General Litigation Newsletters

Recidivism of Sex Offenders

Following incarceration, most convicted sex offenders are released to community supervision. Many states have enacted laws authorizing the maintenance of a central registry of sex offenders. Convicted sex offenders are required by law to register, and most states maintain a database of convicted sex offenders. The states make information about the offender available to the public. Some laws require the state to notify the community of the sex offender’s residence in the community. Many states post their registry on the Internet. Of particular concern is the issue of the recidivism.

Rules of Statutory Interpretation

If the interpretation of a particular law becomes an issue in a case, the court must rely on rules of statutory interpretation or construction in deciding the law’s meaning. This article discusses the main rules of statutory interpretation or construction.

Service of Process — Notice of a Lawsuit

A lawsuit begins when a plaintiff (the party suing) files a complaint with the clerk of courts. The defendant (the person or company being sued) is given notice that a lawsuit has been filed and is "summoned" to appear before the court. Service of process means that the defendant is given notice of the lawsuit and a copy of the complaint that was filed.

The Court’s Management of High-Profile Cases

Courts are sometimes faced with managing high-profile or notorious cases. The media frenzy surrounding such trials can make it a challenge to provide a fair trial, a right guaranteed by the Constitution. Besides celebrity cases, the courts face special challenges in handling brutal murder cases.

The Role of the Appellate Court’s Legal Staff

The legal staff of an appellate court include the clerks of court, short-term law clerks, career law clerks, and staff attorneys.