Stevens asks to skip court during financial mess
Lawyer Blogs
With Congress rushing to stop a meltdown in the U.S. financial market, Sen. Ted Stevens asked a federal judge Tuesday to let him skip out of his corruption trial from time to time.
The Senate's longest-serving Republican, Stevens is fighting charges that he lied about more than $250,000 in home repairs and other gifts he received from an oil contractor. U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan warned the Alaska senator that leaving court might hurt him in the eyes of jurors.
Stevens said he understood.
"There's only one thing more important in his life than this trial, and that's doing his duty as a senator, particularly in this time of national crisis," defense attorney Brendan Sullivan said.
The trial comes at a difficult time in Stevens' political career. He is fending off a strong Democratic challenge to his seat and, during the height of campaign season, Stevens is tethered to a courtroom in Washington.
Being absent as Congress considers a historic $700 billion bailout of the financial market could make it look like the corruption charges have made it impossible for Stevens to do his job.
Prosecutors didn't oppose Stevens' plan to leave court but they said Stevens shouldn't be able to use the crisis to cast himself as a dedicated senator in front of jurors. The judge said Stevens could leave court but jurors would not be told why.
Jury selection continued Tuesday and opening arguments were scheduled to begin as early as Wednesday morning.
Related listings
-
2 rare capital trials conducted in New Hampshire
Lawyer Blogs 09/22/2008One capital murder trial is under way and another is about to start in New Hampshire, a state that last executed someone in 1939, has no one on death row and has no death chamber.The first trial began Sept. 8 and involves John "Jay" Brooks, a million...
-
Ga. court uphelds conviction in socialite slaying
Lawyer Blogs 09/22/2008Georgia's top court Monday upheld the murder conviction of a millionaire for hiring an assassin posing as a flower delivery man to kill his 35-year-old socialite wife.The Georgia Supreme Court's unanimous ruling rejected arguments for a new trial fro...
-
Jerome L. Ringler - Chatsworth Metrolink Disaster Attorney
Lawyer Blogs 09/19/2008Metrolink worker sued Burlington Northern Santa Fe, saying his alcoholism returned after the fatal 2002 Placentia collision.A metrolink conductor who said his drinking problems resumed after the Placentia train crash in 2002 will receive $8.5 million...
Victorville CA DUI defense Attorneys
The outcome of a DUI defense will have a long-term effect on anyone’s life, making the decision to receive legal representation an easy one. The fact is, most people accused of a DUI are first offenders with no criminal background. Whether this is your first run in with the law or you have had previous convictions, you are in need of a DUI defense attorney.
The charges you are facing for a DUI range from fines, a 12-month suspension on your license and worst-case scenario, prison time. Your attorney will be able to analyze your situation to decide the best way to go about your case.
Our attorneys know the tricky ways to challenge all of the DUI tests and know how to claim improper collection of evidence. We will be able to negotiate on your behalf and free you from charges and help you keep your drivers license. The DUI process can last up to several months, we can make this process easier on you. .