The TSA illegally searched Mr. Fofana at the airport. They discovered evidence that he had used forged passports to obtain fraudulent tax returns. The Court suppressed the illegally seized passports at his trial. The Sixth Circuit Federal Court of Appeals decides if the bank records and videos from the bank should also be suppressed. USA v. Fofana Podcast
Case of the Week – 7/29/12 – USA v. Fofana
Case of the Week – 7/22/12 – People v. Moreno
The Supreme Court of Michigan decides if Angel Moreno has the right to resist police officers who are illegally entering his house without a warrant. People v. Moreno Podcast
Case of the Week – 7/15/12 – Mazdabrook Commons Homeowners’ Ass’n v. Khan
Wasim Khan ran for the Town Council of Parsippany ,New Jersey. He placed two campaign signs in his windows. The Homeowners’ Association of his private housing development fined him $25 for violating the Association rule which banned all signs, except for a small “For Sale” sign, in the development. The New Jersey Supreme Court decides if Mr. Khan’s right to free speech has been unreasonably restricted. Mazdabrook Commons v. Khan Podcast
Case of the Week – 7/8/12 – Montana v. Green
David Green threatened and beat his wife. He pled guilty to felony assault. The Montana Supreme Court decides if the trial judge could order Green to avoid all alcohol during his probation, which would follow his five year incarceration, even though alcohol was not involved in the assault and there was no evidence of Green abusing alcohol. Montana v. Green Podcast
Case of the Week – 7/1/12 – DiGiovanna v. St. George
Michael DiGiovanna sues to get visitation rights with his former girlfriend’s son , Eric. The Connecticut Supreme Court finds that Michael has a “parent-like” relationship with Eric and that Eric would benefit from the visits. The Court decided if visits should be denied because the girlfriends opposition to the visits is so severe that Eric would be harmed by her reactions to the visits. DiGiovanna v. St. George Podcast
Case of the Week – 6/24/12 – Hawaii v. Kikuta
Cedric Kikuta had a fight with his 14 year old stepson Justin. He was convicted of third degree assault. The Hawaii Supreme Court decides if his jury should have been given the option of finding him not guilty based on the defense of reasonable parental discipline. Hawaii v. Kikuta Podcast
Case of the Week – 6/17/12 – USA v. Abrahem
Senan Abrahem, an obviously psychotic person, showed up at a military hospital and demanded to see the Major charged in the Fort Hood shootings. Abrahem claimed he was his lawyer, although he could not remember his name. No one believed him. He was sent away. He would not have been allowed to see the Major on an unscheduled visit even if he were a lawyer. The Fifth Circuit Federal Court of Appeals decides if he can be convicted of making a false statement to a Federal agency. USA v. Abrahem Podcast
Case of the Week – 6/10/12 – Cahill v. Morrow
Melanie Cahill has an empty lot next to her vacation home. Since 1977 she has cut the lawn, planted flowers and stored her property on the lot. She had a picnic table on the lot and used the lot during parties. The legal owner of the lot did not actively use it. The Rhode Island Supreme Court decides if Melanie has acquired title to the property by adverse possession. Cahill v. Morrow Podcast
Case of the Week – 6/3/12 – Fetzer v. Workforce Safety and Insurance
Beverly Fetzer fell at work and broke her hip. The cause of the fall was unknown. She simply did not know what caused her to fall. The North Dakota Supreme Court decides if she has a covered workers compensation claim based on the “positional risk doctrine.” Fetzer v. Workforce Safety and Insurance Podcast
Case of the Week – 5/27/12 – Wyatt v. McDermott
Does John Wyatt have a claim for intentional interference with parental rights against two lawyers, an adoption agency and adoptive parents who, he alleges, conspired to adopt his child, born to his girlfriend, without his knowledge or consent? The Virginia Supreme Court decides. Wyatt v. McDermott Podcast