All Law & Courts
At what point does a racist juror undermine the legal system?The Supreme Court on Tuesday will hear a case that pits the sanctity of juror privacy against concerns about racism.
First LookWhy did sex assault 'Survivors' Bill of Rights' earn bipartisan backing?Although most sexual assault cases are tried in state courts, a new federal law signed Friday could serve as a model for state legislatures.
New weapons policy for Chicago police emphasizes ‘sanctity of life’The new policies come ahead of the release of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) report following an investigation into accusations of systemic racism within the Chicago Police Department.
First LookWhy Mike Pence won’t grant pardon to exonerated Indiana manKeith Cooper was convicted nearly 20 years ago of a crime he didn't commit. Today, he is struggling to feed his family as a forklift operator, a situation he says will not get better after Gov. Mike Pence refused his request for pardon.
First LookBackpage CEO arrested in child trafficking probe: Why the controversy?Carl Ferrer, the chief executive officer of Backpage, was arrested on Thursday on the charge of facilitating the sex trafficking of minors. It's part of a multi-year investigation that has pitted child welfare advocates against proponents of free speech.
Is California's new law a model for curbing prosecutorial misconduct?Prosecutors in California who intentionally withhold or tamper with evidence may now face felony charges as a result of a new law signed by Gov. Jerry Brown last week.
Supreme Court hears 'indefensible' death penalty caseThe racial overtones of a Texas murder case are so blatant that judicial experts doubt the justices will make a broad death penalty ruling.
First LookDid NSA arrest another Edward Snowden? Not quite.Harold Martin was arrested for stealing six highly classified documents, but his motivations remain a mystery to investigators.
With racism case, Supreme Court wades into death penalty debateViews of the death penalty are changing, and a case before the Supreme Court Wednesday offers a glimpse at how race factors in.
Maria Sharapova: Why her tennis doping ban was reducedMaria Sharapova can return to professional tennis in less than two years after a court ruled Tuesday that her ban for doping was reduced. Sharapova can now return to play in the 2017 French Open.
Amid heightened tensions in Calif., Joseph Mann's family seeks justiceJoseph Mann was killed by two Sacramento police officers in July, and now his family demands that the two officers face murder charges.
Could federal grant money improve community policing?More than $119 million in federal grant money will aim to expand police forces and support community initiatives. But will it be enough to make a difference?
First LookCharlo Greene: Why Alaska TV anchor faces 54 years for pushing potCharlo Greene, a former TV reporter who quit her job in Alaska to advocate for marijuana legalization, could be imprisoned for decades for offenses related to the substance.
Clown threat closes Ohio schools: How should police handle 'performance crime'?Clown threat closes Ohio schools: Spurred by Internet pranks, so-called creepy clowns are finding that police and school officials aren’t in a laughing mood when these threats seep into the real world.
Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore suspended over stance on gay marriageChief Justice Moore has maintained that Alabama's state law supersedes the US Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage.
First LookEl Cajon shooting: How should we police people in emotional distress?The mother of Alfred Olango, an unarmed black man shot Tuesday, has said that her son was in emotional distress. For police, making these split-second decisions presents a challenge. A program at the Los Angeles Police Department offers a possible solution.
How a Hollywood scandal is changing rape laws around the countryAllegations against comedian Bill Cosby have led three states to extend or lift the statute of limitations for rape filings.
Do offensive names deserve trademark protection? Supreme Court to weigh in.When the government denies a request for a trademark it deems disparaging, is a penalty on private speech – or a refusal to subsidize offensive messaging?
First LookWhy 2,000 guns were sold to prohibited gun buyers who failed FBI checksProhibited gun buyers: More than 2,000 guns were sold to buyers the FBI deemed unfit to own a firearm due to a discrepancies between two government agencies. Who's a "fugitive from justice"?
Trust gap: What happens when black communities call 911 less often?The first study of its kind found 911 calls in black Milwaukee neighborhoods dropped significantly following the beating of Frank Jude, an unarmed black man. And then crime rates rose.
