All Law & Courts
Video evidence emerges in Michael Brown shooting. How important?A video taken shortly after the shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., on Aug. 9 shows an incredulous reaction by onlookers, who yell, 'He had his [expletive] hands up!' It's 'good evidence,' but not conclusive, legal experts say.
The strange saga of Jose Padilla: Judge adds four yearsJose Padilla was convicted in 2007 of involvement in a terror conspiracy, although federal prosecutors objected to his initial sentence of 17 years. Here鈥檚 a recounting of his case.
Ferguson announces changes to policing, courts 'to improve trust'Acknowledging the complaints of protesters, Ferguson has announced plans for a civilian police oversight board and is restricting how a municipal court generates revenues for the city.
Retraining the NYPD after chokehold deathCommissioner William Bratton described on Monday new annual training for officers. Police relations with the city鈥檚 minority communities have been especially strained since an apparent chokehold death in July.
New York police test body cameras: Effective deterrent or privacy violation?Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said body-worn cameras are 'the next wave' in police equipment. But they come with unanswered privacy questions, such as when the cameras will be turned on and who will have access to the stored files.
Gay marriage bans in Wisconsin, Indiana struck down as unconstitutionalIn a unanimous ruling, a three-judge panel of the Seventh US Circuit Court of Appeals voted to invalidate the two states' same-sex marriage bans, as well as measures barring recognition of same-sex marriages performed in other states.
New disturbance at Tennessee detention center spotlights how teens are treatedThree days ago, 32 teens broke out of a Tennessee juvenile detention center. There was another disturbance Thursday. Juvenile-justice reform advocates say the way teens are managed in confinement needs to improve.
Appeals court tosses ruling on Obamacare tax credits in win for administrationThe vote by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to rehear the Obamacare tax credit case overturns a ruling by a three-judge panel and makes it less likely the Supreme Court will hear the case soon.
US judge upholds Louisiana gay marriage ban, criticizing string of rulingsSaying 'Federalism is not extinct,' the US judge rejected the argument that the US Constitution protects a fundamental right to same-sex marriage.
Renisha McBride shooter gets 17 years in case that tested self-defense claimTheodore Wafer, who shot Renisha McBride through his screen door, was sentenced to 17 to 32 years in prison. At trial, he said he feared a break-in and 'didn't want to be a victim.'
Yelp! engaged in 鈥榟ard bargaining,鈥� not extortion, appeals court saysA federal appeals court threw out a lawsuit filed by small business owners who accused Yelp! Inc., of attempting to extort advertising payments by manipulating reviews of their businesses.
Texas and Louisiana abortion laws blocked, but are clinics disappearing?Two federal court decisions in Texas and Louisiana have delayed the closure of many abortion clinics. But nationwide, the number of clinics is shrinking.
Ferguson police now wearing cameras: How much might that help?Ferguson police are now wearing cameras to record officer-citizen encounters, and other departments across the country are considering doing the same.
Cover StoryBehind the gavel of America's busiest judgeRobert Brack's crowded docket in a New Mexico federal courtroom shows the effects of a tougher US immigration policy.
Judge knocks down major parts of new Texas abortion lawA federal judge struck down two provisions of a controversial Texas abortion law on Friday, ruling that they created an unconstitutional burden on women seeking abortions in the state.
Florida court fast-tracks key gay marriage case to state Supreme CourtIn a somewhat unusual move, a Florida court directly referred a case involving the divorce of a same-sex couple to the state Supreme Court. The high court's decision could make Florida the 20th state to legalize gay marriage.
New audio in Michael Brown case: How important in whirl of narratives?A new audio recording could be of the Michael Brown shooting. But it does very little to clarify what happened in Ferguson and could just fuel competing narratives.
Federal appeals court to hear gay marriage cases from Wisconsin, IndianaTwo federal appeals courts have struck down similar same-sex marriage bans in Utah, Oklahoma, and Virginia. The process sets the groundwork for an expected ultimate resolution at the US Supreme Court, as early as next year.- St. Louis cop shooting No. 2, on video: a stark glimpse into a quick deathSt. Louis police have released all materials related to the Aug. 19 shooting of a knife-wielding black man, just four miles from where Michael Brown was killed. Within moments of pulling up, two police officers shot and killed Kajieme Powell.
Florida's gay marriage ban is latest one to be struck down by a federal judgeA Tallahassee-based judge ruled in favor of 10 same-sex couples seeking to have their out-of-state marriages formally recognized by Florida and on behalf of one same-sex couple who sued to obtain a marriage license.
