Pedo Law Gaining (visual) Respect

Nothing will stop the defense bar from its relentless pursuit of clients, including bad taste. Thanks to the watchful eye of the UsefulArts.us blog, the Texas defense firm of Lindeman, Alvarado, & Frye has been exposed for creating an unfortunately much-needed child pornography defense practice. This in and of itself is not so objectionable, but the now-removed "just or about to be abused-child" images used on the firm's website to promote this specialty are.



Family Violence, Rape and Sexual Assault, it's all there in visually provocative images. Check it out at the UsefulArts.us blog.

Ohio Justice - 3 Years in Prison for Raping a 10 Year Old Girl

No death penalty here. And I guess it's better than probation. On Monday, Aaron Hymer of Waynesville, Ohio pleaded guilty to raping his daughter’s friend during a sleep-over at his home in March. Hymer’s attorney Marty Hubble said “Aaron has always maintained his innocence, but with the jury system, the possibility was there that he could be in prison for the rest of his life."


Hymer appeared reluctant when he entered his plea and Judge Robert Peeler appeared reluctant to approve the plea. Peeler said ensuring Hymer won’t have access to the girl for eight years — his prison time and probation together — is some comfort.


The victim's parents who were in the courtroom during the plea commented, “You never think anything like this can happen to your daughter. I don’t understand and it crushes me, I have to deal with her nightmares, she can’t sleep in her own bed, I just want to know why? Why? Why? It’s sick.”


There's not too much more to this story, but perhaps the following link helps explain why. Apaprently the judge didn't see this before meting out justice.


Aaron Hymer's MySpace page

Children's Law Center 2009 Kennedy Center Benefit Highlights

The sold out crowd at the ninth annual Helping Children Soar benefit enjoyed a beautiful evening on the Kennedy Center's Roof Terrace Restaurant among fellow CLC supporters, advocates and leaders in the legal community. The Honorable Eric H. Holder, Jr. received the 2009 Distinguished Child Advocate award. Mr. Holder was recognized for his long time support of CLC and dedication to the District of Columiba's children. Here are two great photos from this amazing event.

CLC Chair Guy Collier, Past-CLC Chair James Marsh, AG Eric Holder and Past-CLC chairs Tom Bulleit and Wayne Curtis

Executive Director Judith Sandalow presents AG Eric Holder with CLC's 2009 Distinguished Child Advocate Award

For more pictures from this fabulous event visit CLC's 2009 Benefit Photo Gallery

ACLU Sues School for MySpace Penis Pop Pix Punishment

Two sophomore girls have sued their school after they were punished for posting lingerie photos on MySpace during their summer vacation which showed them licking a penis-shaped lollipop. This is not New York, New Jersey or even California folks. The girls live in rural Indiana.


The ACLU, in a federal lawsuit filed last week on behalf of the girls, argues that Churubusco High School violated the girls' free speech rights when it banned them from extracurricular activities for a joke that didn't involve the school. They say the district humiliated the girls by requiring them to apologize to an all-male coaches' board and undergo counseling.


Some argue that schools should play a role in monitoring students' behavior and Supreme Court has ruled that students can be disciplined for activities that happen outside of school, as long as the school can prove the activities were disruptive or posed a danger.


An attorney for the district claims the school was just enforcing the school's athletic code which allows the principal to bar from school activities any student-athlete whose behavior in or out of school "creates a disruptive influence on the discipline, good order, moral or educational environment at Churubusco High School."


The girls took the photos during a summer sleepover with friends and posted them on their MySpace pages, setting the privacy controls so only those designated as friends could view them. None of the photos made any reference to the school.


The principal initially suspended both girls from all extracurricular activities for the year but reduced the penalty to 25 percent of fall semester activities after the girls completed three counseling sessions and apologized to the coaches board.