State seeks dismissal of Smart kidnapper charges
Lawyer Blogs
Prosecutors have asked a judge to dismiss state charges against Elizabeth Smart's kidnapper after the man was convicted in federal court and sentenced to life in prison.
Brian David Mitchell was sentenced May 25 to two life sentences without parole for the 2002 kidnapping and rape of Smart. He was convicted in U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City in December.
Federal prosecutors moved to take over the state case in 2008 after it stalled over questions about Mitchell's mental health.
In papers filed this week, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sam Gill seeks the dismissal of all state charges against Mitchell, citing his federal conviction and life sentences.
Smart was 14 when she was taken at knifepoint from her Salt Lake City bedroom.
Related listings
-
Idaho landowners to get high court hearing
Lawyer Blogs 06/28/2011The Supreme Court has agreed to consider the rights of landowners when confronted with an order from the Environmental Protection Agency that they are violating the federal Clean Water Act.The justices on Tuesday added the case of Idaho property owne...
-
US top court upholds $270 million award to smokers
Lawyer Blogs 06/28/2011The US Supreme Court rejected an appeal request made by American tobacco companies on Monday in a class-action lawsuit that awarded 500,000 smokers a total of $270 million in damages.Without comment, the highest US court dismissed the appeal of a 200...
-
High court strikes down Ariz. campaign finance law
Lawyer Blogs 06/27/2011The Supreme Court on Monday struck down a provision of a campaign financing system in Arizona that gives extra cash to publicly funded candidates who face privately funded rivals and independent groups. The 5-4 ruling is the latest in a series of dec...
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.