Moritz Legal Information Blog

Speaking of exotic pets, here's perhaps the best line about a case you'll read all day: "Descendants of Ernest Hemingway’s six-toed cat Snowball that live at his museum home are subject to federal regulation because they substantially affect interstate commerce, a federal appeals court has ruled." Polydactylism is a genetic condition that results in the cats having more toes than is typical. According to the Hemingway Museum, the cats "that have 4 and 5 toes can still mother or father six-toed kittens. Most cats have extra toes on their front feet and sometimes on their back feet as well." Christian Science Monitor Thanks to Sarah Glassmeyer  for the horrible pun.

We have written in the past about the new Ohio exotic animal law , which followed the October 2011 tragedy in which a Zanesville man released dozens of dangerous animals before committing suicide. Last month, four owners filed a lawsuit challenging the new law.  The first hearing was held yesterday, and U.S. District Judge George Smith has ruled that the Humane Society may join the state in defending the law. Cleveland Plain Dealer Dayton Daily News Zanesville Times Recorder

Just across the state border, a judicial officer is making headlines for a recent jail sentence for buying votes. The question of the day: will he retain his office while he's imprisoned? Would you believe there's precedent for that? For more on judicial ethics, check out these sources: Center for Judicial Ethics Judicial Ethics & Regulation Ohio State Judicial Code of Conduct

There are too many great stories out there right now to choose just one to feature, so here are links to all of my current favorites: The Law and Order Database : If you're an L&O junkie, this site has the stats for you on the outcomes of every trial on the show. For example, just over 35% of the time, the jury came back with a guilty verdict. Using this data, you can also assess which character had the best job performance outcomes . In labor union news, the NHL lockout continues . If the season will run fewer than 48 games, it will likely be cancelled. The government can register trademarks, and it has with the GI Bill ® to protect veterans from confusion when applying to colleges that may deceptively use the trademark to increase enrollment. In local news, and Ohio attorney is suing to protect rights of publicity potentially held by arrestees featured on mugshot websites. Rights of publicity are a state law issue , however, so the likelihood of success on the cla

A Wisconsin couple did not seek medical help for their dying daughter, but instead prayed that she be healed.  They were convicted in 2009 of reckless homicide after the 11-year-old girl died of a treatable form of diabetes.  Now, Dale and Leilani Neumann are appealing the convictions to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.  Oral argument took place on Tuesday. ABA Journal Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Pioneer Press

The ABA Journal this week brings us the story of a new lawyer personally showing up to seize the assets of a judgment debtor, much to the delight of the news media. For more on starting a practice, check out How to Start and Build a Law Practice  or Flying Solo  in the law library. Also, the Columbus Bar Association has started an incubator program for new attorneys looking to develop their business management skills.

Slate.com recently started Crime , "A blog about murder, theft, and other wickedness." The blog includes thorough, sometimes amusing explainers on a variety of criminal law matters, including pending court cases and the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list . For more criminal blawgs, check out these lists from the ABA Journal. Professor Berman also offers a criminal blawg specifically addressing sentencing .