All Law & Courts
Florida jury finds Michael Dunn guilty in 'loud music' murder caseMichael Dunn鈥檚 murder trial in the shooting of teenager Jordan Davis 鈥� like the Trayvon Martin case 鈥� had racial overtones. After four days of deliberation, the jury Saturday found Mr. Dunn guilty.
Courts pave the way for more gay marriagesA string of federal court decisions have supported equality for same-sex marriage. More cases are underway as public and political attitudes move in the same direction.
Gay marriage: Virginia ruling is third against state bans in three monthsGay marriage bans have lately been declared unconstitutional in Utah, Oklahoma, and now Virginia. Ban defenders note that judges in all three cases were appointed by Democratic presidents. Ban opponents celebrate victories 鈥� and look for more.
Gun rights: Federal judges rule against Calif. restrictions on concealed carryGun owners challenged the San Diego permit process in federal court, arguing that they should not have to prove they face an imminent threat to their safety to qualify for a concealed carry permit.
US turning over secret files to lawyer for Jose Padilla: what that could meanThe classified documents could relate to Jose Padilla鈥檚 three years of confinement without charge at a military prison in South Carolina.聽Judge Cooke is preparing to resentence the convicted Al Qaeda supporter.聽
Conviction of ex-mayor Ray Nagin: Does it signal new era for New Orleans?Ray Nagin was convicted Wednesday of 20 federal corruption charges, many connected to recovery efforts after hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. He could face more than 20 years in prison.
Michael Dunn murder trial: Online, a more 'thug'-oriented defenseThe murder trial of Michael Dunn in Florida, charged with shooting a black teen over loud music, goes to the jury. Dunn testified in court Tuesday, but views attributed to him on a website are more overtly racial in tone, blaming 'thug culture' for the shooting.聽
Nov. 3 trial date is 'fair' for Boston Marathon bomb suspect, judge saysA federal judge set a Nov. 3 trial for alleged Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. The defense team wanted a date almost a year later, but the judge said November is 'realistic and fair.' Next question: Will the trial stay in Boston?
Holder orders Justice Dept. to recognize same-sex couples: what that meansThe Justice policy shift applies to legally married same-sex couples across the federal criminal justice system and in federal civil courts, even in states that do not recognize gay marriage.
Fast and Furious: 30 years for Mexican in shootout that killed US agentManuel Osorio-Arellanes is the only man to have been prosecuted so far for the 2010 gun battle that killed Agent Brian Terry and revealed Fast and Furious, a botched sting operation.
Same-sex marriage: New protections show how Obama鈥檚 position 'evolved'Attorney General Eric Holder has announced sweeping protections under federal law for married same-sex couples. It's just the latest in a string of legal and political gains for gay couples.
Michael Elliott on his escape: Breaking out of Mich. prison 'relatively simple'Michael Elliott, in prison for a quadruple murder, escaped a Michigan prison by blending into snow drifts. Officials are investigating how he did it, and whether budget problems are to blame.
Alleged theater shooter stays in jail: Did judge agree with 'ticking bomb' theory?Judges traditionally show deference to police officers. But in the case of former police captain Curtis Reeves, charged with fatally shooting聽Chad Oulson in a Florida movie theater dispute, the judge denied bail.
Florida movie theater shooting: More details come out in bond hearingA Florida judge is deciding whether to allow Curtis Reeves, a retired police captain in his early 70s, to post bail and go free until his trial for the shooting death of a father who was texting a baby sitter.
No jail in 'affluenza' case: Does sentence lift chances of rehabilitation?A Texas judge reaffirms her decision to send teenager Ethan Couch to a treatment facility rather than to prison for killing four while driving drunk. During trial, the defense had argued that Ethan, from a wealthy family, exhibited poor judgment because of 'affluenza.'
California egg law, pro-chicken, is unfair to Missouri farmers, lawsuit allegesCalifornia egg law mandates that eggs sold in the state, as of next year, can't come from chickens who live in 'factory' cages. Missouri is suing in federal court, arguing that California is interfering with interstate commerce.
Feds launch criminal probe into West Virginia chemical spillA federal grand jury has launched a criminal investigation into last month's chemical spill in West Virginia amid concerns from residents that the water still may not be safe to drink.
Michael Dunn trial starts in Florida: How similar to Trayvon Martin case?The murder trial of Michael Dunn, which began Monday, puts Florida's 'stand your ground' law front and center again. Mr. Dunn, who is white, is charged with killing a black teen in Jacksonville after jousting over loud music.
Same-sex marriage: Four Wisconsin couples challenge state banLawyers for the four Wisconsin couples are also asking to permanently block a 'cruel' state statute that makes it a crime to travel elsewhere for same-sex marriage.
In decline of prison populations, convict moms may be a key beneficiaryCongress is moving on sentencing reform, which could further ease the pressure on female prisoners with children. Here is a look at some of the distinct challenges facing these women.
