High court to rule in California prisons case
Lawyer Blogs
The contrasting views emerged in arguments over a federal court order forcing the nation's largest state prison system to cut its inmate population by some 40,000 to fix longtime problems with inadequate medical and mental health care.
The justices seemed divided along ideological lines, with conservatives appearing sympathetic to California's arguments and liberals sharply questioning its position. Conservatives have a slight majority on the court.
The court took the case under advisement after the arguments and is expected to issue a ruling by June.
The case involves two-class action lawsuits filed in federal court by inmates who challenged the health care conditions in California state prisons in 1990 and 2001. A trial began in 2008 and a three-judge federal panel ruled against the state last year.
Improving conditions in California's prisons has become a major legal, political and budget issue in view of the state's budget crisis and high unemployment.
Carter Phillips, the attorney representing the state, said the lower court had violated federal law by failing to give sufficient weight to the potential adverse on public safety of cutting the prison population.
"I guarantee you that there is going to be more crime and people are going to die on the streets of California," he said.
California's 33 adult prisons were designed to hold about 80,000 inmates but currently hold about 145,000. The state has lowered its prison population through changes in parole and sentencing policies and by transferring inmates to private prisons in other states.
Related listings
-
Supreme Court rejects illegal downloading argument
Lawyer Blogs 11/30/2010The U.S. Supreme Court has turned down an appeal from a Texas teenager who got in trouble for illegal downloading of music—a potential blow to students who might claim to be “innocent infringers” of copyright laws after downloading music without payi...
-
Ruling on Wal-Mart class-action case may have broader impact
Lawyer Blogs 11/28/2010The fate of the largest job bias lawsuit in the nation's history — a claim that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. shortchanged women in pay and promotions for many years — hinges on whether the Supreme Court will let the class-action case go to trial.The court is...
-
Ga. top court OKs death option for cop shooting
Lawyer Blogs 11/22/2010The Georgia Supreme Court ruled Monday that two men will be eligible for the death penalty if they are found guilty of killing a Bibb County sheriff's deputy even if they didn't know he was a law enforcement officer.The state is seeking the death pen...
Illinois Work Injury Lawyers – Krol, Bongiorno & Given, LTD.
Accidents in the workplace are often caused by unsafe work conditions arising from ignoring safety rules, overlooking maintenance or other negligence of those in management. While we are one of the largest firms in Illinois dedicated solely to the representation of injured workers, we pride ourselves on the personal, one-on-one approach we deliver to each client.
Work accidents can cause serious injuries and sometimes permanent damage. Some extremely serious work injuries can permanently hinder a person’s ability to get around and continue their daily duties. Factors that affect one’s quality of life such as place of work, relationships with friends and family, and social standing can all be taken away quickly by a work injury. Although, you may not be able to recover all of your losses, you may be entitled to compensation as a result of your work injury. Krol, Bongiorno & Given, LTD. provides informed advocacy in all kinds of workers’ compensation claims, including:
• Injuries to the back and neck, including severe spinal cord injuries
• Serious head injuries
• Heart problems resulting from workplace activities
• Injuries to the knees, elbows, shoulders and other joints
• Injuries caused by repetitive movements
For Illinois Workers’ Compensation claims, you will ALWAYS cheat yourself if you do not hire an experienced attorney. When you hire Krol, Bongiorno & Given, Ltd, you will have someone to guide you through the process, and when it is time to settle, we will add value to your case IN EXCESS of our fee. In the last few years, employers and insurance carriers have sought to advance the argument that when you settle a case without an attorney, your already low settlement should be further reduced by 20% so that you do not get a “windfall.” Representing yourself in Illinois is a lose-lose proposition.