ballard. Although his co-defendant, Anthony Steele, by entering into a plea bargain excluding mandatory minimums, obtained a sentence of 168 months in prison, Ballard, by exercising his constitutional right to go to trial, faced mandatory minimums upon conviction that required this Court, on February 8, 2009 to...
(April 23, 2009) - Life Sentence For Children Of Prisoners
(April 23, 2009) - Spyware, Divorce and the Law Firm
This post is about a federal civil case in Louisiana. Becker v. Toca, Civil Action No. 07-7202 (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana). I'm doing a post on this civil case because it arose from the defendant's allegedly installing a Trojan horse on a law firm's computers. Here are the facts alleged in the plaintiff's complaint, i.e., the pleading that got the case started: Plaintiff, PHILLIP M. BECKER individually operates his law firm in Lake Charles, Louisiana, with the...
(April 23, 2009) - Not Without A Lawyer
There isn't a competent lawyer in the practical blawgosphere who hasn't warned defendants to remain silent and invoke their right to counsel. Immediately. Every time. No matter how smart you think you are, or what they say to you to get you to talk. Don't do it. The rule of Edwards v. Arizona is that once a suspect has invoked right to counsel, the police cannot continue to interrogate in the absence of counsel, and the defendant cannot un-invoke his right to counsel without an attorney...
(April 23, 2009)