All Law & Courts
Did US homicide rate rise or fall in 2023? The answer might surprise you.The U.S. homicide rate dropped by the most on record in 2023 – a welcome reversal after pandemic spikes in violence.
First LookSouth Africa accuses Israel of genocide at International Court of JusticeSouth Africa brings a case to the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and seeking an order to halt attacks. This marks the first challenge of its kind during the current conflict.
First LookFormer President Donald Trump stays on the 2024 ballot in MichiganMichigan’s Supreme Court is keeping former President Donald Trump on the state's primary election ballot. The ruling follows a Dec. 19 decision by the Colorado Supreme Court, which said Mr. Trump is ineligible to be president after his role in Jan. 6, 2021.
First LookParamedics convicted: Elijah McClain verdict stirs First Responder reformTwo Denver paramedics have been convicted of criminally negligent homicide in the death of Elijah McClain in 2019. Mr. McCain was given a fatal overdose of ketamine by paramedics and the landmark case may impact first responders nationwide.
First LookJury awards huge damages to Georgia election workers over Giuliani liesA jury has awarded $148 million in damages to two former Georgia election workers who sued Rudy Giuliani for defamation over lies he spread about them in 2020.
Supreme Court pushed abortion to states. A year later, it’s back.The Supreme Court overturned women’s constitutional right to an abortion and said it was up to the states to decide legality. A year later, the issue is headed back to the high court.
The ExplainerCan US prisons take a page from Norway? Five questions.Prisons in the United States do comparatively little to prepare incarcerated populations for their release. Norway is at the opposite end of the spectrum, with some incarcerated people cooking their own meals. Some U.S. prisons are taking cues.
Everything she did made history: Sandra Day O’Connor’s legacySandra Day O’Connor’s historic appointment as the first female justice of the U.S. Supreme Court opened doors to women. She brought compassion and pragmatism to a trailblazing career.
First LookWith little federal guidance, US cities take lead on AI policymakingIn the absence of comprehensive federal legislation governing artificial intelligence, cities across the country are doing it themselves. From Boston to San Jose, cities are writing new norms and wrestling with how far they want to go.
First LookVoter registration: Missouri lawsuit challenges photo ID requirementA lawsuit in Missouri is underway that challenges the constitutionality of the state’s new law requiring voters to show photo identification. Advocates say this law makes it difficult for elderly voters and people with disabilities to cast their ballots.
Supreme Court adopts ethics code. Will it restore public trust?Supreme Court justices had no code of ethics, until now. The new document lays out no penalties, and most rules will be enforced ... by the justices themselves. Yet doing anything is a positive step, experts say.
First LookDefense team of Paul Pelosi attacker centers on misled motiveIn a trial underway in San Franciso, defense lawyers won’t dispute that their client David DePape attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer. Instead, they argue his motivation – stopping corruption – doesn’t fit the charges.
First LookU.S. Supreme Court agrees to adopt its first code of ethicsAll nine Supreme Court justices have agreed to adopt a code of conduct, which does not appear to impose any significant new requirements. The code won't require enforcement, but will codify principles, they say, which have long governed their conduct.
First LookTrump’s NY fraud trial resumes, as Donald Trump Jr. takes the standDonald Trump Jr. is the first witness called to the stand by Donald Trump’s lawyers in the New York civil fraud trial. He said he never worked on the annual financial statements at the heart of New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit.
Second Amendment rights for abusers? Justices seem skeptical.On Tuesday, a majority of Supreme Court justices appeared dubious that the U.S. Constitution would prioritize gun ownership of domestic abusers over women’s safety.
First LookJury acquits 2nd police officer in Elijah McClain’s death. Why?Officer Nathan Woodyard was found not guilty in Elijah McClain’s death. In 2019, the 23-year-old was placed in a neck hold by Aurora, Colorado, police officers and given ketamine. The acquittal reignites widespread outrage over racial injustice in policing.
First LookDo those with restraining orders have gun rights? SCOTUS weighs in.Two years after Ruth Glenn was shot in the head by her estranged husband, Congress passed a law prohibiting people facing domestic violence restraining orders from having guns. Now, in a Supreme Court case, a Texas man is challenging the 1994 law.
First LookSam Bankman-Fried convicted of fraud in $10 billion FTX schemeA New York jury has convicted FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried of fraud charges. Jurors rejected his testimony that he didn’t defraud thousands of customers who trusted him to safeguard billions of dollars. Mr. Bankman-Fried has been jailed since August.
First LookPolice brutality: Former officer pleads guilty in Tyre Nichols caseDesmond Mills Jr., a former Memphis police officer, pleaded guilty in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols after a traffic stop in January 2023. He is the first of the five officers charged to admit guilt. Prosecutors recommended a 15-year sentence.
First LookTrump sons on trial in NY: Did they cover up company fraud?Donald Trump’s eldest sons are scheduled to testify at New York Attorney General Letitia James’ fraud lawsuit that could jeopardize the family’s real estate company. Donald Jr. and Eric deny any wrongdoing.
