All Law & Courts
Mother gets 99 years for beating, gluing daughter: Has the US had it with bad parents?Elizabeth Escalona, a 23-year-old mother of five, was sentenced to 99 years in prison after severely beating her daughter and gluing the girl鈥檚 hands to a wall. The sentence is one sign that society 鈥� and the courts 鈥� are taking child abuse more seriously.
Supreme Court: In affirmative action arguments, conservative bloc seems unitedThe Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday on an affirmative-action plan at the University of Texas, and Justice Anthony Kennedy, the likely swing vote, appeared skeptical.
Jerry Sandusky gets at least 30 years in prison, but case isn't closed yetThe former Penn State coach was sentenced Tuesday for child sexual abuse, but his lawyer says the conviction will be appealed. There is also the unresolved matter of civil lawsuits filed against Jerry Sandusky, his charitable foundation, and Penn State.
Supreme Court case on use of race in admissions could be landmarkThe University of Texas at Austin admits some students based on a process that includes race as one factor 鈥� even though the school is already racially diverse. The Supreme Court will consider whether that process is justified.
Pennsylvania judge blocks controversial voter ID lawBut the court is still allowing officials to ask voters to show their ID this November 鈥� even though those who don't have one will still be allowed to vote.
At Supreme Court: Can US courts be venue for human rights cases from abroad?On Day 1 of its term, the US Supreme Court heard a case involving allegations by 12 Nigerians that a foreign oil firm abetted human rights abuses in Nigeria 20 years ago. Alien Tort Statute, originally aimed at allowing legal action against pirates, lies at heart of the case.
As US Supreme Court opens, all eyes on Chief Justice John RobertsThe US Supreme Court opens its 2012-13 term Monday with Justice Anthony Kennedy again the likely swing vote. But given his vote on the Affordable Care Act, Chief Justice John Roberts may not be predictably conservative either.
Univision: The untold story of what 'Fast and Furious' wrought in MexicoSunday evening, Univision airs an investigative report on how the botched 'Fast and Furious' program resulted in a deadly toll in Mexico when US authorities allowed guns to 'walk' across the border.
Jimmy Hoffa: no visible sign of remains, but forensics lab to weigh inJimmy Hoffa may be buried under a work shed in Roseville, Mich., a tipster said. The investigation hasn't found any remains yet, but the search for Jimmy Hoffa continues.
Nakoula Basseley Nakoula behind bars, but not for anti-Islam YouTube videoNakoula Basseley Nakoula, the man allegedly behind the anti-Islam YouTube video that sparked violent protests across North Africa and the Middle East, is being held while authorities determine whether he violated probation restrictions for an earlier conviction.
Army Corps not liable for Katrina damage, appeals panel findsNew Orleans residents were dealt a setback Monday when a federal appeals panel, upending its own earlier decision, ruled that the US Army Corps of Engineers cannot be sued for damages stemming from losses sustained after hurricane Katrina.- Forced blood test for a drunk-driving suspect? Supreme Court to step in.A Missouri trooper ordered a blood test for a suspected drunk driver who had refused one, without having a warrant. US Supreme Court said Tuesday it will decide if that action was justified. The case could help define the scope of protections against unreasonable searches.
For rebuilding Detroit, Kwame Kilpatrick trial brings back bad memoriesKwame Kilpatrick, once lauded as the 'hip-hop mayor' of Detroit, is facing federal corruption charges. The trial, which started Friday, will loom large over a city trying to move beyond its past.
Fast and Furious: why inspector 'struggled to understand' what he foundThe inspector general who investigated the Fast and Furious 'gunwalking' scandal absolved Attorney General Eric Holder, and Republicans agreed. But he was 'troubled' by what he found.聽
Pennsylvania Supreme Court orders second look at voter ID lawThe state's Supreme Court asks whether the rush to implement the voter ID law in time for November's election might end up disenfranchising some Pennsylvanians. It wants the lower court judge to take a second look at that issue.
Nakoula Basseley Nakoula 鈥� AKA 'Sam Basile' 鈥� questioned in anti-Islam videoNakoula Basseley Nakoula has been questioned regarding the 'Innocence of Muslims' YouTube video that sparked violent protests around the world. But it's probation violations for earlier convictions on聽bank fraud and聽methamphetamine charges that could put him back behind bars.
What 'rogues and vagabonds' have to do with Pennsylvania voter ID lawAn 1869 ruling, part of which was cited by a Pennsylvania state judge to uphold a voter ID law, has hit a nerve among critics for language that recalls 'outright prejudice.' The case is before the state's high court.
Voter ID law backed by Republicans faces legal test in PennsylvaniaPennsylvania Supreme Court justices on Thursday will examine the state's voter ID law, which was touted by a top state Republican as allowing Mitt Romney 'to win the state.'聽
FAMU blames hazing victim for his own death: Heartless or prudent?Florida A&M University鈥檚 assertion that drum major Robert Champion is to blame for his own death after a hazing ritual last year will be a test of schools' legal responsibility to control hazing.- Good for business? Why corporate lawyers give bad marks to Chicago, L.A.The US Chamber of Commerce surveyed 1,125 top lawyers at major corporations, who said Chicago and Los Angeles have the least fair litigation environments for businesses in the US.
