1982 Law & Justice Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1982 Law & Justice Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 05 Jan Arkansas judge rules against teaching creationism in public schools: On January 5, 1982, U.S. District Court Judge William R. Overton declared Arkansas's Act 590 unconstitutional, which mandated equal treatment of creation science and evolution in public school curricula. The court determined that the act violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, as it was an effort to introduce the biblical version of creation into public education. This landmark decision influenced subsequent rulings on the teaching of creationism in schools. source: washingtonpost.com
- 08 Jan US Justice Department ends 13-year antitrust case against IBM: On January 8, 1982, the US Justice Department concluded its 13-year antitrust lawsuit against IBM, admitting the case was 'without merit' and should be dismissed. Assistant Attorney General William Baxter stated that continuing the case would be costly and unlikely to succeed, noting that the computer industry had evolved significantly since the lawsuit's initiation. IBM's chief lawyer, Thomas Barr, declared the company 'completely vindicated.' source: washingtonpost.com
- 11 Jan Honduras adopts new constitution: On January 11, 1982, Honduras approved its twelfth constitution, which came into effect on January 20, 1982. This constitution replaced the previous one from 1965 and has been amended 26 times between 1984 and 2005. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 25 Feb European Court of Human Rights rules against corporal punishment in schools: On February 25, 1982, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in Campbell and Cosans v. United Kingdom that corporal punishment in schools violated parents' rights to ensure education in line with their philosophical convictions, as protected by Article 2 of Protocol No. 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The court found that the UK government's allowance of corporal punishment against parents' wishes breached this right. source: bbc.com
- 04 Mar Bertha Wilson appointed as first woman on Canada's Supreme Court: On March 4, 1982, Bertha Wilson was appointed as the first female justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. Her appointment marked a significant milestone in Canadian history, breaking gender barriers in the judiciary. Wilson's contributions to law and advocacy for women's rights have had a lasting impact on the legal landscape in Canada. source: thecanadianencyclopedia.ca
- 11 Mar Senator Harrison Williams Resignation: Democratic Senator Harrison Williams of New Jersey resigned from his position to avoid potential expulsion, likely due to ethical or legal challenges.
- 20 Mar Clive Lloyd wins libel case against The Age newspaper: In March 1982, West Indies cricket captain Clive Lloyd won a libel case against The Age newspaper, which had alleged that the West Indies deliberately lost a match to Australia in January 1982. The court awarded Lloyd $100,000 in damages, affirming that the allegations were unfounded. source: cricketcountry.com
- 05 Apr Death of Supreme Court Justice Abe Fortas: Abe Fortas, a prominent US Supreme Court Justice who served from 1965 to 1969, passed away at the age of 71. Known for his influential legal career and controversial resignation, Fortas was a significant figure in mid-20th century American jurisprudence.
- 17 Apr Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms established: The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms was enacted as part of the Constitution Act, 1982, and came into force on April 17, 1982. This Charter guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms to all individuals in Canada, including freedom of expression, the right to a fair trial, and protection against discrimination. It serves as a cornerstone of Canadian democracy, ensuring that laws and policies align with these fundamental rights. source: canada.ca
- 19 Apr Rosie Ruiz Marathon Fraud Arrest: Rosie Ruiz was arrested for forgery related to her fraudulent claims of winning the Boston Marathon, exposing a significant cheating scandal in competitive running.
- 07 May NFL violated antitrust laws by blocking Raiders' move to Los Angeles: On May 7, 1982, a jury found that the NFL violated federal antitrust laws by preventing the Oakland Raiders from relocating to the Los Angeles Coliseum. The jury determined that the league's Rule 4.3, requiring a three-quarters majority vote for franchise moves, unreasonably restricted competition. This decision led to the Raiders' relocation to Los Angeles for the 1982 season. source: washingtonpost.com
- 18 May Reverend Sun Myung Moon convicted of tax evasion: On May 18, 1982, Reverend Sun Myung Moon, founder of the Unification Church, was convicted in U.S. District Court for failing to report $162,000 in income to the Internal Revenue Service. The jury found him guilty on four counts of filing false tax returns and conspiracy. Moon faced a maximum prison sentence of 14 years and a fine of up to $25,000. His chief aide, Takeru Kamiyama, was also found guilty on multiple charges. Both defendants planned to appeal the verdict. source: washingtonpost.com
- 19 May Sophia Loren jailed for tax evasion: On May 19, 1982, Italian actress Sophia Loren voluntarily returned to Italy to serve a 30-day prison sentence for tax evasion. The conviction stemmed from her failure to declare approximately $180,000 in taxable income for the years 1963 and 1964. Loren served 17 days of the sentence before being released under a 'semi-liberty' regime, allowing her to leave jail during the day and return at night. She attributed the oversight to an error by her tax consultant. source: washingtonpost.com
- 15 Jun Plyler v. Doe: Supreme Court rules on education rights for undocumented children: On June 15, 1982, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in Plyler v. Doe, ruling that the state of Texas violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment by denying funding for the education of undocumented immigrant children. The Court held that all children, regardless of their immigration status, are entitled to a free public education from kindergarten through 12th grade. This decision emphasized the importance of education in enabling individuals to contribute to society and the nation. source: tshaonline.org
- 18 Jun Senate approves extension of Voting Rights Act: On June 18, 1982, the U.S. Senate voted 85-8 to extend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 for 25 years, ensuring continued protections against discriminatory voting practices. This bipartisan decision followed extensive debates and was supported by civil rights organizations advocating for the Act's renewal. President Ronald Reagan praised the Senate's action, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding every American's right to vote. source: reaganlibrary.gov
- 21 Jun John Hinckley Jr. found not guilty by reason of insanity: On June 21, 1982, John Hinckley Jr. was acquitted of all charges related to the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan, as a jury determined he was not guilty by reason of insanity. The verdict led to his commitment to St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, D.C., where he remained until his release in 2016. source: washingtonpost.com
- 23 Jun Intelligence Identities Protection Act passed: The Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982 was enacted on June 23, 1982, making it a federal crime to knowingly disclose the identity of a covert U.S. intelligence agent. The law imposes penalties of up to ten years in prison and fines up to $50,000 for individuals with authorized access to classified information who intentionally reveal such identities. It also criminalizes the disclosure of covert agents' identities by individuals without authorized access if their actions are intended to impair U.S. foreign intelligence activities. source: intelligence.senate.gov
- 24 Jun US Supreme Court rules on presidential immunity: On June 24, 1982, the US Supreme Court ruled in Nixon v. Fitzgerald that a sitting president is entitled to absolute immunity from civil lawsuits for actions taken while in office. This landmark decision established that the president cannot be sued for official conduct, reinforcing the principle of separation of powers and the need for presidential independence in decision-making. source: supremecourt.gov
- 25 Jun Greece Ends Military Recruit Head Shaving: Greece abolished the traditional practice of head shaving for military recruits, signaling a modernization of military practices and potentially improving recruit morale and individual dignity.
- 28 Jun San Francisco approves handgun ban: On June 28, 1982, San Francisco's Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance making it illegal for most people to own or carry a handgun within the city limits. The ban, signed by Mayor Dianne Feinstein, imposed penalties of up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine for violations. Exemptions included police officers, military personnel, and certain licensed individuals. source: upi.com
- 29 Jun President Reagan signs extension of Voting Rights Act: On June 29, 1982, President Ronald Reagan signed the Voting Rights Act Amendments, extending key provisions of the 1965 Act for 25 years. The extension included the Section 5 preclearance requirement and the bilingual election provisions, aiming to continue protections against discriminatory voting practices. The legislation passed Congress with strong bipartisan support, reflecting a collective commitment to safeguarding voting rights.
- 30 Jun Equal Rights Amendment fails to achieve necessary ratifications by deadline: On June 30, 1982, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) expired without obtaining the required ratifications from three-fourths of U.S. states. Despite an extension of the original deadline from 1979 to 1982, the amendment fell three states short of the 38 needed for adoption. This marked the conclusion of the ERA's ratification efforts, as it was no longer pending before the states. source: heritage.org
- 15 Jul Geoffrey Arthur Prime charged under Official Secrets Act: On July 15, 1982, Geoffrey Arthur Prime was charged under Section 1 of the Official Secrets Act 1911. Prime, a former Royal Air Force member and Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) employee, was accused of passing sensitive information to the Soviet Union. He had resigned from GCHQ in September 1977 and was not employed in the public service at the time of his arrest. source: api.parliament.uk
- 16 Jul Sun Myung Moon sentenced to 18 months for tax fraud: On July 16, 1982, Rev. Sun Myung Moon, founder of the Unification Church, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined $25,000 after being convicted of tax fraud. The charges included failing to report $112,000 in interest income and $50,000 in corporate stock. Moon served 13 months of his sentence before being released on good behavior. source: washingtonpost.com
- 21 Jul Roberto Calvi's death ruled a suicide: On July 21, 1982, Roberto Calvi, an Italian banker, was found dead in London. His death was ruled a suicide, though it sparked widespread controversy and speculation. source: theguardian.com
- 17 Aug Joseph Paul Franklin acquitted in Vernon Jordan shooting case: On August 17, 1982, a federal jury in South Bend, Indiana, acquitted Joseph Paul Franklin of charges related to the 1980 shooting of civil rights leader Vernon Jordan. Despite Franklin's alleged confessions and circumstantial evidence, the jury found insufficient proof to convict him under federal civil rights laws. Franklin, an avowed racist, had previously been convicted of other racially motivated crimes. source: csmonitor.com
- 01 Sep Maximum Speedometer Reading Mandated at 85 mph: The United States government mandated that vehicle speedometers could not display speeds higher than 85 miles per hour, reflecting safety concerns and fuel efficiency standards of the early 1980s.
- 29 Oct John DeLorean indicted on drug trafficking charges: On October 29, 1982, a federal grand jury indicted automaker John DeLorean on charges of financing a $24 million cocaine deal. DeLorean, former General Motors vice president, was arrested earlier that month in Los Angeles after agreeing to fund the operation in an attempt to salvage his financially troubled DeLorean Motor Company. He was released on $10 million bail and pleaded not guilty to the charges. source: upi.com
- 05 Nov Mercury Morris convicted on drug charges: Former Miami Dolphins running back Eugene 'Mercury' Morris was convicted on charges of cocaine trafficking, possession, and conspiracy. The jury deliberated for about three hours before reaching a verdict. Morris faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison for the trafficking conviction, with a maximum possible sentence of 40 years. He was acquitted on two counts of selling cocaine. source: washingtonpost.com
- 07 Dec First execution by lethal injection in the United States: On December 7, 1982, Charles Brooks Jr. was executed by lethal injection in Huntsville, Texas, marking the first use of this method in the U.S. Brooks had been convicted of the 1976 murder of auto mechanic David Gregory. The execution utilized a single intravenous injection of sodium pentothal, a barbiturate known for its sedative properties. This method was adopted by Texas as a more humane alternative to previous execution methods such as electrocution, gas chamber, and hanging. source: sll.texas.gov
- 09 Dec William Hurt and Mary Beth Hurt divorce finalized: Actor William Hurt and actress Mary Beth Hurt finalized their divorce on December 9, 1982, after 11 years of marriage. The couple had been separated for four years prior to the divorce. Their relationship ended amid Hurt's involvement with Sandra Jennings, with whom he had a son, Alexander. source: upi.com
- 15 Dec Roy Lee Williams and associates convicted of bribery: On December 15, 1982, Roy Lee Williams, interim president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and four others were convicted of conspiring to bribe Senator Howard W. Cannon to oppose trucking deregulation legislation. The scheme involved offering Cannon a 5.8-acre tract of land at a reduced price in exchange for his support. Williams was sentenced to 55 years in prison on March 31, 1983, and resigned from his position on April 14, 1983. source: washingtonpost.com
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