Break

$700 Million Awarded in Landmark Case Over Tragic Spring Break Murder of New York Teen

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COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina jury granted a staggering $700 million in damages to the family of Brittanee Drexel, a 17-year-old girl from New York who was abducted and killed during a spring break vacation in Myrtle Beach in 2009. The civil lawsuit, initiated by Drexel’s mother Dawn Pleckan in January 2023, targeted not only Raymond Moody, the perpetrator, but also implicated Bar Harbor Resort Inc. and Smith Family Partners LLC for alleged negligence linked to the teenager’s tragic death. The jury’s decision last month awarded $200 million in actual damages and an additional … Read more

Florida Bar to Consider New Rule Allowing Attorneys to Break Confidentiality for the Safety of Minor Clients

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Tallahassee, Florida – A new ethical direction may soon emerge for Florida’s legal landscape as the state’s bar association considers a significant amendment to its confidentiality rules aimed at safeguarding minor clients. Slated for proposal by March, this revision would empower attorneys to breach confidentiality under certain conditions to protect minors from substantial harm. The rule change proposed by the Florida Bar’s board of governors stems from an ongoing reevaluation of the balance between confidentiality and client safety. According to reports, this reconsideration was prompted by the Florida Supreme Court’s request for revision suggestions to … Read more

Vermont’s Billboard Battle: Does the Route 7 Hay Wagon Sign Break State Law?

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New Haven, VT – A painted hay wagon situated along Route 7 has drawn the attention of state regulators due to potential violations of Vermont’s billboard law. This statute, stringent in nature, prohibits any signage that isn’t directly related to the site where it’s situated, barring exceptions for specific on-premise signs. The hay wagon in question, belonging to Peter Briggs of New Haven, is painted with advertisements promoting his agricultural business, a joining garden center, and unrelated business ventures. This includes a display for a business located in Bristol, about 10 miles from where the … Read more

Jury Reconvenes in Mike Madigan’s High-Profile Corruption Trial Post-Holiday Break

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Chicago, Illinois — The trial of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan reconvened this Tuesday following a hiatus for the holiday break, delving deeper into allegations of extensive corruption during his tenure. Madigan, a dominant figure in Illinois politics for decades, faces multiple charges including bribery, racketeering, and wire fraud, signaling a significant case in the state’s history. Madigan, 80, has consistently denied all wrongdoing associated with the charges. The accusations detail an alleged scheme involving lucrative contracts and jobs exchanged for political favors, aimed at solidifying his power within the state legislature where he … Read more