All Law & Courts
'Stop and frisk': 7 questions about New York's controversial policing tactic A federal judge has declared the New York Police Department鈥檚 'stop and frisk' program to be unconstitutional, and new Mayor Bill de Blasio disavows it. Its use has abated under returned Police Commissioner William Bratton, but the fight over it continues. What is it, and does it work?- Are prayers before public meetings OK? Supreme Court to decide.Officials in Greece, N.Y., set up a system for prayers before town meetings. The US Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine whether the practice violates the First Amendment's separation of church and state.
New Orleans parade shooting: Arrests show city's reworked approach to policingThe arrests of two brothers after a Mother鈥檚 Day parade shooting appear to be an example of the dramatic shift in gang-war policing that New Orleans has made under Mayor Mitch Landrieu.
US loses track of terrorists in witness protection: Poor data sharing blamedThe Justice Department inspector general found 'significant deficiencies' in the handling of known or suspected terrorists under the federal government's witness protection program.
Jodi Arias trial: Does her statement about wanting death penalty factor in?The death penalty phase of the Jodi Arias trial began on Thursday. Jurors aren't supposed to watch news coverage of the case, but experts say information from it often filters in.
Why O.J. Simpson was so eager to take stand in new trialO.J. Simpson wants a new trial to reconsider his 2008 conviction on charges of armed robbery and kidnapping, saying he was misled by a bad lawyer. It's a common problem, legal experts say.
When Minnesota approves gay marriage, does Supreme Court listen? Maybe.Minnesota on Tuesday became the third state in two weeks to legalize gay marriage. According to one exchange at the Supreme Court earlier this year, that's exactly why the justices shouldn't get involved.
Will government probe of AP phone records cost Eric Holder his job?Attorney General Eric Holder has alienated Republicans before. But the Justice Department's seizure of AP phone records is generating bipartisan concern.
Minnesota governor expected to sign same-sex marriage billThe Minnesota state Senate passed a bill to legalize same-sex marriage Monday. If the governor signs it, Minnesota will become the 12th state to sanction gay marriage.
James Holmes insanity defense: Judge sees 'good cause' to allow plea changeLawyers for accused Aurora movie theater shooter James Holmes said he is mentally ill, justifying a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. The judge said he would decide this month whether to accept the plea change.
Farmers cannot replicate Monsanto seeds for second crop, Supreme Court rulesThe Supreme Court ruled against an Indiana farmer who sought to cut the planting cost of his soybean crop by relying on subsequent generations of a patented Monsanto herbicide-resistant seed.
Is smoking in public park a constitutional right? Supreme Court refuses caseArthur Gallagher, a smoker, challenged a ban on lighting up in city buildings, parks, and playgrounds in Clayton, Mo. The Supreme Court turned away the case Monday.
Cleveland kidnappings: Was Ariel Castro record of abuse a red flag?What if Ariel Castro鈥檚 past record of domestic violence had resulted in legal action?聽Could it have led authorities to discover that he was holding three women in his house? Could it have prevented the kidnappings?
Tsarnaev 2011 murders? Boston-bombing brothers also could be linked to earlier deaths.Tsarnaev 2011 murders? Marathon bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev was friends with one of the victims of a 2011 triple homicide near Boston. According to some news reports, investigators are exploring evidence that could link him and his brother to that crime.
Could Ariel Castro be tried for murder? Case would be unprecedented.Aggravated murder charges likely will be sought against Ariel Castro, a prosecutor said. Experts say it is unprecedented to sentence someone to death for killing a fetus in a case in which the mother survives.
Can Boston bombing suspect get a fair trial if public thinks he confessed?For much of the public, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has already admitted guilt, whether or not his reported confession is admissible in court. A look at the challenges posed by pretrial publicity.
Judge won't delay his order for easy access to 'morning after' pillA federal judge, in a slap to the Obama administration, refused Friday to postpone his order to make the 'morning after' pill widely available to women and girls. The government had sought a stay pending appeal.
How do you get $45 million from ATMs? Cyberthieves did it in 12 hours.Most of a New York City 'casher' crew is under arrest, suspected of stealing $2.8 million from ATMs as part of a global cyberscheme that netted $45 million from tampered debit card accounts.
Jodi Arias case: What's trend line on women getting the death penalty?Among male murderers in the US, a smaller share has been drawing the death penalty in recent years. That's not so, though, for women killers. How societal views may factor into sentencing in instances such as the Jodi Arias case.
Employers can't be forced to display pro-union posters, court rulesThe Obama administration had mandated that businesses put up posters informing workers of their rights to organize in unions. A federal appeals court struck down the rule Tuesday.