All Law & Courts
Could 鈥榣iking鈥� something on Facebook get you fired?That鈥檚 what six sheriff鈥檚 deputies say happened to them after they 鈥榣iked鈥� the political opponent of their boss. A district judge ruled that Facebook likes aren't protected speech, but the case is being appealed.
Judgment time for 'America's Toughest Sheriff' Joe ArpaioArizona sheriff Joe Arpaio聽鈥� known for his controversial jail tactics and tough stand on immigration聽鈥� faces a class-action lawsuit and US Justice Department probe of alleged racial profiling targeting Latinos. He's also up for reelection.
Could George Zimmerman walk free after 'stand your ground' hearing?If George Zimmerman can convince a judge that he acted within the bounds of Florida's stand your ground law, he could prevail in his case without a jury trial. Mr. Zimmerman is charged with killing unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin earlier this year.
Jared Lee Loughner and 6 other mass shooters: How the cases were resolved Jared Lee Loughner was found competent Tuesday to stand trial and pled guilty to 19 counts, including murder, for the January 2011 shooting in Tucson in which six people were killed and 13 wounded 鈥� including then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D) of Arizona. In mass shootings like this where the perpetrator was not killed during the rampage, here鈥檚 how the cases have been resolved.
Free speech: Can school fire 鈥榬edneck鈥� over Confederate flag on his truck?An Oregon school bus driver who refers to himself as a 'backyard redneck' was fired for refusing to remove the Confederate flag from his truck. A federal magistrate upheld his free speech lawsuit.
Colorado shooting: If a school is warned about a student, what must it do?Members of a University of Colorado threat assessment team reportedly were told about James Holmes, the Colorado shooting suspect, just before he quit school, raising questions about the team's obligations.
Gay marriage: California's Prop. 8 lands on doorstep of US Supreme CourtUS Supreme Court is asked to hear California's Prop. 8 case. If the justices agree to hear that one and federal Defense of Marriage Act cases in the next term, it would mark the most extensive and important examination of gay rights in the US ever.
Why so many Americans are riveted by the Drew Peterson caseThe former police sergeant is the lone defendant in the first-degree murder trial for his third wife, while his fourth wife is missing. Opening arguments in the Drew Peterson case started Tuesday.- Obamacare: US judge lets Catholic-owned firm cut contraception from coverageA federal judge issued an injunction after Catholic owners of a private company in Colorado argued that Obama's health-care reform violates their rights under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the First Amendment鈥檚 protection of religious freedom.
Colorado shooting bombshell: Defense says suspect was psychiatric patientInformation on the Colorado shooting suspect was in a defense motion submitted to the judge in which it accused the prosecution of leaking privileged information.
Colorado shooting: Was James Holmes's notebook 'a cry for validation'?James Holmes allegedly mailed a package to a psychiatrist that foretold a聽murderous rampage at a theater showing 'The Dark Knight Rises.' Was it a call for recognition from somebody whose family worried about his isolation?
Civics lesson from Justice O鈥機onnor: Obama鈥檚 health-care remarks 鈥榰nusual鈥�Retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, testifying in the Senate about her national online iCivics project, was drawn into the lingering controversy over health care. She called criticism of Justice Roberts 'unfortunate' and Obama's remarks aimed at the court 'unusual.'
Colorado shooting: No cameras for suspect's next appearance, judge rulesA day after imposing a gag order on the district attorney and defense lawyers, the judge granted a defense request to keep cameras from the courtroom for the defendant's next appearance.
Colorado shooting: 'No show of emotion' as suspect appears in courtJames Eagan Holmes, the suspect in the Colorado movie theater shooting, appeared bleary-eyed and dazed at a court hearing Monday in which he was advised of possible charges he may face.
Joe Paterno statue: Penn State brings down 'obstacle to healing'In the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse scandal, Penn State officials removed the statue of head football coach Joe Paterno. He had been implicated in covering up the abuse.
Syrian-American sentenced to 18 months for spying on US-based dissidentsMohamad Soueid, a naturalized American, was convicted of acting as a Syrian agent to spy on dissident leaders in the US. His lawyer says his client feared Syria would be overrun by extremists, but 'went too far.'
Colorado shooting: Picture emerges of chaotic scene, suspect James HolmesColorado shooting at聽a midnight showing of 'The Dark Knight Rises' resulted in 12 killed and 59 wounded. Police say James Holmes, the suspect, acted alone and had no criminal record or ties to terrorism.
Colorado shooting: Police look for clues after dark nightBatman moviegoers, at first, think that shooting is part of the spectacle. Paris cancels opening of 'The Dark Knight Rises,' as New York tightens security at film's opening to preempt copycats.- Lawyers want Guant谩namo war crimes case televised, but judge seems skepticalA defense lawyer for accused terrorist Abd al-Rahim Al-Nashiri is asking to have video feeds of his military commission trial at Guant谩namo distributed to broadcast outlets citing public interest in the proceedings. The judge questioned whether he had authority to grant the request.
George Zimmerman's Fox News interview: Risky step for Trayvon Martin's killer?George Zimmerman, charged with killing Florida teen Trayvon Martin, agreed to an interview with Fox News this week. Legal experts say submitting to the media spotlight this way is a tricky step for criminal defendants and their attorneys. What's said can be used against them.
