1998 Law & Justice Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1998 Law & Justice Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 06 Jan Alan Eagleson pleads guilty to fraud: Alan Eagleson, a former hockey agent, pleaded guilty to fraud charges in 1998. His actions led to significant legal repercussions and impacted the sports community, particularly in hockey. source: theglobeandmail.com
- 09 Jan Mo Vaughn Legal Proceedings: Boston Red Sox player Mo Vaughn appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to charges of driving under the influence, a legal matter that attracted media scrutiny.
- 14 Jan Bank robbery at World Trade Center: On January 14, 1998, a group of criminals executed a bank robbery at the Bank of America branch located in the World Trade Center, New York City, stealing $1.6 million. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 17 Jan Clinton testifies in Paula Jones sexual harassment case: On January 17, 1998, President Bill Clinton provided over four hours of sworn testimony in the sexual harassment lawsuit filed by Paula Jones. Jones alleged that in 1991, while Clinton was governor of Arkansas, he exposed himself and made unwanted sexual advances toward her in a hotel room. Clinton denied the allegations, stating he did not recall meeting Jones. This deposition marked the first time a sitting president testified in a civil case against him. source: washingtonpost.com
- 22 Jan Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski pleads guilty: On January 22, 1998, Theodore J. Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, pleaded guilty to all federal charges against him in a Sacramento, California, courtroom. This plea acknowledged his responsibility for a 17-year campaign of package bombings that resulted in three deaths and numerous injuries. As part of the plea agreement, Kaczynski was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. source: washingtonpost.com
- 30 Jan Ricky Sanderson Executed: Ricky Sanderson, convicted of stabbing a 16-year-old girl in North Carolina, was executed at the age of 38, marking a significant moment in the state's criminal justice system.
- 03 Feb Karla Faye Tucker executed in Texas: On February 3, 1998, Karla Faye Tucker was executed by lethal injection in Texas, becoming the first woman executed in the state since 1863. Her case drew international attention and sparked debates over the death penalty. source: nytimes.com
- 05 Feb Domestic Harassment Conviction: Alberto Acciarito was convicted of harassing his ex-wife, Ingrid Rossellini, highlighting ongoing issues of domestic conflict and legal consequences.
- 10 Feb Maine voters repeal gay rights law in referendum: On February 10, 1998, Maine voters repealed a law that had prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing, and public accommodations. The repeal was supported by 51.5% of voters, making Maine the first state to overturn such a statute. Conservative groups led the campaign against the law, arguing it granted "special rights" to homosexuals. source: washingtonpost.com
- 17 Feb Diane Zamora Murder Conviction: Diane Zamora, a 20-year-old US Naval Academy cadet, was convicted of capital murder in a high-profile criminal case that shocked the military community.
- 23 Feb Supreme Court upholds Megan's Law: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a constitutional challenge to New Jersey's Megan's Law, which requires authorities to notify communities about convicted sex offenders. The court's decision affirmed the law's constitutionality, allowing its provisions to remain in effect. source: washingtonpost.com
- 04 Mar Supreme Court landmark decision on same-sex sexual harassment: On March 4, 1998, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a landmark case regarding same-sex sexual harassment in the workplace. This decision established that sexual harassment laws apply regardless of the genders involved, marking a significant advancement in workplace rights. source: scotusblog.com
- 17 Mar Democratic Fund-Raiser Pleads Guilty in Campaign Finance Scandal: An unnamed Democratic fund-raiser entered a guilty plea related to charges in a campaign finance scandal, highlighting ongoing issues of financial impropriety in political fundraising.
- 01 Apr Paula Jones sexual harassment case dismissed: On April 1, 1998, U.S. District Judge Susan Webber Wright dismissed Paula Jones's sexual harassment lawsuit against President Bill Clinton, ruling that the allegations did not meet the legal standards for sexual harassment under Arkansas law. source: news.bbc.co.uk
- 02 Apr Paula Jones lawsuit dismissed: On April 2, 1998, a federal judge dismissed the sexual harassment lawsuit filed by Paula Jones against then-President Bill Clinton. The ruling was significant in the context of the ongoing investigations into Clinton's conduct. source: nytimes.com
- 24 Apr Rwanda Public Executions of Genocide Convicts: On April 24, 1998, Rwanda conducted public executions of individuals convicted for their roles in the 1994 genocide. These executions were part of the country's efforts to seek justice and reconciliation after the mass atrocities that resulted in the deaths of approximately 800,000 people. source: bbc.co.uk
- 04 May Theodore Kaczynski sentenced for Unabomber crimes: On May 4, 1998, Theodore Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for his series of bombings. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 18 May United States v. Microsoft antitrust lawsuit filed: On May 18, 1998, the United States government filed an antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft Corporation, alleging that the company engaged in anti-competitive practices to maintain its monopoly in the software market. This landmark case had significant implications for the technology industry and antitrust law. source: justice.gov
- 22 May Murray Gleeson appointed Chief Justice of Australia: On May 22, 1998, Murray Gleeson was appointed as the Chief Justice of Australia, succeeding Sir Anthony Mason. Gleeson, who had a distinguished legal career, played a crucial role in shaping Australian law during his tenure. source: theguardian.com
- 04 Jun Terry Nichols sentenced for Oklahoma City bombing: On June 4, 1998, Terry Nichols was sentenced to life in prison without parole for his role in the Oklahoma City bombing that killed 168 people. This sentencing followed his earlier conviction for conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction. The bombing remains one of the deadliest acts of domestic terrorism in U.S. history. source: nbcnews.com
- 07 Jun James Byrd Jr. Hate Crime Murder: On June 7, 1998, James Byrd Jr., an African American man, was brutally murdered in Jasper, Texas. He was chained to a pickup truck and dragged for three miles, leading to his death. The crime drew national attention and intensified discussions on racial violence in the United States. source: nytimes.com
- 13 Jun Starr inquiry leak controversy: The Starr inquiry leak controversy emerged on June 13, 1998, involving the unauthorized disclosure of information related to the investigation of President Bill Clinton. This incident raised significant concerns about privacy and the integrity of the investigation. source: washingtonpost.com
- 25 Jun Supreme Court strikes down line item veto: On June 25, 1998, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Clinton v. City of New York that the line item veto, which allowed the President to veto specific provisions of a bill, was unconstitutional. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 09 Jul IRS reform legislation passed by Congress: On July 9, 1998, Congress passed significant reform legislation aimed at improving the Internal Revenue Service's operations and taxpayer services. This legislation was part of ongoing efforts to modernize the IRS and enhance its accountability. source: congress.gov
- 11 Jul Secret Service Testimony in Clinton Inquiry: A U.S. appeals court ruled that Secret Service officials must testify before a grand jury regarding their knowledge of the Clinton-Lewinsky relationship, representing a significant legal challenge to presidential privilege.
- 13 Jul Court mandates Secret Service testimony in Clinton-Lewinsky scandal: On July 13, 1998, a federal judge ruled that Secret Service agents must testify in the investigation of President Bill Clinton's relationship with Monica Lewinsky. This decision was a pivotal moment in the scandal, which ultimately led to Clinton's impeachment. The ruling underscored the legal complexities surrounding presidential privilege and the limits of confidentiality. source: nytimes.com
- 17 Jul International Criminal Court established: The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established on July 17, 1998, with the adoption of the Rome Statute. This landmark treaty aimed to prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, marking a significant development in international law. source: icc-cpi.int
- 24 Jul US Senate internet gambling ban: On July 24, 1998, the U.S. Senate passed a bill aimed at banning internet gambling. This legislation was part of a broader effort to regulate online gaming and address concerns about its impact on society. source: nytimes.com
- 31 Jul United Kingdom Bans Land Mines: On July 31, 1998, the United Kingdom announced a ban on the use of land mines, aligning with international efforts to eliminate these weapons. This decision was part of a broader movement towards disarmament and humanitarian concerns regarding the impact of land mines on civilian populations. source: gov.uk
- 12 Aug Swiss banks agree to $1.25 billion Holocaust reparations settlement: On August 12, 1998, Swiss banks UBS and Credit Suisse agreed to pay $1.25 billion to settle claims by Holocaust survivors and their heirs. The settlement aimed to compensate victims whose assets were seized or remained in Swiss banks during World War II. The funds were to be distributed over three years, with the first installment of $250 million due within 90 days. source: washingtonpost.com
- 22 Aug Supreme Court Considers KKK Cross Burning Case: On August 22, 1998, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case involving the constitutionality of cross burning by the Ku Klux Klan. The case would address whether cross burning constitutes protected free speech or is considered a form of intimidation and hate speech. source: cnn.com
- 02 Sep Jean-Paul Akayesu convicted of genocide: On September 2, 1998, Jean-Paul Akayesu became the first person to be convicted of genocide by an international tribunal. His conviction was based on his role in the Rwandan genocide of 1994, where he was found guilty of inciting and committing acts of genocide. source: icc-cpi.int
- 01 Oct Europol officially established: Europol, the European Union's law enforcement agency, was officially established on October 1, 1998, to assist in the prevention and investigation of serious international crime. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 07 Oct Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act: The Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act was signed into law, extending copyright terms in the United States. This legislation added 20 years to the duration of copyrights, affecting works created after 1978. It aimed to align U.S. copyright law with international standards. source: copyright.gov
- 12 Oct Digital Millennium Copyright Act Passed: On October 12, 1998, the United States Congress passed the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, updating copyright laws to address digital media and online content. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 23 Oct Murder of Dr. Barnett Slepian: On October 23, 1998, Dr. Barnett Slepian, an obstetrician-gynecologist who provided abortion services, was fatally shot through his kitchen window at his home in Amherst, New York. The sniper, later identified as James Kopp, fired from a wooded area behind the house, killing Dr. Slepian in front of his family. Kopp was convicted of second-degree murder in 2003 and is serving a life sentence. source: washingtonpost.com
- 29 Oct South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report: The Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa presents its comprehensive report, which provides a critical examination of the apartheid era. The report condemns atrocities committed by both sides, representing a significant step towards national healing and accountability.
- 05 Nov Myra Hindley loses appeal: Myra Hindley, one of the infamous Moors murderers, lost her appeal against her life sentence. This decision was part of ongoing discussions about her role in the murders and her attempts for parole. source: bbc.com
- 09 Nov United Kingdom abolishes death penalty: On November 9, 1998, the United Kingdom officially abolished the death penalty for all crimes. This decision marked a significant milestone in the country's legal history and reflected a broader trend towards the abolition of capital punishment in Europe. source: bbc.com
- 12 Nov Chicago lawsuit against firearms industry: On November 12, 1998, the city of Chicago filed a lawsuit against the firearms industry, seeking to hold manufacturers accountable for gun violence. This legal action was part of a broader movement to address gun control issues in the United States. source: nytimes.com
- 13 Nov Clinton settles Paula Jones lawsuit: On November 13, 1998, President Bill Clinton reached a settlement in the sexual harassment lawsuit filed by Paula Jones, a former Arkansas state employee. The settlement was for $850,000, and Clinton did not admit any wrongdoing as part of the agreement. source: nytimes.com
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