Police: Florida wife faked her own abduction Nov 4, 2009
He said that when the case goes to court, he will move to have the incriminating audiotape tossed out under rape shield laws. Far from being a tape of two people making love, then scheming to collect $50,000, said Miller, the tape is actually an audio recording of a woman who has been kidnapped, abducted and being raped. (MSNBC -- Crime)
Media will live to regret their support of shield laws Oct 6, 2009
But I continue to believe that they will live to regret the days when they supported the shield laws. As is already apparent in the present disagreement between the US House and Senate bills, the resolution will probably cause more future litigation than is necessary or desirable. (Boston Globe -- Editorial)
Marriott Reverses on Blaming Rape Victim Aug 18, 2009
Women's advocates said Marriott's handling of the case is every rape victim's nightmare come true - and a major reason why rape remains one of the most underreported crimes, despite changes like shield laws that make a victim's sexual history irrelevant. "The fear of being blamed for being raped is one of the most common reasons that victims of sexual assault don't come forward," said Nancy Kushins, executive director of Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services. (CBS News)
Lawyers find credibility vital in sexual assault cases Jul 25, 2009
"In the civil realm, you don't have rape shield laws.". The alleged victim likely won't have the same opportunity to turn the tables on Mr. Roethlisberger for any prior bad acts, unless there is a criminal conviction out there. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Judge: New Texas law shields subpoenaed reporter May 27, 2009
Reporters have shield laws or state court rulings providing some protections in all states except Wyoming. ADVERTISEMENT. (Anchorage Daily News)
Convicted Officer: The 'System Has Failed Me' May 21, 2009
"For 12 years, I have a spotless record as a police officer in Creston, Iowa. I believe that the laws that I swore to uphold and I believed in other law enforcement agencies and the legal system in Iowa as a whole. That system has failed me. The interpretation of the rape shield laws in Iowa unfairly kept key information out of this trial. That information alone would have given the jury reasonable doubt that a crime was ever committed on that night," said Sickels. "On the night of April 18, I... (7 KETV Omaha)
Other views: Brave new world May 9, 2009
Approve shield laws that protect journalists exercising their watchdog role while protecting sources. Fighting for free speech around the world and the freeing of jailed journalists. (Florida Today)
Spector's Enablers Should Have Sounded Warning Apr 16, 2009
The effort may be complicated by rape shield laws or privilege rules, but aggressive defense lawyers usually can find a way to squeeze the victim seriously, even turning it into a constitutional right. But what about the people around Spector all these years. (Newsmax)
Sperm Banks Can Be Sued Under Product Liability Laws, Federal Judge Rules Apr 2, 2009
Although other states' blood shield laws and Section 19 of the Restatement (Third) of Torts all say that human tissue and organs are included in the list of products that are exempted from strict liability law, O'Neill found that "the relevant New York statute does not and no case law has extended the statute to also exempt human tissues like sperm.". . (Law.com)
Bill to Protect Sources Approved by House Panel Mar 26, 2009
Thirty-six states and the District of Columbia have shield laws. Boucher said the law is needed, because a reporter's source is "only going to pick up the phone ... if the reporter can promise confidentiality.". (Newsmax)
Information Act's time is now - Wednesday, March 18, 2009 Mar 18, 2009
While many states and Montana is among these do have strong shield laws, these protections do not extend to federal investigations. That is why former New York Times reporter Judith Miller could be jailed for three months for refusing to reveal a confidential source to the jury hearing I. Lewis Scooter Libby's trial. (Missoulian, MT)
LETTERS: NCT, March 18, 2009 Mar 18, 2009
" The city, and all the Oceanside residents, as well as visitors, become losers with a dog beach!William CousinsOceansidePublic needs state's media shield lawsReaders should not think that Jim Trageser represents even a small fraction of the news-gathering profession when he opposes laws to let other reporters keep their sources confidential .The arguments he gave were heard from very few people when the laws we all benefit from were debated 30 to 40 years ago. Most were lawyers anxious to use... (North County Times)
Sex offender registry bill clears House Feb 17, 2009
Mary wrote on Feb 14, 2009 7:57 AM:" How about telling parent's and Viriginian's who our Delegates and Senators have labeled a Sex Offender today?It could easily be them or their children.Are Virginians Aware?Are Virginians aware that their teenagers are having consensual sex which could result in the older teen being convicted of sexual assault, battery or rape, a prison sentence and being listed on the Sex Offender Registry for 15 years, 20 years or for a lifetime?Are Virginians aware that... (Chatham Star Tribune, VA)
