Backward Glances

By Christine M. Pusateri

Posted July 20, 2017 1:44 PM

Law Bulletin headlines this week in history.10 years agoIn federal court — July 20, 2007The Dirksen Federal Courthouse is now offering free wireless Internet access in the lobby and second-floor cafeteria, Chief Judge James F. Holderman has announced.The service is available due to the City of Chicago's installation of equipment to support it.The access does not extend to courtrooms but is available in the courthouse plaza in the 200 block of S. Dearborn St.15 years agoAround the nation — July 17, 2002A man …

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High court says judge erred in trying to ‘rehabilitate’ juror

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By Steven P. Garmisa
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By Patrick Eckler
Manufacturer claims immunity for rubber bullet injury

Claiming immunity under the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act when Eduardo Santos sued for severe injuries allegedly caused by a police officer who shot him in the face with a rubber bullet, Defense Technology — the company that manufactured the “kinetic impact projectile” and KIP launcher — argued the statute’s product-liability exception didn’t apply.
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A judge’s ethical imperative: Follow the law or face the JIB

“The law that applies to this case is stated in these instructions, and it is your duty to follow all of them.” So states Illinois Pattern Jury Instruction 1.01(2), which the judge reads to the jurors in every criminal case before the jury begins its deliberations. If we expect jurors to follow the law, we surely must expect judges to lead by example and do the same thing.
By David P. Sterba
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Court assesses offsets against employee’s underinsured claim

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By Don R. Sampen
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In a case where prosecutors relied on the hearsay rule’s business-records exception to justify testimony about documents that weren’t admitted into evidence, the Iowa Supreme Court, citing decisions from across the country, reversed because “the rules of evidence create a ‘business records exception’ to the rule against hearsay and not a ‘testimony about business records exception.’”
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Arizona high court rolls back clock to 1864 in abortion case

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By Daniel A. Cotter