Legal Humour News - March 3, 2008

Hello and welcome to this week's installment of Legal Humour News. Our newsletter contains an eclectic collection of humourous and often bizarre news stories having a slant in the world of the law.

Here is this week's serving of amusing legal stories. Enjoy Marcel's most recent blawg, A Hug Is Still a Hug, about a junior high school in Arizona that has placed a two-second limit on hugs.

And please visit our vast Legal Humour Collection. For example you'll discover how hypersensitive American companies can be about getting sued when a consumer calls to complain about thawed out frozen orange juice, when you read A Juicy Tale.

And please go out of your way to give us your Comments and/or your Legal Humour Moments.  You all have always wanted to contribute to the world of legal humour and here is your opportunity. Worst case scenario -- we’ll sue you. 

Odd or Amusing Legal Stories from the Past Week:

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1 - See You In Court!

Inmate Suing For Sex Change Says Prison Stopped Treatments
A killer in Massachusetts who sued to have a sex change claims her body is becoming more masculine again because she's being denied treatment in prison as she awaits a ruling in her bid for the surgery. Michelle, formerly known as Robert, said that for months she has not been allowed to have court-approved hair-removal treatment or access to a specialist to discuss her testosterone levels. In 2002, a U.S. District Judge ruled that Michelle was entitled to treatment for gender identity disorder -- including hormone treatments, laser hair removal and psychotherapy -- but stopped short of ordering sex-reassignment surgery. Michelle sued again in 2005, saying the treatments were not enough to relieve her anxiety and depression.
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/02/26/sex.change.ap/index.html

Iowa Man Fired For Prostitute Requests
A judge has denied an Iowa man's claim that he shouldn't have been fired for repeatedly requesting help to procure a prostitute. The casino worker says he should not have been fired for demanding that his co-workers provide him with prostitutes because the casino promotes Las Vegas-style gaming. At the benefits hearing, he testified that his actions had no detrimental effect on the casino. He said he had been given an "excellent" performance review not long before the incident. The administrative law judge rejected his claim for benefits.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/offbeat/2008-02-26-casino-prostitute_N.htm

2 - Crime and Punishment

German Police Dogs To Wear Shoes
Police dogs in the German city of Dusseldorf are being trained to wear shoes to protect them against injuries from broken glass.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7264680.stm

Man Pleads Guilty To Striking Woman On Way To Anger Management
Authorities in Minnesota accuse a man en route to anger management class of striking a woman after becoming, well, angry. According to a criminal complaint, the man was waiting at a bus stop on Aug. 29 when he accosted a 59-year-old woman and others.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2008/03/01/4885721-ap.html

Driver Crashes On Way To Court
A Cobourg, Ontario man who police say was late for court yesterday didn't help matters when he drove off a bridge and plunged onto the frozen Ganaraska River. Now he has a new charge to face -- careless driving.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2008/03/01/4886581-sun.html

Aussie Sparked Police Siege When No One Called On Birthday
An Australian man who held police at bay during a 12-hour siege because no one phoned on his birthday was sentenced by a court to six months in prison. The 32-year-old pleaded guilty in the District Court of Queensland state in the eastern coast city Brisbane to charges including going armed in public to cause fear. He brandished knives and taunted police to shoot him at a house in Ipswich, west of Brisbane, on June 22, 2006 - his birthday.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2008/02/28/4881335-ap.html

Cook Accused of Putting Hair in a Steak
A restaurant cook in Wisconsin is out of a job and facing a felony charge after being accused of hiding hairs in a rib eye because a customer complained the first steak served to him was overcooked.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gGwc4rjdh962fJONvaOP18Rq6LRwD8V3N7A01

Man Asked Friend To Shoot Him In The Arm So He Could Skip Work
What happened to faking a cough? Sheriff's detectives in Franklin County, Washington, say a man had his friend shoot him in the shoulder so he wouldn't have to go to work. The friend has been arrested for investigation of reckless endangerment. The employee is expected to be charged with false reporting.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hTIpPGes2znlo7poqpRNAjVVjz3gD8V4KSB80

3 - Politics, Law, and Governance

Mexican Legislator Takes Heat For Striptease Clip
An actress-turned-legislator in southern Mexico is on the defensive after a racy clip of her performing a striptease in a chestnut wig and lacy red lingerie made its way to the popular video-sharing website YouTube.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2008/02/28/4882782-ap.html

Stripping Mayor Stripped Of Office
The mayor of an Oregon town who once stripped to her underwear and posed on a fire truck has been stripped of her office.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2008/02/27/4879806-ap.html

Mohawk Gets Ohio Kindergartner Suspended
A kindergarten student with a freshly spiked Mohawk has been suspended from school in Ohio. The mother of six-year-old Bryan said nothing in the Parma Community School handbook prohibits the haircut, characterized by closely shaved sides with a strip of prominent hair on top. The school said the hair was a distraction for other students.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/odd_kindergarten_suspension

4 - And Now for Something Completely Different

Australian Bandits Confronted By Biker Gang
A pair of hapless bandits in Australia received a shock when they burst into a Sydney sports club brandishing machetes only to find it occupied by about 50 bikers. Instead of bagging a sackful of loot, the pair were chased by bikers from the Southern Cross Cruiser Club, who tackled one robber to the ground then tied him up until police arrived.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/australiacrimeoffbeat

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