Italian court to rule on Berlusconi immunity law
Legal World
Premier Silvio Berlusconi awaits a politically-charged decision by a top Italian court this week on whether a law that shields him from prosecution complies with the constitution.
The premier is a defendant in two trials in Milan accusing him of corruption and tax fraud. Both proceedings have been suspended thanks to the legislation, but will resume if the law is overturned by the Constitutional Court.
Berlusconi has always denied wrongdoing.
With journalists jammed in the courtroom, the 15 constitutional judges opened a hearing Tuesday during which the parties will lay out their cases.
A decision is not expected until Thursday.
The law, bitterly contested by the opposition, was passed in March by Berlusconi's conservative forces who control parliament, and went into effect the following month. It marked the third attempt at shielding Berlusconi during his various stints as head of government.
The legislation suspends court proceedings for up to 18 months if the defendant has a "legitimate impediment" stemming from being premier or a member of government. It was designed as a stopgap measure to buy the conservatives time while they prepare a more thorough immunity law for top officials.
Related listings
-
UK court holds 9 on terror conspiracy plot
Legal World 12/27/2010Nine terror suspects were charged Monday with planning a series of bombings in Britain and ordered to remain in custody.Details about their alleged plot were not released, but security officials said they were planning substantial attacks on British ...
-
Medvedev: Let court rule on Khodorkovsky, not us
Legal World 12/24/2010President Dmitry Medvedev urged officials on Friday to refrain from commenting on the case of jailed oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky before the court rules — his latest effort to try to improve the rule of law in Russia.Medvedev's comments came only ...
-
Top UK judge: No ban on Twitter in court
Legal World 12/20/2010The head of the judiciary in England and Wales ruled Monday that there is no ban on using Twitter in court.Lord Chief Justice Igor Judge said the use of "unobtrusive, hand held, virtually silent" equipment to give live text updates was unlikely to in...
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. .