Connecticut judicial news

From Judgepedia

News about or affecting the judiciary in Connecticut.

Connecticut Appeals Court settle plagiarism case

Connecticut: The Connecticut Appeals Court has upheld a ruling against Cristina Duquette, a student at Central Connecticut State University, for her copying of a fellow students paper. Matthew Coster was expelled form the school in 2006 after school officials accused him of plagiarizing Duquette's paper. Coster then filed a lawsuit in order to clear his name, and the Superior Court ruled in his favor. Duquette appealed the case, but the Appeals court sided with Coster and has ordered her to pay Coster $100 for the use of the paper and $26,000 in punitive damages. Coster has since been readmitted to the university.^[1]

Connecticut Supreme Court refuses case hearing

Connecticut: The Connecticut Supreme Court has refused to hear a case brought by Bertram Cooper against Sincerely Yours Inc., store run by the Full Gospel Interdenominational Church that has a contract with the U.S. Postal Service. Cooper brought charges against the store saying that the display of religious items in the postal section of the store violated the constitutional ban on government endorsement of religion. The Supreme Court's refusal to hear the case means that the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling, which ordered Sincerely Yours Inc. to remove religious items from the postal service part of the store, stands.^[1]

Nomination announced for Second Circuit Court of Appeals

Connecticut: On February 24, President Obama announced his nomination of Robert Chatigny to a vacant position on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals bench. Chatigny has previously served as the Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court of Connecticut after being nominated by Bill Clinton in 1994.^[1]

Connecticut Supreme Court hears arguments over police union

Connecticut: The Connecticut Supreme Court heard arguments on Thursday, February 11, over whether or not to allow captains and lieutenants in the Connecticut State Police to join a union. The 4 year old attempt by the officers to join has been opposed by the state and culminated in the state refusing to negotiate with the union after officers had voted to affiliate with the Connecticut State Employees Association in 2006. The case has since been appealed to the state Supreme Court.^[1]

Connecticut Supreme Court overturns lawsuit ruling against town of Branford

Connecticut: The Connecticut Supreme Court released a ruling, on Monday, February 8, that overturns a successful lawsuit against the town of Branford. The original lawsuit was filed by New England Estates LLC against the town after the town had acquired land via declaring eminent domain. The Supreme Court ruled that the developer had no standing because they did not actually own the land that was acquired.^[1]

U.S. Supreme Court refuses to hear appeal against the FAA

Connecticut: The U.S. Supreme Court has declined, without comment, to hear a plea by the Alliance for Sensible Airspace Planning which opposed the FAA's new flight plan which would result in an increase in air traffic over Connecticut. Although the Alliance has exhausted legal options, but says that it will continue the fight in the political field.^[1]

Supreme Court in Connecticut rules against overturning records case

Hartford, Connecticut: The Connecticut Supreme Court has affirmed a Hartford Superior Court decision in a ruling against overturning the lower courts 7-10 decision against Vincent Valvo. Valvo is a freedom of information advocate who was trying to gain access to sealed court dockets claiming they were subject to Connecticut's Freedom of Information Act. Had the ruling been overturned it would have set a precedent by allowing public access to sealed court documents.^[1]

Connecticut judicial branch receives federal stimulus funds

Connecticut: The Connecticut Judicial Branch’s Office of Victim Services (OVS) has been awarded over $1 million in stimulus funds as part of the Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act.

"The needs of crime victims do not cease in poor economic times," OVS Director Linda J. Cimino said. "The federal funding will boost the OVS’ compensation program’s ability to reimburse victims of crime more quickly, as well as provide our non-profit partners with an economic boost at a time when state, local, and private funding is diminishing and the needs of crime victims are increasing."

Of the total $1,017,841 received, $285,841 will go toward reimbursing victims of violent crime directly for costs associated with having been victimized. For example, lost wages, medical expenses, funeral expenses, and counseling costs may all be compensated. The remaining $732,000 will go to fund non-profit agencies contracted with OVS to serve crime victims. Priority must be given to programs serving victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. The OVS will administer the allocation of all grant funds. ^[1]

Connecticut Ruling Overturns Ban on Same-Sex Marriage

(10/10/2008) High court strikes down state's civil union ban and rules same sex marriages are constitutionally legal. The ruling, which took effect on October 28, 2008, cannot be appealed.

Probe Sought Against Judge Who Allegedly Used Racial Epithet

The state's judiciary committee seeks a review of allegations that Judge E. Curtissa R. Cofield, who was charged with drunken driving last month, angrily hurled epithets at police officers during her arrest, called a black state police sergeant a racial slur and told officers she was a state judge.

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