All Law & Courts
First LookLeaked draft opinion: Why Supreme Court may overturn Roe v. WadeA draft opinion leaked to Politico indicates the Supreme Court could be set to overturn Roe v. Wade, the case that legalized abortion nationwide. The court is expected to issue its final ruling in late June or early July.听 聽
First LookState probe shows pattern of race-based policing in MinneapolisAfter the killing of George Floyd, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights began a nearly two-year investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department. The findings, released Wednesday, show at least a decade-long pattern of racial discrimination in policing.
FocusThe Rodney King effect: 30 years after riots, how far has LA come?This week marks 30 years since the race riots in South Central Los Angeles, ignited by the acquittal of four white police officers for beating Rodney King, a Black man. In today鈥檚 South LA, we found setbacks mixed with progress, and stories of hope that reveal a path toward justice.
First LookSupreme Court to hear case of football coach's on-field prayerFormer high school football coach Joseph Kennedy for years would end every game by leading his players in prayer on the field. When the school district asked him to stop, he claimed constitutional protection. The US Supreme Court will hear his case on Monday.
First LookUS Air Force general found guilty of abusive sexual contactIn the first-ever military trial of a U.S. Air Force general,聽Maj. Gen. William Cooley聽was convicted Saturday of forcible kissing but acquitted of two other charges.
First Look'Profound step forward': Prison college offers model degree programAt Mount Tamalpais College in California, the campus is like no other junior college in the nation 鈥� it鈥檚 behind bars. The school was accredited in January and gives students incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison the chance to graduate with an associate鈥檚 degree.听
First LookJury awarded $14M to George Floyd protesters in Denver. What鈥檚 next?On Friday, jurors聽awarded $14 million in damages to a group of聽protesters injured by Denver police while聽demonstrating over the killing of George Floyd in 2020. The verdict could impact the outcome of over two dozen pending police misconduct cases nationwide.听
The ExplainerGinni Thomas texts about overturning 2020 vote: Three questionsThe Supreme Court is not bound by a judicial code of ethics. What happens when a spouse鈥檚 actions create questions about impartiality in a case?
First LookCongressman lied to FBI about campaign funds, jury findsOn Thursday, at the end of the first trial of a sitting congressman since 2002, a federal jury found U.S. Rep.听Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska guilty of lying to federal authorities about receiving $30,000 in illicit campaign contributions. His sentencing will occur in June.
First LookSupreme Court says death row inmates entitled to pastor鈥檚 prayer, touchThe Supreme Court sided 8-1 with a death row inmate who argued that Texas鈥� policy preventing a pastor from praying aloud and touching an inmate during executions infringed on religious liberties.
First LookTears flow in final day of Jackson testimony with Booker's speechAn impassioned speech from Sen. Cory Booker celebrating Ketanji Brown Jackson鈥檚 ability to break through racial ceilings drew tears from the Supreme Court nominee after she withstood hours of pointed questions from the Judiciary Committee鈥檚 Republicans.
Senators decried lack of civility. Then the Jackson hearings began.Can the Senate restore luster to the confirmation process that it has battered over the past five years?
First LookWhat to expect: Hearings for first Black woman nominated to high courtOn Monday, Senate hearings begin for聽Ketanji Brown Jackson,聽the first Black woman nominated to the Supreme Court. What are the stumbling blocks to her nomination?
First LookFederal judge: Denial of same-sex marriage license violated rightsAfter a Supreme Court decision granting same-sex couples the right to marry nationwide, Kim Davis, a Kentucky county clerk who has a religious objection to same-sex marriage, stopped issuing all marriage licenses.
First Look鈥楽he鈥檚 very well prepared鈥�: Ketanji Brown Jackson鈥檚 collegial Senate visitsAs she meets with senators before her confirmation hearings, Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson restores a collegial tone to a process that had grown embittered.
First LookSCOTUS to GOP: State courts congressional districting to standThe Supreme Court turned away Republican objections to North Carolina and Pennsylvania state courts鈥� rulings on congressional districting plans, a move seen as a benefit to Democrats.
First LookPurdue Pharma case reaches settlement, leaving families conflictedOxyContin maker Purdue Pharma has agreed Thursday to pay up to $6 billion to settle a lawsuit for its role in the opioid crisis. The owners issued a statement of regret for the first time, leaving victims鈥� families conflicted but hopeful.听
A public defender has never served on Supreme Court. Jackson would be first.Most Americans know the words by heart: 鈥淵ou have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be provided.鈥� The work of a public defender is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. Ketanji Brown Jackson could be the first Supreme Court justice to have performed that role.
First LookFederal jury finds three officers violated Floyd鈥檚 civil rightsOn Thursday, the three Minneapolis police officers who were at the scene of George Floyd鈥檚 killing alongside Derek Chauvin were found guilty by a federal jury and convicted for violating Mr. Floyd鈥檚 civil rights. The three officers will face additional state charges in June.
Hate crimes, Ahmaud Arbery鈥檚 murder, and why motive mattersAhmaud Arbery鈥檚 murderers were already sentenced to life in prison. On Tuesday, they were found guilty of a hate crime in a trial that federal prosecutors, a jury, and above all Mr. Arbery鈥檚 mother thought was vital to justice.
