All Law & Courts
First LookSimone Biles and other Olympians sue FBI for $1B over Nassar caseSimone Biles and dozens of other gymnasts are suing the FBI for $1 billion regarding mishandling of the 2016 Larry Nassar sexual assault case. The 90 claimants say the FBI failed to act in a timely manner, allowing Mr. Nassar to continue his abuse.聽
First LookJuvenile justice: advocates argue for community based rehabilitationFewer children than ever before are being tried as adults in the U.S. court system. Advocates say this is a step toward rehabilitative justice, while others worry this leniency will allow violent criminals to commit more offenses.聽
FocusCan Roberts steer Supreme Court safely through abortion case crisis?During his tenure, the chief justice has built a track record 鈥� though not a flawless one 鈥� of coherence and consensus. It鈥檚 being tested now as never before.
First LookSupreme Court rules against prisoners on poor representation claimsThe U.S. Supreme Court ruled against two death row inmates who said their lawyers failed to represent them sufficiently. Going forward, the decision will make it harder for those facing long sentences to challenge their convictions on the grounds of ineffective counsel.
First LookMeet the marshal tracking down the Supreme Court leak: Gail CurleyCol. Gail Curley, marshal of the U.S. Supreme Court, is tasked with overseeing an investigation into the leak of a draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade. People who know her say she is the right kind of person for the job: smart but also apolitical and private.
First LookSupreme Court sides with Ted Cruz, strikes campaign finance ruleThe Supreme Court ruled that a provision limiting campaign use of post-election funds to repay candidates for loans made pre-election is unconstitutional. While supporters call it a free speech win, critics say the decision erodes a key check against corruption.聽
First LookCourt strikes down California age limit on gun salesOn Wednesday, a U.S. federal appeals court in California ruled that a law prohibiting the sale of semiautomatic weapons to those under 21 violated the Second Amendment. Experts say it鈥檚 part of a larger pattern in which courts are expanding gun rights.聽
FocusWith Roe in peril, 鈥榮lippery slope鈥� looms larger for LGBTQ AmericansThe Supreme Court appears on the cusp of overturning a right 鈥� to abortion 鈥� for the first time in modern history. What happens to other rights unpopular with conservative 海角大神s? Part 2 of an occasional series.
First LookRoe v. Wade: Was leaking the Supreme Court draft opinion a crime?After the leak of a draft opinion indicated the U.S. Supreme Court may be poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, questions abound over the leaker鈥檚 identity and the consequences that await them. Here鈥檚 a look at what comes next.聽
FocusFirst draft of history: What overturning Roe could mean for USFor the first time in modern history, the U.S. Supreme Court appears on the verge of taking a right away. If a leaked opinion on abortion rights becomes the final ruling, it is a decision that is both unsurprising and yet seismic in its consequences.
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.聽 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.聽
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.聽
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.聽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.
