All Law & Courts
Supreme Court: A new term, a new justice, a blockbuster docketOften between extremes lies a more moderate option. For a number of cases this term, where the U.S. Supreme Court lands on that spectrum could transform American life.
First LookDOJ charges Minnesota nonprofit in $248 million COVID fraud caseIn Minnesota, 48 people were charged by the Department of Justice with a plot to take advantage of COVID-relief funds. The defendants, under the guise of providing food to underprivileged children, are accused of defrauding $250 million.
First LookYeshiva University halts school clubs after high court LGBTQ rulingYeshiva University has abruptly suspended student club activity in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that ordered the school to recognize for now an LGBTQ student group.
First LookJudge overrules 1931 Michigan abortion ban, November vote loomsA Michigan judge has struck down a long-dormant law that criminalized abortion. The Michigan Supreme Court will decide this week whether to add a constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights to the Nov. 8 ballot.
First LookEx-cop who attacked Capitol police officer on Jan. 6 gets 10 yearsA retired New York cop who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, the longest sentence handed down to a rioter so far. The former officer used a metal flagpole to attack law enforcement defending the capitol.
First LookFBI’s document finds prompt question: Did Trump obstruct DOJ probe?In their search of former President Trump’s Florida residence, agents found classified documents not only in the storage room but also in his office. The Department of Justice is investigating whether Mr. Trump’s team intentionally mishandled classified information.
First LookNew York declares Times Square a 'gun free zone' under new banFollowing a Supreme Court decision that undid New York's previous gun control legislation, a new, more limited ban takes effect in the state as officials navigate the balance between residents’ safety and civil liberties.
First LookRioter who came face-to-face with Schumer gets 4+ years in prisonA Maryland Proud Boy associate has just received a four year, seven month sentence for his part in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The man had encountered Sen. Chuck Schumer before a security detail hurried the senator to safety.
The ExplainerHow blue – and red – cities are resisting state abortion lawsAs decisions about the right to abortion return to states, cities are testing their limited leverage against abortion laws.
First LookSalman Rushdie stabbing suspect pleads not guilty to attempted murderDistrict Attorney Jason Schmidt called the attack "preplanned" and alluded to the 1989 fatwa against Mr. Rushdie's life while arguing against bail.
FocusUS is trying to stop mass shootings. How about other gun crimes?For the first time in 30 years, Congress passed bipartisan gun legislation after the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Will it help with the day-to-day violence that causes far more gun deaths?
First LookFederal judge: Ahmaud Arbery's killers get a second life sentenceTravis McMichael and Greg McMichael were sentenced by a U.S. District Court judge to a life sentence Monday for chasing down and killing Ahmaud Arbery whom they wrongfully suspected of burglary. William Bryan, who recorded a video of the event, was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
First LookJury tells Alex Jones to pay Sandy Hook victim's family $4M+A jury ordered conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to pay more than $4 million to parents who lost their child in the Sandy Hook shooting. The award is far less than what the parents sought, but Mr. Jones may still pay millions more in punitive damages and in other lawsuits.
First LookJustice for Breonna? Louisville police officers charged by DOJ.The U.S. Justice Department has charged four Louisville, Kentucky, police officers involved in the deadly Breonna Taylor raid with civil rights violations. Ms. Taylor was shot to death by Louisville officers who had knocked down her door while executing a search warrant.
First LookA reckoning for truth: Alex Jones revokes conspiracy theory in trialParents of a Sandy Hook shooting victim are seeking $150 million in compensation from from far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones who claimed the shooting was a hoax. Mr. Jones now admits the attack was real. The jury began deliberations on Wednesday.
Supreme Court is US ‘decider.’ Here’s how other nations check judiciary.By default, the Supreme Court has become the decider of many U.S. issues. Other nations have different systems that lessen the friction a high court decision can cause.
First LookDepartment of Justice challenges Idaho anti-abortion lawsThe US Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Idaho claiming the state’s anti-abortion laws conflict with a federal law requiring doctors to provide pregnant women with medically necessary treatment that could include abortion.
First LookJan. 6 rioter gets 7 years, longest prison sentence yet by farA Jan. 6 rioter who brought a gun to the Capitol and vowed to personally drag House Speaker Nancy Pelosi out of it has been sentenced to seven years in prison. That’s by far the longest penalty handed down so far to anyone who took part in the attack.
First LookDOJ defends minority homebuyers in Philadelphia from discriminationThe Department of Justice says that a Warren Buffett-owned company avoided offering mortgages in certain areas, blocking African Americans and other minorities from obtaining housing. Now, following a legal settlement, the company will have to make it right.
First LookPenalties for Floyd ex-cops bring hard questions about responsibilityGeorge Floyd’s family members and activists are frustrated over sentences for the ex-cops who took part in Mr. Floyd’s arrest that are shorter than federal guidelines recommend. Yet, a legal expert says even this level of legal responsibility is “groundbreaking.”
