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Home Page Official Publication of the State Bar of California September2005
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California Supreme Court - Staking out new ground
In last year’s review of the California Supreme Court, I described the 2003-04 term as a “relatively tame year” for the court. Not so this year, where we saw major decisions dealing with initiatives, sexual harassment, rights of domestic partners, right to jury and arbitration, punitive damages and separation of powers. Quite a healthy list of topics for one year.

Public opinion of the courts improves
Three-quarters of attorneys and two-thirds of the public in California have a favorable opinion of courts in the state, a significant change in attitude from a decade ago, according to a Judicial Council survey released this month.

Criminal jury instructions translated into plain English
More than 700 new jury instructions for use in criminal trials, eight years in the making, were approved last month by the Judicial Council, providing guidance to jurors in plain English instead of arcane legalese.

Heiting relaxes at home with grandchildren Briana and Jacob

Taking advantage of second chances
When Jim Heiting is sworn in as the 81st president of the State Bar of California this month, he takes office almost 19 years to the day after he entered the Betty Ford Clinic for treatment of alcoholism. At the time, he faced felony criminal charges for nearly killing a woman while driving drunk.

Helen Karr of Pacifica

Elder abuse expert wins
national service award

The legal research expert for the State Bar’s extensive public education program has been cited nationally for her volunteer service to prevent elder abuse.

2005 Exhibitor Directory
The businesses and services listed here support the State Bar through various means, most notably as exhibitors at the State Bar's Annual Meeting. Visit them online or via phone to serve your individual needs.

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