All Law & Courts
- Adult charged in Steubenville rape case. Will schools get the message?The technology director at Steubenville City Schools pleaded not guilty to charges related to the teen rape case: tampering with evidence, obstruction of justice, and lying under oath.
Campaign finance limits sharply divide Supreme Court. Is there middle ground?The Supreme Court's conservative-liberal split was evident during arguments on the challenge to individuals' aggregate campaign finance limits, but a search for middle ground seemed possible.
Supreme Court: Is new campaign finance case another 'Citizens United'?Supreme Court justices will hear oral arguments Tuesday over whether certain limits on individuals' campaign contributions are justified in the wake of the Citizens United decision.- Supreme Court declines case about YouTube music video gone wrongA father locked in a bitter child visitation dispute voiced his frustrations and ended up being convicted of making illegal threats. On Monday the Supreme Court turned away the case, which raised First Amendment issues.
Supreme Court: Campaign finance and public prayer top new term agendaThe Supreme Court begins its new term Monday despite the government shutdown. Top cases in the coming months also will address presidential recess appointments and affirmative action.聽- New York paper that published gun-owners map sues county for namesThe Westchester, N.Y, Journal News, which became the focus of controversy for publishing a gun-owners map after the Sandy Hook massacre, is suing a county that now refuses to hand over names.
California outlaws 'revenge porn.' Not everyone thinks that's a good idea.'Revenge porn' violators face fines up to $1,000 and six months in jail.聽But the controversy continues over the balance between constitutionally protected speech and legitimate protections against criminal behavior.
Gulf oil spill: How much flowed? BP trial judge to decide.The second phase of a federal civil trial involving BP began Monday. The company faces Clean Water Act fines ranging anywhere between $2.7 billion to $18 billion for the Gulf oil spill.
Voter ID: North Carolina law targets minority rights, Eric Holder saysEric Holder announced a Justice Department suit against parts of the North Carolina election law, including a voter ID requirement, saying lawmakers knowingly curtailed minority voting rights.
New Jersey judge orders state to allow gay marriage. Christie vows appeal.The judge said New Jersey must allow gay marriage because the federal government isn't extending full and equal benefits to same-sex couples under the state's civil union law.
Florida mom to get new trial: Did court detect a 'stand your ground' inequity?Marissa Alexander, serving time for firing a warning shot in what she said was self-defense, will get a new trial, a Florida appeals court rules. Her defenders asked why the state's 'stand your ground' law didn't apply to her.聽
Is California going too far to protect celebrity kids from paparazzi?A new California law toughens fines and jail time for paparazzi who harass children. But some groups say the law is too broad and could hurt more legitimate news gathering.
After Chicago shooting, should state police be sent in to help?Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn floated the idea of sending in state police, which has met with mixed reviews. Four men have now been charged in connection with the Chicago shooting that occurred last week.
Ex-FBI bomb expert pleads guilty to leaking terror plot secrets to APUnder a plea deal, the former FBI expert said he provided an AP reporter with secret information about a thwarted terrorist attack. He also agreed to plead guilty to child pornography charges.- Best yogurt ever! Fake online reviews targeted by N.Y. attorney general.Nineteen companies have agreed to pay more than $350,000 in penalties for breaking laws against false advertising and deceptive business practices, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced Monday.
Wisconsin union fight rumbles toward state Supreme CourtA county judge who had ruled in favor of unions 鈥� and against Wisconsin's collective-bargaining law 鈥� this week refused to issue a broad injunction before the state Supreme Court rules.
Danziger Bridge retrial takes New Orleans back to Katrina chaosProsecutorial misconduct cost New Orleans convictions in a case where police officers were accused of firing on unarmed storm victims and then charging a man with murder in a coverup.
Idaho man pleads guilty to firing assault rifle at White HouseA believer in several theories of government control, including via fluoride and aspartame, he聽fired several shots at the White House in 2011 with an AK-47-style assault rifle he bought privately.
Jerry Sandusky lawyers ask for a retrial. Do they have grounds?The legal team for convicted pedophile Jerry Sandusky argued Tuesday that he didn鈥檛 receive a fair trial because of an 鈥榓dverse comment鈥� by the lead prosecutor in his closing statement, among other things.
Obamacare: Court declines company request to block contraception mandateIn all, more than 50 companies have challenged the Obamacare contraception mandate on religious grounds. Given a split in how appeals courts have ruled, it鈥檚 likely the US Supreme Court will eventually take up the issue.
