Famous Trials

The Case Profile of John Dillinger

The Case Profile of John DillingerWho was John Dillinger?

John Dillinger was an individual commonly referred to as a ‘gangster’, which is a classification that is given to individual participants in undertaking involving organized crime; the origination of the term ‘gangster’ may have arrived within the early 1900s in which organized criminal activity – known as gangs – were prevalent within the United States of America. John Dillinger is regarded as one of the most prolific and notorious criminals within the 20th century; he has been reported as being responsible for a multitude of robberies and famous prison escapes.

The Case Profile of John Dillinger

The following is a case profile of both the crimes of John Dillinger, as well as a legal classification of statutory legislation associated with the case:

Date of Birth: John Dillinger was born on June 22nd, 1903 in Champaign, Illinois; he was killed at the age of 31 in Chicago Illinois on June 22nd, 1934

Residence: Due to his criminal activity, John Dillinger frequently changed locations; at the end of his life, he spent time in the Western part of the United States committing robberies

Dates of Crimes: John Dillinger’s first crime involved the robbery of a grocery store in 1929; a crime for which he was paroled after serving an estimated 4 and half years in the Indiana State Prison – subsequent to his release in 1933, he began a rampant criminal spree that last from 1933 until his death in 1934.

Criminal Charges: John Dillinger was charged robbery, evading capture, and the escape from prison; however, historians claim that he had murdered a police officer in Chicago – a claim with which he was never charged

Date of the Trial: John Dillinger was only put on trial subsequent his botched robbery of a grocery store in 1929; he was killed prior to both apprehension and trial with regard to the bulk of his crime spree that had taken place between 1933 and 1934

Legal Venue: Chicago, Illinois

Notable Details and Personal Information: The following personal details have been considered to be contributory to the behavior and criminal actions undertaken by John Dillinger; in addition, these case details were made mention within John Dillinger’s criminal profile:

Although John Dillinger was not charged with the murder, he is reported to have displayed a great deal of remorse for his involvement in the murder of the Chicago law enforcement agent; it was the only murder with which he had ever been associated

John Dillinger served in the United States Navy and was discharged shortly after the atrt of his service

John Dillinger’s gang included notorious gangsters including Pretty Boy Floyd and Baby Face Nelson

John Dillinger was killed by Melvin Purvis; Purvis was the same Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Agent credited with the murder of Pretty Boy Floyd

John Dillinger, who was listed as the FBI’s ‘Public Enemy No. 1’ was responsible for upwards of 20 bank robberies, as well as a prison escape in which he is reported as fashioning a pistol made of wood in lieu of metal

Patricia Krenwinkel: A Murderer

Patricia Krenwinkel: A MurdererWho is Patricia Krenwinkel?

Patricia Krenwinkel is an American criminal and former member of Charles Manson’s murderous cult, known as the “Family.” Patricia Krenwinkel who was convicted of murder in the first degree for her involvement in the Tate and LaBianca murders.

Patricia Krenwinkel was born in Los Angeles, California to a middle-class family. She attended High School in the Los Angeles area where she was routinely bullied and teased for being overweight and for an excessive growth of body hair precipitated by an endocrine condition. When her parents divorced she strongly considered becoming a nun and even enrolled at a Jesuit College in Mobile, Alabama. Within one semester; however, Patricia Krenwinkel dropped out and moved back to California where she lived in her step-sister’s apartment.

Patricia Krenwinkel involvement with Charles Manson

Patricia Krenwinkel first met Charles Manson in Manhattan Beach, California in 1967. Mesmerized by Manson’s charisma and charmed by his complements, Patricia Krenwinkel decided to move to San Francisco with Manson and two other girls, known as “Charlie’s Girls”.

As the Manson family grew, Patricia Krenwinkel and the other members went on a drug and sex-filled tour of the American west in an old school bus. When the hippie movement dissipated in 1969, Patricia Krenwinkel and the rest of the Family members opted to live in isolation from the rest of society. The eventually convinced a blind and elderly man, George Spahn, to allow them to love on his property. While the family converged and lived on Spahn’s ranch, Patricia Krenwinkel acted as a mother figure to the Family’s several illegitimate children.

Patricia Krenwinkel’s participation in the Family’s Murders:

Patricia Krenwinkel was a fundamental participant in the infamous murders that took place on August 9, 1969 at the home of actress Sharon Tate and director Roman Polanski. The murders began when a fellow Family member murdered teenager Steven Parent who was parked in a car in the estate’s driveway. After the murder, Patricia Krenwinkel and two other family members entered the house where mayhem ensued.

After entering, Patricia Krenwinkel dragged coffee heiress Abigail Folger from her bedroom to the living room, where she violently stabbed her. Folger escaped outside following the first bout of stabbing, only to be caught by Patricia Krenwinkel. When caught, Folger was brutally murdered by Patricia Krenwinkel on the front lawn of the estate.

After the Tate murder took place, Patricia Krenwinkel was a willing participant in the murders that occurred the following night. Along with Manson and a number of Family members, Patricia Krenwinkel went to the home of Southern California grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary. Manson tied the couple up and left the brutal slayings to Patricia Krenwinkel and two other members of the Family. After killing the couple, the killers stayed in the LaBianca’s home for a few hours where they ate and played with the deceased couple’s dogs, while Manson and the other Family members drove around Los Angeles looking for their next victim.

Patricia Krenwinkel’s Arrest and Trial:

After dodging numerous attempts by police to investigate the ranch (law enforcement officers initially brought the Family up on charges of auto theft) former Family member, Susan Atkins, who was in police custody, told her cellmate gruesome details revolving around the Tate and LaBianca murders. As a result of Atkins’ confessions, Patricia Krenwinkel was arrested near her aunt’s home in Mobile, Alabama on December 1, 1969. The following day, Patricia Krenwinkel was indicted for seven counts of first-degree murder and one count conspiracy to commit murder.

Following a nine month trial, Patricia Krenwinkel was convicted of all counts and sentenced to death on March 29, 1971. The death sentence imposed on Patricia Krenwinkel; however, was commuted to life in prison following the California Supreme Court’s decision which invalidated all death sentences imposed in California prior to 1972.

While in prison, Patricia Krenwinkel distanced herself from Manson and the family; she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Human Sciences and remains an active participant in the prison’s rehabilitative programs. Patricia Krenwinkel has been imprisoned longer than any woman in the history of California’s prison system.

Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker

Richard Ramirez: The Night StalkerWho is Richard Ramirez?

Also known as the ‘Night Stalker’, Richard Ramirez is an American serial Killer who is currently awaiting execution on California’s death row at San Quentin State Prison.

Richard Ramirez, during his youth, was a satanic worshipper and a habitual drug user. When Ramirez turned 12 he became infatuated with his cousin, Mike, who was a Vietnam veteran and ex-Green Beret. While home deployment, Mike commonly shared gruesome war pictures with Ramirez that portrayed savage images of human torture, rape and murder. Overtime, Richard Ramirez became fascinated with this pictorial brutality.

Richard Ramirez’s influences:

Richard Ramirez, during this time, would often smoke marijuana with his cousin while talking about the war and the savageness that took place in Vietnam. One day, in retaliation to complaints made by his wife that he was lazy, Mike (Richard Ramirez’s) cousin shot his wife in the face with Richard Ramirez standing just a few feet away. As a result of his veteran status, Mike was sentenced to only seven years in prison for the savage killing.

By the time Richard Ramirez reached 18, he was a habitual drug user and Satan worshipper. While addicted to drugs, Richard Ramirez toiled in petty crimes that eventually grew more severe in nature; in the beginning of his menacing run, Richard Ramirez was arrested on numerous drug and theft charges.

Richard Ramirez’s turn to Pure Evil:

After being arrested for the aforementioned crimes, Richard Ramirez upon being released, eventually moved to Southern California, where he advanced to armed robbery and breaking into homes. When Richard Ramirez became a proficient criminal, he began to linger in the homes of his victims.

On June 28, 1984, Richard Ramirez entered through an opened window of Jennie Vincow (aged 79). After finding nothing of value to steal, Richard Ramirez grew incredibly angry and decided to murder Vincow while she was sleeping. This heinous act aroused Richard Ramirez to the point where Ramirez would begin partaking in sexual activities with his victim’s corpses.

After remaining quiet for eight months, Richard Ramirez assaulted 22-year-old Angela Barrio outside of her condo; after injuring barrio, he entered the girl’s condo where he killed Dayle Okazaki (Barrio’s roommate). Within an hour of the murder, Ramirez murdered Tsai-Lian Yu in Monterey Park, by dragging the women out of her car and shooting her; three days later Richard Ramirezz murdered an eight-year-old girl and numerous throughout the mid-1980s. 

The savageness intensified with each victim as Richard Ramirez began partaking in post-mortem mutilations. Richard Ramirez grew a disgusting satisfaction for his crimes and eventually started leaving pentagrams alongside his victim’s bodies. 

The end of Richard Ramirez’s Deadly Reign:

On August 24, 1985 Richard Ramirez travelled south of Los Angeles, where he broke into the home of Bill Cards and fiancée, Inez Erickson. Ramirez shot Carns in the head and raped Erickson. Ramirez then tied up Erickson and left the apartment. While struggling, Erickson gained enough strength to peek out her window where she saw Ramirez leaving. Upon driving away, an observant teenager wrote down the license plate number of Ramirez’s car after noticing it cruising suspiciously throughout the neighborhood. The information was sent to the Police who later located the abandoned car and collected fingerprints from inside. A computer match was then made of the prints and the identification of Richard Ramirez, the night stalker, became known.

Unaware that his picture was made public, Ramirez was positively identified after entering a Los Angeles liquor store. When word spread the Ramirez was nearby, a mob formed and began chasing Ramirez with steel pipes and rods. When the mob caught up with Ramirez, they subdued him until police arrived.

Richard Ramirez Trial:

Due to countless appeals on the part of Ramirez’s defense, the trial lasted an exhausting four years. On September 20, 1989, Richard Ramirez was found guilty of 43 counts, including 13 murders and charges revolving around sodomy, burglary and rape. Currently, as stated before, Richard Ramirez waits on the death row, until he runs out of appeals.

An Al Capone Biography

An Al Capone BiographyAl Capone Biography: Background on Al Capone

Al Capone is viewed as one of the most notorious and recognizable criminals in the history of the United States; many historians and law enforcement agents maintain that the name ‘Al Capone’ is oftentimes synonymous with the modern institution of organized crime. Throughout his criminal history, Al Capone is considered to have evaded a bulk of criminal charges and convictions; upon his apprehension, law enforcement agents found themselves unable to charge him with anything but tax evasion – however, the conviction of tax evasion was responsible for Al Capone’s incarceration. Although considered to have undertaken a wide range of criminal activity, Al Capone is primarily recognized for both his participation and masterminding of the smuggling of alcohol during the time of prohibition in the United States:

Al Capone Biography: Facts About Al Capone

The following are facts reflecting Al Capone Biography:

Al Capone was born on January 17th, 1899 in Brooklyn, New York; he died on January 25th, 1947 while in his home in Miami, Florida subsequent to his release from prison in 1939 – he was 48 years old

Al Capone is considered to have fronted and organized one of the foremost and illegal smuggling operations of smuggling; between 1920 and 1932, a legislative ban on alcoholic beverages  was put in place by a the Federal Government of the United States; Capone’s racketeering was considered to be a reactionary response to prohibition, which facilitated the availability of alcohol

Al Capone was also considered to be a ‘Bootlegger’, which is an individual participating in the illegal activity of smuggling that is conducted through secretive and clandestine means

The criminal activity – both structural and commercial in nature – involved the illegal provision, sale, and exchange of a wide variety of illegal and unlawful undertakings, ranging from the smuggling of alcohol to the organization of prostitution rings

Al Capone Biography: The Conviction of Al Capone

Subsequent to the finding of a ‘guilty’ verdict with regard to his charges of tax evasion, Al Capone was sentenced to an 11-year prison sentenced to be served in the United States Penitentiary in Atlanta, Georgia; in addition to this sentencing, the presiding judge mandated that the liens and repossession notices were to be placed upon the estate of Al Capone – however, the following events took place with regard to the conviction and sentencing of Al Capone:

Upon the repeal of prohibition as expressed within the 21st Amendment of the United States Constitution, Al Capone was forbidden from communicating with any individuals perceived to be former criminal associates with regard to his smuggling endeavors

On August 11th, 1934, Al Capone was transferred to Alcatraz State Penitentiary within which he was incarcerated until January 6th, 1939

On January 6th, 1939, Al Capone was moved to the Federal Prison in Terminal Island, California within which he served a year’s time; he received an early parole on November 16th, 1939 – upon parole, he resided in Palm Island, Florida until the time of his death

Al Capone Biography: Al Capone’s Final Days

Although certain Al Capone Biography suggests that a bulk of Al Capone’s estate was repossessed by the United States government, many assumed that a vast fortune remained in his possession, which was hid from law enforcement agents; however, this claim was neither substantiated nor proven

Subsequent to his parole, Al Capone continued to reside in Florida; reports of the final years of his life maintain that he was deemed unfit to continue his command with regard to the criminal organization for which he was once responsible

Close family and friends reported that prior to his stroke, he had undergone a traumatic degree of mental degradation; reports outlining the details of Al Capone’s final years illustrate that he displayed symptoms of insanity, which included ranting, raving, and paranoia

The Facts on the Oklahoma City Bombing

The Facts on the Oklahoma City BombingWhat is a Terrorist?

A terrorist refers to an individual or organization that inflicts terror in a systematic and deliberate way on a society as a means of coercion.  Technically there is no universally criminal law definition of terrorism; however, common characteristics of the act refer to the delivery of violent acts intended to precipitate fear on a given society.

Acts of terror are typically perpetrated for a political, ideological or religious goal; a terrorist will deliberately target and subsequently disregard the safety of civilians to carry-out some form of initiative. All terrorists and their underlying terrorist organizations will not align themselves with government organizations or formal government bodies.

Definitions of terrorism will always include acts of unlawful violence and war. That being said, any action that precipitates violence on a society and disrupts the harmony and general function of a particular community or sociological setting will be considered an act of terrorism. There are two forms of terrorists: international terrorists and domestic terrorists. Although both forms of terrorists will inflict carnage on a society that is primarily based off a skewed or ultra-aggressive ideology, the domestic terrorist carries-out his or her violent actions on their home country, while an International terrorist will deliver their violent actions abroad.

Oklahoma City Bombing:

The Oklahoma City bombing was a domestic terrorist attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma City bombing took place on April 19, 1996 and was coordinated and delivered by Timothy McVeigh. The Oklahoma City bombing was the most violent and destructive act of terrorism on American soil until the attacks of September 11th, 2001.

The Oklahoma City bombing took the lives of 168 people (mostly employees of the United States Federal government) including 19 children under the age of 6. Additionally, more than 680 people were injured in the Oklahoma City Bombing; the severe blast damaged nearly 325 buildings within a sixteen-block radius of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.

The Oklahoma City Bombing was sparked by Timothy McVeigh, an American militia movement compatriot. The building exploded when an explosive-filled truck–parked in front of the building—was detonated. 

The Suspects of the Oklahoma City Bombing

Within 90 minutes of the Oklahoma City Bombing, Timothy McVeigh was stopped by a state trooper for driving without a license plate; Mcveigh was subsequently charged with unlawfully carrying a weapon. Subsequent forensic evidence quickly linked McVeigh and Terry Nichols to the Oklahoma City Bombing; Terry Nichols, McVeigh’s chief accomplice was arrested in the following days and both were charged with the terrorist act.

Timothy McVeigh organized and instituted the Oklahoma City bombing as a result of his hatred for the United States federal government. McVeigh was chiefly motivated by his perceived mishandling of the Waco Siege and the Ruby incident—the Oklahoma City Bombing coincided with the second anniversary of the deaths at Waco.

Investigation of the Oklahoma City Bombing:

The official investigation of the Oklahoma City Bombing was the largest criminal investigation in American history. Both Nichols and Timothy McVeigh were tried and subsequently convicted in 1997. McVeigh was executed via the lethal injection on June 11, 2001 and Nichols, for his role as McVeigh’s accomplice, was sentenced to life in prison. Lori and Michael Fortier, accomplices who knew of the impending attacks, testified against McVeigh and Nichols. For their role in the Oklahoma City Bombing and failing to warn authorities of the impending attack, Michael was sentenced to twelve years in prison and Lori eventually received immunity for her testimony.

The Supreme Court Cases List

The Supreme Court Cases ListWhat is the Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court of the United States of America is the highest court system in the nation. The Supreme Court, as a result of this classification and function, possesses ultimate; however largely discretionary, appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal court systems, as well as original jurisdictions or local courts, in the United States.

The Supreme Court of the United States meets in Washington, D.C. in the United States Supreme Court Building. The Supreme Court consists of a chief justice and eight acting associate justices who are nominated by the President of the United States of America and subsequently confirmed by the U.S. Senate. When a chief justice is appointed, he or she maintains life tenure unless they are removed after impeachment.

What is the Supreme Court Cases List?

The Supreme Court Cases list refers to the tangible archives, which store and house all decisions rendered within the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court cases list is therefore the tangible archives that hold all the decisions rendered by the Supreme Court. In addition to the verdicts or precedents established, the Supreme Court Cases list will outline the main points of the case as well as the intricacies aligned with the case. The Supreme Court Cases list will also include all testimonials, significant entries of evidence, as well as crucial dialogue that was latent in the particular case.

Any individual or legal professional can evaluate these documents to analyze the intricacies surrounding any Supreme Court Case. The ability to evaluate the Supreme Court Cases List will offer a description and ideological approach in regards to how laws are viewed and subsequently upheld in the United States. Additionally, by viewing a Supreme Court Cases list an individual can better understand the United States Constitution and the United States’ Federal government’s interpretation of particular laws or sociological issues.

The majority of cases heard in the Supreme Court carry an unwavering significance in regards to sociological precedence and importance. The cases heard in the Supreme Court essentially traversed through the lower court systems who viewed the particular subject matter as hazy or ambiguous. As a result of the pending nature, the case and the attached subject matter is sent to the Supreme Court where the highest and most prominent judicial officials will review the subject matter latent in the particular case. As stated before, engaging and evaluating a Supreme Court Cases list will enable an individual or legal professional to evaluate precedents and the tangible decision making process latent in groundbreaking legislature or rulings. These particular cases essentially laid the groundwork for fundamental sociological behavior and formalities that are still present in the United States to this day.

How to observe the Supreme Court Cases List:

A Supreme Court cases list can be obtained and subsequently reviewed on numerous websites, including the United States’ Supreme Court website, located at www.supremecourt.gov. Additionally, the tangible version of the United States Supreme Court list can be observed at the national archives in Washington, D.C.

Ted Kaczinski: the Unabomber

Ted Kaczinski: the UnabomberWhat is a Terrorist?

The act of terrorism refers to the systematic and diabolical use of terror as a means of coercion. Although there is no universally criminal law definition of terrorism, common characteristics of the act refer to the delivery of violent acts which are intended to precipitate fear on a given society. Acts of terror are typically perpetrated for a political, ideological or religious goal; terrorists deliberately target and subsequently disregard the safety of civilians. All terrorists and their underlying terrorist organizations will not align themselves with government organizations or formal government bodies.

Definitions of terrorism will always include acts of unlawful violence and war. That being said, any action that precipitates violence on a society and disrupts the harmony and general function of a particular community or sociological setting will be considered an act of terrorism.

Who is the Unabomber?

Ted Kaczinski, infamously known as the Unabomber, was an American mathematician, anarchist and drastic social critic who engaged in several acts of mail bombing.  The Unabomber inflicted carnage through mail bombs for nearly 20 years; the Unabomber’s terrorist activities took the lives of three people and injured 23 others.

Ted Kaczinski (also known as the Unabomber) was born in Chicago, Illinois where he was immediately viewed as a child prodigy due to his ability to excel academically at a young age. At the age of 16, the Unabomber was accepted into Harvard University where he eventually earned a Bachelor’s degree. The Unabomber continued his education at the University of Michigan, where Kaczinski earned a PhD in mathematics. The Unabomber, at age 25, became an assistant professor at the University of California, Berkeley, but resigned just two years later.

The Unabomber begins his reign of Terror:

After resigning from his post at Berkeley, the Unabomber moved to a remote cabin in Montana, which lacked running water and electricity. While removed from society, Kaczinski started a bombing campaign after watching the land and wilderness being destroyed by development companies. From 1978 to 1995, the Unabomber sent 16 bombs to various targets, including airline companies and Universities.

The Unabomber’s efforts, which killed three people and injured 23 others, prompted Kaczinski to send a letter to the New York Times on April 24, 1995. The letter was in a sense a negotiation, for the Unabomber promised to “desist from terrorism” if the Times or the Washington Post published his anti-government manifesto. In this manifesto, the Unabomber claimed that his killings and bombings were extreme but essential to attach attention to the destruction of human freedom that is widely precipitated by the modernization of technology.

FBI Investigation and capture:

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted a costly investigation and labeled Kaczinski (before his identity was known) as the “UNABOM” (University and Airline Bomber). Despite the FBI’s widespread investigation efforts, the Unabomber was not initially located. The Unabomber; however, was eventually found when Kaczynski’s brother and his brother’s wife recognized Kaczynski’s writing style and beliefs latent in the manifesto. Through this observance, the Unabomber’s family members tipped off the FBI.

The Unabomber’s Trial and Sentence:

Once located and subsequently caught, the Unabomber’s lawyers, who were court appointed, were eventually dismissed when Kaczynski opted to defend himself. The court eventually entered a plea, where the Unabomber was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The Unabomber was officially designated a “domestic terrorist” by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Larry Flynt: Creator of the Hustler

Larry Flynt: Creator of the HustlerWho is Larry Flynt?

Larry Flynt is an American publisher and the President of Larry Flynt Publications—a company that predominantly produces sexually graphic magazines and videos, most notably Hustler.

The Creation of Hustler:

In March 1972, Larry Flynt created the Hustler Newsletter¬—a four-page, black and white publication that promoted his various clubs that featured naked hostesses who danced. The newsletter eventually became so popular with his customers that Larry Flynt decided to expand the Hustler Newsletter to 32 pages in August of 1973. When the oil crisis of 1973 struck, the revenues of the Hustler club, along with the American economy, significantly dissipated. Instead of refinancing his debts or declaring bankruptcy, Larry Flynt decided to turn the Hustler Newsletter into a full-fledged sexually explicit magazine with national distribution.

In July of 1974, the first issue of Hustler was published. The magazine proved to be a hit; within the first year of publishing, Hustler amassed enough attention and revenue for Larry Flynt to pay off all of his debts and offset his losses that were sparked by the failing economy.

Due to the aggressive and highly-sexual material in the Hustler magazine, Larry Flynt had to routinely fight with distributors and publishers for his magazine to be published. These struggles, although discouraging, did not stop Flynt from producing his magazine. While the magazine was gaining attention, Flynt was approached by a paparazzo who had obtained nude pictures of former First Lad Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Flynt eventually purchased the nude picture for $18,000 and published the photos in the August 1975 issue of Hustler Magazine. With the photos of Onassis in the magazine, that particular issue attracted widespread attention; over 1 million copies were sold within a few days.

As a result of the magazine’s success, Larry Flynt amassed millions of dollars and international notoriety for his propensity to produce and mass-distribute lewd material.

Larry Flynt Legal battles:

Larry Flynt has long been embroiled in numerous legal battles regarding the regulations of free speech and pornography present in the United States’ judicial system. Larry Flynt was first prosecuted on organized crime and obscenity charged in Cincinnati in 1976; Larry Flynt although sentenced to 25 years in prison he only served six days due to a technicality latent in the trial.

In 1988, Larry Flynt won a crucial Supreme Court decision in Hustler Magazine v. Falwell. This trial was initiated when Larry Flynt was sued by Reverend Jerry Falwell in 1983 over an offensive parody in Hustler that depicted Falwell’s first sexual encounter with his own mother in an out-house. Falwell, enraged by this depiction, sued Flynt for emotional distress. The Supreme Court ultimately sided with Larry Flynt, by stating public figures cannot seek retribution or recover damages for “intentional infliction of emotional distress” based on parodies or unrealistic depictions.

Lau v. Nichols

Lau v. NicholsThe Background of Lau v. Nichols:

Lau v. Nichols was a landmark civil rights case that was initiated by Chinese American students who lived in San Francisco, California. The students, who had limited English proficiency, claimed that were not receiving special help in their various classes. The students argued that they were denied aid primarily due to their inability to speak English; the students stated they were entitled to such aid under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that effectively placed a ban on educational discrimination on the basis of national origin.

The students claimed that the schools lacked appropriate accommodations that ultimately denied them from receiving equal educational opportunities on the basis of their ethnicity.

Lau v. Nichols Trial:

In 1974, the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of the students; this ruling ultimately expanded the rights of students nationwide who possessed an inability to fluently speak English. The Supreme Court of the United States stated that these students shall be treated with equality among all schools throughout the nation.

The decision in Lau v. Nichols remains a landmark decision that is closely aligned with the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Lau v. Nichols is frequently relied upon and raised as a precedent in many similar cases.

The Case Profile of Lau v. Nichols:

The following is a case profile of the legal trial eponymously titled ‘Lau v. Nichols’:

Date of the Trial: Lau v. Nichols was argued on December 10, 1973

Legal Classification: Administrative Law; this legal field associated with events and circumstances in which the Federal Government of the United States engages its citizens, including the administration of government programs, the creation of agencies, and the establishment of a legal, regulatory federal standard

United States Reports Case Number: 414 U.S. 563

Date of the Delivery of the Verdict: Lau v. Nichols was decided on January 21, 1974

Legal Venue of Lau v. Nichols: The United States Supreme Court

Judicial Officer Responsible for Ruling: Chief Justice Warren E. Burger

Verdict Delivered: The Supreme Court of the United States in Lau v. Nichols ruled that public schools, based on the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, must treat all students equally regardless of their language; therefore, students who are incapable of speaking English must be awarded resources to facilitate their learning.

Associated Legislation with regard to Lau v. Nichols: The following statutory regulations were employed with regard to the Lau v. Nichols trial:

Section 601 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

The Legal Battles of Lenny Bruce

The Legal Battles of Lenny BruceWho was Lenny Bruce?

Lenny Bruce, born October 13, 1925 was a Jewish-American stand-up comedian. After studying acting, he performed stand-up routines in various nightclubs throughout the United States in the 1950s. His act was a hit across the nations through a developing style marked by black humor and punctuated with severe obscenities. As he gained notoriety, Lenny Bruce focused his act on material criticisms aimed at various social and legal establishments, as well as organized religion and other controversial topics. Lenny Bruce died of a drug overdose in Hollywood California on August, 3rd 1966, but is still remembered as a trend-setting comedian and an activist for free speech.

Lenny Bruce’s Legal Battles:

On October 4th, 1961, Lenny Bruce was arrested for obscenity; his act at the Jazz Workshop in San Francisco had used foul language and was laced in egregious sexual undertones. Although the jury ultimately acquitted Lenny Bruce of the charges, other law enforcement organizations began monitoring his acts throughout the nation. As a result of these monitoring efforts, Lenny Bruce was arrested several times for charges stemming from obscenity.

Following these arrests, Lenny Bruce became a controversial individual and was routinely surveyed by law enforcement agencies. The increased scrutiny eventually led to an arrest in Philadelphia, where the local police department found Lenny Bruce in possession of drugs. Lenny Bruce was subsequently arrested for drug possession in Los Angeles, California nearly two years later.

In April of 1964, while performing in Greenwich Village, New York, undercover police detectives in the audience arrested Lenny Bruce for using various obscenities in his act. A three judge panel presided over the publicized trial that ensued from these arrests. Lenny Bruce and club owner, Howard Solomon, were both found guilty of obscenity on November 4, 1964. Lenny Bruce was sentenced on December 21st, 1964 to four months in a workhouse; Lenny Bruce was eventually set free on bail during the appeals process and died before the appeal was ruled.

Although Lenny Bruce was seemingly involved in perpetual legal battles, he garnered the support of several prominent entertainers as well as the general public, who viewed Lenny Bruce’s act as an exercise of free speech and thus a Constitutional right.

On December 23rd, 2003, Lenny Bruce was granted a posthumous pardon for his obscenity conviction. The pardon was issued by New York Governor George Pataki, 37 years after his death caused by a drug overdose.

Attorneys, Get Listed

X