United States of America v. Odeh

Filing 2

ORDER granting 1 Motion for admission as Amicus Curiae in support of motion for reconsideration. Signed by District Judge Gershwin A. Drain. (DPer)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
SOUTHERN DIVISION

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff,
Case No. 14-mc-51593
HON. GERSHWIN A. DRAIN

vs.

RASMIEH ODEH,
Defendant.
_____________________________/
ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR ADMISSION AS AMICUS CURIAE IN SUPPORT
OF MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION [#1]
Presently before the Court is the National Lawyers Guild’s (“NLJ”) Motion for Admission
as Amicus Curiae in Support of Defendant’s Motion for Reconsideration, filed on November 20,
2014. This Court has broad discretion in determining whether to allow admission as an amicus to
assist the court. Northern Sec. Co. v. United States, 191 U.S. 555 (1903); United States v. Michigan,
940 F.2d 143, 165 (6th Cir. 1991). Factors that warrant the granting of a motion to appear as an
amicus include findings that “the proffered information of amicus is timely, useful, or otherwise
necessary to the administration of justice.” United States v. Michigan, 940 F.2d at 165.
In light of these factors, the Court concludes that the NLJ”s participation as an amicus is
warranted. While the Government objects to the NLJ’s participation as an amicus on the theory that
this Court lacks the authority to authorize such participation in a criminal action, the Court has been
unable to locate any authority supporting the Government’s position.

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Accordingly, the NLJ’s Motion for Admission as Amicus Curiae in Support of Motion for
Reconsideration [#1] is GRANTED. The NLJ is directed to file its amicus brief in case number 1320772, United States v. Odeh, no later than December 3, 2014. The Clerk of the Court is hereby
directed to CLOSE the instant action.
SO ORDERED.
Dated: December 2, 2014

/s/Gershwin A Drain___________
GERSHWIN A. DRAIN
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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