Popsquire

Adessa Eskridge wants a $2 million piece of LAX!

Back in September, LAX cops used Adessa as a human decoy to divert paparazzi away from Jamie Lynn Spears and baby Maddie.  Adessa now is threatening to sue the City of Los Angeles for $2 million, claiming that she didn’t agree to the decoy diversion and has suffered invasion of privacy as well as “humiliation, fear and harassment.”  Click here to read the Claim for Damages, which serves as a prelude to filing a lawsuit against the City.

Popsquire smells a settlement! If Adessa was unaware what she was getting into and the cops duped her, she deserves to be compensated; however, $2 million is absurd and represents rampant greed that pervades the California legal system.

[Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos]

Technorati Tags: adessa eskridge, claim for damages, human decoy, jamie lynn spears decoy, lawsuit, maddie, paparazzi, pop culture law

The National Enquirer is reporting that Jamie Lynn Spears is eight weeks pregnant, a mere three months after giving birth to her first baby, Maddie Briann. Popsquire finds this hard to believe!

Popsquire Pop Quiz: Can celebrities sue for defamation?

Yes, but…defamation lawsuits brought by celebs can be difficult to win. Unlike regular folk, celebs generally have to meet a higher standard. Celebs have to prove that the alleged defamatory statement is false and was made with malicious intent, meaning that it was published with either knowledge of falsity or in reckless disregard for the truth.

Technorati Tags: abortion, celebrities and law, defamation, Jamie Lynn Spears, jamie lynn spears pregnant, national enquirer, pop culture law, pregnancy, teen pregnancy

Lynne Spears says too many people are tuning in to Hypocrisy 101!

Lynne says the public had a “totally different reaction” to the teen pregnancies of her daughter Jamie Lynn and Sarah Palin’s daughter Bristol.  “It’s as if [Sarah Palin] became celebrated,” Lynne told Newsweek. “I mean, the mother, Palin, was celebrated for this.”

“Every woman in the world has applauded her strength and her convictions and poor little old Jamie Lynn, you saw how she was crucified – everybody did, firsthand,” Lynne said. “I just feel like it’s been a very hypocritical situation.”

For a reminder about how prevalent hypocrisy has become, enjoy this video courtesy of Jon Stewart…

Technorati Tags: casey aldridge, Jamie Lynn Spears, lynne spears, lynne spears complains about hypocrisy, pop culture law, sarah palin

Walmart may be Toxic for Jamie Lynn Spears…

According to TMZ, Jamie Lynn’s baby daddy dropped off his camera card at the local Walmart for print outs.  The batch included pics of Britney, Jamie Lynn, Maddie, and Casey Aldridge (the baby daddy), as well as a picture of Jamie Lynn breast feeding with her breast exposed.  Authorities believe someone at the Wal-Mart may have made extra copies and is trying to sell them.

Warning: Because Jamie Lynn is a minor, selling and/or buying the pics could constitute a violation of federal laws prohibiting child pornography.  Also, anyone purchasing the pics could be prosecuted for the crime of receiving stolen property!

More importantly, why doesn’t Jamie Lynn have a printer?

Technorati Tags: breast feeding, Britney Spears, casey aldridge, child pornography, Jamie Lynn Spears, pop culture law, walmart

In response to allegations that LAX police used a decoy to permit Jamie Lynn Spears and her baby, Maddie, to exit LAX without paparazzi mayhem last week, LAX spokesman Albert Rodriguez confirmed today that “Airport Police has opened an internal investigation and will take appropriate administrative action if warranted.”

He explains that “policy prohibits special courtesies to be provided to celebrities, unless extenuating circumstances such as threat of danger to the individual or the safety of the general public are involved.”

Popsquire’s perspective…

The exception for “extenuating circumstances” is vague and permits broad interpretation.  Given that Jamie Lynn and Maddie likely would have been bombarded by paparazzi, the baby’s safety and health certainly might have been at risk.

Of course, if LAX makes this kind of exception for Jamie Lynn, other celebs might start asking for similar treatment.  There’s always a slippery slope!

Technorati Tags: albert rodriguez, Britney Spears, jamie lynn spears decoy, lax police, lynne spears, maddie, pop culture law

Maddie Briann is the newest member of the Spears family, according to People.

Jamie Lynn gave birth this morning surrounded by family, including her mom, dad, brother, and sister Britney. “Everyone is healthy and happy,” according to a People source.

Popsquire wishes Jamie Lynn and Maddie all the best. With that in mind, let’s take a trip down memory lane.

This has been quite a year for the Spears sisters, and the evidence is in these previous Popsquire posts:

Prenup for Pregnant Teen?

Jamie Lynn Engaged

Nickelodeon Playing Martyr

Paparazzi May Pay Price For Jamie Lynn Pics

All Things Britney

Technorati Tags: Britney Spears, engagement, Jamie Lynn Spears, kentwood, law, maddie briann, pop culture, teen pregnancy, unwed mothers, zoey 101

Britney Spears left LA this morning on a Delta flight headed for Louisiana to be with her sister, Jamie Lynn, who is expected to give birth imminently.

While other blogs may tell you what she was wearing or feign shock that Britney is flying a commercial plane, Popsquire brings you the pop culture/law collisions…

(1) While Britney was en route to Louisiana, one of her many attorneys sought an extension of time to resolve charges arising out of her alleged August 2007 hit-and-run accident. The new court date is August 11.

(2) Britney’s sons did not travel with her. Due to ongoing visitation/custody restrictions, permission to travel outside the state with them likely would require an agreement from K-Fed and possibly approval by the court.

(3) Popsquire previously explained that Louisiana’s anti-stalking statute presents a much lower standard than California’s anti-stalking laws. So, although this likely won’t stop the photogs from bombarding the Spears family, they have been warned!

Popsquire wishes Jamie Lynn and the rest of the Spears family all the best. Raising a kid at her age and with all the media attention, Jamie Lynn will have to be a “Brave New Girl.” Right, Britney?

Jamie Lynn Spears is expected to give birth any day now with Britney nearby, according to E!Online. Doesn’t it seem like yesterday that Popsquire was blogging about statutory rape and prenups for teen brides?

Popsquire Pop Quiz: If a child is born out of wedlock, does the baby daddy still have to pay child support?

Yes. If you knock up a girl, you better be ready to pay child support! In this situation, Jamie Lynn likely doesn’t need child support, but it’s good to learn from celebs.

If the parents don’t come to an agreement for support, the custodial parent (the one with whom the kid lives) can seek a court’s assistance in getting child support. Because the parents were not married, there are a few extra steps to prove who is the father, but the result is the same. Pay up!

While we await the birth of the new Spears family member, enjoy this Madonna classic, “Papa Don’t Preach.”

Technorati Tags: birth, Britney Spears, casey aldridge, child support, Jamie Lynn Spears, jamie spears, law, louisiana, lynn spears, newborn, pop culture, teen pregnancy

According to In Touch Weekly, Lynn Spears is insisting that pregnant Jamie Lynn enter into a prenuptial agreement before marrying her baby daddy, Casey Aldridge.

Popsquire’s perspective…

This is a very good idea!

A prenup typically consists of an inventory of what each person owns, such as property or other assets, as well as their debts. It also spells out how property will be shared once they get married and, of course, what happens upon divorce.

Typically, the document states that both people keep what assets they bring into the marriage.  The agreement also specifies how assets built during the marriage are divided.  A 50/50 split is very common.

For a look at some wacky celeb pre-nup clauses, click here.

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

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

In this year of celebrity headlines involving jail time, unplanned pregnancies, drunk diving, drug use, adultery, and racial slurs, you might be surprised to learn that Hollywood contracts for television, advertising, and endorsement deals often include morality clauses, like the following:

“The artist agrees to conduct himself with due regard to public conventions and morals, and agrees that he will not do or commit any act or thing that will tend to degrade him in society or bring him into public hatred, contempt, scorn or ridicule, or that will tend to shock, insult or offend the community or ridicule public morals or decency, or prejudice the producer or the motion picture, theatrical or radio industry in general.”

Are there any celebrities who can comply with this provision?  And, more importantly, do we like them?  Gimme some names, please!

Technorati Tags: adultery, contract, decency, hatred, hollywood, Jamie Lynn Spears, kate moss, lindsay lohan, michael richards, morals, morals clause, nicole richie, paris hilton, pop culture, popsquire, russell wetanson, scorn, spears

Like I said yesterday, there are sooo many legal issues involved in Jamie Lynn Spears’ pregnancy…Statutory rape generally is characterized as non-forcible sexual intercourse with a person who is younger than the statutory age of consent.  The actual ages for these laws vary greatly from state-to-state, as do the punishments for offenders.

Jamie Lynn is 16, while the alleged baby daddy, Casey Aldridge, is 19.  According to California’s penal code, statutory rape exists when there is sexual intercouse between an adult (anyone over 18, i.e., Casey) and a minor who is more than three years younger than the adult.

The offense can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony.  A prosecutor also could pursue civil penalties (that means $$) against Casey in an amount ranging from $2,000 to $10,000!

I doubt any prosecution will occur in this situation, but if I were Casey, I would hold out my fingers and do some math! 

Technorati Tags: age of consent, aldridge, casey, casey aldridge, jamie lynn, Jamie Lynn Spears, penal code, spears, statutory rape

Nickelodeon issued a very supportive statement regarding Jamie Lynn, stating, “We respect Jamie Lynn’s decision to take responsibility in this sensitive and personal situation.  We know this is a very difficult time for her and her family, and our primary concern right now is for Jamie Lynn’s well-being.”

Is this out of true concern…or is Nick taking advice from legal counsel to play nice and learn a lesson from Aaron Spelling?  In 1997, soap opera actress Hunter Tylo sued producer Aaron Spelling and the makers of Melrose Place for pregnancy discrimination.  Tylo was fired from the show before the season even began, once she informed producers of her pregnancy.  Proving to the producers that pregnant women can still be sexy, Tylo appeared on the witness stand, eight months pregnant, in a miniskirt.   The jury, convinced, awarded Tylo nearly $1 million for economic loss, and $4 million for emotional distress.

Stay tuned to see what happens with Jamie Lynn Spears and Zoey 101…

Technorati Tags: attorney, hunter tylo, Jamie Lynn Spears, jury, jury award, law, legal, melrose place, miniskirt, nickelodeon, pop culture, pregnancy discrimination, russell wetanson, zoey 101

Jamie Lynn is 16, while the alleged baby daddy, Casey Aldridge, is 19.  My previous post described California law, but something tells me Louisiana law may be relevant, too. In Louisiana, a person can be charged with “felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile” when a person who is 19 years of age or older has sexual intercourse, with consent, with a anyone between 12 and 17 years of age.  The punishment may include a monetary fine of up to $5,000, jail time not to exceed ten years, or both! 

Again, I doubt we will see any prosecution in this case in any state.  I’d say that Genarlow Wilson already served enough time for Casey and infinite other young men who have engaged in consensual sex with fellow teenagers and young adults.    

Technorati Tags: attorney, casey aldridge, genarlow wilson, jail, Jamie Lynn Spears, juvenile, law, legal, louisiana, pop culture, russell wetanson, statutory rape

TMZ and Perez Hilton are reporting that 16-year old Jamie Lynn Spears is pregnant.  Soooo many legal issues involved with unwed teen mothers, but let’s start with marriage. 

If Jamie Lynn wants to get married in California at age 16, she will need to make an appointment with a counselor, appear before a superior court judge, show certified copies of her birth certificate, and have one parent appear with her when/if she applies for the marriage license.

In Louisiana, she will need consent from her parents to obtain a marriage license.  However, if Lynn Spears has legal custody of Jamie Lynn, then Lynn’s consent alone should be fine so long as Lynn can present a certified copy of her divorce judgment/custody order.

Technorati Tags: california, casey aldridge, Jamie Lynn Spears, law, louisiana, pop culture, popsquire, russell wetanson, statutory rape