People's court; ruling for a mother's rights puts human face on Supreme Court's work

Article Abstract:

The US Supreme Court granted a writ of certiorari in M.L.B. v. S.L.J. to review the Mississippi Supreme Court's dismissal of a mother's parental rights appeal. Melissa Brooks could not pay the Mississippi Supreme Court costs, and her lawyer argued before the federal court that it was unconstitutional to bar a parent because of poverty from seeking review of a termination order. The Mississippi attorney general argued that this would open the door to all kinds of civil appeals. It took the court only two months to render a decision in favor of Brooks.

Costs (Law), Legal fees, Termination of parental rights

---

Everyday people: the work of storefront clinics funded by the Legal Services Corp. is not glamorous - just crucial to those who cannot help themselves

Article Abstract:

Community Legal Services of North-Central Philadelphia is a prime example of the local legal aid offices that will suffer if Congress cuts funding to the Legal Services Corp (LSC). The latter provides grants to local offices like the one in North Philadelphia, which provide legal aid to poor people often in desperate need. States have already cut many analogous programs, as Pennsylvania did last year, but as predation on the poor persists so the need for lawyers to work with them continues.

Other Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities, Legal Aid & Fee Reimbursmt, Finance, Political aspects, United States. Legal Services Corp., Pennsylvania, Legal aid

---

Judge's gatekeeper role expanded; businesses say justice's ruling will help keep junk science out of court

Article Abstract:

The US Supreme Court ruled in the 1998 case of General Electric v. Joiner that federal courts can throw out 'opinion evidence' from qualified experts if it is not supported by qualified science. The ruling is likely to have a decided impact on future products liability claims, medical malpractice and personal injury, and any case which turns on scientific evidence. The ruling is another move to keep 'junk science' out of court.

Product liability, Testimony, Products liability, Evidence, Expert, Expert evidence, Evidence, Scientific, Scientific evidence (Law)

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Advantage government; is it easier for the government to win in the Supreme Court? RICO's reach; Supreme Court identifies limit to statute's application
• Abstracts: Poisoned fruit: quest continues for a consistent rule on searches following traffic stops. Maine route; multi-door proposal reflects growing role of ADR
• Abstracts: Letter Ruling 9720007 - the "risky business" business purpose and a bit more. Mysterious revocation under Section 304
• Abstracts: American corporations and the economic future of South Africa. New challenges for corporate responsibility
• Abstracts: Re-tailoring jury trial rights: dry-cleaning patent case raises larger Seventh Amendment issues. O.J. trial a case study in stress: experts point to ways of coping when courtrooms heat up, tempers flare

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.