Let’s take a look at this week in legal news.
Florida lawmakers amend death penalty law
Governor Rick Scott signed a Florida bill into law revamping the state’s death penalty law. The state was forced to make changes based on a January Supreme Court ruling that the state’s capital case sentencing is unconstitutional. Florida’s new law requires jurors to vote unanimously on aggravating conditions, and 10 to 12 jurors must vote to recommend execution.
States across the country are reevaluating their death penalty laws, altering methods of execution, limiting circumstances in which the death penalty can be applied, and considering abolishment entirely. The selection of the next Supreme Court Justice may play a critical role in upcoming death penalty cases.
Metropolitan Museum settles suit over admission signage
A three-year-old class action lawsuit against the Metropolitan Museum of Art regarding the Museum’s “pay what you wish” admission policy has finally been settled.
The Museum was sued because of signage at its ticket desks and kiosks that the Plaintiff argued was misleading. General admission was listed under “recommended admission.” The longstanding policy at the Metropolitan has been that visitors to the museum can make a donation for entry of any amount. The Museum will post simpler signage, changing the original sign to “suggest admission.”
Maine Supreme Court affirms the right of prosecutors to fake out their opponent
Maine’s Supreme Court has declined to hear a case asking to overturn a murder conviction in a case where the prosecutor, then Assistant Attorney General Andrew Benson, admitted that he was trying to annoy his opponent by pretending to fall asleep during the defense’s closing. The court conceded that faking sleep “was sophomoric, unprofessional, and a poor reflection on the prosecutor’s office, ” but it did not prejudice the trial judge when he denied the defendant’s motion. The prosecutor allegedly mouthed words at the defense lawyer during closing arguments, as well.
Apparently, maturity levels are not measured in the Maine state bar exam.
More Legal News of Note:
The Supreme Court maintains Batmobile’s protection by copyright; no fake mobiles allowed.
An act of teenage angst brings down an Anchorage, Alaska school.