| Volume 72 Number 10 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Never give your social security number to someone you do not know. Identity theft requires a social security number. Protect yours. Click here for more.
Health Care - SCOTUS Hearings Begin
Starting today (Monday, March 26, 2012), the Supreme Court of the United States will hear arguments
on the constitutionality of the Affordable Health Care Act. The Supreme Court will hear an unprecedented six hours of arguments over three days in an effort to determine whether Congress exceeded its authority with the "individual mandate." Additionally, the Court will be asked to determine whether it is unconstitutional to require states to either comply with an expansion of Medicaid or lose federal funding.
What do you need to know about the Supreme Court health care challenge? Click here for more.
Woman Busted After Avoiding Jury Duty
Have you ever been called for jury duty? It can be inconvenient, time consuming, and exhausting, but it is an essential public service to keep the Scales of Justice in balance.
A Denver woman dressed up in costume and claimed to be mentally ill in order to avoid her inclusion in jury selection. According to the judge in the case, he overheard the woman confess to knowingly lying under oath just to avoid service. He took swift action and the woman has been charged with perjury. No court date has been set.
Should you think twice before you try to get out of jury duty? Click here for more.
DEA Warns Public of Extortion Scam
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is warning the public of an international extortion scheme involving criminals posing as DEA agents. The scam targets individuals who previously purchased prescription drugs over the Internet, telling the individuals that they must pay a fine (usually to an overseas location) or face arrest. If you believe that you're a victim of this scam, contact 1-877-792-2873. Click here for more.
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For the Lawyers
Law Firm did not violate Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The Eight Circuit held that a law firm didn't violate federal debt collection law by submitting a client affidavit and legal memorandum arguing that the plaintiff was liable for her former husband's unpaid credit card balance. According to the plaintiff, the firm violated ยง1692e of the Act by making false statements and misrepresentations in its filings in the state court collection action. The court noted, "It was not false or misleading to submit a client affidavit and legal memorandum arguing [the firm's] legal position that [the plaintiff] was liable for the unpaid account balance, even if [her ex-husband] was the only one who used the credit card and made partial payments on the account, when Discover's records reflected that [he] submitted the initial application, added [the plaintiff] to the account by phone, neither spouse questioned statements identifying it as a joint account, partial payments were made by checks from a joint account, and a [divorce agreement] signed by [the plaintiff] listed it as a joint obligation for the couple's living expenses." Click here for more.