Sex Offenders

Non-Sequiturs

Non-Sequiturs: 06.19.17

* I’m bringing up the Carrie Fisher story just to say that it would have been nice if people called for this kind of respect in the face of drug use after Whitney Houston died. [Variety] * This is a very good breakdown of what’s at stake when the Supreme Court looks at partisan gerrymandering […]

By Elie Mystal
Non-Sequiturs

Non-Sequiturs: 10.28.15

* In September, Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner sued Hasbro over a toy hamster named Harris Faulker, claiming it violated her likeness rights. Hasbro has moved to dismiss the suit by providing a judge with side-by-side photos and a snark-filled filing. [THR, Esq. / Hollywood Reporter] * Per Gawker's GC Heather Dietrick, it's "more likely than not" that the media empire will lose in Hulk Hogan's case over the release of his sex tape. She doesn't think it's likely, however, that the wrestler will get the $100 million in damages he's seeking. [POLITICO] * It's time for a ride at the regulatory rodeo, because for the first time in more than 20 years, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a new operating license for a nuclear power plant. Say hello to Watts Bar Unit 2 in Spring City, Tennessee. [The Verge] * We mentioned previously that when Apple refused to unlock a defendant's iPhone for the DOJ, a federal judge wasn't sure if he had the legal authority to order Apple to do so. As it turns out, Apple's EULA gives the government the perfect loophole. [Simple Justice] * In case you missed it last week (we did), LegalZoom has settled its $10.5 million antitrust lawsuit against the North Carolina State Bar. The online legal documentation company will now vet all of its documents with lawyers from North Carolina. [ABA Journal] * Breaking Media Editor at Large Elie Mystal appeared on The Docket to defend sex offenders' civil rights on Halloween. His Darth Vader costume is worth seeing. [MSNBC]

By Staci Zaretsky
Non-Sequiturs

Non-Sequiturs: 12.11.14

* A registered sex offender wins the lottery. $3 million buys a lot of windowless vans. [Orlando Sentinel] * Judge to federal prosecutor: "You’re branded as a liar and you’ll remain a liar for the rest of your life." [New York Observer] * A New York lawyer has been arrested and charged with running down 5 people in Herald Square. Alcohol and crack pipes are involved. And topless selfies. Look, you're going to see more on this from Staci in the morning, so just sit tight. [Inquisitr] * If you want to live in a mansion, all you need to do is forge a few documents. [Gawker] * The Supreme Court of Canada says cops can search your phone when they arrest you. But only to check the Habs score. [Ars Technica] * Another installment of Posner on Posner. This time focusing on the First Amendment. [Concurring Opinions] * This week we learned there's a thing called "rectal feeding." Professor Michael Dorf on why it's totally a war crime. [Dorf on Law] * How many law schools will close by 2020? [TaxProf Blog] * Want to be on the LSAC Board of Trustees? It's not like they have any glaring problems that require a leadership change. [LSAC]

By Joe Patrice
7th Circuit

Morning Docket: 01.24.13

* The revised transcript from the day Justice Thomas spoke during oral arguments has arrived, and it seems his record for not having asked a single question from the bench is still intact. [WSJ Law Blog (sub. req.)] * The Seventh Circuit ruled on Indiana’s social media ban for sex offenders, and the internet’s filth will be pleased to know they can tweet about underage girls to their heart’s content. [National Law Journal] * Propaganda from the dean of a state law school: lawyers from private schools are forcing taxpayers to bear the brunt of their higher debt loads with higher fees associated with their services. [Spokesman-Review] * Rhode Island is now the only state in New England where same-sex couples can’t get married, but that may change as soon as the state Senate gets its act together, sooo… we may be waiting a while. [New York Times] * It’ll be hard to document every suit filed against Lance Armstrong, but this one was amusing. Now people want their money back after buying his autobiography because they say it’s a work of fiction. [Bloomberg]

By Staci Zaretsky
Bar Exams

Non-Sequiturs: 12.03.12

* I’m not sure that it’s legal to tag the cars of people who park poorly, but it’s certainly satisfying. Honestly, every time I see one of those commercials where the dude needs freaking birds to park his “I’ve given up on life” minivan-SUV, I want to scream, “You could act like a man!” [Legal Blog Watch] * SCOTUS is acting like an old college roommate who just came out is inviting them to a gay bar, and they’re trying to politely decline without looking like raging homophobes. [SCOTUSblog] * To all the people who didn’t pass the California bar exam, here’s a guy who did it while only studying for 100 hours. Yeah. So… umm, I didn’t really think this blurb through. [Blake Masters] * Do lawyers need to “love” their clients? Come on, isn’t loving the money they give you enough? [Underdog] * Jason Whitlock took the Jovan Belcher and put the focus exactly where it should be, on our gun laws. Then Bob Costas blew a big megaphone on Sunday Night Football. [Fox Sports] * It’s funny, I’m against sex offender registries because even though sex crimes are heinous, registries are bad things that create second-class citizens and tend to unfairly lump people who didn’t commit the worst stuff in with disgusting humans. That means I should probably be against animal abuse registries too, but man I don’t think animal abusers suffer nearly enough. So, whatever, I’m a hypocrite. I’m a hypocrite who cares more about dogs than children. [Simple Justice]

By Elie Mystal