CELEBRITY CASES
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O.J. Simpson: Trial of the Century |
|  Ten years ago O.J. Simpson was acquitted of the charge of murdering his former wife. The case polarized much of America and continues to be felt today. The case was broadcast live to millions of homes. Critics argues that the televised trial quickly degraded into a circus-like spectacle that mocked the integrity of the legal system. However, in addition to becoming a television spectacle, the case also brought to the forefront very serious issues involving race and whether a persons wealth and celebrity status can radically influence the justice system. Many feel the defense made race the primary issue in order to sway a largely african american jury to acquit O.J.
From an original jury pool of 40% white, 28% black, 17% Hispanic, and 15% Asian, the final jury for the trial had 10 women and 2 men, of which there were 8 blacks, 2 Hispanics, 1 half- Native American, half-white, and 1 white female. The Simpson defense team suggested that there was a racially motivated conspiracy on the part of the Los Angeles Police Department and also portrayed the LAPD as incompetent in the handling of evidence. Los Angeles Lawyers examine the issues and personalities involved in the trials.
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Rodney King and the LA Riots |
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 King had been pulled over for driving recklessly through a Los Angeles residential neighborhood. When police ordered him out of the car, he refused, charging one of the police officers and throwing other officers on their back. The police then kicked King and struck him 56 times with night sticks. Police argued that King was thought to be on pain numbing drugs, such as PCP and such force was required to subdue him. The incident was secretly videotaped and eventually the officers involved were charged with assault. The defense had the case moved from Los Angeles
to Simi Valley, whose population is more affluent, contains a much smaller proportion of African-Americans, and contains a disproportionately large number of law-enforcement officers.
Three of the officers were acquitted by a jury of 10 Caucasians, one Hispanic, and an Asian.
The verdict triggered massive rioting in Los Angeles, which left hundreds of buildings severely damaged or destroyed and dozens dead. King made an appearance before television news cameras to plead for peace, saying, "Can we get along here? Can we all get along?" At the urging of the president Bush the officers were subsequently charged with violating King's civil rights. In 1993 a federal judge sentenced two of the LAPD officers to 30 months in prison. Los Angeles Lawyers takes a careful look at the trial and the explosive issue of race in Southern California.
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HOT TOPICS
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Immigration Law and Law Enforcement in the U.S. and Southern California. |
 Illegal immigration has become one of the hottest political and legal issues in the this country, especially among border states such as California, which regularly receive a massive numbers of illegal immigrants from Mexico. Los Angeles is most impacted cities in the entire country. Opponent of immigration cite the impact that illegal immigrants have on the economy and public services. They also are concerned of the possibility of terrorists entering the country through weakly protected borders. Borders have been beefed up. Some private, armed volunteer groups called Minutemen have made it their task to help guard the borders. Additionally, legislation is pending that would make it much more difficult for illegal immigrants to live in California. Critics of tight border control cite that such action violate basic human rights and argue that immigrants contribute a great deal to the state and should not be turned away. Los Angeles Lawyers looks at both sides of issue.
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Separation of Church and State - One Nation Under God ? |
 The first amendment of the Constitution states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion., or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.." This clause has created a great deal of rancor in recent years as religious conservatives clash with secularists over religious expression in government and public places and functions. This is especially the case in the wake of the second term election of very out spoken Christian evangelical president. Challenges have been made against prayer in school, the posting of the Ten Commandments in public places, faith-based public programs, and the expression "one nation under God" in the pledge of allegiance. Many groups argue that such actions violate the "separation of church and state" under the U.S. Constitution and organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have launched lawsuits to limit such government endorsed religious expressions. Additionally, the religion is playing an prominent role in other political and legal issues, including abortion and same sex marriage. Is the "religious right" encroaching on the Constitution? Los Angeles Lawyers examines both sides of the controversy.
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Driving Dangerously - the Ford Rollover and Firestone Cases |
 Most Angelinos depend on their cars - its almost impossible get around without them. In recent years there has been an surge in Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) sales. Many people feel that these bigger vehicles are safer, but one serious problem that has affected many models are designs that increase the likelihood that the vehicle may rollover in an sudden turn or collision. Rollover ratings by the National Highway Traffic Safety Institute, show that one of the best selling SUVs in the past decade, the Ford Explorer, had a high rollover rate compared to other vehicle in the same class. Ford has pointed the blame not on their design but rather defective Firestone tires originally equipped on the vehicle. Hundreds of thousands of Firestone tire that were recalled over the past decade due to tire tread separation that could result in loss of control. Ford Explorers equipped with Firestone tires have been blamed for numerous fatal accidents. Some of the largest defective auto cases have been litigated or tried in Los Angeles. Currently Los Angeles holds the record for the largest jury verdict in a tire tread separation case -- $55 million was awarded to plaintiff who became a paraplegic as a result of his tire tread separation accident. Additionally, Los Angeles has awarded billions of dollars in other automotive case. Automakers and some critics argues that such multi-million or billion dollar cases are excessive. In this show, Los Angeles Lawyers speaks with Los Angeles lawyers involved in these cases as well as outspoken critics.
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