All Law & Courts
Supreme Court rejects case on NSA spying on Americans' phone callsThe US Supreme Court on Monday refused to consider whether the NSA, in collecting and storing information about the phone calls of virtually every American, overstepped its authority under the law.
Michigan shooting: Reasonable self-defense or second-degree murder?Theodore Wafer, a white homeowner in suburban Detroit, faces second-degree murder charges in the shooting death of Renisha McBride, an unarmed young black woman who came to his door in the middle of the night.
Stop-and-frisk: New York AG report questions its effectivenessNew York's attorney general said the stop-and-frisk report 鈥� an NYPD spokesman called it flawed 鈥� sought to 'advance the discussion about how to fight crime without ... violating equal justice under the law.'
Judge throws the book at Whitey Bulger, Boston mob boss ... and FBI informantJames 'Whitey' Bulger was sentenced Thursday to two life terms, plus five years, for murder and other crimes stemming from his decades as a mob boss in South Boston. He still maintains he had immunity from the FBI and is expected to appeal.
Warrantless search: Supreme Court considers a puzzling caseThe Supreme Court decided years ago that when a home's co-occupants disagree over a request for warrantless search, the objector holds sway. But if that person is arrested and led away, then what?
Rod Blagojevich appeal is 'extraordinary,' prosecutors sayThe disgraced former governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, was convicted of corruption in 2011, and his attorneys filed an appeal this summer. On Tuesday, federal prosecutors responded.
Oklahoma abortion law that required ultrasound: Supreme Court turns away caseThe US Supreme Court action lets stand a ruling by the Oklahoma Supreme Court striking down the statute. It comes a week after the US justices dismissed an appeal involving a different Oklahoma law involving chemically induced abortions.
Gay marriage spreads to more states. Will the trend continue?With Hawaii and Illinois soon to join the list, that makes 16 states legalizing same-sex marriage. Proposed ballot measures in several more states, plus another federal court case, could accelerate the movement.
Progress WatchStates toughen laws against child sex traffickingStates are cracking down on child sex trafficking in the US, including prostitution, pornography, and sexual performance, by better identifying victims and attaching stiff penalties to new laws.
Public prayer: why devil worshipers came up in Supreme Court argumentsSupreme Court arguments over whether public prayer at a town board meeting violates the separation of church and state included a failed attempt to formulate a prayer acceptable to all beliefs.聽
Is public prayer permitted at town meeting? Supreme Court to hear case.Two residents of Greece, N.Y., a Rochester suburb, said the practice of opening town meetings with a prayer violates the separation and state. The Supreme Court hears arguments Wednesday.
Supreme Court skeptical about use of chemical weapons treaty in charging wifeThe Supreme Court heard a case Tuesday involving the prosecution of a Pennsylvania microbiologist who used toxic chemicals to try to settle a personal score. Federal prosecutors charged the woman with using 'chemical weapons.'
Is thumb burn a chemical weapons violation? Supreme Court takes up case.It could pass as soap opera 鈥� unfaithful husband, vengeful wife, poisoned best friend 鈥� but the case before the Supreme Court also raises weighty questions about the scope of federal authority.
Supreme Court lets stand Okla. ruling against abortion limit; Texas case nextThe Supreme Court dismissed Oklahoma's appeal even as an emergency motion from Texas abortion providers to block new restrictions there landed on Justice Scalia's desk.
Texas abortion ruling: Abortions instantly curbed in Texas as nation takes stockA US appellate court has upheld a new law in Texas that restrictions access to abortion, immediately causing some clinics to close. Given the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling legalizing abortion, the Texas case likely will advance to the US Supreme Court.
Stop-and-frisk: Bloomberg hails ruling, but victory likely short-livedThe Bloomberg administration's appeal of the landmark stop-and-frisk ruling this summer will certainly be dropped if Public Advocate Bill de Blasio wins the mayor's office on Tuesday.
Stop-and-frisk: Appeals court halts changes to policy, rebukes US judgeIn a victory for outgoing Mayor Bloomberg, the appeals court took the federal judge who ordered the stop-and-frisk changes off the case, saying she 'ran afoul' of the judicial code of conduct.聽
Oklahoma abortion ruling sets stage for US Supreme Court to step inOklahoma's high court on Tuesday reaffirmed that a state law restricting chemically induced abortions is unconstitutional. The US Supreme Court will now decide whether to examine such restrictions. Are they permissible regulation or an undue burden on women seeking abortions?
Texas abortion law: US judge strikes down one limit, leaves another in placeThe Texas abortion law requiring providers to have admitting privileges at a local hospital was struck down. But a provision forcing reliance on an outdated drug protocol stands.聽
Detroit bankruptcy trial veers off course as Gov. Rick Snyder takes standMichigan Gov. Rick Snyder testified Monday in federal court about his Detroit bankruptcy decision. But opposing lawyers sought to pin him down on what he might do about pensions.
