Michigan courts given leeway to force veil removal

Michigan’s Supreme Court issued an order Tuesday allowing lower state courts to "exercise reasonable control" over the appearance of witnesses and parties, a rule change proposed after a Muslim woman refused to remove an Islamic garment in a small claims court. The order allows courts “reasonable control over the appearance of parties and witnesses” so as to “ensure that the demeanor of such persons may be observed and assessed by the fact-finder and ensure the accurate identification of such person.” The order, which amends a rule of the Michigan Rules of Evidence, is effective September 1. The amendment was prompted by a 2006 small claims case in Michigan filed by Ginnah Muhammad, who wore a niqab — a garment that covers the entire face and head, except for the eyes — to court, the order said

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Judge: ‘Gripping temptation’ to let Madonna adopt

A judge who barred Madonna’s second adoption from Malawi on Friday said she had "a gripping temptation" to approve the adoption, but decided doing so would open doors to child trafficking, court records show. The American pop star had filed a petition to adopt a girl, Chifundo James, 3

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Assets of Madoff’s brother frozen

The financial assets of Peter Madoff — brother of convicted Ponzi schemer Bernard Madoff — have been frozen until an April 3 court hearing by Nassau Supreme Court Justice Stephen Bucaria, according to an order the judge filed on Wednesday.

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Judge Judy encourages Americans, slams Madoff

Viewers have learned that television’s no-nonsense Judge Judy cuts through the bull and gets to the heart of the matter. On Monday night’s “Larry King Live,” Judge Judy turned her sharp legal mind to matters of the economy, sharing why she thinks Americans have what it takes to navigate the hard months ahead. And she also has some advice for President Obama and sharp-worded assessments of Bernie Madoff and AIG bonuses.

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