Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'attorney'

Calif. Attorney General Pushes To Overturn Prop 8

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST

Californians passed a proposition in November banning same sex marriage. But California's attorney general Jerry Brown is asking to invalidate the measure, saying constitutional rights would be violated.

Missing 2 Senators 111th Congress Starts Work

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:00:00 EST

On the opening day of the 111th Congress, Roland Burris showed up as promised to claim Barack Obama's seat as junior senator from Illinois. And as promised, he was rejected. Burris and his attorneys left the Capitol to consider their options, and the Senate carried on with the day's ceremonies. A Senate from Minnesota also is vacant because of an election dispute.

Former Attorney General Griffin Bell Dies

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:49:00 EST

Griffin Bell, attorney general in the Carter administration, has died at age 90. He had suffered from pancreatic cancer. Bell arrived at the Justice Department in 1977 in the wake of the Watergate scandal, and his impact is still felt.

Ill. Ex-Gov. Weighs In On Blagojevich Decision

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:07:00 EST

Former Illinois Gov. Jim Thompson offers his insight into Gov. Rod Blagovjevich's appointment of Roland Burris to President-elect Barack Obama's former Senate seat. Burris served as Thompson's attorney general.

Blagojevich Names Pick To Fill Obama Senate Seat

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:47:00 EST

Illinois Gov. has named longtime Chicago politician Roland Burris to fill the seat vacated by Barack Obama. The 71-year-old Burris is a former state attorney general and was the first black politician elected to major statewide office in Illinois. Senate Democrats say they won't seat him.

Report: Obama Senate Replacement To Be Named

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:57:00 EST

Embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected to name former Illinois attorney general Roland Burris as his pick to fill Barack Obama's seat in the U.S. Senate, setting up a challenge with congressional leaders who have already said they plan to reject anyone the governor picks, the Associated Press is reporting.

Caffeinated Beer To Get Less Sparky

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST

MillerCoors said Thursday it will remove caffeine and three other ingredients from its Sparks alcoholic energy drink in a deal with 13 states and the city of San Francisco. A coalition of state attorneys general had complained the stimulants reduced drinkers' sense of intoxication.

Blagojevich Lawyer Challenges Impeachment Panel

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:57:00 EST

An attorney for Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich challenged a panel considering Blagojevich's impeachment. Lawyers Ed Genson's is a sign that Blagojevich may not be stepping down anytime soon. The Illinois governor has resisted calls for his resignation following his arrest on federal corruption charges.

Inmate Nearly Released After 36 Years In Solitary

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:34:00 EST

After growing doubts about a 1973 murder case, a judge overturned an Angola inmate's conviction and granted him bail three weeks ago. Hours later, the Louisiana attorney general stepped in and halted the release. Now the inmate is back in the isolation cell, where he's spent more than three decades.

Ill. Lieutenant Governor Weighs In On Scandal

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:27:00 EST

Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn says if Illinois legislators do not begin impeachment hearings soon, he supports having the state attorney general going to the Supreme Court to remove Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich from office. Quinn talks about the reasons for his position.

Ill. Attorney General Asks Blagojevich To Quit

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has called for the resignation of Gov. Rod Blagojevich in the wake of his arrest Tuesday on corruption charges. Madigan talks about what comes next.

Will The Rich Pardon Trip Up Obama's Pick For AG...

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:43:00 EST

When Eric Holder served as deputy attorney general under President Clinton, he pardoned Marc Rich, who'd been charged with fraud and tax evasion, and whose ex-wife contributed thousands of dollars to the Clintons. At the time, many considered the move scandalous.

Lawyer: Boy's Confession To Killing Dad Was Coaxed

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:17:00 EST

The attorney for the 8-year-old Arizona boy accused of killing his father and another man last month says he needs to see more evidence before considering a plea deal offered by the prosecution. He suggests that police may have coaxed the boy's videotaped confession.

Obama Unveils National Security Team

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST

President-elect Barack Obama has unveiled his national security team. Among the main appointments: Defense Secretary Robert Gates is staying on at the Pentagon, Sen. Hillary Clinton will be secretary of state and Eric Holder will be the attorney general.

Obama Names Clinton Sec. Of State

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST

President-elect Barack Obama also formally nominated Eric Holder as attorney general, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and Susan Rice as ambassador to the United Nations.

For Some Fighting Foreclosure, Legal Aid Gap Hurts

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 17:11:00 EST

For someone facing foreclosure, an attorney can make all the difference. Everyone accused of a criminal offense is entitled to a lawyer, regardless of whether they can afford one. But in civil cases, like home foreclosures, there is no right to an attorney. Some people of modest means are being kicked out of their homes who might have been able to stay if they'd had legal help.

Holder May Have Had Bigger Role In Rich Pardon

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

Eric Holder, president-elect Barack Obama's reported pick for attorney general, had a bigger role than previously disclosed in the pardon for Marc Rich by President Clinton. George Lardner, the author of an op-ed piece in Saturday's New York Times about Holder's role in the pardon, offers his insight.

Obama Eyes Napolitano For Homeland Security

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

President-elect Barack Obama is considering Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano as head of the Department of Homeland Security. Kent Alexander, who went to law school and served as U.S. attorney with Napolitano, talks about the Democratic governor's qualifications.

Michelle Obama: More Than 'Mom-In-Chief'...

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:26:00 EST

Michelle Obama has a very impressive resume — she's an attorney with degrees from both Harvard Law and Princeton — and yet much of the media attention she receives has to do with her clothes. Guests and callers weigh in on the delicate balance of being America's First Lady.

Key Senators Receptive To Holder As AG

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

Senators on the Judiciary Committee had mostly favorable reactions to news that Eric Holder is likely to be President-elect Obama's choice for attorney general. But some potential stumbling blocks remain.

A Friend's Perspective On Eric Holder

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

President-elect Barack Obama is expected to nominate Eric Holder as attorney general. Holder, who served as deputy attorney general during the Clinton Administration, would be the first African American to hold the top position at the Justice Department. A close family friend of Holder shares her thoughts on the Washington lawyer.

Political Junkie: Clinton, Lieberman and Holder

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST

Will Bill Clinton affect Hillary Clinton's chances of being nominated for secretary of state? Also: Sen. Joe Lieberman is allowed to continue as the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, and Obama chooses Eric Holder for attorney general.

Eric Holder Could Be Obama's Top Justice Pick

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

President-elect Barack Obama's top choice for U.S. attorney general seems to be Eric Holder. Holder was the No. 2 official in the Justice Department under President Bill Clinton. The Obama team says no final decision has been made. NPR News Analyst Juan Williams talks with Renee Montagne about what is known about Obama's Cabinet choices.

Sources: Holder Tapped For Attorney General

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:02:00 EST

President-elect Barack Obama has decided to nominate Eric Holder as attorney general, according to a source close to the Obama-Biden transition team. If confirmed, Holder would be the country's first African-American to lead the Justice Department.

Holder Is Obama's Pick For Attorney General

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:45:34 EST

Washington attorney Eric Holder has been chosen by President-elect Barack Obama to be the next attorney general. Holder, a former U.S. attorney who served as the No. 2 official in the Justice Department under President Clinton, would be the nation's first black attorney general.