Posted on 12/07/2001 6:05:37 PM PST by anniegetyourgun
CLEVELAND (AP) - A federal judge ruled Friday that Ohio Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. can represent himself at his upcoming criminal trial, even though he is not a lawyer.
In a separate ruling, U.S. District Judge Lesley Wells rejected Traficant's motion to suppress the testimony of witnesses with whom the government has plea agreements.
Traficant argued that a recommendation for a reduced sentence in exchange for guilty pleas and testimony is illegal and amounts to bribery.
The judge also denied a Traficant motion for the court to grant trial continuances whenever his congressional duties conflict with the trial schedule.
Traficant, 60, has pleaded innocent in federal court to bribery and racketeering charges. His trial begins Feb. 4.
The Democrat faces 10 charges based on allegations of his accepting cash and services in exchange for helping local companies do business with the government.
Stay Safe !
All I can say is it will be a very entertaining trial, and "beam me up"
Traficant thinks with much words, he will be able to win his case. That guy can talk!
He beat the Feds back in 1984; acting as his own lawyer
There're calling him a Rep. rather than a (D). He's in serious trouble.
Traficant successfully defended himself back in the 1980's against more serious charges - don't sell him short. Most of those charges I've read about seem pretty weak and could probably be leveled against most any congressman.
Like him or not, Traficant is still the most reliable Republican vote on that side, and Gepfart desparately wants him out of there. That district will never vote in a Republican and we would probably wind up with a socialist named Hagan who will vote lockstep with Gepfart.
Actually, I think most attorneys are fools. They care not about your case, only about collecting their fees and staying in status with the bar. Most never see your case until a few days or weeks before the trial, and then only give a quick read of the papers. I have won 4 federal and 1 state suit without any attorneys, and none have ever gone to trial. I won each hands down, while attorneys alway told me that the cases were "complicated" and would require large fees and years of time. BS. The legal profession needs to pull their heads out. Anyone who can think logically, rationally, and understand law, including legal research, can make a solid case that can be won. There are no tricks or black magic to law, as most atorneys profess. All laws are derived from the consitution and are written for "We the People", not "Us the Bar".
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