#New York case

[heyshinichiran]

[william-r-melich]

Presidential Immunity Acknowledged - 07/02/24

Shortly after Joe Biden's poor debate performance in the first presidential debate, SCOTUS ruled yesterday that POTUS has absolute immunity for official acts, as they've always had. In an article from the Epoch Times today by Catherine Yang, she wrote the following: "Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion, with Justice Clarence Thomas adding his own concurring opinion. Justice Amy Coney Barret concurred in part, noting several lines of legal disagreement with the majority. Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote the dissenting opinion, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, who also penned a separate dissent."

It's clear now that Biden can't possibly win this November, his mental incapacity has been revealed. With this court's ruling, the left is viciously attacking the Supreme Court and suggesting that Donald Trump, if re-elected, could get away with anything including murdering members of the media; ridiculous! Of course that's not true, he would be impeached.

The system we have has given us the longest time of freedom than any other country in the world. Prior to the U.S.A., no one has held freedom for longer than 80 years, we're closing in on two-and-a-half centuries; incredible!

The presidential immunity doctrine, as listed at https://constitutional.findlaw.com, has been around since the 1860's, which reads: "The President is immune from civil liability absolutely for suits arising from actions relating to official duties. This includes all acts in the 'outer perimeter' of those duties. However, the President is not immune from actions arising from unofficial conduct." It seems reasonable to me why the president must have immunity in order to be able to execute his duties when given in extreme circumstances he must make risky choices that an ordinary citizen would never have to make. False intel, for example, could put the President in a situation where an innocent person is targeted. If the President didn't have immunity, he wouldn't have the confidence to carry out his duties in precarious and sloppy situations. He couldn't be an effective, chief legal officer of the country. Makes sense to me.

Now I wonder how this court's decision will affect the delayed sentencing in Trump's New York "Hush Money" trial. His sentence was originally set for July 11th, now it has been moved to September 18th, depending on whether it will still be necessary. Apparently, there are parts of the charges against him that he may have been immune from, so that has to be re-examined.

Boy, what an interesting time to be alive.

[trendynewsnow]

The People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump: Implications of His Conviction and Election

The People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump: A Landmark Case The case of The People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump stands as the sole criminal trial involving the former president that actually reached the courtroom. With Mr. Trump now having reclaimed the presidency, the future of this case hangs in the balance. More than five months after a Manhattan jury found Mr. Trump…

[goryhorroor]

horror sub-genres: giallo

[yesokayiknow]

fifteen saying 'i have no family' was just so funny to me. you're in london right now you could literally get a bus to donna's house

[kizzer55555]

Dismissed on a Technicality

Ok so Danny accidentally killed the joker. He was working part time as a taxi driver. Funny thing is that he got hired in the city next to Amity Park. The problem is some moron decided to have him drive aaaalllll the way from Amity to Gotham city. And Danny might have run over the Joker while there.

Look…he didn’t feel like a human. Danny (as someone half dead) can feel souls and he could only barley feel anything from the guy so it just looked like a blob in front of the road. He thought it was an animal or something! Danny was short on time so he was going pretty fast. And drivers Ed was very clear that one is NOT to swerve the car to avoid animals as it causes the car to go into other lanes and can cause a crash, especially in a big city. It’s sad, but it’s true, better to run over the poor animal.

So Danny hit the gas.

Only to be greeted with the face of a clown smashed into his windshield.

Danny stopped the car.

He got out.

Looked around at all the people of the city staring at him (no longer cowering as Joker went on a monologue, holding them at gunpoint while waiting for a bat.)

Danny looks down as the mangled corpse sprawled over the front of his taxi.

And he pulled out his phone and called 911 to report a car crash. In front of everybody.

When Batman arrived, Danny held out his hands and willingly let them be cuffed. Time to be taken to court!

Now one might think Danny would be panicking in this situation. After all, he just killed someone, even if it was on accident. But Danny had a different point of view and made it known in court.

It was a whole thing. Full courthouse, practically the entire city attending or watching on a live news feed. And who did Danny call to defend him as his lawyer?

Himself.

And this begins the most confusing and controversial court in the history of Gotham.

Now, what defines a human? Because according to the law it’s ‘anyone capable of speech or higher reasoning.’ But that cannot be. There are aliens and Atlanteans who fit those categories and they do not classify as human. And what about that demon the Justice League killed last week. The one with 2 snake heads and a hippo body? That thing could talk. What about being a Homo sapien capable of speech? But there is an entire city of talking gorillas. Therefore, the definition of human should be revised.

As for the Joker, he had many differences to the typical human. When he fell into a vat of chemicals it changed his very atomic structure physically and altered his mind mentally. Those gassed with Joker venom can be turned back but Joker’s transformation was permanent. Meaning the change occurred at the level of his very DNA.

Which begs the question. Is the Joker really human? And if not, is what Danny did really murder?

Let it be known that Daniel James Fenton is not trying to get out of his crime.

Despite his appearance, the joker was alive. He was breathing, had a heartbeat, and blood flowed through his veins (despite that blood being green).

So yes…Danny committed a crime. And he confesses in front of the entire court.

He confesses…to animal cruelty.

[noyzinerd]

Sterek Rival Lawyers AU

It's A (Court) Date

Imagine, high-class, Ivy League, hot-shot, attorney Derek comes back from New York to the family firm to take over as partners with his sister after his parents decide to step down. He may not be on the level of his mother yet, but he's cut his teeth against Wall Street wolves and ruthless white-collar sharks. Derek's more than proved himself, so he just can't fathom these small criminal court cases his family is making him take "before he's truly ready" to be a part of the family business.

Enter in his first case. Right out the gate, the state assigned defense is, not only late to court, but also arrives in a flurry of limbs and papers, tripping all over himself, and profusely apologizing to the room as a whole. "Sorry! Sorry! Car trouble!"

The guy is out of breath, tie crooked and hair a mess. It makes Derek wrinkle his nose at the unprofessionalism and the blatant disrespect to everyone's valuable time.

The presiding judge, the Honorable Ms. Lydia Martin, only sighs a heavy sigh, as if this sight is nothing new, and says "Mr. Stilinski, I suggest you don't let it happen again."

Derek is honestly getting annoyed by how easy this is going to be. He could've been doing literally anything else right about now rather than being here going against a common rent-a-lawyer with some Podunk community-college degree. The opening statement for the defense is laughably inept. Full of nervous stuttering, backtracking, running tangents, and babbling. He's still apologizing, trying to assure the jury that he's just having an off-day today.

It's embarrassing to watch.

Nonetheless, Derek goes through the motions, practiced and poised. Examines all the evidence, presenting times and dates, prior arrest records, the works.

During this time, Mr. Stilinski is frantically (and VERY LOUDLY) flitting through a cartoonishly large stack of papers and whispering to his client. Derek has to fight to grit his teeth through his presentation.

Finally, it's time for Mr. Stilinski to cross-examine Derek's client and, unbeknownst to him, the beginning of Derek's long, long spiral of madness for the rest of his career.

"Judge Martin, I would like to move to have this case thrown out."

"Oh?" asks Judge Martin. For some reason, there's an amused smirk, almost fond, tugging at her lips "On what grounds?"

A giddy, almost manic, grin takes over the defense attorney's face just then. "On the grounds that the prosecution's client is full of bullshit."

The judge rolls her eyes and an exasperated "Stiles," slips from her lips, seemingly against her will. (Derek's not really surprised by the familiarity between the two of them. With how often state-assigned lawyers are called to the courtroom on small cases, it wouldn't be too big of a leap to suggest they might be chummy.)

"Respectfully, of course." Mr. Stilinski--er Stiles?--winks back at her.

"Objection. Your honor, this is ridiculous."

"Overruled. Make your point, Stilinski."

"Mr. Davis says he saw my client at 12:30 P.M., on August 4th, attempting to take his back-right hubcap outside his apartment. Mr. Davis' apartment complex at that time, on that particular day, would have cast a huge shadow over the back lot as evidenced by the gaudy sundial-art-installation outside the courthouse. Meanwhile, my client's picture, when taken in for questioning, has a sunburn on the entire right side of his face. This would corroborate Mr. Lyle's story of walking home alone, down the upper, unshaded side of Elmore Street, during one of the hottest days of the year, for an hour straight. Also, the fact that Mr. Davis has no realistic idea how long it would actually take a person to steal a hubcap should be evidence enough."

"Uh-huh. And this wouldn't happen to be something you've ever had any expertise in, would it, counsel?"

"I plead the 5th."

And just like that, Derek's case is thrown out so quick, he's still reeling about it all the way home.

For the next two years, this becomes Derek's life. This man, this Stiles Stilinski, keeps showing up like a whirlwind and absolutely puts him in his paces.

Stiles, as he insists Derek call him, is a powerhouse. Relentless and unstoppable. That mouth can filibuster for literal hours (which, for those unfamiliar, is when someone legally cannot be forced to give up their time on the floor as long as they can keep talking), that brain quick as a whip, with a hunger for research, a mastery of the English language svelte enough to trip up even the most well-rehearsed lie, and an attention to detail like nothing Derek has ever witnessed before. It's like he knows every law inside and out. Lives it. Breathes it. It's like he had been raised on the law his whole life. Not only that, it's like Stiles enjoys it. Every case is a new game to get excited about.

All of it makes Derek's blood boil.

However, it's not always about losing to Stiles all the time, because, honestly, that might be less humiliating.

In truth, when faced against Stiles, Derek's bound to win about 60% of the time. Out of that 60%, only 5% of those wins actually feel earned. As for the other 55%?

He knows Stiles is letting him win.

Derek can't prove it, but he knows the asshole is holding back on purpose nearly half the time. Knowing that Stiles could have beaten him if he wanted to, but didn't, is somehow more frustrating than just losing.

He hates Stiles.

He hates that the guy is so chipper and playful all the damn time. He hates that Stiles could probably work at any firm he wanted, could make enough money to get a decent car that doesn't shit out all the time, could buy a proper-fitting suit, but instead CHOOSES to stay here "watching out for the little guy", as he so put it.

He hates that facing Stiles in court is the most challenged, the most motivated he's ever felt in his entire life. He hates that Stiles brings out in him the spark of passion and drive Derek had long thought had died. He hates that Stiles always tries to banter with him during recess or whenever they have to exchange evidence.

He hates finding out that Stiles only loses cases on purpose when his endless amounts of research points to the defendant actually being guilty of horrendous crimes, because Stiles is a good fucking person.

He hates Stiles' constant teasing and he hates that Stiles is somehow able to bring Derek down to his childish level to tease back. He hates how much he looks forward to court-dates with Stiles now. He hates being invited out by Stiles over and over to grab a bite together after a long day, as if Stiles hasn't been wiping the floor with him on this case for the last month. He hates it even more that he always accepts and that now they have their own designated booth at the diner across the street. Derek's so unbelievably frustrated, it makes him want to bite Stiles at the neck just to hear that smartass mouth squeal.

"Hey, I ever tell you I was thinking of quitting before you arrived?" Stiles asks one night as they're walking to their cars.

Derek's head immediately snaps to him at that. "What?"

Stiles smiles distantly at the thought. "Oh, yeah. Things had started feeling like being trapped in a cubicle, y'know? There wasn't any challenge in it anymore."

"What made you stay?"

"Well...you did. You were the first, serious competition I'd faced in a while. It wasn't a matter of winning just to win, anymore. Going against you always reminded me of the reason why it was important for me to win. It gave me stakes, because now there was an actual chance I could lose and an innocent person could go to jail. You, I don't know, kinda reignited my passion for fighting the good fight, I guess."

Derek can feel his heart thumping hard in his chest. He wants to say 'You did the same for me!' He wants to tell Stiles that he didn't think his life could ever be this fun or happy or messy or chaotic or exhilarating or challenging or fulfilling before coming to Beacon Hills.

But just as Derek goes to open his mouth to sing Stiles' praises, he instead finds himself roughly shoving him up against the Camaro and biting hungrily at that mouth and tongue that's been the bane of his existence. There's a surprised little squeak that Derek quickly swallows up, but it isn't long before they're both tearing at each others' clothes and fucking each other dirty in the backseat of Derek's car.

What's crazy is, after they get together, nothing in their careers really changes. The only difference is now they get to fuck each others' brains out after an intense battle in court (and the sound Stiles makes when Derek bites him is exactly what he always imagined it would sound like). They still face against each other on opposite sides in court. They still give it everything they got, no conceding even if they are dating now. Not to mention, Derek wouldn't dream of tempting Stiles over to his firm. Not when he knows Stiles is at his best staying where he's at.

The day Derek's family finally decides it's time for him to take over the firm with Laura is the best day of his and Stiles' lives.

Not only does Derek tell them he's declining, he hires Stiles as his attorney to negotiate terms against his entire family of well-seasoned lawyers.

The entire month-long negotiation results in Derek, not saying a single word, but absolutely beaming as he watches his boyfriend run circles around his mother, his father, his uncle, and both of his sisters on contracts. It's so unbelievably hot, they're banging on whatever flat surface they can get their hands on every time they leave the boardroom. There's even one very memorable blowjob in the empty hall outside the boardroom when Stiles somehow manages to get Peter to agree to a (most likely illegal) clause dictating the firm will pay Stiles a finder's fee for any pro-bono case Stiles takes on outside of Beacon Hills that strikes his fancy.

And, no one says it, but they all know Derek definitely, 100%, dragged his own firm through this negotiation just to show off how incredible Stiles is to his family and preen about it.

--

Fast-forward, Derek is going to be in the audience for the first time for one of Stiles' cases.

While waiting in the hall, Derek sees a familiar face from his New York days. The prosecution has hired the eighth best lawyer money can get, Jackson Whittemore. He's sporting a Rolex, sunglasses indoors, and the face of someone who thinks he's above literally every other person in town.

Well, at least until he sees Derek.

For some reason, Jackson seems to think Derek is all the way out in the middle of nowhere to 'watch a master at work' (which...well...is technically true...).

As Derek goes to sit in the audience, Jackson tells him in passing, "This'll be over so fast, probably won't even get a chance to learn the other guy's name."

Derek chuckles and says back, "Ooh, buddy, you have no idea."

Before Jackson can think more on that, a whirlwind of limbs and papers suddenly hurls through the doors.

Derek sits back, gets comfy, and waits eagerly for the show to begin.

My first moodboard. Hope you enjoy. AU based on a discussion with @casually-eat-my-soul (I suggest checking out their version). This was kind of like a divergence from that (the brain juices just started flowing).

[arthur-lesters-right-arm]

You can't be a cosmic horror podcast mc if you don't want to fuck the horrors at least a little bit

[imissthembutitwasntadisaster]

hold this thought because I still don't fully get it but maybe bullying and humiliating someone actually is more likely to teach them pride and maybe the only way to teach someone true humility is through building them up idk

[atomiccryptid]

source 1 source 2 as of June 27, 2023

update: the smoke has mostly moved east to the new england region and has been in Ontario, Quebec, and areas close to there for months.

[esqueletosgays]

BASKET CASE (1982)

Director: Frank Henenlotter Cinematography: Bruce Torbet

[kitweewoos]

oh my god they were teammates

Buck didn’t know what the hell was up with the Fury that night, but if he took one more elbow to the throat, he was about to throw off his gloves and start a brawl in the middle of the ice regardless of how many penalties were held against him. He didn’t want to get another power play against them though, so he kept his gloves on and his stick down and he played as clean as he could. When he was tripped by the Fury defensemen without a ref whistle, again, and bit his tongue hard enough that he tasted blood, he wanted to rage. 

“Calm down,” Eddie Diaz, his best friend on and off the ice, said as he pushed himself up and growled under his breath. “Don’t let them get in your head.” 

“Too late,” he admitted. 

“Shake it off, Buck,” Eddie called as Buck skated away from him towards the puck still in motion. There was a reason Maddie had pointed all of his extra energy growing up towards skating and hockey, and he was good at it, because for the longest time all of the extra energy meant that he was ready to fight the first person who looked at him wrong, or throw himself into the worst situations. Once he’d gotten into hockey, there wasn’t anything else that fit him better, and he’d worked so hard to get to the NHL.  

Of course, flying off the handle and cracking your opponent in the face repeatedly with your stick would get you, probably, kicked out of the NHL so he should calm down, but he just wanted to bowl them the length of the ice by their face plates instead.  

The Fury sent the puck flying back towards the Firefly goal to get it away from their own, but it went wide thankfully, and Buck breezed back towards it to retrieve it. He was easily one of the quickest of the ice, so he rarely stayed in one spot long, and he liked dropping back by the goal just for a second. 

“Hey,” he heard from their goaltender, and he looked up to catch Tommy Kinard’s eyes through the grating on Tommy’s helmet. Tommy, who he’d share a room with that night, who he shared a life with, who he loved and admired, and he smiled. Tommy looked so good in his pads, even though the incredible body that he worked for was swallowed up, and Buck loved to look at him. Tommy was the first man he’d found this kind of peace with, the first person in the world who had ever caught Buck’s attention and held it so well that the rest of the world just stopped mattering. “Evan, you good?” 

“They’re pissing me off,” he admitted as he circled behind the goal to take the puck and face the rest of the ice for a moment. He took in the scene in front of him to assess the situation, and figure out where to shoot the puck, who would be the best to get it into position and found Ravi sliding unnoticed by two of their d-men. 

“Baby,” Tommy called just off to his left, and he looked up. “Kick their ass.” 

That was all he needed to feel the resolve settle in his chest. They may trail by two near the end of the second period, with the Fury playing dirty, but Evan “Buck” Buckley had his boyfriend to impress, and he absolutely was going to show off.  

[authenticfashionstatements]

In case of…

[sofiasfanartcollection]

Day 24 of TMayNT: Favorite turtle + villain dynamic

I chose Hypno-potamus from Rise of the TMNT for this prompt :]

I love his character development and how he seems to grow a soft spot for the turtles.

These sketches are redrawn from screenshots except for the doodles of rabbits, doves etc :]

(Note: I chose to draw Hypno in a top hat rather than a turban because one of the writers who worked on the show said that Hypno was not wearing the turban for religious reasons. It was part of his costume. Also, Hypno’s canon design, especially as a human, has similarities to harmful stereotypes of Romani people—so a few of Hypno’s fans on here including me like to depict Hypno with a top hat instead.)

the TMayNT challenge is hosted by @mikasleaf see more at @tmaynt