All Law & Courts
Planned Parenthood victory: Supreme Court turns away abortion caseAn Indiana measure, which a lower court had already blocked, would have prohibited Medicaid funding for health providers like Planned Parenthood. The US Supreme Court declined the abortion case Tuesday.
Court smacks down Joe Arpaio: Turning point for 'America's toughest sheriff?'A federal court found that Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio systematically violated the constitutional rights of immigrants through 'saturation' sweeps targeting Hispanics.
Would a US 'drone court' to authorize drone strikes be a good idea?President Obama this week tentatively opened the door to the establishment of a drone court, to provide greater accountability for drone strikes on Al Qaeda affiliates abroad. The idea is drawing mixed reviews.
Obama renews push to close Guantánamo military prisonWhen he took office, President Obama pledged to close the military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. But Congress and much of the public are against such a proposal for the remaining 166 detainees.
Trayvon Martin texts, photos: Might they change Zimmerman trial?Trayvon Martin texts, photos – all unflattering – were posted online Thursday by George Zimmerman's defense team. They may yet be ruled inadmissible in court. But they are already making the rounds in the court of public opinion, ahead of Zimmerman's murder trial.
Death penalty reprieve in Colorado: what it could mean for James HolmesColorado Gov. Hickenlooper called off the execution of a death row inmate, firing up the death penalty debate and potentially complicating the prosecution of alleged Aurora shooter James Holmes.
Court to hear case on whether Obamacare violates religious libertiesThe federal appeals court in Denver is set to hear arguments Thursday on whether the Obama health-care law can compel business owners to violate 'sincerely held religious beliefs.'
'Stop and frisk': 7 questions about New York's controversial policing tactic A federal judge has declared the New York Police Department’s 'stop and frisk' program to be unconstitutional, and new Mayor Bill de Blasio disavows it. Its use has abated under returned Police Commissioner William Bratton, but the fight over it continues. What is it, and does it work?- Are prayers before public meetings OK? Supreme Court to decide.
Officials in Greece, N.Y., set up a system for prayers before town meetings. The US Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine whether the practice violates the First Amendment's separation of church and state.
New Orleans parade shooting: Arrests show city's reworked approach to policingThe arrests of two brothers after a Mother’s Day parade shooting appear to be an example of the dramatic shift in gang-war policing that New Orleans has made under Mayor Mitch Landrieu.
US loses track of terrorists in witness protection: Poor data sharing blamedThe Justice Department inspector general found 'significant deficiencies' in the handling of known or suspected terrorists under the federal government's witness protection program.
Jodi Arias trial: Does her statement about wanting death penalty factor in?The death penalty phase of the Jodi Arias trial began on Thursday. Jurors aren't supposed to watch news coverage of the case, but experts say information from it often filters in.
Why O.J. Simpson was so eager to take stand in new trialO.J. Simpson wants a new trial to reconsider his 2008 conviction on charges of armed robbery and kidnapping, saying he was misled by a bad lawyer. It's a common problem, legal experts say.
When Minnesota approves gay marriage, does Supreme Court listen? Maybe.Minnesota on Tuesday became the third state in two weeks to legalize gay marriage. According to one exchange at the Supreme Court earlier this year, that's exactly why the justices shouldn't get involved.
Will government probe of AP phone records cost Eric Holder his job?Attorney General Eric Holder has alienated Republicans before. But the Justice Department's seizure of AP phone records is generating bipartisan concern.
Minnesota governor expected to sign same-sex marriage billThe Minnesota state Senate passed a bill to legalize same-sex marriage Monday. If the governor signs it, Minnesota will become the 12th state to sanction gay marriage.
James Holmes insanity defense: Judge sees 'good cause' to allow plea changeLawyers for accused Aurora movie theater shooter James Holmes said he is mentally ill, justifying a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. The judge said he would decide this month whether to accept the plea change.
Farmers cannot replicate Monsanto seeds for second crop, Supreme Court rulesThe Supreme Court ruled against an Indiana farmer who sought to cut the planting cost of his soybean crop by relying on subsequent generations of a patented Monsanto herbicide-resistant seed.
Is smoking in public park a constitutional right? Supreme Court refuses caseArthur Gallagher, a smoker, challenged a ban on lighting up in city buildings, parks, and playgrounds in Clayton, Mo. The Supreme Court turned away the case Monday.
Cleveland kidnappings: Was Ariel Castro record of abuse a red flag?What if Ariel Castro’s past record of domestic violence had resulted in legal action? Could it have led authorities to discover that he was holding three women in his house? Could it have prevented the kidnappings?
