Cook County Judge Can Sue Over TV Report
From the Chicago Daily Law Bullein
A Cook County judge may pursue a defamation suit about a television news report that accused him of working short days, the 1st District Appellate Court ruled today.
Circuit Judge Jim Ryan filed the suit against Fox Chicago News and the Better Government Association after the 2010 report accused some judges of leaving work early. Fox and the BGA found sheriff's office records that Ryan's courtroom was usually empty by 2 p.m.
"The problem with this evidence is that it does not prove that the report's allegation that plaintiff left work early and went home on a number of days is substantially true," Justice Maureen E. Connors wrote in a 15-page opinion.
Connors wrote that judges also work in private chambers, serve on committees and conduct other business in the legal community.
"A judge's official duties do not require a constant presence in the courtroom itself at all times, or even in the courthouse," Connors wrote.
Read more in our daily News Update...
From the Chicago Daily Law Bullein
A Cook County judge may pursue a defamation suit about a television news report that accused him of working short days, the 1st District Appellate Court ruled today.
Circuit Judge Jim Ryan filed the suit against Fox Chicago News and the Better Government Association after the 2010 report accused some judges of leaving work early. Fox and the BGA found sheriff's office records that Ryan's courtroom was usually empty by 2 p.m.
"The problem with this evidence is that it does not prove that the report's allegation that plaintiff left work early and went home on a number of days is substantially true," Justice Maureen E. Connors wrote in a 15-page opinion.
Connors wrote that judges also work in private chambers, serve on committees and conduct other business in the legal community.
"A judge's official duties do not require a constant presence in the courtroom itself at all times, or even in the courthouse," Connors wrote.
Read more in our daily News Update...