The first Monday of October is the traditional beginning of the U.S. Supreme Court’s term. In honor of the occasion and with all due respect to the nine justices who are about […]
What is the Difference Between a Judge and a Law Student?
What Good Can Possibly Come From an Uneducable Boy?
Thomas would never amount to anything and was uneducable. That was the conclusion of his teachers, and increasingly, it was the opinion of his parents. The young man, despite being born to […]
If I Were the Devil
Paul Harvey was one of the most popular radio personalities for nearly sixty years. Starting his career at the age of 14, he continued to broadcast until his death at 90. His […]
Mayor LaGuardia and Justice for a Stolen Loaf of Bread
The bleak, dreary years of the Great Depression brought an energetic, ambitious, and unconventional mayor to the city of New York. Fiorello H. LaGuardia (1882-1947) swept into office, following successive mayors who […]
Who Is Next In Line? Understanding the Order of Presidential Succession
When Secretary of State Alexander Haig attempted to calm the nation’s fears after the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, it was one of those moments that made history. Unfortunately, it was […]
It Is Illegal to Wear a Suit of Armor in Parliament
If you are fortunate enough to be elected as a Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom, you will probably want to add to your wardrobe so you look good when you […]
Contemplate the Variegated Cancerous Concoctions of the Asphyxiating Snare in the Escalating Venality of a 19-Year-Long Court Case
Charles Dickens’ novel Bleak House introduced the world to the never-ending legal saga of Jarndyce and Jarndyce. In Dickens’ uniquely-descriptive words: Jarndyce and Jarndyce drones on. This scarecrow of a suit has, […]
If You Enjoy Fresh Milk, Thank Al Capone
In the shady world of organized crime, no name struck greater freak and respect than that of Al Capone. The notorious Chicago mobster presided over an empire of bootleg alcohol, gambling, and […]
Black Underwear For Umpires and Other Weird Baseball Rules
Even the uninitiated know a few basic facts about the rules of baseball. Everyone knows the game is played on a diamond-shaped arrangement of four bases, and if the batter swings three […]
When the United States Takes on The Snake, the Nutcracker, Joey the Clown, and Fat Tony
It’s rare when we hear laughter emerge from behind the doors of the Commonplace Fun Facts Legal Department. The usual sound of wailing and the gnashing of teeth is generally more than […]
The First Speeding Ticket Was for Driving 8 mph
On January 28, 1896, Walter Arnold earned the dubious distinction of becoming the first person to receive a speeding ticket while driving an automobile. Arnold, a resident of East Peckham, Kent, in […]
The Story of Two Trials that Launched a Life of Greatness
George Jacobs was arrested for an unspeakable offense. He was innocent, as he loudly proclaimed to anyone who would listen, but his protests fell on deaf ears. Whatever her reasons, George’s granddaughter […]
Drink Pepsi and Win a Jet — Or Maybe Not
In 1995, Pepsi launched the Pepsi Points promotion. The public was encouraged to drink as much Pepsi as possible with the promise of earning points with every purchase. These points could then […]
It is Illegal to Resign from the British Parliament
Those who hold national elected office typically consider it a high honor, difficult to achieve, and easy to lose. This has not always been the case. Evidence of this can be seen […]
The Hangman Who Went to the White House
The sheriff of Erie County, New York had a nickname. “Big Steve” earned this monicker because of his size, but it also referred to his character. In an era when graft and […]
