OKC Legal Briefs March 13, 2003

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Mar 13, 2003 by Journal Record Staff

Louis Henkin will speak on "The Rule of Law and Human Rights and Terrorism" during the Law Day luncheon hosted by the Oklahoma City University School of Law and the Oklahoma County Bar Association at the Cox Business Services Convention Center on May 1.

Henkin is university professor emeritus, special service professor, and chair of the University Center for the Study of Human Rights and of the Human Rights Institute at Columbia Law School.

Henkin served as a consultant to the United Nations during its formative years, as an adviser to the U.S. State Department during part of every decade since the 1940s, and as a frequent member of the U.S. delegation to international conferences and organizations.

"His participation in our jointly sponsored Law Day activities is yet another example of how our county bar association benefits from the active presence of OCU Law School in our legal community," said Federal Magistrate Judge Valerie Couch, president of the Oklahoma County Bar Association.

Gov. Brad Henry also is scheduled to attend the Law Day luncheon.

Professor Henkin received his undergraduate degree and doctor of humane letters from Yeshiva University, New York City, his bachelor of laws degree from Harvard, and his doctor of laws degree from Columbia. Professor Henkin served as a law clerk to federal Judge Learned Hand and to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter.

Registration for the Law Day luncheon is $25. To register, contact Debbie Gorden, Oklahoma County Bar Association, at (405) 236-8421.

Inhofe supports new court

U.S. Sen. James M. Inhofe, R-Okla., has announced support for legislation that would establish the 12th Judicial Circuit of the United States.

"Each circuit court must be allowed to devote ample attention to every case placed before it," Inhofe said. "Creating a new circuit court that reduces the 9th Circuit in terms of geography, population and caseload will enable the court to properly serve its constituents. Justice is not being served when only half of the 9th Circuit judges are able to read all published opinions.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Reorganization Act of 2003 provides for an additional circuit that will include Alaska, Arizona, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, and Washington. California and Nevada will remain in the 9th Circuit.

Similar legislation was introduced in the 107th Congress but was not given a hearing.

Warrant grace program

A "Municipal Court Warrant Grace Program" is now in effect in Midwest City for outstanding warrants dated on or before March 1.

Court records indicate 1,700 area individuals with outstanding warrants.

Any person can make payment for anyone on the list until April 30. Lists are posted at the Midwest City Hall, Midwest City Metropolitan Library, Midwest City Community Center and the Oklahoma County Courthouse.

No personal checks or credit cards will be accepted for payment. Cashiers can take cash, money orders or cashiers' checks only.