Tag Archives: jury trial
SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN CALIFORNIA
Everywhere you read, there are new and ongoing claims of sexual harassment throughout the United States. Sexual harassment in the State of California is defined in Civil Code, Section 51.9, providing the various elements to assert and prove a cause of action for sexual harassment. California Civil Code §51.9 states as follows: “(a) … Read More »
Further Decline of Jury Trials
The Los Angeles Daily Journal, the leading legal newspaper in Southern California has recently reported facts and statistics regarding the continuing decline in jury trials throughout the United States, especially in Federal Court and in the State of California. Federal Court civil trials have steadily declined in the last 80 years. Commencing in 1938,… Read More »
Recent Changes to Jury Fee Rules
In California, if you demand a jury trial, you are required to pay a deposit for exercising that right. In recent years, prior to June 5, 2012, the Code of Civil Procedure § 631(b) read: “Each party demanding a jury trial shall deposit advance jury fees with the clerk or judge. The total amount… Read More »
CHAOS IN COURTS CONTINUES
The domino effect of the budget shortfalls in the State of California court system continues to develop. Previously the Los Angeles Superior Court system announced the closure of four civil courtrooms in Pomona. Most recently, the San Bernardino County Superior Court system has announced that the entire Chino courthouse will close effective January 1,… Read More »
VIRTUAL PRESENCE NOT SUFFICIENT BASIS FOR LIABILITY
The sender of a text message was granted summary judgment against plaintiffs in a New Jersey personal injury action in which the recipient, while reading that text message, sideswiped the motorcycle driven by the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs, a husband and wife who both lost their left leg in the collision, named both the driver… Read More »
COURTS IN CHAOS
Heiting & Irwin Over the past week the Los Angeles Superior Court system has announced the closure of four civil courtrooms in Pomona. The San Bernardino Superior Court system is apparently mulling over its options in the face of budget cuts, expected to be reached up to 18 percent. Similar courtroom closures or furlough… Read More »
UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION 7TH AMENDMENT. THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.
“In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law,” (United States Constitution, Amendment… Read More »
Commitment to Service: Orange County’s High School Mock Trial Competition
I recently had the pleasure of observing (and scoring) a mock trial competition in Orange County. That evening, myself and the other legal professionals, judges, and volunteers rallied at the end of our long day to kick off the opening round of the 31st Annual Orange County High School Mock Trial Competition, organized by… Read More »
