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To: JLS; All

FYI (interesting facts)

http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:Z6rN3UjpyxAJ:www.law.duke.edu/news/inthenews1999.html+%22durham+nc%22+%22traffic+court%22+scandal&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1

10.19.99
The News & Observer (N.C.) 2 Durham driving cases get unusual treatment. ... Nezra Clark, with a record of 14 moving violations and a suspended license, took a chance in April 1998 when he got behind the wheel of a car. He lost. Clark was arrested for a 15th traffic violation and faced the possibility of losing his license for a year and spending 45 days in jail. Instead, Clark, 26, paid a $500 fine and walked out of the courthouse Sept. 2, 1999, with his driver's license in force. The difference between his case and thousands of others in Durham's traffic court: Clark was represented by H. Woody Vann, a lifelong friend and the campaign treasurer for Durham District Attorney Jim Hardin Jr., who personally signed off on Clark's plea agreement. ... Thomas Metzloff, a senior associate dean at Duke Law School, said when asked to review the circumstances that it was inappropriate for a lawyer to claim special privilege the way doctors do, because there is a critical difference: The legal system is a public trust administered by court officials, not a private business. "It's insulting to the public," Metzloff said. "If anything, we attorneys are not above the law -- we are a part of the legal system, and that kind of accommodation is antithetical to the rule of law." ...



02.23.99
The News & Observer (N.C.) In Durham County traffic court, citizens who represent themselves aren't offered the same breaks as those who hire lawyers. That means that under a policy set by Durham District Attorney Jim Hardin, people with the same charges and same records can get lighter penalties just for spending $200 to higher an attorney... Tom Metzloff, senior associate dean at Duke's law school and an expert in legal ethics, said the courts shouldn't favor people with lawyers. ...


402 posted on 06/21/2006 10:23:22 AM PDT by Protect the Bill of Rights
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To: Protect the Bill of Rights

Very Interesting! Seem like Woody has a speciality. A certain segment knows whom to call when you need a favorable deal negotiated.

Is this making anyone else sick?


404 posted on 06/21/2006 10:29:17 AM PDT by Mike Nifong (Somebody Stop Me !)
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To: Protect the Bill of Rights

Woody had to be orgasmic over that Hardin deal. ;)

Ka-ching!


412 posted on 06/21/2006 11:05:28 AM PDT by maggief (and the dessert cart rolls on ...)
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