Jeralyn Merritt
Encyclopedia
Jeralyn Elise Merritt is an American
criminal defense attorney
who practices in Denver, Colorado
. In 1996 and 1997 she served as one of the principal trial lawyers for Timothy McVeigh
in the Oklahoma City bombing
case. In 2002 Merritt founded and is the principal author of the blog
TalkLeft: The Politics of Crime. She has also served as a legal commentator on news programs.
, in New Rochelle, New York
, Merritt attended Case Western Reserve University
before transferring to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
, where she majored in political science and earned a B.A.
in 1971. In 1973 she earned a J.D.
degree from the University of Denver
Law School, returning there to teach "Wrongful Convictions" and "Criminal Defense" as Lecturer in Law from 2000 to 2003.
in Colorado, and in 1981 she was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court
. She is also a member of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
, and since 1996 has served as a member of the LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell
Legal Advisory Board.
In 1996 and 1997 she served as one of six principal trial lawyers for Timothy McVeigh
in the Oklahoma City bombing
case, after the court venue moved to Denver. In 1995 she received the first annual Marshall Stern Award for Outstanding Legislative Achievement, from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
(NACDL), for which she has served as a member of the Board of Directors (1995–2001), secretary
(2002–2003) and treasurer (2003–2004), as the vice-chair of NACDL's Innocence Project
from 1998 to 2002 and on other committees.
Since 1996, Merritt has continued her own criminal defense practice emphasizing federal drug and white collar crimes and has served as a legal analyst for and commentator on television news programs. She served as a television legal analyst for MSNBC
(1997–1999) and continues as a guest legal commentator on television for NBC
, MSNBC, CNBC
, CNN
, Court TV
and Fox News, presenting her perspective as a criminal defense attorney on contemporary legal cases being covered on national media news programs. Merritt is also a specialist in the use of the internet as a legal research resource and presents seminars and speeches on its use in investigation, on handwriting analysis, and on other matters pertaining to her legal specialties.
Online in 2007.
Merritt covered the United States v. Libby
trial on TalkLeft, and with Jane Hamsher
and Marcy Wheeler
, was among the first bloggers to receive fully accredited media passes to a U.S. federal trial and during which they also appeared on PoliticsTV.com for a round up summarizing each day's trial events. Her blog posts on the Lewis "Scooter" Libby
trial appeared in FireDogLake and The Huffington Post
. On August 2, 2007, Merritt moderated a panel discussion at the 2007 YearlyKos Convention, featuring Christy Hardin Smith of Jane Hamsher
's Firedoglake and Marcy Wheeler
of The Next Hurrah, relating their experiences "liveblogging" the Libby trial. The panel also included Sheldon L. Snook, Chief of Staff to the Chief Judge
of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia
, who was "the court official in charge of news media at the Libby trial."
TalkLeft was accredited as a national blog at the 2008 Democratic National Convention
, held in Denver, Colorado
, from August 25 through 28, 2008, posting photographs of celebrities from both the Pepsi Center
and various other convention venues in Denver and cross-links to other bloggers' reports and photographs.
Merritt has blogged at The Huffington Post
and for Elevated Voices, published in 5280: Denver's Mile High Magazine, and for Eric Alterman
's Altercation. She has also occasionally served as a guest columnist for newspapers such as the Rocky Mountain News
and as a guest moderator for online chats on legal issues for The Washington Post
. Merritt has also featured in a number of online videos and podcasts in which she discusses legal and political issues, such as the Libby trial, the Dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy
, and Hillary Clinton.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
criminal defense attorney
Criminal defense lawyer
A criminal defense lawyer is a lawyer specializing in the defense of individuals and companies charged with criminal conduct. Criminal defense lawyers can be permanently employed by the various jurisdictions with criminal courts. Such lawyers are often called public defenders. For a much more...
who practices in Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
. In 1996 and 1997 she served as one of the principal trial lawyers for Timothy McVeigh
Timothy McVeigh
Timothy James McVeigh was a United States Army veteran and security guard who detonated a truck bomb in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995...
in the Oklahoma City bombing
Oklahoma City bombing
The Oklahoma City bombing was a terrorist bomb attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995. It was the most destructive act of terrorism on American soil until the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Oklahoma blast claimed 168 lives, including 19...
case. In 2002 Merritt founded and is the principal author of the blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
TalkLeft: The Politics of Crime. She has also served as a legal commentator on news programs.
Education
A 1967 graduate of New Rochelle High SchoolNew Rochelle High School
New Rochelle High School is a public high school, comprising grades 9 through 12, in New Rochelle, New York, operated by the City School District of New Rochelle. NRHS serves over 3,300 students; offering more than 240 courses, including honors, research and advanced placement courses.NRHS...
, in New Rochelle, New York
New Rochelle, New York
New Rochelle is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States, in the southeastern portion of the state.The town was settled by refugee Huguenots in 1688 who were fleeing persecution in France...
, Merritt attended Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University is a private research university located in Cleveland, Ohio, USA...
before transferring to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, where she majored in political science and earned a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1971. In 1973 she earned a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
degree from the University of Denver
University of Denver
The University of Denver is currently ranked 82nd among all public and private "National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report in the 2012 rankings....
Law School, returning there to teach "Wrongful Convictions" and "Criminal Defense" as Lecturer in Law from 2000 to 2003.
Career
In 1974 Merritt was admitted to the BarBar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
in Colorado, and in 1981 she was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
. She is also a member of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
The Colorado Criminal Defense Bar is a professional association of attorneys, investigators, and paralegals who represent persons accused of crime. The CCDB was created and established by attorneys Michael F. DiManna, Harold A. Haddon, Gary M. Jackson, Bryan Morgan, and the Honorable Peter H...
, and since 1996 has served as a member of the LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell
LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell
-History:The 140-year history of Martindale-Hubbell begins with two separate publications:The Martindale DirectoryThe Martindale Directory was first published in 1868 by James B. Martindale, a lawyer and businessman...
Legal Advisory Board.
In 1996 and 1997 she served as one of six principal trial lawyers for Timothy McVeigh
Timothy McVeigh
Timothy James McVeigh was a United States Army veteran and security guard who detonated a truck bomb in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995...
in the Oklahoma City bombing
Oklahoma City bombing
The Oklahoma City bombing was a terrorist bomb attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995. It was the most destructive act of terrorism on American soil until the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Oklahoma blast claimed 168 lives, including 19...
case, after the court venue moved to Denver. In 1995 she received the first annual Marshall Stern Award for Outstanding Legislative Achievement, from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers is an American criminal defense organization. Their stated mission is to "Ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crime. Foster the integrity, independence and expertise of the criminal defense profession...
(NACDL), for which she has served as a member of the Board of Directors (1995–2001), secretary
Secretary
A secretary, or administrative assistant, is a person whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, communication & organizational skills. These functions may be entirely carried out to assist one other employee or may be for the benefit...
(2002–2003) and treasurer (2003–2004), as the vice-chair of NACDL's Innocence Project
Innocence Project
An Innocence Project is one of a number of non-profit legal organizations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand dedicated to proving the innocence of wrongly convicted people through the use of DNA testing, and to reforming the criminal justice systems to...
from 1998 to 2002 and on other committees.
Since 1996, Merritt has continued her own criminal defense practice emphasizing federal drug and white collar crimes and has served as a legal analyst for and commentator on television news programs. She served as a television legal analyst for MSNBC
MSNBC
MSNBC is a cable news channel based in the United States available in the US, Germany , South Africa, the Middle East and Canada...
(1997–1999) and continues as a guest legal commentator on television for NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
, MSNBC, CNBC
CNBC
CNBC is a satellite and cable television business news channel in the U.S., owned and operated by NBCUniversal. The network and its international spinoffs cover business headlines and provide live coverage of financial markets. The combined reach of CNBC and its siblings is 390 million viewers...
, CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
, Court TV
Court TV
truTV is an American cable television network owned by Turner Broadcasting, a subsidiary of Time Warner. The network launched as Court TV in 1991, changing to truTV in 2008...
and Fox News, presenting her perspective as a criminal defense attorney on contemporary legal cases being covered on national media news programs. Merritt is also a specialist in the use of the internet as a legal research resource and presents seminars and speeches on its use in investigation, on handwriting analysis, and on other matters pertaining to her legal specialties.
Websites, blogs, podcasts and online publications
Merritt is the creator of CrimeLynx, an online legal resource for legal professionals and the general public, and a blog called TalkLeft: The Politics of Crime, which is a three-time winner of a Koufax Award for best single-issue blog in 2002, 2003 and 2004 (in 2004 TalkLeft shared the award with Grits for Breakfast), and a 2006 winner of the Weblog Awards for "The Best of the Top 250 Blogs". TalkLeft became one of the blogs featured in "The Ruckus" section at NewsweekNewsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
Online in 2007.
Merritt covered the United States v. Libby
United States v. Libby
United States of America v. I. Lewis Libby, also known as "Scooter Libby" is the federal trial of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, a former high-ranking official in the George W. Bush administration....
trial on TalkLeft, and with Jane Hamsher
Jane Hamsher
Jane Hamsher is a US film producer, author, and blogger best known as the author of Killer Instinct, a memoir about co-producing the 1994 movie Natural Born Killers with Don Murphy and others, and as the founder and publisher of the politically progressive blog FireDogLake...
and Marcy Wheeler
Marcy Wheeler
Marcy Wheeler is an American blogger who wrote in The Next Hurrah prior to contributing primarily to Jane Hamsher's FireDogLake , between early December 2007 and July 2011....
, was among the first bloggers to receive fully accredited media passes to a U.S. federal trial and during which they also appeared on PoliticsTV.com for a round up summarizing each day's trial events. Her blog posts on the Lewis "Scooter" Libby
Lewis Libby
I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby is a former adviser to Vice President Dick Cheney, later disbarred and convicted of a felony....
trial appeared in FireDogLake and The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post is an American news website and content-aggregating blog founded by Arianna Huffington, Kenneth Lerer, and Jonah Peretti, featuring liberal minded columnists and various news sources. The site offers coverage of politics, theology, media, business, entertainment, living, style,...
. On August 2, 2007, Merritt moderated a panel discussion at the 2007 YearlyKos Convention, featuring Christy Hardin Smith of Jane Hamsher
Jane Hamsher
Jane Hamsher is a US film producer, author, and blogger best known as the author of Killer Instinct, a memoir about co-producing the 1994 movie Natural Born Killers with Don Murphy and others, and as the founder and publisher of the politically progressive blog FireDogLake...
's Firedoglake and Marcy Wheeler
Marcy Wheeler
Marcy Wheeler is an American blogger who wrote in The Next Hurrah prior to contributing primarily to Jane Hamsher's FireDogLake , between early December 2007 and July 2011....
of The Next Hurrah, relating their experiences "liveblogging" the Libby trial. The panel also included Sheldon L. Snook, Chief of Staff to the Chief Judge
Chief judge
Chief Judge is a title that can refer to the highest-ranking judge of a court that has more than one judge. The meaning and usage of the term vary from one court system to another...
of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia
United States District Court for the District of Columbia
The United States District Court for the District of Columbia is a federal district court. Appeals from the District are taken to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit The United States District Court for the District of Columbia (in case citations, D.D.C.) is a...
, who was "the court official in charge of news media at the Libby trial."
TalkLeft was accredited as a national blog at the 2008 Democratic National Convention
2008 Democratic National Convention
The United States 2008 Democratic National Convention was a quadrennial presidential nominating convention of the Democratic Party where it adopted its national platform and officially nominated its candidates for President and Vice President of the United States. The convention was held in Denver,...
, held in Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, from August 25 through 28, 2008, posting photographs of celebrities from both the Pepsi Center
Pepsi Center
Pepsi Center is a multi-purpose arena in Denver, Colorado, United States. The building is home to the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association, the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League, and the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League...
and various other convention venues in Denver and cross-links to other bloggers' reports and photographs.
Merritt has blogged at The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post is an American news website and content-aggregating blog founded by Arianna Huffington, Kenneth Lerer, and Jonah Peretti, featuring liberal minded columnists and various news sources. The site offers coverage of politics, theology, media, business, entertainment, living, style,...
and for Elevated Voices, published in 5280: Denver's Mile High Magazine, and for Eric Alterman
Eric Alterman
Eric Alterman is an American English teacher, historian, journalist, author, media critic, blogger, and educator. His political weblog named Altercation was hosted by MSNBC.com from 2002 until 2006, moved to Media Matters for America until December 2008, and is now hosted by The...
's Altercation. She has also occasionally served as a guest columnist for newspapers such as the Rocky Mountain News
Rocky Mountain News
The Rocky Mountain News was a daily newspaper published in Denver, Colorado, United States from April 23, 1859, until February 27, 2009. It was owned by the E. W. Scripps Company from 1926 until its closing. As of March 2006, the Monday-Friday circulation was 255,427...
and as a guest moderator for online chats on legal issues for The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
. Merritt has also featured in a number of online videos and podcasts in which she discusses legal and political issues, such as the Libby trial, the Dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy
Dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy
The dismissal of U.S. Attorneys controversy was initiated by the unprecedented midterm dismissal of seven United States Attorneys on December 7, 2006 by the George W. Bush administration's Department of Justice. Congressional investigations focused on whether the Department of Justice and the White...
, and Hillary Clinton.
Publications and filmography
- Merritt , Jeralyn (co-author). USA Patriot Act of 2001: An Analysis, Lexis Nexis Publishing, 2002
- Was Justice Denied?, Merritt appeared as a member of the legal team in a feature-length documentary filmDocumentary filmDocumentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
re-examining two murder cases which the defendants claim resulted in wrongful convictions.
External links
- Crime Lynx – "The Criminal Practitioner's Guide through the Internet" created by Jeralyn Merritt.
- Jeralyn E. Merritt – Firm website
- Jeralyn Merritt – Legal Advisory Board of LexisNexis Martindale-HubbellLexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell-History:The 140-year history of Martindale-Hubbell begins with two separate publications:The Martindale DirectoryThe Martindale Directory was first published in 1868 by James B. Martindale, a lawyer and businessman...
. - TalkLeft: The Politics of Crime – Marritt's blog at "The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news"