All Law & Courts
Local jail fees face legal challenges in courtA county in Minnesota has come under fire for its practice of making all arrestees pay a booking fee at the time of their arrest, regardless of whether they are charged or convicted of a crime.聽
First LookWrongfully imprisoned for 31 years, Lawrence McKinney seeks exonerationDNA evidence won聽Lawrence McKinney his release in 2008. He's battling to finally clear his name and receive compensation for decades of wrongful imprisonment.
Attorneys general embrace role as check on executive power, on right and leftAfter President Obama took office, Republican attorneys general reenvisioned states as a check on federal power 'in a way that hadn鈥檛 been done much previously.' There are signs Democratic AGs may adopt the tactic in the Trump administration.
First LookCapital punishment falls to decades-long lows as attitudes shiftThe US has sentenced fewer people to death and performed the fewest executions since the 1990s. Although attitudes are changing, other factors contribute to the significant decline.
Michigan's attorney general issues charges against four former Flint officialsFour former city officials 鈥� Flint's former public works director Howard Croft, the former utilities director Daugherty Johnson聽and state-appointed emergency managers Darnell Earley and Gerald Ambrose 鈥� were all charged with multiple crimes, including conspiracy.聽
Judge in Stanford swimmer's rape case showed no bias, commission rulesThe Commission on Judicial Performance received thousands of complaints against Judge Aaron Persky after his June 2016 sentence of former Stanford University swimmer聽Brock聽Turner.
Judge spares N.Y. man from life sentence in X-ray gun plot to kill MuslimsGlendon Scott Crawford was sentenced to serve 30 years in prison rather than the life sentence sought by prosecutors. What does that mean for the Muslim community?
Roof trial stirs question: How do race and forgiveness intersect with justice?Dylann Roof was convicted across the street from the courthouse where former police officer Michael Slager's trial for shooting Walter Scott in the back ended with a deadlocked jury.
First LookEx-officer charged in fatal shooting that launched Milwaukee protestsA former police officer has been charged with reckless homicide in the shooting of Sylville Smith. The officer was fired this fall, after separate charges of sexual assault.聽
Why do people report fake hate crimes?A New York City college student is accused of fabricating a hate crime to police, making her part of a small but significant group of people who have falsely reported discriminatory crimes.
Jury convicts Dylann Roof on all counts in Charleston church shootingEarly next month, jurors will reconvene to decide whether to impose the death penalty or life in prison for the man who killed nine black parishioners during Bible study last year.
First LookWhy every cop in a small Indiana town just walked off the forceThe Bunker Hill, Ind., police force issued letters of resignation earlier this week, citing continued disagreements with the town鈥檚 council.
Shooting of elderly Bakersfield man points to gaps in police trainingThe shooting of a 73-year-old Bakersfield, Calif., man shocked residents and elder advocates alike.
Public sees Dylann Roof confession video for the first timeAs accused Charleston S.C., shooter's trial continues, some analysts believe he will try to sabotage the sentencing phase of his trial to push for the death penalty.
For Obama administration, Dylann Roof trial goes beyond one manFederal prosecutors have taken some unusual steps in the case against Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof. They appear to want to make a broader statement against racism in America.
McKnight shooting raises questions on 'stand your ground' lawRonald Gasser, who is white, shot the black football star in a deadly act of road rage. While the sheriff's office has dismissed race is a factor in the case, others have said not so fast.聽
First LookSupreme Court effectively broadens definition of insider tradingProsecutors can prove someone committed insider trading without proving they received anything in return for leaking nonpublic information to an investor, the justices ruled.
Mistrial in Walter Scott police shooting sends strong messageWalter Scott's death had been seen as a clear-cut case of police using fatal force unnecessarily. But the mistrial shows how deferential jurors are to police judgment.
Is Dylann Roof trying to sabotage his own trial?Dylann Roof has elected to represent himself during the sentencing phase of his federal trial related to the Charleston church shooting. Is he angling for life in prison or the death penalty?
Will President Obama pardon Bowe Bergdahl?US Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl says he left his post in Afghanistan in 2009 to draw attention to what he saw as leadership problems.
