All Law & Courts
FocusHow race shaped the South鈥檚 punitive approach to justiceThe South in many ways has the harshest criminal justice system in the U.S., embracing tough sentencing and the death penalty. Race plays a key role.
First LookChauvin sentenced to 22.5 years in prison for murder of George FloydOn Friday, former police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted in April for the murder of George Floyd, was sentenced to 22.5 years in prison. Minnesota guidelines call for 12.5 years, but factors such as cruelty and abuse of authority warranted a stronger sentence.聽聽
The case of the cursing cheerleader: Justices give students free speech winFor the first time in over 50 years, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of high school students鈥� free speech rights.
First LookSCOTUS defends cheerleader's freedom of speech in Snapchat caseAfter being temporarily banned from cheerleading in 2017, Brandi Levy鈥檚 parents sued their Philadelphia school district. While the U.S. Supreme Court sided with the Levys, they did not forfeit support for schools鈥� authority to prevent unruliness off school grounds.聽
First LookSCOTUS backs student-athletes in NCAA compensation disputeThe U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the NCAA, determining that the current limits for student-athletes on education-related compensation violate existing anti-trust laws. The Court did not reject limits on salaries, however.
Supreme Court鈥檚 day of culture war surprisesThe Supreme Court may, like the U.S., be more partisan than ever. But Thursday offered two big cases that did not break along predictable ideological lines.
First LookIn LGBTQ foster care case, Supreme Court backs religious rightsOn Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court voted unanimously to embrace religious rights over LGBTQ rights in favor of Catholic Social Services. The organization refuses to place children in foster care with same-sex couples.聽
First LookSupreme Court blocks third challenge to Affordable Care ActThe Supreme Court dismissed the third case to oppose 鈥淥bamacare鈥� since its enactment over a decade ago. The Biden administration estimates 31 million individuals are insured under the health care law known as the Affordable Care Act.聽
The ExplainerUS saw biggest spike in gun violence in 50 years. Don鈥檛 panic yet.Amid a pandemic and protests against police brutality, the U.S. saw a surge in gun violence that is the largest in decades.聽
First LookDraft required just for men? The High Court lets Congress decide.The US Supreme Court decided not to review a case concerning the constitutionality of the men-only draft registration requirement of the Military Selective Service Act. Instead, the Court will defer to Congress to decide whether disparate treatment is still warranted.
First LookWhy US judge ended California's 32-year ban on assault weaponsA federal judge overturned California鈥檚 ban on assault weapons, calling it a 鈥渇ailed experiment鈥� that violates the Second Amendment of the U.S Constitution.
The Explainer鈥楥onstitutional carry鈥� comes to Texas. The trend in five charts.When Texas changes its gun laws, the U.S. takes notice. But 鈥減ermitless carry鈥� already has been adopted in 19 states. What are the effects so far?
FocusIs Roe about to unravel? The view from Mississippi鈥檚 only abortion clinic.One clinic in Mississippi is at the fulcrum of a U.S. Supreme Court case that could reshape the legal landscape on abortion.
The ExplainerCalifornia has the most gun-control laws in US. Do they work?Under Ronald Reagan, California became the birthplace of modern gun control. But how effective are its laws 鈥� and can they stop mass shootings like the one in San Jose?
First LookTennessee leads political shift right with anti-transgender lawsTennessee has passed five new laws targeting transgender people this year, ranging from participation in girls鈥� sports, when sex education should be taught, and who can use public restrooms. Conservative lawmakers nationwide have introduced similar bills.
First Look'It wasn't me 鈥� it was the mob,' Capitol rioters pleadSocial scientists have long observed that when part of large crowds, people often act in ways they would not have if they were alone. But will that be considered a valid excuse in a court of law for the rioters who swarmed the United States Capitol on Jan. 6?聽
First LookUS extends temporary protected status for over 50,000 HaitiansThe Biden administration, citing conditions in Haiti, is allowing eligible Haitian nationals in the U.S. to apply anew for temporary protected status.
What Supreme Court鈥檚 jettisoning of precedent may mean for futureThe Supreme Court is showing a greater willingness to toss precedent 鈥� even when not asked to do so 鈥� with ramifications for abortion, guns, and LGBTQ rights.
FocusFrom LA jail, two inmates pioneer care for mentally ill peersFrom the Los Angeles County jail has emerged a model for how to address mental illness among inmates. The secret? Care, on a daily basis.
First LookSupreme Court case reinvigorates debate over legal abortionsThe U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a Mississippi case this fall that could take a first step toward unraveling Roe v. Wade. The outcome is likely to galvanize voter turnout for close 2022 midterm elections in several swing states.
