All Law & Courts
- Man in 'sextortion' case might have coerced 350 womenAuthorities call 'sextortion' a variant of 'sexting' in which someone assumes a false Internet identity and coerces others into providing sexually explicit content. Two cases point to the trend.
Gulf oil spill: BP's record $4 billion criminal plea deal gets judge's OKUnder the plea agreement between BP and the US, the oil giant admits to 11 counts of felony manslaughter for the alleged negligence of its officials in 2010 Gulf oil spill.
Wisconsin sheriff's warning: Arm yourself, we might not get there in timeA sheriff in Wisconsin has made a radio ad counseling residents to have a gun and know how to use it. He says it's a necessary warning, critics say it is irresponsible.
Aaron Swartz and Motel Caswell: Book ends to prosecutorial reform?A judge this week dismissed a drug forfeiture case involving a motel owner. The prosecutor, US Attorney Carmen Ortiz, is also facing criticism for her role in the prosecution of Internet hacker Aaron Swartz, who committed suicide earlier this month.
Judges slap down Obama 'recess appointments.' Case headed to Supreme Court?President Obama's appointments to the labor-relations board were unconstitutional because they bypassed the Senate, a court ruled Friday. Recess appointments have been a tactic of both parties.
Cybercrime takedown: Is it game over for Gozi trojan that stole millions?The three alleged leaders of the Gozi cybercrime gang were indicted in federal court. The Gozi trojan was highly successful, but it may be too hard to operate with the alleged masterminds in jail.
Mumbai sentencing: American gets 35 years, judge calls him 'terrorist'David Coleman Headley, a US citizen of Pakistani heritage, conducted surveillance for the Mumbai attackers. In light of his cooperation with investigators, prosecutors did not seek the death penalty.
Mystery of the fake Matisse masterpiece leads to jail timeMatisse's 'Odalisque in Red Pants' was switched for a fake at a Caracas museum, then recovered in an FBI sting at a Miami Beach hotel. Two conspirators were sentenced this week.- 'To protect ... not exploit.' Ex-cop gets 3 years for traffic-stop thefts.A former Alabama police officer confessed that he and a partner stole money from motorists they pulled over under the guise of traffic stops. He was sentenced to 3 years in prison and ordered to pay restitution.
'Piracy' at sea: Has definition changed? Supreme Court declines to enter fray.The Supreme Court rejected the appeals of two groups of captured Somalis. Federal prosecutors had argued that the definition of piracy has broadened since the early 1800s.- Did judge insert his religious views into case? Supreme Court refuses appeal.A North Carolina judge quoted Scripture that refers to the Lord鈥檚 'vengeance' in sentencing three men to de facto life prison terms for a robbery that netted less than $3,000. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case Tuesday.
- Supreme Court hears oral arguments in Florida property rights caseAt issue in Koontz v. St. Johns River Water Management District: Did Florida regulators go too far when telling a landowner what he needed to do to get a development permit?
At Supreme Court, no reprieve for GOP in voting rights consent decreeUS Supreme Court on Monday turned aside a petition from the Republican National Committee to lift a 30-year-old consent decree. The decree聽requires the RNC to refrain from tactics that could suppress voting rights.- Can police use your silence against you? Supreme Court to decide.The Supreme Court is reviewing a case in which a Texas man's silence while voluntarily answering police questions was presented as evidence at trial. His murder conviction was upheld on appeal.
Ohio town, reeling from rape case, sets up website. Can it influence coverage?Steubenville, Ohio, was buffeted by criticism after the alleged rape of a teenage girl by two high school football players. Now the town has a website for the case, but whether it will deflect critics is unclear.- Drunk driving: Supreme Court considers whether forced blood tests are OKThe case, which the Supreme Court heard arguments on Wednesday, pits the requirements of the Fourth Amendment against the need for effective enforcement of drunk-driving laws nationwide.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio's bid to make schools safer: armed posse patrols nearbyIn the wake of the Connecticut shooting, Joe Arpaio, who describes himself as America's toughest sheriff, announces a plan to have armed volunteers patrol the areas near schools in Maricopa County, Ariz.
10 weird criminal sentences Check out these 10 court cases where judges have done more than sentence the guilty to a fine or jail time.
Ohio rape case: Evidence on social media creates new world for justiceInvestigators in the Ohio rape case confiscated electronic devices from those involved. Evidence from social media allows jurors to rely more on common sense and less on expert testimony.- Drunk driving: Can blood-alcohol test be forced? Case reaches Supreme Court.The justices will hear arguments Wednesday in the case of a drunk driver forced to submit to a blood test. State supreme courts are divided on whether that violates the Fourth Amendment.
