Sloppy practice in the 7th Circuit continues to be costly. Last month, the court sanctioned lawyers on both sides of an appeal for failing to follow a circuit rule in drafting the jurisdictional statements in their briefs. Smoot v. Mazda Motors of Am., Inc., No. 05-4577 (7th Cir. Nov. 29, 2006). Today the court, in an opinion by Judge Kanne, fined a criminal appellant's lawyer $1,000 for filing an appendix that failed to comply with F.R.A.P. 30 and Cir. R. 30. U.S. v. White, No. 06-1769 (7th Cir. Dec. 19, 2006). (Hat tip to Robert Loblaw.)
For perverse fun, listen to 0:00-2:00 and 10:00-12:00 of oral argument.
http://www.ca7.uscourts.gov/fdocs/docs.fwx?caseno=05-4577&submit=showdkt&yr=05&num=4577
Posted by: dhuey | December 19, 2006 at 07:27 PM