W.Va. court orders hearing over newspaper sources
Court Alerts
West Virginia's Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a newspaper in a dispute over confidential sources, but the decision will soon be eclipsed by a new state law barring disclosure of such sources in most cases.
The justices unanimously concluded earlier this month that Cabell County Circuit Judge Jane Hustead erred when she ordered the Lincoln Journal to reveal sources from a series of articles on Lincoln County's 2008 primary.
The Journal had reported on allegations that the publisher of a rival newspaper had funneled money through other individuals to a slate of candidates. Two of those contributors sued, alleging the series of articles were false and had defamed them.
The Supreme Court's May 2 ruling faulted Hustead for not following a standard set by a decision it issued in 1989. That standard says a reporter can't be compelled to reveal confidential sources "except upon a clear and specific showing that the information is highly material and relevant, necessary or critical to the maintenance of the claim, and not obtainable from other available sources."
Voiding Hustead's order, the justices required her to hold a hearing based on the 1989 standard. But while the Lincoln Journal's appeal was pending, the Legislature passed a law that replaces that standard.
Related listings
-
IMF chief resigns, will make new bid for bail
Court Alerts 05/19/2011Hours after Dominique Strauss-Kahn resigned from his post as manager of the International Monetary Fund -- saying he felt compelled to focus his energy on the sexual assault charges he faces -- the French politician will try to get out of jail. Behin...
-
Nevada High Court Won't Hear OJ Appeal
Court Alerts 05/18/2011The Nevada Supreme Court has declined to hear O.J. Simpson's appeal. Simpson's lawyer lost his bid Tuesday to appeal for his client's freedom before all seven members of the state's highest court. The court issued a terse ruling Tuesday saying it won...
-
Another round of NFL talks ends without agreement
Court Alerts 05/18/2011The NFL and its locked-out players wrapped up another round of court-ordered mediation Tuesday without any signs of a new agreement and the clock ticking on the 2011 season.Officials and attorneys for both sides said they will return for more closed-...

Is Now the Time to Really Call a Special Education Lawyer?
IDEA, FAPE, CHILD FIND and IEPs: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees all children with disabilities to a free appropriate public education (FAPE). FAPE starts with a school’s responsibility to identify that a child has a disability (Child Find) and create an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to suit the needs of the child.
Forte Law Group is one of only a very few law firms within the state of Connecticut that is dedicated to exclusively representing families and children with special needs.
Parents need to be persistent, dedicated and above all else aware of the many services and accommodations that their child is entitled to under the law. As early as this point within your child’s special education, many parents will often find themselves in the situation asking, “is now the time to really call a special education lawyer?” Here are a few things to consider when asking yourself that question.