All Law & Courts
Immigration deadlock showcases shortcomings of short-handed courtScholars worry about the ongoing effects of the nation’s partisan gridlock, which is now also affecting the branch of government that is supposed to remain above the political fray.
Freddie Gray and the limits of courtroom prosecutionsOn Thursday, the driver of the van, Officer Caesar Goodson, was acquitted of all charges. The not-guilty verdict, according to legal experts, raises questions about the limits of the criminal-justice system as a check on police misconduct.
First LookArkansas court upholds state's legal injection secrecy legislationThe state's Supreme Court rejected a challenge from a group of death row inmates, who argued that the state's practice of not revealing information about execution drugs could lead to cruel and unusual punishment.
Supreme Court upholds affirmative action: What will it mean for students?The high court sided with the University of Texas Thursday, rejecting a challenge to the university's use of race as one factor in admissions brought by a white student who wasn't admitted.
'Broken windows' policing doesn’t bring down felonies, study saysNew York's police department believes that enforcing laws against petty crime helps with felony deterrence, but many departments are shifting away from this model.
First LookBaltimore awaits third Freddie Gray verdict on police officer – and the cityA Baltimore judge is set to announce a verdict for the third of six trials for police officers involved in the death of Freddie Gray. The city is anxious for proof that justice and change are possible.
Rep. Chaka Fattah found guilty of corruption. A sign a changing times?A federal jury convicted Pennsylvania Rep. Chaka Fattah Tuesday of laundering federal grants during his 30-year political career.
Could profiling prevent another Orlando shooting?Often missed in the civil liberties debate over profiling is evidence that shows it is not effective. But proponents point to Israel, whose airport screening has kept it free of attacks since 1972.
Supreme Court lets stand state assault weapon bans, continuing trendThe Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to assault weapons bans in Connecticut and New York. In doing so, it continued to refine its recent approach to the Second Amendment.
First LookSotomayor nods to Black Lives Matter in biting dissent of illegal search rulingIn the majority opinion of the US Supreme Court, evidence collected during illegal search and seizure is admissible. Critics say the ruling goes too far in expanding the powers of police.
DOJ and FBI backtrack after criticism for removing ISIS from Orlando transcriptThe department originally released edited transcripts of the 911 calls made by Orlando shooter Omar Mateen, part of an effort to limit IS' ability to use American media as propaganda.
First LookSupreme Court's refusal to hear gun case leaves America dividedThe high court declined to hear an appeal on New York and Connecticut's assault-weapons bans just before Congress is set to debate gun control reforms.
Should the gun industry be sued for mass shootings?Families of the victims of the Newtown elementary school shooting are suing the makers of the weapon used in the attack for providing a 'weapon of war' to civilians.
Supreme Court rejects challenge to assault weapons bans in Conn. and N.Y.On Monday, the justices rejected a challenge to assault weapons bans in two states. The laws were originally passed in response to the gun massacre at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut in 2012.
FocusWhy free lawyers shouldn’t come cheapThe US criminal justice system tilts against public defenders. But some states are trying to fix the imbalance.
If California changes definition of rape, will that matter?Two state legislators are pushing to redefine rape under California law following the sentencing of ex-Stanford University swimmer Brock Turner. But that might not have the effect they hope, some analysts say.
What Oakland police's 'implicit bias' could mean for police reformA team of Stanford researchers hope a collaborative approach can make police departments receptive to reform.
Why New Jersey incarcerates more people than RwandaA new report describes how the incarceration rate of individual US states far outstrips those of most other countries, as a growing number of Americans are beginning to support alternatives to imprisonment.
First LookOakland, reeling from scandal, loses three police chiefs in one weekThe city of Oakland, Calif., was already under federal oversight when a allegations of a salacious scandal surfaced. What will it take to get the department back on track?
First LookDemocrats push for 'no fly, no buy' bill gun legislationA Democratic senator began a filibuster on Wednesday to force a vote on the so-called no fly, no buy bill.
