Con Law for Nurse Legislators

Tennessee Sen. Rosalind Kurita has a new idea:

Defense attorneys would be banned from advertising their expertise with drunken driving cases under a bill advancing in the Senate.

Sen. Rosalind Kurita, a Clarksville Democrat, successfully added the provision to a bill that would create an online registry of repeat DUI offenders in Tennessee.

Kurita says officials have a hard enough time convicting drunken drivers without lawyers advertising their expertise in the field and offering discounts to DUI defendants.

Hat tip to Rick Davis.

Comments

Taktix® | April 23, 2008, 1:33pm | #

It's finally, officially gone beyond sex offenders. I think it's time for me to buy my first gun.

MikeB | April 23, 2008, 1:35pm | #

It's finally, officially gone beyond sex offenders. I think it's time for me to buy my first gun.

Aren't they working on a registry for that also...

J sub D | April 23, 2008, 1:38pm | #

Kurita says officials have a hard enough time convicting drunken drivers without lawyers advertising their expertise in the field and offering discounts to DUI defendants.

And the accused having access to competent representation would just make it worse. We can't have people ably defended, can we?

Episiarch | April 23, 2008, 1:40pm | #

It's finally, officially gone beyond sex offenders.

People's hunger for someone to feel morally superior to, and enjoy the punishment of, is bottomless.

MikeB | April 23, 2008, 1:43pm | #

It is sad how they eliminate constitutional protection to convict DUI offenders these days.

Key evidence is not retained for the trial as the only evidence is the testomony reguarding the hard evidence. The right against self incrimination is punished. Warrentless searches are allowed. Some states have even eliminated the right to a jury trial.

I suggest that the arresting officer be allowed the drop the defendant off at the state prison and dispense with the charad.

Zeb | April 23, 2008, 1:45pm | #

What is with this trend of registries for various types of crimes? I think the sex offender one is bad enough, but you can see some possible benefits to it, I suppose. But registries for meth dealers or DUIs? What good does that do for anyone? Or what harm does it prevent?

Dello | April 23, 2008, 1:48pm | #

And to think, being a lawyer used to pay pretty good.

Bingo | April 23, 2008, 2:02pm | #

Taktix: I like to think thats what the Economic Stimulus check was intended for ;)

jimmy smith | April 23, 2008, 2:03pm | #

Take the next train out of Clarksville, Rosalind. I'll see you off at the station.

Tbone | April 23, 2008, 2:13pm | #

The ad restriction appears to be "restraint of trade". I don't see the point of the registry unless it's to encourage spying on your "alkie" neighbor. If you're on the road and see someone repetitively driving recklessly, you can call the cops.

Tym | April 23, 2008, 2:17pm | #

Kurita says officials have a hard enough time convicting drunken drivers without lawyers advertising their expertise in the field and offering discounts to DUI defendants.

The job of the law is to protect defendants, not make prosecutors jobs easier.

While she's at it, why not just shoot suspects on the spot.

henry | April 23, 2008, 2:24pm | #

I'd call her moron, but in Tennessee alleging that comparatively lofty status is probably considered a compliment.

Tommy_Grand | April 23, 2008, 2:39pm | #

Is she a moron? Her voters probably agree with that position.

Are the people who vote for her morons?

Probably. Although it's possible they just don't care about liberty.

Jason | April 23, 2008, 2:40pm | #

Henry,

Hey, hey! Let's not take geographical pot shots!

RSDavis | April 23, 2008, 2:51pm | #

J Sub D said:And the accused having access to competent representation would just make it worse. We can't have people ably defended, can we?

Wow, I said almost the exact same thing on my blog...

- Rick

NJ Law | April 23, 2008, 3:00pm | #

It has long been the unstated public policy in NJ that neither the constiution, nor due process, nor the rules of evidence, nor common sense, nor the right to confront witnesses, nor the right to jury trial, shall deter the state from convicting DUI defendants.

Abdul | April 23, 2008, 3:00pm | #

It wasn't so long ago that almost all advertising was banned by the legal profession. Bluestocking law nerds still look down upon the enterprising lawyers who are bold enough to go on TV and pledge to fight for your driver's license.

Naga Sadow | April 23, 2008, 3:29pm | #

Abdul,

I can't remember where I read it but in Atlanta, there was lawyer who advertised on television with the nickname, "The Hammer".

Don't be a victim! Send in the "The Hammer" to get your money!

Abdul | April 23, 2008, 3:46pm | #

there was lawyer who advertised on television with the nickname, "The Hammer".

We watched his commercials in my Legal Ethics class as an example of what not to do.

Blue | April 23, 2008, 3:52pm | #

@Taktix%C2%AE

Gun owners, actually conceal and carry permit holders for TN are databased already. http://tinyurl.com/5b8lv4

The full database is available to the public.

Chris Potter | April 23, 2008, 3:55pm | #

We had Jim "The Hammer" Shapiro ads in upstate NY as well ... "Sure I'm an SOB...but I'm your SOB!" was his tagline. Our fearless leaders in the state legislature took care of this about a year ago by passing a law banning lawyers from using nicknames (?!) in their ads.

Recently I've seen the nickname ads start appearing again, so I'm assuming that law got repealed or the lawyers found a loophole.

Russ R. | April 23, 2008, 3:56pm | #

Naga,

This may be "The Hammer" you're thinking of.

R C Dean | April 23, 2008, 4:44pm | #

Recently I've seen the nickname ads start appearing again, so I'm assuming that law got repealed or the lawyers found a loophole.

Easily done. Just change your legal name to Jim The Hammer Shapiro.

Juanita | April 23, 2008, 4:48pm | #

Anything that helps the cops keep the drunks off the road is inherintly a good thing, I'm all for it. Drunk driving is one of the worst violent ofenses out there.

Michael Pack | April 23, 2008, 5:34pm | #

Since 95% of accidents and 90% of deaths are caused by SOBER drivers maybe we should penalize them just as harshly.Speeding and inattentive driving are the biggest causes.Can you imagine 2000$ in fines and costs for a speeding ticket or talking on a cell phone.Then we can all be safe.

Erÿk Boston, Pre-Esq. | April 23, 2008, 6:16pm | #

It speaks volumes about your character when, in the search to find someone morally inferior to you, you need to go after child molesters and drunk drivers.

Lurker Kurt | April 23, 2008, 8:21pm | #

Welcome back, Juanita.

Seamus | April 24, 2008, 5:05pm | #

This story is from The Onion, right? Right?