All Law & Courts
First LookJudge strikes down Indiana law barring discriminatory abortionA federal judge ruled Indiana's abortion law unconstitutional Thursday in yet another blow to pro-life advocates this week.聽
Baltimore Police Department revamps 'use of force' policies: Is it enough?Baltimore follows other major American cities in overhauling policing practices to limit and better monitor uses of force.
First LookWhy the case against Mississippi's religious objections law was differentIn his ruling against a Mississippi state law Thursday evening, a judge further defines the distinction between religious freedom and separation of church and state.
How Scalia's legacy echoes in Supreme Court's final decision of the termIn the ruling, which unanimously vacated the 2014 federal corruption conviction of former Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell, both Scalia鈥檚 vision for the high court and his concerns for it were on display.
First LookSupreme Court rejects religious objections to birth control salesThe US Supreme Court let stand a July 2015 lower court ruling that a Washington State statute should protect women's access to contraceptives.聽
First LookSupreme Court citizenship case: Should the genders of parents' matter?The Supreme Court will take on the distinction in current immigration law between mothers and fathers when determining a child's citizenship.
How Supreme Court's abortion ruling could echo beyond TexasTexas was one of many states to pass restrictive antiabortion legislation in recent years. Some of those laws could now be under threat.
In unanimous ruling, Supreme Court clears former Virginia governorMonday's ruling vacating the conviction of聽former Virginia Gov. Robert聽McDonnell聽could change the way federal prosecutors approach bribery cases against politicians.
Arizona runs out of lethal injection drugs: Is this how the death penalty dies?Arizona drugs shortfall is聽part of an increasingly poignant national debate that has put the ethics of the death penalty at odds with its practicality.
Supreme Court ruling a green light for affirmative action 'experimentation'By upholding a University of Texas admissions policy, the Supreme Court has boosted those seeking to look at diversity more deeply.聽
First LookIn driver's acquittal, more of the same for those seeking justice for Freddie GrayA Baltimore circuit judge's absolution of Caesar Goodson is seen as a major blow to those hoping for criminal justice reform.
Why the NRA and ACLU take same side of 'no fly' gun debateThe American Civil Liberties Union and the National Rifle Association are rarely on the same side. But linking gun control and the 'no fly' terror list is an exception.聽
Immigration deadlock showcases shortcomings of short-handed courtScholars worry about the ongoing effects of the nation鈥檚 partisan gridlock, which is聽now also affecting the branch of government that is supposed to remain above the political fray.
Freddie Gray and the limits of courtroom prosecutionsOn Thursday, the driver of the van, Officer Caesar Goodson, was acquitted of all charges. The not-guilty verdict, according to legal experts, raises questions about the limits of the criminal-justice system as a check on police misconduct.
First LookArkansas court upholds state's legal injection secrecy legislationThe state's Supreme Court rejected a challenge from a group of death row inmates, who argued that the state's practice of not revealing information about execution drugs could lead to cruel and unusual punishment.聽
Supreme Court upholds affirmative action: What will it mean for students?The high court sided with the University of Texas Thursday, rejecting a challenge to the university's use of race as one factor in admissions brought by a white student who wasn't admitted.
'Broken windows' policing doesn鈥檛 bring down felonies, study saysNew York's police department believes that enforcing laws against petty crime helps with felony deterrence, but many departments are shifting away from this model.聽
First LookBaltimore awaits third Freddie Gray verdict on police officer 鈥� and the cityA Baltimore judge is set to announce a verdict for the third of six trials for police officers involved in the death of Freddie Gray. The city is anxious for proof that justice and change are possible.
Rep. Chaka Fattah found guilty of corruption. A sign a changing times?A federal jury convicted Pennsylvania Rep. Chaka Fattah Tuesday of laundering federal grants during his 30-year political career.
Could profiling prevent another Orlando shooting?Often missed in the civil liberties debate over profiling is evidence that shows it is not effective. But proponents point to Israel, whose airport screening has kept it free of attacks since 1972.
