2014 at the 4th Cir.: The 10 Most Popular Blog Posts

In 2013, the theme in the Fourth Circuit was guns: concealed carry, criminal penalties for carrying, etc.

This year? It's all about Virginia: a corrupt governor, malicious prosecution, and penile photography by police officers and prosecutors.

For 2014, here are your Top 10 most popular posts from the Fourth Circuit, folks:

10. Need a Job? 4th Circuit is Hiring Librarians, Chief Staff Attorney.

Wait, there are legal professionals in need of employment? Duh. That must be why this post about two vacancies at the Fourth Circuit got so much attention. And while nine-month-old job ads won't do you much good, we'd remind you to keep an eye on the Fourth Circuit's homepage -- they post openings as they arise.

9. Adios Judge Andre Davis; 2009 Obama Appointee Takes Senior Status.

Only five years after joining the Fourth Circuit bench, Judge Davis took senior status. Find out why this is just as good for the court as it is for Davis, if not more so.

8. 4 From the 4th: SCOTUS Grants Include Pregnancy, Teeth Whitening.

The initial SCOTUS docket included four grants from this circuit. We previewed the cases in a two-part series, starting with a case about pregnancy discrimination and a case about greedy dentists. (Part II is here.)

7. North Carolina Loses 'Choose Life' License Plate Speech Dispute.

The state approved "Choose Life" plates. It declined to issue pro-choice plates. The Fourth Circuit wouldn't let them get away with viewpoint discrimination. (The Supreme Court has granted cert. in a parallel case out of Texas involving Confederate flag plates.)

6. Va.: Photograph Teen's Penis to Get Him Not to Photograph His Penis.

Prosecutors tried to get a warrant to not only photograph a teen's penis, but to forcibly induce an erection by injecting drugs into his penis if need be, all to prosecute him for sexting his girlfriend.

5. The McDonnell Indictment Is Hilariously Good Reading.

Want to read transcripts of a governor peddling snake oil? Or read all about the paper trail of loans and gifts given to that governor by the snake oil's manufacturer?

4. Teen's Controversial Penis Pic Prosecution Spawns Defamation Suit.

The cops and prosecutors came away looking pretty stupid after that teenage penis picture prosecution case. One of them sued the defense attorney, alleging defamation, in a truly novel case.

3. Dist. Court Dismisses Duke Lacrosse Lawsuit Against Nifong Aide.

It's the dying embers of the litigation stemming from the false prosecution of the Duke Lacrosse team for rape.

2. Wolfe Asks SCOTUS to Bar Re-Prosecution Due to Misconduct.

Wolfe's case is an absurd example of prosecutorial misconduct and the courts' inability (especially the federal courts' inability) to effectively do anything about such conduct.

1. That Was Quick: Pamela Harris Nominated for 4th Cir. Vacancy.

How long did it take to fill the seat once occupied by Judge Andre Davis? Nine years. How long did it take to replace him? It was only two months until a nominee was selected. Read all about Judge Pamela Harris here.

What was your favorite post or posts? Tweet us @FindLawLP.

Related Resources:

• 4th Cir. Strikes N.C. 'Informed Consent' Abortion Script for Doctors (FindLaw's U.S. Fourth Circuit Blog)
• Oral Arguments in Warrantless Cell Tower Location Data Requests Case (FindLaw's U.S. Fourth Circuit Blog)
• Important Assault Weapons and Magazine Capacity Law Battle in Md. (FindLaw's U.S. Fourth Circuit Blog)