Virginia Court of Appeals Case Summaries: November 28, 2005.
The News Review:
- Virginia Court of Appeals Case Summaries: November 28, 2005.
- Infants need mental health checks
- Congressional subcommittee discusses funding in state’s national…
- Michigan Court of Appeals Unpublished Criminal Case Summaries: Nov….
- Compromised messages
- Woman fined heavily on drug charge
Virginia Court of Appeals Case Summaries: November 28, 2005.
Free with registration – Virginia Lawyers Weekly – AccessMyLibrary.com – Nov 28, 2005
Hughes for appellant; Susan L. Parrish, AAG, for appellee VLW 005-7-410(UP), 4 pp. Prescription Fraud – Alibi Witnesses – Intimidation Where defendant was charged with prescription fraud based on her alleged presentation of a fraudulent prescription at a pharmacy’s drive-through window, and the trial judge gave a stern warning to her alibi witnesses, defendant’s husband and her sister-in-law, about the consequences of perjury, prompting them not to testify in favor of defendant, her conviction nevertheless is affirmed because she failed to raise this claim below. The pharmacist identified defendant with 85 percent certainty, in her attempt to pick up a prescription using a false name. A detective testified that defendant admitted to attempting to pick up a prescription defendant knew was not valid, and thus, sought, by fraud or misrepresentation under the relevant statute, Va.
Infants need mental health checks
BBC News – Nov 28, 2005
“The problem is that access to treatments is poor. ”
Meanwhile, Professor Peter Jones, professor of psychiatry at the University of Cambridge, said that there was good evidence to suggest that factors in early life were important in determining a person’s risk of developing schizophrenia and that intervening early, before adolescence, might help. In particular, early cannabis use is associated with a two- to three-fold increased risk of schizophrenia, he said. Professor Jones said the risk might be linked to duration of use or that there might be a critical window for harm during childhood development. Alternatively, there may be other differences between children who use cannabis and who do not use this drug that explain the trend, he said. The Priory Group survey found nearly half of Britain’s teenagers had been offered illegal drugs like marijuana and a third had gone on to try them. Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of the mental health charity SANE, said: “We are alarmed by the numbers being triggered into a drug induced psychotic breakdown by the availability and society’s tolerance of street drugs, particularly chemical hybrids like skunk, and alcohol… Professor Jones said the risk might be linked to duration of use or that there might be a critical window for harm during childhood development. Alternatively, there may be other differences between children who use cannabis and who do not use this drug that explain the trend, he said. The Priory Group survey found nearly half of Britain’s teenagers had been offered illegal drugs like marijuana and a third had gone on to try them. Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of the mental health charity SANE, said: “We are alarmed by the numbers being triggered into a drug induced psychotic breakdown by the availability and society’s tolerance of street drugs, particularly chemical hybrids like skunk, and alcohol. “For those who are genetically or otherwise vulnerable, being pushed to flashpoint at an early age can lead to life long mental illness.
Congressional subcommittee discusses funding in state’s national…
San Diego Union Tribune – Nov 28, 2005
"One of the country’s best known and most highly regarded national parks is now on the front lines of the battle against illegal drug use," Sykes said in his written testimony. Besides the threat to hikers and rangers, the marijuana farmers also are harming the environment by polluting rivers and streams with fertilizer and blocking natural drainage with trash, Sykes said. The subcommittee is chaired by Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind. The subcommittee met in San Francisco to discuss the state of national parks in California and has oversight over the country’s national parks.
Michigan Court of Appeals Unpublished Criminal Case Summaries: Nov….
Free with registration – Michigan Lawyers Weekly – AccessMyLibrary.com – Nov 28, 2005
Marijuana Possession. Effective Assistance. "Defendant has failed to overcome the strong presumption that counsel’s performance constituted sound trial strategy. A defense of ‘innocent possession’ relative to a drug possession charge would be a fairly novel approach, and, moreover, it would have been extremely difficult to convince the jury that the defense was credible and worthy of any consideration following the testimony of Sergeant Scott Jones, which reflected an ever-changing story by defendant with respect to his possession of the marijuana. " People v. (Michigan Court of Appeals) (Lawyers Weekly No.
Compromised messages
Enter Stage Right – Nov 28, 2005
Conservatives really don’t like it. Even some on the far left will raise their eyebrows in the face of such a suggestion. But by publicly supporting medical marijuana laws, and by encouraging activism toward passing more such legislation, several points are made. First of all, the world doesn’t end when marijuana is legally used, and those using it don’t graduate in short order to heroin (don’t get me started on the bogus study that “proved” marijuana was a “gateway drug”). Secondly, the opposition of the federal government to such state measures has demonstrated far more clearly than anything I might say the grave disrespect Washington has for the states and the people in them. I think that the obtrusive searches and checks to which airline passengers are subject these days are inexcusable. I’m also more than a little disgusted that, though Congress actually came around, the Transportation Security Administration has been dragging its feet on the implementation of an armed pilots program… Even some on the far left will raise their eyebrows in the face of such a suggestion. But by publicly supporting medical marijuana laws, and by encouraging activism toward passing more such legislation, several points are made. First of all, the world doesn’t end when marijuana is legally used, and those using it don’t graduate in short order to heroin (don’t get me started on the bogus study that “proved” marijuana was a “gateway drug”). Secondly, the opposition of the federal government to such state measures has demonstrated far more clearly than anything I might say the grave disrespect Washington has for the states and the people in them. I think that the obtrusive searches and checks to which airline passengers are subject these days are inexcusable. I’m also more than a little disgusted that, though Congress actually came around, the Transportation Security Administration has been dragging its feet on the implementation of an armed pilots program. I therefore refuse to fly commercial, and will continue to do so until such time as I can be assured my pilot is packing, and I can pack myself without fear of agents rifling through my underthings (puns intended).
Woman fined heavily on drug charge
AntiguaSun – Nov 28, 2005
John’s Magistrates Court. McKenzie pleaded guilty to possession (of 144. 6 grams of cannabis) and importation but not guilty to possession with intent to transfer. The Jamaica national has until 8 Dec.