All Law & Courts
Trayvon Martin shooting: Should victim's high school file be made public?The new judge overseeing George Zimmerman's murder trial, Debra Nelson, will on Friday set parameters for how new evidence 鈥� including shooting victim Trayvon Martin鈥檚 high school file 鈥� will be handled and discussed. Trial is set for June 2013.
Gay marriage to Supreme Court? More likely after latest rejection of DOMA.A federal appeals court panel in New York voted 2 to 1 to declare part of DOMA unconstitutional. The opinion, just three weeks after argument, suggests the judges may have been keeping an eye on the Supreme Court.
Boy Scouts child abuse files: Can the organization withstand their release?In recent years, the Boy Scouts of America has implemented many new guidelines to protect against new abuse. Even though morale inside the BSA remains high, some experts say the group is fighting a losing battle.
9/11 cases: Do broad constitutional rights apply to Guant谩namo detainees?US Supreme Court has identified some rights that apply to terrorism suspects at the US detention camp. At a pretrial hearing at Guant谩namo, detainees' lawyers argue that the Constitution should be presumed to be in effect during war-crimes trials.
9/11 cases: Khalid Sheikh Mohammed speaks in court, lectures judgeThe accused 9/11 mastermind had skipped pretrial hearings at Guant谩namo, but he made a surprise showing Wednesday afternoon and addressed the court. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed had some counsel for the judge.
Fight ends over early voting in Ohio as US Supreme Court refuses to step inOhio had sought to cut short in-person early voting this year, but federal courts ruled it could not, citing potential disenfranchisement of older and low-income voters. On Tuesday, the US Supreme Court declined to enter fray in this key electoral state.
9/11 cases: Three of five Guant谩namo detainees skip pretrial hearingA military commission judge said Monday the defendants don't have to attend the proceedings, and on Tuesday Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two other Guant谩namo detainees opted out. It's a day-by-day decision.
Guant谩namo trial boycott? Judge says defendants don't have to attendKhalid Sheikh Mohammed and his four co-defendants in the 9/11 conspiracy trial at聽Guant谩namo Bay cannot be forced to attend future sessions of the trial or pretrial hearings, a military judge said.
Romney campaign sues over absentee ballots in WisconsinBoth presidential campaigns are closely watching states' election officials for any ballot or voting-law irregularities. The Romney team is the latest to sue, over Wisconsin's handling of absentee ballots for residents abroad.
Supreme Court to review Arizona law making would-be voters prove citizenshipCritics of the Arizona law argue that the state requirement clashed with the National Voter Registration Act. The US Supreme Court agreed to take up the case Monday.
Modern-day Puritans wring hands over Zumba Madam鈥檚 list of shameA Maine court will consider whether聽a prostitution 'list of shame' is a punishment too Puritanical even for New England, where the fallout may include schoolyard teasing and public shaming.
Mother gets 99 years for beating, gluing daughter: Has the US had it with bad parents?Elizabeth Escalona, a 23-year-old mother of five, was sentenced to 99 years in prison after severely beating her daughter and gluing the girl鈥檚 hands to a wall. The sentence is one sign that society 鈥� and the courts 鈥� are taking child abuse more seriously.
Supreme Court: In affirmative action arguments, conservative bloc seems unitedThe Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday on an affirmative-action plan at the University of Texas, and Justice Anthony Kennedy, the likely swing vote, appeared skeptical.
Jerry Sandusky gets at least 30 years in prison, but case isn't closed yetThe former Penn State coach was sentenced Tuesday for child sexual abuse, but his lawyer says the conviction will be appealed. There is also the unresolved matter of civil lawsuits filed against Jerry Sandusky, his charitable foundation, and Penn State.
Supreme Court case on use of race in admissions could be landmarkThe University of Texas at Austin admits some students based on a process that includes race as one factor 鈥� even though the school is already racially diverse. The Supreme Court will consider whether that process is justified.
Pennsylvania judge blocks controversial voter ID lawBut the court is still allowing officials to ask voters to show their ID this November 鈥� even though those who don't have one will still be allowed to vote.
At Supreme Court: Can US courts be venue for human rights cases from abroad?On Day 1 of its term, the US Supreme Court heard a case involving allegations by 12 Nigerians that a foreign oil firm abetted human rights abuses in Nigeria 20 years ago. Alien Tort Statute, originally aimed at allowing legal action against pirates, lies at heart of the case.
As US Supreme Court opens, all eyes on Chief Justice John RobertsThe US Supreme Court opens its 2012-13 term Monday with Justice Anthony Kennedy again the likely swing vote. But given his vote on the Affordable Care Act, Chief Justice John Roberts may not be predictably conservative either.
Univision: The untold story of what 'Fast and Furious' wrought in MexicoSunday evening, Univision airs an investigative report on how the botched 'Fast and Furious' program resulted in a deadly toll in Mexico when US authorities allowed guns to 'walk' across the border.
Jimmy Hoffa: no visible sign of remains, but forensics lab to weigh inJimmy Hoffa may be buried under a work shed in Roseville, Mich., a tipster said. The investigation hasn't found any remains yet, but the search for Jimmy Hoffa continues.