Basically Law

Zillah, Washington - "Lay judges" (those without any legal training) are a dying breed in Washington state as a state law phased them out and allowed for only legally trained judges.  [Read here]

Queens, New York - As part of her punishment, a con artist will be required to teach others how to detect the types of scams she ran.  [Read here]

Nashville, Tennessee - A man who has been on death row for 29 years and is finally set to be executed is making one last push to avoid death.  He claims that the long time from his sentence to actual punishment is cruel and unusual punishment.  [Read here]

Cambridge, Massachusetts - Does law enforcement really need to get involved?  A high school football player pled not guilty of assault after he intentionally head butted another player who did not have his helmet on.  That other player could not play football for 10 days due to concussion concerns.  Cheap shot?  Definitely!  Arrestable offense?  Hmmm . . . [Read here]

Summerville, South Carolina - A mother is taking on the prison system after her son, a non-violent offender, was killed by another inmate weeks before his release.  What types of criminals should we house together?  [Read here]

Pike County, Georgia - Speedy trial problems?  A criminal defendant who still has not had a trial for his capital case in over 4 years claims that this long wait violates his right to a speedy trial.  Prosecutors claim that the county lacks the resources to provide the defendant with proper legal representation.  This lack of resources is an all too common problem in Georgia (and will be addressed by the Georgia Supreme Court).  Here is an idea, don't seek the death penalty if you are unwilling or unable to pay for it.  [Read here]

Columbia, South Carolina - One of those weird twists of the Establishment Clause?  After the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled that a government sanctioned "I Believe" tag on license plates violated the Establishment Clause, a private organization sponsored such a tag (which is allowed in South Carolina).  Those groups who fought the action when approved by the South Carolina General Assembly will not fight it since it is private action.  Why didn't they do it from the start?  [Read here]

Ambridge, Pennsylvania - An individual is charged with attempted homicide after he took an 18 inch sword and shoved it through the abdomen of another individual.  Why did he do?  The other man was making racial slurs towards the man.  [Read here]