Legal Briefs: What’s Happening in the Law?

September 15, 2014

Each week, we bring you updates on the legal world. 

Looking ahead…

The Ray Rice legal drama has been brewing for a bit now, but it looks like it’s not over yet. Rice and his lawyers are gearing up to take legal action against the NFL. Rice is expected to argue that he was unfairly punished twice for one infraction, having been suspended for two games at first and then later suspended indefinitely as video footage emerged of the domestic violence incident. (New York Times)

Arizona will likely see its same-sex marriage ban struck down this week or next. The Judge ruling on the case, Senior U.S. District Judge John W. Sedwick, wrote in an order on one part of the case involving more than a dozen gay and lesbian couples that there is an “absence of any persuasive case law to [uphold the law].” (SCOTUS Blog)

And in case you missed it…

Oscar Pistorious was found innocent of murder but guilty on the lesser charge of culpable homicide. He faces up to fifteen years, with a possible minimum sentence not involving prison time. (CNN)

Former Virginia Governor Bob McConnell was convicted on eleven of fourteen counts involving bribery, corruption, and conspiracy last week. He didn’t go down alone–his wife was found guilty on similar charges, facing guilty verdicts on nine of fourteen counts. (NPR Blog)

Finally, to all the defense lawyers out there—here is a lesson for you. Don’t drive drunk to court and try to argue before the bench while intoxicated. (Indianapolis Star)

 

Image: Fibonacci Blue via photopin cc