Legal Humour News - May 12, 2008

Hi and welcome to this week's newsletter. If it's in the news and it's got a legal slant, we'll do a blawg on it.

A cataclysmic disaster was averted after Tim Hortons fired an employee of 3 years who gave a Timbit to a toddler, no charge. Read Marcel's blawg, Timbit Ouster for the entire story.

Speaking of Miserable events, find out what happens when Jean Val Jean tries to evade paying GST. Its all reported in Victor Hugo Meets Revenue Canada.

And of course we have our usual array of hot and weird stories with a legal twist.

Odd or Amusing Legal Stories from the Past Week:

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1 - See You In Court!

Driver Of Car That Struck And Killed Dog Sues Dog Owners
The driver of a car that struck and killed a dog in Minnesota is suing the dog's owners for damage done to his vehicle. Jeffery was driving near Duluth, Minnesota, on January 4th when Fester, a miniature pinscher, ran into the road. Jeffery is suing Fester's owners for about $1,100 for damage to his car, time he had to take off from his two jobs to get the car repaired, and court fees.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2008/05/07/5494791-ap.html

Judge Allegedly Napped, Made Bailiff Rub Her Back
Elizabeth Halverson is a judge in Nevada. But the way courthouse staffers see it, she expects to be treated like a queen. Her former bailiff, for example, says Halverson made him feel like a "houseboy." He says the judge -- who is obese and uses a motorized scooter to get around -- made him put her shoes on her feet, massage her back, cover her with a blanket for naps and make sure her oxygen tank was filled. He says she asked him, "Do you want to worship me from near or afar?"
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/05/09/queen.judge.ap/index.html

2 - Crime and Punishment

Tennessee Driver Gets In Wreck, Sees His Home Catch Fire, Gets Ticket
Sometimes, you just know it's going to be a bad day. Just ask Justin, a 42-year-old Tennessee man. One minute he's turning in to his driveway - then he's on his way to hospital, watching his home go up in flames. Then he got a traffic ticket. Tennessee police say Justin got into a crash after turning into the path of an oncoming car evening. Justin’s wife heard the crash and ran outside, leaving her cooking on the kitchen stove. Within minutes, their trailer was on fire, and firefighters who had responded to the accident found themselves fighting the blaze. Justin was cited in the accident for failure to yield.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2008/05/09/5523026-ap.html

Safety In Numbers For Speeding Drivers
Speeding drivers in south China are getting clear away thanks to machines which switch the numbers on their licence plates in seconds. More than 50 percent of cars caught on camera for speeding and other offences either cover up their plates or use a fake licence plate.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080507/od_nm/plates_dc

Chinese Drivers Fined For Slow-Drive On Scenic Bridge
China opened the world's longest cross-sea bridge last week aiming to cut travel time between two major ports, but hundreds of drivers have been fined already for, unexpectedly, driving too slow to enjoy the view.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080505/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_china_bridge

3 - Politics, Law, and Governance

Canadian Military Looking For Iron Man-Type Suits For Overburdened Soldiers
Iron Man Canuck may be appearing soon at a theatre near you. The Defence Department posted a contract tender asking companies for proposals for high-tech body suits that could help Canadian soldiers carry bigger loads into battle.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2008/05/05/5478096-cp.html

Chef Wants To Outlaw Out-Of-Season Vegetables
Celebrity British chef Gordon Ramsay said restaurants should be fined if they serve out-of-season fruit and vegetables. "I don't want to see asparagus in the middle of December. I don't want to see strawberries from Kenya in the middle of March. I want to see it home-grown," he said after raising his concerns with Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN0949726820080509

You Want Fries With That? YES!!!!
The Swiss government has agreed to ease restrictions on the importation of potatoes following fears that Euro 2008 soccer fans could face a shortage of French fries next month.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080508/od_nm/euro_potatoes_dc

Pets On Lap While Driving May Soon Be A No-No In Calif.
Pull over and put down the dog. A California lawmaker wants to ban motorists from holding pets on their laps while driving and getting caught can net a $35 fine.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2008/05/05/5479746-ap.html

City Wants To Split Florida Into 2 States
One city commission wants to divide Florida into two states: North Florida and South Florida. The North Lauderdale City Commission says in a resolution that it's not confident in state leaders when it comes to collecting and spending their own money. It also says it would be "in the best interests of the citizens and residents" to divide the state.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080506/ap_on_fe_st/odd_divided_florida

4 - And Now for Something Completely Different

Woman Fired For Giving 16-Cent Treat To Toddler
A Tim Horton employee who was sacked for giving a bite-sized doughnut, worth 16 cents, to an agitated toddler was given her job back after the case received wide media attention. Nicole, a single mother, said she was dismissed from a London, Ontario, outlet of the Tim Hortons coffee and doughnut chain after video cameras captured the 27-year-old giving a Timbit to a toddler.
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN0836799020080509

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