All Law & Courts
Behind the surprising surge of hope for US criminal justice reformCriminal justice reform is something people on the right and left agree is desperately needed but agreed was unlikely to happen. Suddenly, this week, advocates say they have hope again – and an unlikely champion.
First LookIn Florida, felons regain their right to voteOn Nov. 6, Florida voters passed Amendment 4, a measure restoring the voting rights of felons who have served their sentences. "Every community is impacted by this," says Neil Volz of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition.
First LookPrison where Bulger was killed has long history of violenceThree inmates have been killed at the United States Penitentiary Hazelton in West Virginia in the last six months, most recently notorious Massachusetts crime boss James "Whitey" Bulger. Lawmakers, advocates, and correctional officers have warned of the prison's violent culture, but there is no public record of action to address the concerns.
First LookOfficials confront social media monitoring dilemma after Pittsburgh shootingThe suspect in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting posted anti-Semitic rants on social network Gab, and had a neo-Nazi symbol as his cover photo. The discovery has prompted further discussion of what constitutes a threat serious enough for law enforcement action.
First LookUS has no domestic terrorism law: recent events cause some to wonder whyMalicious acts of terror in the US in the past week have renewed a debate about domestic terrorism laws. While some believe domestic terrorism belongs on the same "moral plain" as international terrorism, others worry about civil liberties protection.
First LookGuilty verdicts will help NCAA prosecute unethical recruitment practicesThree men were found guilty of fraud in a federal court for making secret payments to families of top recruits. The verdict gives the NCAA greater ability to enforce its bylaws related to recruitment.
First LookWashington Supreme Court strikes 'racially biased' death penaltyWashington State became the 20th US state to end capital punishment via legislation or a court order after its supreme court declared that racial biases impact who is sentenced to the death penalty.
The ExplainerCash bail: why some call for changesEvery night in the US, about 450,000 people are in jail awaiting trial.
After historic Van Dyke verdict, Chicagoans look to the future
FocusPartisanship and the high court: Can Kavanaugh overcome the hearings?During his first and second hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Judge Brett Kavanaugh showed two distinct sides: a cool-headed umpire and a fiery partisan. The question now is, which one is likely to show up at the Supreme Court?
First LookFor some immigrants, judge ruling is 'light in the dark tunnel'US District Judge Edward Chen granted a request Oct. 3 to block the Trump administration's plans of ending the temporary protected status of some immigrants. For the individuals affected, it's another chance to continue living out their dreams.
First LookFund helps working class women pursue sexual harassment casesWhile the #MeToo movement began with high-profile women in entertainment, media, and politics, the Time's Up Legal Defense Fund is helping everyday women seek legal recourse for sexual harassment.
First LookPolice officer's testimony reveals striking differences in perceptionChicago police officer Jason Van Dyke has testified his version of what happened in October 2014 when he killed Laquan McDonald. A video of the evening's events shows a striking discrepancy between Mr. Van Dyke's perspective and what the video recorded.
The Supreme Court and beyond, how partisan are America's judges?The nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh has exposed questions of judicial partisanship like never before, legal experts say. Judges have never just mechanically applied the law, but is how they use their discretion changing?
First LookCosby case demonstrates complexity of race, gender, and justiceBill Cosby – a once-beloved actor and philanthropist – was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison for a 2004 sexual assault. Some call it the first legal victory of the #MeToo era, while others consider it evidence of racism in the United States' justice system.
Amid debate on prison reform, rising voices from the insideWhen it comes to conditions inside prisons, should prisoners have a voice? That's one of the questions raised by a three-week strike by inmates in more than a dozen states.
Cover StoryIndian territory again? An old Oklahoma murder case spotlights tribal sovereigntyA Supreme Court ruling on one man’s death penalty could embolden claims by Native Americans across the US, affecting states’ control over not only people, but oil and gas lands.
Supreme Court hearings are broken, both parties say. How they can be fixed.Senators of both parties complain that Supreme Court hearings today yield little useful information, with nominees wary of saying anything that might look like prejudging a case. But experts cite past examples that could foster greater insight – and greater civility.
With parking-lot shooting, Florida 'stand your ground' law takes the standWhen is it acceptable for one citizen to take the life of another? That question has erupted anew as Floridians grapple with what constraints, if any, should be placed on the use of force in self-defense.
At Kavanaugh hearings, questions of how much power a president should holdThe question of how much power a president should have has roiled American politics in recent years. The nominee for the Supreme Court comes to the issue from a unique vantage point.
