Popsquire

The Bahamian inquest into the death of Anna Nicole Smith’s son, Daniel Smith, is finally over!  CNN reports that, after deliberating for less than two hours, the seven-person jury concluded today that his death was the result of an accidental drug overdose.

Popsquire’s perspective…

This is not a shocker.  Police previously said there was no evidence of homicide, and autopsies found that Daniel died from a combination of drugs, including methadone and antidepressants.

If Popsquire were a Bahamian taxpayer, he’d be mad!  The amount of time and money spent to reach this conclusion certainly could have been used more wisely.

For your viewing pleasure, below is a clip from Popsquire’s February appearance on the TV Guide Network discussing the inquest.

Technorati Tags: anna nicole smith, bahamas, court, daniel, dannielynn, death, heir, howard k. stern, inquest, law, pop culture, trust, will

Actress and model, Gabrielle Union, is seeking more than $100,000 in damages from Calvin High and Steve Raymond, two Georgia men who allegedly posted a craigslist ad looking to hire an assistant for Gabby without her permission. According to the lawsuit filed in federal court on Friday, Gabby suffered “severe emotional distress” as a result of the ad and is suing for: (1) fraudulent impersonation; (2) invasion of privacy; and (3) conspiracy to commit criminal conduct.

Popsquire’s perspective…

This sounds like a prank-gone-wrong or an identity theft scheme. Either these guys just wanted to meet some pretty ladies in the interview process, or they may have been gathering personal information from employment applications for identity theft.

Unless the defendants have some bucks, this lawsuit likely won’t result in any monetary gain for Gabby, but Popsquire is proud of her for pursuing legal remedies and protecting her fans!

For more information on identity theft, which affected almost 10 million Americans last year, check out this helpful link.

Technorati Tags: calvin high, Craigslist, employment, executive assistant, federal court, gabrielle union, Identity Theft, law, lawsuit, pop culture, steve raymond

According to People, teenager and mom-to-be Jamie Lynn Spears is engaged to marry her baby’s daddy, Casey Aldridge!

Popsquire’s Pop Quiz: What happens to rings when engagements are called off?

Assuming that Casey bought the ring with his own funds, then the majority of courts likely would consider the engagement ring to be a conditional gift. This means that, until the marriage happens, the gift isn’t final. If the wedding does not occur, then Casey likely would have the right to get the ring back!

In the event of a break-up, Popsquire suggests the following Timbaland hit to accompany Casey’s request for return of the ring…

Technorati Tags: casey aldridge, engagement ring, Jamie Lynn Spears, law, Marriage, pop culture, teenage pregnancy

Popsquire is thrilled to report a positive collision between pop culture and law, in the form of Ricky Martin. According to YoungHollywood.com, Sr. Martin is visiting Cambodia in an effort to help fight child trafficking. Good for him!

Popsquire defines…

According to the United Nations, child trafficking is the “recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of deception, of the abuse of power or of position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.”

Popsquire opines…

The abuse and trafficking of children must be stopped because they have severe consequences on individual and global levels, including: (1) the spread of serious disease, including HIV/AIDS; (2) physical and emotional harm to children; (3) increase in power of criminal organizations; and (4)  government corruption.

As a reminder that we live in a connected, global community, Popsquire brings you this global relief classic, “We Are The World.”

TMZ has obtained a copy of Heath Ledger’s will.  Finalized before the birth of his daughter Matilda, the will leaves everything to Heath’s parents and siblings.  Although Popsquire is proud of Heath for having a will at all, it is extremely important for everyone to update, update, update!

If you don’t update your will every year, you should at least do so along with any major life event, including: (1) the birth of a child; (2) the death of anyone listed in the will; (3) marriage; (4) divorce; (5) adoption; and/or (6) a significant change in assets or income.

Technorati Tags: estate, heath ledger, intestate, law, matilda, michelle williams, pop culture, trust, will

Is Popsquire the only one who thinks at least one country ought to outlaw appearances by Paris Hilton?

Technorati Tags: belly dance, law, paris hilton, pop culture, turkey

“Irreconcilable Differences” is not just a Drew Barrymore movie.  It’s the basis of most divorces in Hollywood!  Most recently, Robin and Marsha Williams as well as Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons are asking California courts to grant divorces on this basis.

In case you were too depressed to read the legalities involved in a divorce vs. an annulment in connection with the recent Pam Anderson/Rick Salomon split, here is a quick refresher under California law…

1. A divorce ends your marriage. You can get a divorce if you say you have “irreconcilable differences” with your spouse. You don’t have to give the court any other reason. It doesn’t matter who is at fault.
2. In an annulment, a judge can say that a marriage is not legally valid for a variety of reasons, including: (a) the marriage is incestuous; (b) bigamy has been committed; or (c) the union is fraudulent. To get an annulment, you must be able to prove to the judge that one of these reasons (among others) is true. This makes an annulment case very different from a divorce, because “irreconcilable differences” cannot serve as the basis for getting an annulment.

Big Brother’s Joshuah says that he is willing to do porn for money…

This, of course, caught Popsquire’s attention, because it provides the perfect grounds for discussing issues relating to prostitution and porn. As discussed in depth here, the court system has distinguished the two acts, but Popsquire isn’t convinced.

Shouldn’t they both be legal? What do you think?

Technorati Tags: big brother, cbs, joshuah, law, pop culture, porn, prostitution

Another day, another celebrity DUI! That’s just how they roll these days…

Richie Sambora was arrested last night for drunk driving (reportedly with his 10-year-old daughter in the car!), adding his name to this fun list of celebs who either don’t know how to call a cab or choose to endanger the lives of people around them:

1. Nicole Richie: sentenced to four days…served 82 minutes.
2. Paris Hilton: sentenced to 45 days…served 22 (drama-filled) days
3. Lindsay Lohan: sentenced to two days…served 84 minutes.
4. Michelle Rodriguez: sentenced to 180 days….served 17 days.
5. Kiefer Sutherland: sentenced to and served 48 days.
6. Rebecca DeMornay: sentenced to (1) participate in a three-month program for DUI offenders; (3) serve three years of probation; and (3) pay a $350 fine.
7. Mischa Barton: sentencing TBD.
8. Heidi Fleiss: sentencing TBD.

Technorati Tags: celebrity, drunk driving, DUI, law, pop culture, richie sambora

According to TMZ, rapper Nate Dogg recently pleaded guilty to battery and trespass, resulting in: (1) three years informal probation; (2) required completion of a domestic violence treatment program; and (3) a prohibition on owning a weapon for ten years.

In 2006, Senor Dogg allegedly: (1) broke into a Huntington Beach home where his ex-girlfriend, her new boyfriend and her mother lived; (2) punched the boyfriend in the face; and (3) left.

Is Popsquire the only one who thinks that a punch-and-run should be a new classification of crime?  If you hit someone and run without giving the person the chance to defend him/herself, you deserve more punishment!

As you ponder writing your state legislature to demand this new legislation, please enjoy this Janet Jackson classic, “Runaway.”

Technorati Tags: battery, guilty, law, music, nate dogg, plead, pop culture, punch, rapper, trespass

Hulk Hogan better start flexing some legal muscles!

In a new lawsuit, the guardian for John Graziano — the incapacitated 22-year-old active-duty Marine who was a passenger in Hogan Knows Best 17-year-old co-star Nick Hogan’s Toyota Supra when it crashed in late August 2007 — seeks to recover damages from Hulk and Linda for their son’s actions. Here are some highlights from the lawsuit’s allegations and theories:

1. Nick negligently operated his Toyota Supra by racing another man in a Dodge Viper, a car also owned by Hulk.
2. The Hogans were aware of Nick’s speed fetish and knew that he had altered his vehicle for racing.
3. Hulk purchased alcohol the day of the accident and “knew or should have known” Nick was driving under the influence and failed to take appropriate action.

Popsquire’s perspective…

Parents of underage drivers take an enormous financial risk every time their child gets behind the wheel. In many states, parents can be held liable for the negligent acts of minor drivers, and most parents are not even aware of the extent of the liability.

Popsquire is surprised that the Hogan’s insurance providers didn’t settle this case before it resulted in formal litigation. Stay tuned!

According to TMZ, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge has annulled the marriage between Pamela Anderson and Rick Salomon. Because faithful Popsquire followers are curious cats, you are dying to know the difference between and divorce and an annulment…

1. A divorce ends your marriage. You can get a divorce if you say you have “irreconcilable differences” with your spouse. You don’t have to give the court any other reason. It doesn’t matter who is at fault.
2. In an annulment, a judge can say that a marriage is not legally valid for a variety of reasons, including: (a) the marriage is incestuous; (b) bigamy has been committed; or (c) the union is fraudulent. To get an annulment, you must be able to prove to the judge that one of these reasons (among others) is true. This makes an annulment case very different from a divorce, because “irreconcilable differences” cannot serve as the basis for getting an annulment.

Popsquire is worried. If these two couldn’t make it work, who can?!? Like Sheila E. says, “the glamorous life without love/it ain’t much.”

Technorati Tags: annulment, divorce, law, pamela anderson, pop culture, rick salomon

In addition to drunk driving, celebs are starting a new trend that involves the court system — name changing. Destiny Hope Cyrus recently began the process to change to Miley Cyrus, while Denise Richards wants to shed the Sheen.

Because, like Popsquire, you tend to follow in the footsteps of your famous friends, here is a helpful link that may help you do the same.

If you go for it, let Popsquire know the results! In the meantime, enjoy this Destiny’s Child classic for inspiration…

Technorati Tags: court, denise richards, law, miley cyrus, name change, pop culture

According to E! News, Bostonian Darlene Tracy is continuing her legal battle against Oprah Winfrey (and Harpo) for allegedly taking “Oprah’s Big Give.” Tracy claims that in 2005, she pitched a reality show — “The Philanthropist,” a show in which contestants were judged on their ability to help out those less fortunate — and Harpo producers passed on it.

Just over a year later, however, Oprah announced plans for “Oprah’s Big Give,” a reality show in which contestants are judged on their ability to “crisscross the country to change the lives of total strangers.”

Soon after, a self-represented Tracy — always a recipe for distaster! — filed a complaint in Boston’s U.S. District Court to prevent the Big Give from airing, and a judge dismissed the claims. Now with legal representation, Tracy has filed an appeal.

Popsquire’s perspective…

Misappropriation of a reality show idea/concept can be very difficult to prove. Any tv viewer knows that the format for these shows is extremely generic. Therefore, creators of reality-competition shows often may not be protected by copyright laws.

Nonetheless, Popsquire is curious whether a team of lawyers will produce a successful appeal. Unfortunately, a self-represented non-attorney litigant often will see defeat.

According to the Palm Beach Post, Mickey Rourke admits running a red light on his Vespa and making a U-Turn. Although charged with a DUI, he was found guilty only for reckless driving and sentenced to: (1) a six-month probation; (2) fines and costs totaling $1,178.75; and (3) and 50 hours of community service.

Get this…The court allowed him to buy the community service hours instead of performing them, at a rate of $10 per hour.

Popsquire’s perspective…

In a system where fame and money often have provided exemptions to justice, this represents a lack of interest in rehabilitative measures that can teach important lessons.

While Rourke did not injure anyone when he ran the red light, he may not be so lucky the next time.  Performing community service likely would make him — and anyone else in the same situation — examine his actions more closely.

And, BTW, $10 per hour is ridonculous.  Make him pay an amount equal to his hourly rate!

Technorati Tags: actor, community service, mickey rourke, reckless driving, red light, vespa