All Law & Courts
- Ferguson shooting amplifies calls for police to wear video camerasMysteries like the shooting death of Michael Brown by a Missouri police officer could be resolved more easily with video cameras in common use. But the technology also brings financial costs and raises privacy concerns.
- Eric Holder visits Ferguson. Will US take over Michael Brown case?Attorney General Eric Holder arrived in Ferguson to assure angry residents of a fair investigation even as a state grand jury began hearing evidence in the police shooting death of black teenager Michael Brown.
- Supreme Court puts hold on Virginia same-sex marriages in signal to courtsThe Supreme Court action sends a clear signal to other appeals courts and federal judges across the country that it expects them to issue similar stays in future same-sex marriage cases.
- Ferguson shooting: When cameras focus on police, it's legal, courts sayThose in Ferguson, Mo., who defied police orders and continued to record how police dealt with protesters after the shooting have support from the courts for their actions.
- D.C. Metro update: Judge allows subway musicians to receive tipsUS District Judge Beryl Howell issued a preliminary injunction telling聽the WMATA to start allowing musicians to accept donations outside Washington, D.C., subway stations.
- Mike Brown shooting: Images of militarized police bring out criticsThe scenes following the Mike Brown shooting, some say, offer Americans a look at one consequence of federal programs that supply even tiny towns and small cities with heavy military equipment.
- Couple accused of abusing adopted children arrested in OregonJanet and Ramon Barreto, accused of severe abuse of children they adopted abroad, were arrested Wednesday, ending a five-year search. Janet Barreto was the only woman on the US Marshals Service 15 Most Wanted list.
- Appeals court refuses to stay ruling that OKs same-sex marriages in VirginiaThe move means that same-sex couples could begin obtaining Virginia marriage licenses as early as next week. Supporters of the Virginia gay marriage ban said they would ask the US Supreme Court to issue its own stay.
- Mike Brown shooting: Ferguson police being prudent or circling the wagons?Local law enforcement officials have chosen not to release the name of the Ferguson, Mo., officer who shot unarmed teen Mike Brown or the autopsy report.
- Mike Brown death, Ferguson riots raise questions about police immunityThe shooting death of Mike Brown, a black teenager, by a police officer in Ferguson. Mo., comes as the public, courts, and lawmakers have started debating limits to immunity and arguing about policies to recalibrate the role of police.
- Could voter ID law tilt North Carolina Senate race? Foes decry judge's rulingNorth Carolina voters without photo ID won't be turned away from the polls this November, but聽they will be asked to sign an acknowledgment of the new ID requirement 鈥 a step critics worry will make for longer lines to vote.
- NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio walks thin blue line in chokehold aftermathEric Garner's death by illegal chokehold during an arrest for minor street crime is forcing Mayor de Balsio to come to terms with his campaign pledge to lower crime and improve relations between New York City police and poorer residents.
- Guilty verdict in Renisha McBride porch shooting: Her life 'mattered'Theodore Wafer said he shot Renisha McBride on his front porch out of fear. The guilty verdict became another milestone in the US debate over liberalized gun rights and self-defense laws.
- An open-or-shut case: 'Starving' guitarist sues for tips in D.C. MetroThe D.C. Metro says Alex Young cannot leave his guitar case open for tips when he plays for commuters. His lawsuit says the open case sends a message to society, making it protected free speech.
- Renisha McBride porch shooting goes to jury: Does paranoia limit self-defense?Bankrupt Detroit has seen rising paranoia over race and crime, and the police chief has urged residents to arm themselves. Homeowner Theodore Wafer shot Renisha McBride through his porch door.
- Federal appeals court taking up six gay marriage cases todayThe convergence of cases could produce a massive showdown over gay marriage, as early as next year, when the cases are expected to be appealed to the US Supreme Court.
- In striking down Alabama abortion law, judge focuses on South's cultureA federal judge on Monday ruled that an Alabama law violates women鈥檚 constitutional rights by making abortions too hard to get. This follows a similar ruling last week about a Mississippi law.
- Eric Garner ruled victim of chokehold 鈥榟omicide鈥: Should a grand jury indict?The homicide ruling, along with simmering resentment in the city's poor neighborhoods over tough police tactics, will put pressure on prosecutors to level murder or manslaughter charges against police officers.
- Digital currency lawsuits: Bitcoin scrambles to boost consumer confidenceDigital currency lawsuits reveal weaknesses in a burgeoning industry with little regulatory oversight. Bitcoin is turning to third parties to reassure users that millions of dollars of value will not vanish without a trace.
- Supreme Court is asked to take up major challenge to ObamacareThe petition to the Supreme Court centers on text in the Obamacare law that appears to sharply restrict the provision of federal tax credits. Federal appeals courts issued opposing rulings on the issue last week.