All Law & Courts
Could the proposed 'Back the Blue Act' deter assaults on law enforcement?A new bill introduced by Republican lawmakers aims to reduce targeted attacks on police officers by establishing mandatory minimum sentences, but some say the act is unlikely to have an effect.
What is the protocol for an interaction between police and legal gun-carriers?The investigation of the fatal shooting of Philando Castile will focus on how officers handled Castile's alert that he was carrying a gun 鈥� the Monitor talked to gun safety trainers about how these situations should proceed.
First LookVirginia school's emergency SCOTUS appeal protests restroom ruleA school board in Virginia has asked the Supreme Court to allow it to block a transgender male from using the boys bathroom as the court decides whether to review the case.听
First LookFresno police release shooting video, hoping for calm but fearing backlashThe killing of Dylan Noble in California didn't initially spark a national response. With the release of graphic body camera video Wednesday, his family is pushing for accountability.
In police shootings, should trials re-examine a victim's past?Defense lawyers often introduce a victim's history during trial. Critics say that in cases of police violence, it can unfairly traumatize surviving family members.
First LookACLU sues Baton Rouge Police over 'excessive physical force' in protestsPolice have defended their actions and arrests during the protests as necessary, citing safety. Three suspects have been arrested in an alleged plot against Baton Rouge officers.听
In Mississippi gay rights battle, both sides feel they are losingWhen Mississippi passed a law defending religious liberties, it felt like overkill to LGBT residents who have virtually no protections anyway. But religious conservatives say they are trying to hold back a tide. Part 4 of seven. 聽
Would independent prosecutors make police shooting investigations fairer?Critics say the close connections between prosecutors and local police leads to unjust decisions not to prosecute officers following officer-involved shootings.听
Federal judge declares evidence from cellphone tracker unconstitutionalFor the first time, a federal judge on Tuesday suppressed evidence obtained by a 'Stingray' cellphone tracking device, saying the defendant's rights were violated with an 'unreasonable search.'
First LookArkansas to revive lethal injections soon, says governorPublic support for the death penalty is on the decline nationally. But Arkansas could begin scheduling new executions before the end of the year.
Mayor with a past wants convicts to put jobs in their futurePresident Obama and Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim have both made calls to help ease the process of returning to work for those who have spent time in prison.听
D.B. Cooper: FBI closes notorious unsolved skyjacking caseOn Tuesday, the FBI's Seattle field office closed the investigation into the 1971 case of a mysterious man who parachuted out of a plane with $200,000 in ransom money.
First LookProtestors march on city hall as LAPD fatal shooting is ruled justifiedAmid nationwide protests against police violence, the Los Angeles Police Commission finds that a fatal police shooting of a local woman was justified.
New evidence that what we think about cops and race is far too simplisticA new study undermines the narrative of racial bias in police killings. The study is flawed, experts say, but still a useful addition to the debate.
Behind legal fight over religious liberty, a question of conscienceThe religious right of conscience was once a powerful legal idea. But when weighed against the right for equal treatment in recent gay rights cases, it has consistently lost ground. Part 3 of seven.听
Police ambush plot foiled in Baton Rouge, law enforcement saysA week after 37-year-old Alton Sterling was shot and killed by two white police officers in Baton Rouge, protesters demand justice for Sterling and police investigate threats to local law enforcement. 聽
Why North Carolina is exempting body cameras from public recordGov. Pat McCrory signed the controversial law on Monday. The effort has been heavily opposed by civil liberties groups as having a chilling effect on transparency.
A florist caught between faith and financial ruinWhen a florist was forced to choose between a beloved customer, who is gay, and following her 海角大神 convictions, she made a decision that changed lives and, perhaps, how the law will see such cases in the future. Part 2 of seven.听
After confusion following Dallas ambush, will Texas rethink open carry?At least 20 attendants at Thursday's march, where five officers were killed,聽were armed with assault weapons, making it difficult for police to distinguish suspects from protesters.
How the push for gay rights is reshaping religious liberty in AmericaAs gay rights rapidly expand, some religious conservatives worry that their ability to live their public lives according to their faith is being swept away. Part 1 of seven.
