Opening arguments got underway in Harry Reid’s suit against the maker of an exercise band. [RJ]
The Supreme Court overturned some convictions and admonished prosecutor Liz Mercer. [I-Team]
Here’s a look at some of the new bills proposed Monday. [TNI]
On tap in the legislature today: making PERS confidential and switching to annual legislative sessions. [TNI]
The Advanced Technologies Academy, a public magnet school in Las Vegas, won the state mock trial competition. The team, coached by Judge Jerome Tao, John and Julie Shook, Amy Yonesawa, and Dennis Kennedy is headed to nationals in May. [NVCourts]
That mock trial story is great! I hope they do well at nationals. "Coached by Judge Jerome Tao, John and Julie Shook, Amy Yonesawa, and Dennis Kennedy" I'd say they are in pretty good hands.
As someone who has coached mock trial over the past 4 years I wholeheartedly agree with Judge Tao's statements about the energy, passion and commitment shown by every student that chooses to participate in mock trial. Whether at private or public school, the young men and women who have the curiosity to learn about this aspect of our profession, and their willingness to make sacrifices in their VERY busy lives, makes volunteering to coach them an easy decision. I wish A-Tech well at nationals. I would also encourage anyone that is interested in helping out a school in the future — either with an existing mock trial program or one that might be looking to get one off the ground, to contact the SBN people who run the program or shoot me an email. I'd be happy to share notes and experiences. You won't regret getting involved.
Reid destroyed evidence! Not surprised. Only 4 lawyers in the family. Who could know?
Guest
Anonymous
March 27, 2019 6:30 pm
Reid didn't hire Eglet????
Guest
Anonymous
March 27, 2019 7:25 pm
I am glad that Reid is committing fraud on the court by filing the pi law suit.
Guest
Anonymous
March 27, 2019 8:43 pm
Problem with all this is that very few jurors will like Reid. Almost no republicans like him. Even many democrats who kept voting for him out of party loyalty, and in recognition of his high ranking positon in the Senate, did not particularly like him.
And all this is clearly reinforced by the articles concerning the canvassing of prospective jurors, and what they were saying about Reid.
Also, many jurors, in addition to not liking him, may question his honesty and the veracity of his testimony. Many jurors who already dislike him will also be looking to latch on to any theories that Reid was not properly using the exercise device in the manner it was intended. Others will be put off by the fact that a man who was former Senate Majority Leader, and already worth millions of dollars, would engage in what they perceive as an unseemly attempt at very publicly seeking a cash judgement. They will assume that generous settlements were offered, that would have afforded confidentiality, but that Reid rejected those settlement offers.
But the actual reality may be quite different. It could be that no meaningful settlements were offered to Reid. And it could be he was using the equipment in a totally proper fashion. And no doubt it appears his injuries are massive, including losing total vison in one eye. So, although in a perfect world the former Senate Majority Leader should not really be engaged in a very public personal injury suit as a Plaintiff, since he has horrific injuries, and perhaps no meaningful offer was tendered, and if he was properly using the equipment, he may have had no real choice but to proceed to trail.
If the factsare as he alleges, and if he was using the machine properly and no meaningful settlement offeres were tendered, he can't just accept being blinded, and not proceed with a trial merely because a lot of people don't like him and will view is as a somewaht undignified action to be taken by a former senate leader.
Guest
Anonymous
March 27, 2019 9:17 pm
Reid and his associates, the new senators are the worse. Anyone he is affiliated with stinks to high heaven. Reuben Kihuen, Dario, list goes on and on. There is an after life waiting for you, sir.
I represent the Government, so mostly defendant. The courts have been doing this for years. Some are more vigilant in cleaning up their stats, but most wait until the Plaintiff has not done anything for years after losing a motion for preliminary relief of some sort.
Sua sponte closing a case. If a party is aggrieved by such an order, they can seek relief from that order. If the relief is denied then there could be an appeal. Never researched it but it appears that it is related to inherent powers of the court to manage their docket and cases. However, many mistakes are made since it is an administrative function.
But the answer to the original question is no, it is not an adjudication on the merits. It is an administrative action within the court. In fact it is not an adjudication at all. An Order Dismissing for Want of Prosecution is an adjudication.
Guest
Anonymous
March 28, 2019 12:09 am
Who dat? Sounds about right for who is in the barn right now. I mean the RJC.
Guest
Anonymous
March 28, 2019 12:31 am
My firm is defense counsel in a case and the court staff keeps doing things thinking they are helping us when it helps the other side. I have never seen this before.
That mock trial story is great! I hope they do well at nationals. "Coached by Judge Jerome Tao, John and Julie Shook, Amy Yonesawa, and Dennis Kennedy" I'd say they are in pretty good hands.
As someone who has coached mock trial over the past 4 years I wholeheartedly agree with Judge Tao's statements about the energy, passion and commitment shown by every student that chooses to participate in mock trial. Whether at private or public school, the young men and women who have the curiosity to learn about this aspect of our profession, and their willingness to make sacrifices in their VERY busy lives, makes volunteering to coach them an easy decision. I wish A-Tech well at nationals. I would also encourage anyone that is interested in helping out a school in the future — either with an existing mock trial program or one that might be looking to get one off the ground, to contact the SBN people who run the program or shoot me an email. I'd be happy to share notes and experiences. You won't regret getting involved.
If anyone is feeling generous, the team is fundraising to help pay for their trip to Nationals: https://www.gofundme.com/atech039s-national-mock-trial-competition
Reid destroyed evidence! Not surprised. Only 4 lawyers in the family. Who could know?
Reid didn't hire Eglet????
I am glad that Reid is committing fraud on the court by filing the pi law suit.
Problem with all this is that very few jurors will like Reid. Almost no republicans like him. Even many democrats who kept voting for him out of party loyalty, and in recognition of his high ranking positon in the Senate, did not particularly like him.
And all this is clearly reinforced by the articles concerning the canvassing of prospective jurors, and what they were saying about Reid.
Also, many jurors, in addition to not liking him, may question his honesty and the veracity of his testimony. Many jurors who already dislike him will also be looking to latch on to any theories that Reid was not properly using the exercise device in the manner it was intended. Others will be put off by the fact that a man who was former Senate Majority Leader, and already worth millions of dollars, would engage in what they perceive as an unseemly attempt at very publicly seeking a cash judgement. They will assume that generous settlements were offered, that would have afforded confidentiality, but that Reid rejected those settlement offers.
But the actual reality may be quite different. It could be that no meaningful settlements were offered to Reid. And it could be he was using the equipment in a totally proper fashion. And no doubt it appears his injuries are massive, including losing total vison in one eye. So, although in a perfect world the former Senate Majority Leader should not really be engaged in a very public personal injury suit as a Plaintiff, since he has horrific injuries, and perhaps no meaningful offer was tendered, and if he was properly using the equipment, he may have had no real choice but to proceed to trail.
If the factsare as he alleges, and if he was using the machine properly and no meaningful settlement offeres were tendered, he can't just accept being blinded, and not proceed with a trial merely because a lot of people don't like him and will view is as a somewaht undignified action to be taken by a former senate leader.
Reid and his associates, the new senators are the worse. Anyone he is affiliated with stinks to high heaven. Reuben Kihuen, Dario, list goes on and on. There is an after life waiting for you, sir.
Dario? Really? 2002 just called and wants one of its headlines back.
You prove my point, hun. Reid been dirty at least since that long
When the court sua sponte files an order statistically closing the case, does that constitute an adjudication on the merits?
Ah, no.
Nope there is an appellate decision on this very issue.
Who is doing that? Let me guess, no country for support staff without a judge? Halverson?
They are regularly doing that in Guardianship
I represent the Government, so mostly defendant. The courts have been doing this for years. Some are more vigilant in cleaning up their stats, but most wait until the Plaintiff has not done anything for years after losing a motion for preliminary relief of some sort.
Sua sponte closing a case. If a party is aggrieved by such an order, they can seek relief from that order. If the relief is denied then there could be an appeal. Never researched it but it appears that it is related to inherent powers of the court to manage their docket and cases. However, many mistakes are made since it is an administrative function.
But the answer to the original question is no, it is not an adjudication on the merits. It is an administrative action within the court. In fact it is not an adjudication at all. An Order Dismissing for Want of Prosecution is an adjudication.
Who dat? Sounds about right for who is in the barn right now. I mean the RJC.
My firm is defense counsel in a case and the court staff keeps doing things thinking they are helping us when it helps the other side. I have never seen this before.
Maybe it's a sign that you need to contribute to someone's judicial re-election campaign 🙂
No, they are actually on our side. They are dummies.