All Law & Courts
Why American churches, mosques, and synagogues are beefing up securityFacing anti-Muslim furor and white supremacist hatred that fuels arson attacks and vandalism, US congregations are looking to new forms of security.
First LookObama looks to end 2015 with dyad of justice and forgivenessIn his final address before leaving for his annual family trip to Hawaii, President Obama commuted the sentences of 95 prisoners and pardoned two more.
First LookAfter 18 years in jail, Alaska's Fairbanks Four are free but not quite clearThe men, three Alaska Natives and an American Indian, were convicted of killing a Fairbanks teenager in 1997 murder. They have maintained their innocence in the crime; Alaska Native leaders have said the convictions were racially motivated.
Why Supreme Court is asking the federal government about marijuanaShould the US Supreme Court weigh in on the legalization of marijuana? The US Solicitor General said, 'No' on Wednesday.
First LookWith federal police review, Chicago families see second chance for justiceMany Chicago families have been pushing for formal inquiries into the deaths of their relatives following altercations with police officers since long before the release of the video of Laquan McDonald's death.
San Bernardino shooting: Can a neighbor buy guns for you?Law enforcement expects to bring criminal charges against Enrique Martinez, who investigators say provided two firearms to a friend who used them in a deadly California shooting.
For Baltimore, 'justice for Freddie Gray' is bigger than one trialThe trial of William Porter, which ended in a hung jury, marked the first time a police officer faced charges for one of a series of high-profile deaths of black men nationwide.
Freddie Gray mistrial: Still a 'huge step forward' in how cities try copsA hung jury Wednesday in the first Freddie Gray trial in Baltimore could affect the prosecution of other police in the case. But the William Porter trial appeared fair and revealing.
First LookFBI director labels Chattanooga shooting 'terrorism.' Does it matter?James Comey told reporters that he has 'no doubt' Mohammad Abdulazeez was radicalized by extremist Islamic materials online before his July attacks, which killed five service members in Chattanooga and prompted immediate debate about how to label the crimes.
First LookNew York proposes sweeping solitary confinement changes. Why now?Use of 'the box' has become highly controversial in recent years, with several states reconsidering the extent to which prison guards should be employing solitary confinement as a disciplinary measure.
First LookFor another year, US sees drop in executions. What's driving the decline?Capital punishment is the law of the land in 31 states, yet just six exercised the policy in 2015, the fewest in 27 years.
Massachusetts teen found guilty of killing high school teacherMassachusetts teenager Philip Chism has been convicted for the rape and murder of Colleen Ritzer, his high school math teacher.
First LookAre police chiefs being held to a higher standard?Increasingly, city police chiefs find themselves out of a job as videos of police misconduct fuel protesters' calls for change. But law enforcement experts divided about whether resignations help systematic reform, or just provide satisfying scapegoats.
First LookSan Bernardino shooter posted jihadi Facebook message in 2012: How should FBI respond?The FBI weighs new social media monitoring protocols amid the realization that one of the San Bernardino shooters sent Facebook messages promoting violent jihad in 2012.
First LookAs inmate ranks swell, counties choose: Bigger jails or fewer prisoners?America's swelling prison population has focused discussion on jails in big cities, but it's smaller county jails that are seeing the biggest increases.
Freddie Gray trial: Baltimore on edge awaiting first verdictJurors began deliberations Monday after a two-week trial. City officials are preparing for protests.
2015 US mass shootings: 'The sky is not falling'There have been 22 mass shootings in 2015 in which four or more victims were killed, slightly above average for the past 15 years.
From Chattanooga to San Bernardino: Has our idea of terrorism changed?Mass shooters in Chattanooga, Tenn., and San Bernardino, Calif., brought violence and fear into both communities this year. But only one of those incidents has been labeled terrorism. Are they really that different?
How to catch a holiday packages thiefTo catch a thief, one Utah community leaves fake packages on doorsteps.
AP Exclusive: California sex offenders exempt from ban on housing locationThree-quarters of California's paroled sex offenders now face no restrictions on living near schools or parks after the state changed its policy.
