Law enforcement agencies in Oklahoma continue to fight the War on Drugs, but it’s not solely for noble purposes. For certain, illegal drugs are seized and bad guys are put in prison. Still, agencies like the Oklahoma City Police Department, the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drug […]
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‘It’s a fairness issue’
Photo courtesy Tulsa World / Michael Wyke / file Wheels in the suit are again grinding as state and federal laws continue to collide. Recently, all four, with their attorney, Don Holladay, filed paperwork with U.S. District Judge Terence Kern requesting he rule in their favor. They also said the Oklahoma law violates their constitutional […]
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Tardy justice
Credit: Brad Gregg Alas, it’s a civic duty, and one to be taken seriously. Just ask Oklahoma County District Judge Ray Elliott, who recently placed a juror in contempt after the man twice showed up late to court. The juror, Ricky Christopher, was tardy from his lunch break, prompting a warning from Elliott not to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Dredd
In this case, Dredd succeeds where the 1995 Sylvester Stallone vehicle Judge Dredd did not: ringing true to the roots and spirit of the UK-based comic — an anarchic, dystopian world. In doing so — you’re not missed, Rob Schneider — the action’s just way better, too. Set in a future U.S., some 800 million […]
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Don’t drop the communion wafer
Credit: Brad Gregg We’d say that depends on the church. If it’s, say, Westboro Baptist, please direct us to the nearest detention facility. Muskogee County District Judge Mike Norman did not sentence 17-yearold Tyler Alred to attend a specific church. Alred is free to choose whichever place of worship he’d like, so long as he […]
Posted inMusic
‘Free’ at last
Rap has long held domain over comedy skits between songs until country crooner Jerrod Niemann laid claim to them with his breakout 2010 album, Judge Jerrod & the Hung Jury. “We were just laughing, having a blast and couldn’t stop between takes,” said the self-described half-Oklahoman who grew up in Liberal, Kan. “We’d get these […]
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Say my name
Angela Renee Ingram has the legal name of James Dean Ingram, but lives as a woman. On Aug. 30, Judge Bill Graves denied her request to make Angela her legal name. He said Ingram’s DNA could not be changed to that of a female, and therefore, allowing a name change would be the furtherance of […]
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Naming names
Credit: Brad Gregg District Judge Bill Graves has thus far denied two transgender individuals’ requests to change their names to something denoting feminine identities, despite Graves’ colleagues regularly granting such requests, according to a recent story in The Oklahoman. Graves’ refusal isn’t a surprise for anyone who remembers his 24 years as a state representative […]
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Full court press
In announcing his selection, Obama called Robert Bacharach, a U.S. magistrate judge in the Western District of Oklahoma, an “outstanding candidate” who will “serve the American people with integrity and distinction.” The 52-year-old Bacharach unanimously received a “well qualified” rating from the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, that panel’s highest ranking. […]