Tag Archives: U.S. Supreme Court

Working as a Contractor? Make Sure You’re Protected Millions of Americans earn a living as freelancers or contract workers. But unlike traditional employees who can rely on a raft of federal workplace protections if something goes wrong on the job, contract workers often have little recourse. To protect yourself at work, you should know what you’re getting into before accepting an independent contractor job. Find Out More…      Court Could Erase Sick Leave Rights For 5 Million Government Workers The …

Big tobacco companies are exposed to billions of dollars in damages in Florida smokers’ lawsuits now that the they’ve lost their attempt to overturn multi-million dollar verdicts when the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to hear their appeal. The high court let stand four verdicts in favor of smokers, totaling over $53 million, including a $28.3 million award to Mathilde Martin for the death of her husband, Benny, from lung cancer after a lifetime of smoking Camels and Lucky Strikes. …

The Supreme Court ruled last week that criminal defendants have the right to effective counsel when it comes to plea bargain agreements, expanding the guarantee of good legal representation beyond the courtroom and into the negotiating room. The upshot for defendants: If you feel you got improper advice on taking a plea, or went to trial unaware that a plea offer even existed, you now have legal recourse to appeal.   Sixth Amendment Requirements The court ruled 5-4 in favor …

Two Japanese-born restaurant owners who lied on their taxes more than 20 years ago have been ordered by the Supreme Court to leave the country and never come back, in the latest decision to drive home the importance of following every letter of the law for immigrants to the U.S. Akio and Fusako Kawashima moved to the U.S. in 1984 as lawful permanent residents to found Cho Cho San, a small California restaurant chain. Their 1991 business tax return contained …