All Law & Courts
First LookIowa High Court bans life-without-parole sentences for all juvenilesIn the majority opinion of the Iowa Supreme Court, even juveniles who聽commit the severest crimes deserve the possibility of a second chance.
First LookLouisiana becomes first state to etch 'Blue Lives Matter' into lawThe Pelican State takes the lead as the first in the nation to extend hate-crime protections to first responders.
First LookConnecticut solidifies abolition of capital punishmentThe Connecticut Supreme Court ruled Thursday by a 5-to-2 majority to uphold its decision of last August, in which it supported the state's 2012 abolition of the death penalty and applied it retroactively to those still sitting on death row.
Two Baltimore cops sue Maryland AG over Freddie Gray caseOfficer William Porter and Sgt. Alicia White filed a lawsuit against Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby, who they say knowingly made false statements about the officers.
Transgender bathrooms in schools: Why 11 states are suing Obama administrationTexas and 10 other states are suing the Obama administration over its directive to public schools to let transgender students use the bathrooms and locker rooms of their chosen gender.
Federal prison errors caused at least 150 delayed releases, report saysThe US government spent at least $1 million to incarcerate the prisoners for the additional time, according to a report from the Office of the Inspector General.聽
First LookCharges without conviction? Baltimore prosecutor under fireMarilyn Mosby was lauded for her swift filing of charges against six police officers in the death of Freddie Gray last year. But now, critics question whether she may have acted too hastily in effort to appease angry protesters.
In acquittal of Baltimore officer, two views of justice collideThe second of six Baltimore officers on trial regarding the death of Freddie Gray was acquitted Monday. Activists demand justice, but the case was an unusual one.
Supreme Court rules against use of all-white jury in death penalty caseThe Supreme Court on Monday ruled 7 to 1 in favor of death-row inmate Timothy Tyrone Foster, who was convicted of the murder of a white woman in Georgia in 1987.
Supreme Court unanimously rejects GOP challenge to VA districting caseOn Monday, the justices ruled to let stand a lower court's ruling that the state's Republican-led legislature unlawfully considered race when drawing congressional districts.聽
First LookBaltimore cop Edward Nero acquitted in death of Freddie GrayBaltimore Police Officer Edward Nero was acquitted by a judge Monday. He faced up 10 years in prison for second-degree assault.聽
Louisiana 鈥楤lue Lives Matter鈥� law: How big a shift in police brutality debate?If signed by the governor, Louisiana will be the first state in the nation to expand hate crimes to include police. A step toward protecting a group at risk or a move that dilutes hate crime laws?
First LookDid DOJ attorneys lie to a federal judge about Obama immigration plans?Texas Federal Judge Andrew Hanen orders Department of Justice attorneys to take ethics classes over statements made during a 2014 hearing for a lawsuit challenging the president's controversial immigration programs.
America's newest export: criminal justice reformFrom prisoner education to 'problem-solving courts,'聽the US and Britain are teaching each other how to reduce incarceration and recidivism. The efforts are driven by both budgetary and moral urgency.
First LookShooting of black woman final straw for embattled San Francisco police chiefThe city's mayor stood by Police Chief Greg Suhr through another high-profile shooting and scandal involving racist text message between officers. But the death of a black suspect on Thursday prompted Mayor Ed Lee to demand his resignation.
Do Airbnb hosts discriminate against renters by race?Gregory Selden is suing Airbnb for discriminatory practices by hosts and is聽seeking a class action that will represent others who have had similar experiences.
Who made Trump's short list for Supreme Court Justice?Donald Trump released a list of 11 potential Supreme Court Justices Wednesday, as the presumptive Republican nominee works to unite a fractured party.聽
First LookOne year after Santa Barbara oil spill, California presses criminal chargesThe May 2015 spill forced 21,000 gallons of oil into the Pacific Ocean. If convicted, Plains All American Pipeline could face $2.8 million in fines.
First LookChampions of free speech launch $60-million First Amendment InstituteThe First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, is a $60-million initiative that seeks to advance First Amendment rights through research, education, and litigation.
In contraception case, Supreme Court tried something different 鈥� and it workedThe Supreme Court didn't decide the divisive contraception case, but rather found grounds for consensus. These days, that's a very unusual approach, but it hasn't always been that way.聽
