Popsquire

TMZ reports that one of its photogs spotted (at Ralph’s Supermarket) “someone Paris slept with, which narrows the field to … a football field.”

Popsquire’s perspective… 

Aside from being extremely funny, this statement may constitute defamation.  It clearly involves a published statement of fact (i.e., that Paris has slept with so many people that they would fill a football field) that could harm a person’s reputation.

Popsquire would LOVE to see this turn into a lawsuit.  Imagine the arguments…

1. Paris could evoke “truth” as a defense by listing everyone she slept with and proving that her bed post numbers are fewer than TMZ’s projection.
2. TMZ could argue that Paris’ reputation – based on starring in a sex video and flashing her punani to photogs –  was not harmed in any way by the statement.

Popsquire can only hope to write about such an event.  In an effort to make wishes come true, Popsquire dedicates this Dionne Warwick classic to the cause…

Technorati Tags: defamation, law, libel, paris hilton, pop culture, slander, tmz

Popsquire bets Rihanna wishes this video would be outlawed…

Technorati Tags: hero, high school, Laughter Legalities, law, mariah carey, pitchy, pop culture, Rihanna

Popsquire apologizes for the delay in blogging about Mischa Barton, who is being charged with four misdemeanor counts arising out of her December 27, 2007 arrest: (1) driving under the influence; (2) driving with a blood alcohol level of .08% or higher; and (3) driving without a license and possession of marijuana (less than an ounce).

Popsquire’s perspective…

Popsquire doubts Mischa will serve jail time.

According to Popsquire’s public defender friend, a typical plea bargain in this kind of case may look like this: (1) 36 months of probation; (2) three-month DUI class; (3) license suspension; (4) points on the license; (5) fines and penalties totaling more than $1500; and (6) attendance at a few one-day programs, including HAM (hospital and morgue program) and the MADD Victim Impact Program.

Technorati Tags: district attorney, drunk driving, DUI, law, marijuana, mischa barton, pop culture, pot, public defender

Because you are a faithful Popsquire reader, you are well aware of this previous post that describes a faceoff between TMZ and PageSix.  Specifically, the two organizations disagree about the existence of a LAPD investigation into Sam Lutfi’s alleged drugging of Britney Spears.

Today, the LAPD issued this statement:

The issues regarding Britney Spears are being considered by the department to determine if laws have been violated. Particular suspects have not yet been fully identified nor has a formal investigation into open charges officially commenced. At this time we don’t know whether or not a formal investigation will be initiated.

According to TMZ, this means that “they’re lookin’ at Sam,” while PageSix still won’t make that leap and simply reports that “nothing is official.”

Like PageSix, Popsquire isn’t convinced that the LAPD is investigating Lutfi.

What do you think?

Technorati Tags: Britney Spears, investigation, lapd, law, page six, pop culture, sam lutfi, tmz

According to this news release, Senator Larry Craig is seeking summer interns and promises that “it is an incredible opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at how our government functions while serving the people of Idaho.”

In addition to wondering what “behind-the-scenes” means, Popsquire is here to remind Senator Craig — and everyone else — looking for interns that the following questions would be inappropriate and, in some cases, unlawful to ask during interviews:

1. How wide is your stance?
2. Does your girlfriend know you’re here?
3. Can you spare a square?

In honor of this prestigious job opportunity, Popsquire invites you to sing along to the classic Klymaxx song, “Meeting In The Ladies Room.” Come on!

Technorati Tags: airport bathroom, bathroom scandal, gay, interns, larry craig, law, pop culture, popsquire, senator craig

NBC’s “To Catch A Predator” has just caught a legal battle!

A New York judge has decided that the sister of an alleged sex predator can proceed with three of her nine claims, leaving her with one claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress and two claims of civil rights violations.

In case this is the first you’ve heard of this lawsuit, here’s what you need to know…

1. Louis Conradt — a criminal prosecutor! — reportedly shot himself in November 2006 when members of a police SWAT team tried to execute an arrest warrant at his home in Terrell, Texas, for allegedly attempting to solicit a minor online.
2. Cast and crew members from “To Catch A Predator” were waiting outside to film the arrest.
3. NBC later broadcast an episode that discussed Conradt and his suicide in February 2007.
4. Conradt’s sister filed a lawsuit against NBC on September 5, 2007 seeking in excess of $100 million in damages.

Popsquire’s perspective…

Although this is a victory for the Conradt’s sister, it is way too soon to celebrate. She only has overcome a 12(b)(6) motion, which inherently is designed to favor the plaintiff. Both parties now must begin the discovery stage of litigation, exchange documents, take depositions, and fight it out.

Oops…Popsquire did it again!

As predicted in this previous post, the federal court judge has kicked the Britney Spears conservatorship case back to state court. The judge’s decision was plain and simple: “Mr. Eardley is not Ms. Spears attorney and acted improperly by removing her conservatorship proceeding to federal court.”

Technorati Tags: Britney Spears, conservatorship, custody dispute, family law, jamie spears, k-fed, kevin federline, law, mark kaplan, pop culture, stacy phillips

Everyone knows that humor often serves as a defense mechanism, but now Jerry Seinfeld is using it as a legal defense!

According to the AP, Jerry’s attorneys are asking a judge to throw out a lawsuit for trademark infringement and slander filed in New York by Missy Chase Lapine against Jerry and his wife, Jessica.

If you are not familiar with this case, here’s what you need to know…

1. Lepine’s book, “The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies For Hiding Healthy Foods In Kids’ Favorite Meals,” — a book about how to sneak veggies into kids’ meals — was released in April 2007.
2. Jessica Seinfeld’s book, “Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets To Get Your Kids Eating Good Food,” — also about how to sneak veggies into kids’ meals — was released in October 2007.
3. On October 8, 2007, Jessica Seinfeld appeared on Oprah to promote her book.
4. In response to accusations that his wife had plagiarized Lapine’s recipes, Jerry compared her to the killers of John Lennon and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. while making an appearance on Late Night With David Letterman.
5. In the papers seeking dismissal of the lawsuit, attorneys refer to Jerry’s comments as “overstatements of opinion for comic effect.”

Welcome to this ongoing series — Laughter Legalities — dedicated to thanking the founding fathers for freedom of speech, without which we would not have outrageously funny stuff like this…

Technorati Tags: ben affleck, jimmy kimmel, Laughter Legalities, law, matt damon, pop culture, sarah silverman

Popsquire’s former client, Madonna, showed up for jury duty in Los Angeles yesterday!  In this video, you will see M and her attorney escort, Enzo Der Boghossian, passing through security.

Senor Der Boghossian’s future is so bright, he’s gotta wear shades…even inside the courthouse!

Technorati Tags: ciccone, enzo der boghossian, jury duty, law, los angeles superior court, madonna, pop culture, ritchie

Popsquire is heading back west to Los Angeles today!

To tide you over, study up on Britney’s 2008 pop culture/law collisions. Fortunately for Britney (and unfortunately for Popsquire), these collisions look like they might start slowing down…

Jan. 15: Complaint filed against Dr. Phil, arising out of his hospital visit with Britney.

Jan. 21: Britney attends deposition for approximately 2.5 hours.

Jan. 23: Britney unsuccessfully seeks to modify court’s no-visitation order. Britney’s lawyers withdraw motion to be relieved as counsel, previously scheduled for Feb. 4.

Jan. 31: Britney is placed on another 5150 hold, this time at UCLA Medical Center.

Feb. 1: (a) Britney’s dad and independent lawyer are appointed as conservators of her estate; and (b) Court issues temporary restraining order against Sam Lutfi, prohibiting him from getting near Britney.

Feb. 3: Britney’s 5150 hold is extended by 14 days.

Feb. 4: (a) After a court challenge, Brit’s dad and independent attorney remain conservators of her estate at least until Feb. 14; and (b) Amid alleged concerns that Sam Lutfi contacted Britney by telephone, the court confirmed that Lutfi is not permitted to contact Britney, even by telephone or email.

If you’re just tuning in, welcome to Popsquire’s ongoing Oscar celebration, which examines Oscar nominees’ collisions with the law.

Popsquire’s pick of the moment: Sweeney Todd. If you haven’t seen this movie, shame on you, but here’s what you need to know…

This Tim Burton film is a dark musical about a man seeking to avenge his unjust imprisonment and his wife’s death. Amid the singing, the main characters played by Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter kill numerous people, chop them up, and make minced meat out of them — literally.

Popsquire assumes everyone sees the obvious crime of endless murder, but what other unlawful activity do you see in this movie? Below is Popsquire’s list. If you have any to add, let me know!

1. False Advertising
2. False Imprisonment
3. Kidnapping
4. Unlicensed Barber
5. Cannibalism
6. Numerous Healthy and Safety Code Violations

Technorati Tags: academy awards, cannibalism, helena bonham carter, johnny depp, law, murder, oscars, pop culture, sweeney todd, tim burton

Pospquire thanks the founding fathers for the First Amendment, because some countries would not permit videos as hilarious as this…

Technorati Tags: casual sax, comedy, laughter, law, music video, pop culture, sex

According to TMZ, Aaron Carter was arrested yesterday in Texas for possession of “at least two ounces” of marijuana.  Popsquire trusts you are dying to know about the potential consequences, so here’s a fun chart for your reference, categorized by: (1) amount of possession; (2) crime classification; (3) potential jail time; and (3) potential monetary fines.

Technorati Tags: aaron carter, crime, jail, marijuana, misdemeanor, possession, pot, punishment, texas, tmz

In anticipation of the Oscars, Popsquire is examining how the nominated films present collisions between pop culture and law…

Juno is a great movie with many legal collisions! In the scene where Juno is exploring adoption with the potential adoptive parents, Jennifer Garner’s character asks if Juno is seeking any “other compensation.” Juno says “No.”

Popsquire’s perspective…

Generally, it is both legal and customary to pay for certain expenses incurred by a birth mother, with various limitations and conditions.

For example, California law provides in Penal Code § 273, that it is legal to assist with a birth mother’s reasonable and necessary pregnancy-related living expenses, for the period of time that she is disabled or unemployable due to the pregnancy.

This payment of expenses must be made unconditionally and as an act of charity — otherwise, it could be considered buying the baby.

If Popsquire were adopting, he’d definitely prefer a birth mother who lives modestly! Just like Notorious B.I.G. said, Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems.

Technorati Tags: academy awards, adoption, ellen page, jason bateman, jennifer garner, juno, law, oscars, pop culture