Justice Thomas: How Appealing has this page image of today's LA Daily Journal containing (below the fold) a review by Edward Loya of Henry Mark Holzer's book, “The Supreme Court Opinions of Clarence Thomas, 1991-2006: A Conservative’s Perspective.” The review focuses primarily on Justice Thomas's much-maligned (and misunderstood) opinion in Hudson v. McMillan, 503 U.S. 1 (1992).

Justice Kennedy's appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee is covered here by Jan Greenburg of ABC.

First-time DUI offenders may have to install an ignition device that checks their blood alcohol level by breathalyzer, before the car can start and periodically checks while driving. A failed test results in the car flashing and honking until the keys are removed. The bill, SB177 will change the current law from a decision made only by a judge to a requirement for first-time offenders. The article by Matthew Yi in the San Francisco Chronicle also reports that out of all the DUI convictions in 2003, only 3.8% required the ignition device. However, a 2004 DMV study showed "no difference in recidivism or other traffic convictions" between first-time offenders with the device and those without it.

Texas seeks harsher punishment for sex offenders who harm children 14 and under. 25 years minimum for first-time offenders, possible death penalty charge for repeat offenders, GPS tracking for life, and doubling the statute of limitations from 10 to 20 years after the victim turns 18 are the four main points in Lt. Governor David Dewherst's "get tough measure" filed Wednesday, as reported here. Questions on the constitutionality of the death penalty for sex-offenders and difficulty in convicting offenders are being raised.

Oklahoma House passed a bill Wednesday that bars registered sex offenders from talking to children via the internet according to an AP story. Offenders must register their online identities and are banned from social networking sites (i.e. myspace). Author of the bill, Rep. Paul Wesselhoff said the legislation would also prohibit physical contact with children "to include contact over the internet" through state law.

The only woman sentenced to the federal death penalty since 1953 is requesting a new trial. A Missouri AP story explains, Angela Johnson 42, and boyfriend Dustin Honken, were convicted for the drug related murders of federal drug informants Greg Nicholson and Terry DeGeus, Nicholson's girlfriend Lori Duncan, and her two girls Kandace (10) and Amber (6). Johnson is appealing her conviction because of various problems in her first trial including an error on the verdict forms.