Illinois lawmakers pass bill banning sale of violent or explicit video games to minors News
Illinois lawmakers pass bill banning sale of violent or explicit video games to minors

[JURIST] The Illinois Senate voted Saturday to ban the sale of violent or sexually explicit video games to minors. The Safe Games Act [text], would punish sales clerks who knowingly sell adult video games to minors. A seller could defend itselfs by showing it did not know the buyer was a minor or that it followed the industry ratings on the games. The legislation lets stores determine which games are too violent or sexually explicit for minors. The effort to ban sales of explicit video games to minors has already met opposition in the federal courts, which have ruled that similar laws in other states encroach on the First Amendment. The Illinois bill is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Rod Blagojevich [official website], who has expressed support of the legislation [press release] . AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.