All Law & Courts
Student free speech prevails, as Supreme Court refuses 'boobies' bracelet casePennsylvania students have a free speech right to wear 'i聽鈾� boobies' bracelets to school to support breast cancer awareness, a US appeals court had ruled. The Supreme Court refused Monday to hear an appeal, letting that decision stand.
Too drunk to lose $500,000 in Vegas? Lawsuit may not be such a long shot.A California businessman says in a lawsuit that the Downtown Grand Las Vegas Hotel and Casino served him about 20 free drinks 鈥� a tactic to fleece him while he was drunk. He may have a case.
US, siding with Muslim officer, sues school district over beard policyThe Philadelphia public school district鈥檚 policy on beards clashed with the religious beliefs of a school police officer. But overall in the US, more efforts are being made to accommodate the faithful in such situations.
Court rejects BP claim that Gulf oil spill settlement is unfairBP argues that people are fraudulently claiming business losses related to the Gulf oil spill under the settlement reached last year. But a federal appeals court has backed the claimants.
No Supreme Court review for local laws against harboring illegal immigrantsThe Supreme Court on Monday refused two cases dealing with city ordinances aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from obtaining local housing or jobs. That lets stand lower-court rulings that the laws are impermissible.
Supreme Court: Can Florida execute 'mentally retarded' prisoner?On Monday, the court is scheduled to hear a Florida case involving the death penalty as applied to those deemed to be mentally retarded 鈥� in this case, Freddie Lee Hall, who has a low IQ.
School can nix American-flag clothing to ease racial tension, US court saysA California school did not improperly abridge student free speech by requiring students to remove American-flag-inspired clothing they wore to a Cinco de Mayo event, a US appeals court ruled. Some see a sad commentary on racial tension in schools; others see cultural appeasement.
Was vetoed Arizona bill misrepresented? What constitutional scholars say.Before Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed SB 1062 Wednesday evening, 11 constitutional scholars wrote her to say the legislation had been 'egregiously misrepresented by many of its critics.'
US judge strikes down Texas gay marriage ban as 'state-imposed inequality'Texas is the fourth conservative state since December to have a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage struck down by a federal judge, joining Utah, Oklahoma, and Virginia.
Supreme Court narrows right to object to a police search of suspect's homeWalter Fernandez objected to a police search of his home. His girlfriend, after his arrest, did not. US Supreme Court rules the search was constitutional. Three dissenting justices say it diminishes Fourth Amendment rights.
Mexico's capture of 鈥楨l Chapo鈥�: How likely is extradition to US?Federal officials in Chicago and Brooklyn have already said they will seek the extradition of drug kingpin Joaqu铆n 'El Chapo' Guzm谩n. The Obama administration hasn't taken an official position on the matter.
Did EPA overstep in tackling global warming? Supreme Court sharply split.Justice Kennedy could hold the decisive Supreme Court vote on whether the EPA exceeded its authority when it sought to use the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.
Supreme Court takes up challenge to Obama and the EPAThe key question before the court is whether the Obama EPA overstepped its authority when it sought to expand greenhouse gas regulations to a wide range of sources of such emissions.
Federal courts, state officials advance same-sex marriageThe legal momentum favors same-sex marriage as state authorities announce that they will not enforce laws that ban gay marriage and as federal judges rule against such laws.
Case dismissed against NYPD over surveillance of Muslims in New JerseyA federal judge says NYPD surveillance of New Jersey mosques, businesses, and student groups was not motivated by religious bias. Former city officials call the dismissal a vindication.- Detroit bankruptcy: Creditors fare worse than city retirees in new proposalThe Detroit bankruptcy plan, filed in federal court Friday, proposes slashing $18 billion in debt, while still maintaining vital emergency services and making investments in the embattled city.
Border agent shoots and kills alleged rock-thrower. Excessive force?Civil rights advocates have voiced concern following the killing in the San Diego mountains. The policy on deadly force says it is allowed if there is 'an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury.'聽
Progress WatchFBI reports a drop in crime in 2013: why the rate continues to fallNew FBI data confirm a sustained drop in the US crime rate, despite a broader definition of what constitutes rape. Creative policing, better use of data, and community involvement play a role.
Dunn 'loud music' verdict: Does 'stand your ground' ask the impossible?The judge in the 'loud music' killing trial of Michael Dunn included 'stand your ground' in his jury instructions. The law asks juries to try to tease out the defendant鈥檚 real emotions and motivations.
Michael Dunn verdict: What it says about race in America todayThe partial verdict in the trial of Michael Dunn for the shooting death of black teen Jordan Davis in Florida 鈥� like the George Zimmerman case before it 鈥撀爎aises questions about equal justice and race.
