Overloaded with cases, public defenders often cannot give enough time to each client, and defendants may face long waits to get an attorney.
Too often people think of jury service as a hassle and a financial burden, rather than an empowering way to participate in justice. Some courts are trying to fix that and, in the process, make it easier to diversify their jury pools.
With the federal law eroded by court decisions, about a half-dozen states want to enshrine protections for non-white voters. But it’s a tough sell even in Democratic states.
Legislators have gone so far as to claim it’s “a myth” that courts have the power to strike down laws. So far, however, the most aggressive proposals to strip power from judges have been defeated.
GOP Gov. Brian Kemp is pushing hard for a civil litigation overhaul, contending that excessive damages are harming businesses and driving up insurance costs. Opponents say it would give too big a break to negligent companies.
The Supreme Court has made public corruption cases more difficult. The Justice Department's actions in New York suggests they may turn into political weapons.
The city is launching “neighborhood wellness courts,” a diversion program designed to issue citations and offer addiction treatment and other services in lieu of misdemeanor sentences.
A state Supreme Court justice won a narrow victory in November. Her challenger argues tens of thousands of votes should be thrown out.
Over the past few months, gun laws in Illinois, New York and Minnesota have all been tossed out. Federal courts are more protective of Second Amendment Rights in the wake of a 2022 Supreme Court decision.
GOP lawmakers want to alter the way state supreme court justices are selected or elected. Some conservative causes in the states, notably abortion bans, have been undermined by court rulings.
The approach, mostly adopted in Central Florida municipalities, allows prosecutors to waive court sentences in exchange for homeless people getting treatment, housing and jobs.
Sweeping police reforms in 2020 stripped Colorado law enforcement of qualified immunity, a legal defense that previously blocked officers and sheriffs from being sued in their individual capacities in most cases.
State constitutional amendments that voters approved in seven states on Nov. 5 also are vulnerable to federal moves that could essentially override them.
There have been 46 lawsuits filed by the Justice Department, Maryland, Baltimore, the families of the workers and businesses affected against the two companies that own and manage the container ship that was involved in the crash.
An approved measure was supposed to require Internet providers to offer basic broadband interconnectivity to low-income residents for $15 a month. But a consortium of providers and telecom firms argue that should be the FCC’s job.
The Florida Department of Health issued a letter to local TV stations last week, demanding that they remove ads supporting the state’s abortion amendment within 24 hours or the department would seek criminal charges.
Most Read
