In a recent Reuters article about a Nashville divorce case involving an entrepreneur husband and orthopedic surgeon wife, contributor Geoff Williams wrote: “Society is starting to catch up to the law. In 1979, with Orr vs. Orr, the Supreme Court made it clear that there shouldn’t be gender bias when it comes to alimony. Yet
When you are charged with a crime, anything you say can and may be used against you in court. As most people are aware, the police must inform a person arrested for a crime of this fact, prior to questioning. The reading of the Miranda Warning—named for the landmark 1966 Supreme Court Case Miranda v.
December marks the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the Federal Reserve Act, creating the United States’ central banking system. The Federal Reserve System is the most recent and longest lasting “bank” established by the federal government; the debate over the validity and wisdom of such an institution predates the Constitution. The Supreme Court unanimously
A recent Brentwood Homepage article provides good insight into the current “criminal mentality” of drinking and driving laws. “DUIs in Williamson County: Read and heed” is an interview with Asst. District Attorney Carlin Hess. “Do not drive drunk in Williamson County” is sound advice, as it is in any jurisdiction. However, the combination of the “strict
The New York City Council voted recently to include smokeless electronic cigarettes in its city-wide public smoking ban. According to a report by USA Today, New Jersey, Utah and North Dakota already regulate the use of such devices where smoking is prohibited. Proponents for the measure say that the persistence (and/or increasing popularity) of smokeless
Tennessee Attorney General Robert E. Cooper, Jr. has issued an opinion stating that local laws requiring prescriptions for the purchase of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine drugs are a violation of state law. More than a dozen Tennessee municipalities have enacted local ordinances, generally in an effort to stifle the production of illegal methamphetamines. However, Cooper’s opinion
An interesting juxtaposition of developments trailing one of the biggest news stories of 2013 reinforces just how convoluted the whole situation is and likely will be for the foreseeable future: First, to the surprise of few (and the dismay of more), the White House yesterday confirmed it is not considering amnesty for Edward Snowden, the
Following the approval of a nativity display in Florida’s State Capitol rotunda–an area designated as a ‘public forum’–Chaz Stevens obtained approval to display a Festivus Pole also on the grounds. Constructed of empty Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer Cans and PVC pipe, the minimalistic monument is a reference to the holiday “Festivus” in the popular ’90s
The Metropolitan Council Agenda Item Analysis provides an excellent overview of the Nashville Sounds stadium deal—approved Tuesday—including a breakdown of the financing and risk. The summary estimates an annual Metro General Fund commitment of $345,000 but that figure is heavily dependent upon the future of private development proposed by the Sounds (not the Sulphur Dell
Following a recent wave of SeaWorld concert cancellations by The Barenaked Ladies, Willie Nelson and Heart, rocker Joan Jett sent a ‘cease and desist’ letter on Monday to the theme park’s president, requesting that SeaWorld stop using her 1981 hit song, “I Love Rock and Roll” in its “Shamu Rocks” killer whale performances. According to