Civil Procedure

Florida ex-felons face legal battle over voting rights

Civil rights activists are challenging a new law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday that formerly incarcerated people who have completed their prison sentences and probation have to pay outstanding court fines or fees before their right to vote is restored.

Jul 3, 2019 2:00 PM CDT

Federal judge blocks policy ending bond hearings for asylum-seekers

Updated: A ruling by a federal judge has blocked the enforcement of a new policy that would require immigrants awaiting asylum determinations to be detained during their review. Judge Marsha Pechman of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington said in her opinion, filed Tuesday, that immigration…

Jul 3, 2019 11:21 AM CDT

Judge refuses to delay Democrats’ suit accusing Trump of violating the emoluments clause

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has refused to delay a lawsuit filed by nearly 200 congressional Democrats that accuses President Donald Trump of violating the emoluments clause.

Jun 26, 2019 12:33 PM CDT

In unusual split, SCOTUS finds no standing in racial gerrymandering case

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that Virginia’s House of Delegates did not have standing to represent the state’s interests in a racial redistricting case.

Jun 17, 2019 9:50 AM CDT

46 ice cream trucks scooped up in ‘Operation Meltdown;’ mayor says it’s ‘the end of the road’

As part of the appropriately named “Operation Meltdown,” New York City seized 46 ice cream trucks June 5 for thwarting parking enforcement measures and evading millions of dollars of imposed penalties. The city alleges in a lawsuit filed May 30 against the owners of 76 ice cream trucks that the…

Jun 10, 2019 7:30 AM CDT

Florist can’t refuse to provide flowers for same-sex wedding, state supreme court rules again

The Washington Supreme Court has ruled again against a Christian florist who refused to provide flowers for a same-sex couple’s wedding on the grounds that it would violate her religion.

Jun 7, 2019 10:55 AM CDT

Judicial immunity protects judge who was recorded disparaging lawyers, 6th Circuit says

A Michigan state judge caught on a recording disparaging two lawyers has immunity in their suit alleging a conspiracy with opposing counsel, a federal appeals court has ruled. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Cincinnati ruled Tuesday that the actions of Judge Paul Hamre did not fit within…

May 30, 2019 2:56 PM CDT

Kansas Supreme Court rules state constitution guarantees abortion rights, even if Roe is overturned

A decision by the Kansas Supreme Court on Friday means that even if Roe v. Wade was overturned, abortions would stay legal in the state.

Apr 29, 2019 7:00 AM CDT

ICE can’t target immigration activist for policy criticisms, 2nd Circuit rules

A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that an immigration activist demonstrated that government officials targeted him for deportation after he criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and immigration policy. In the opinion, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at New York held that Ravidath Ragbir’s allegations are enough to…

Apr 26, 2019 7:00 AM CDT

Public defenders ask to step down from Parkland shooting case

Two public defenders representing Nikolas Cruz—the suspect in the Parkland, Florida, school shooting that left 17 people dead and another 17 injured in 2018—unexpectedly requested to be removed from his case Wednesday.

Apr 25, 2019 3:44 PM CDT

Attorney sues French luxury brands company for sexual harassment and retaliation

A senior in-house attorney in the New York office of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton sued the company Tuesday for sexual harassment and retaliation. In her complaint, Andowah Newton, vice president of legal affairs and litigation counsel at LVMH, claims that she was sexually harassed by a male colleague who…

Apr 25, 2019 12:18 PM CDT

Lawsuit over killing of Idaho gray wolves can proceed, 9th Circuit rules

A federal appeals court has reinstated a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services for killing gray wolves in mountainous parts of Idaho without updating the potential impact under the National Environmental Policy Act. In its opinion, filed April 23, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at…

Apr 25, 2019 7:00 AM CDT

Trump administration directs officials to defy congressional subpoenas

Another Trump administration official is refusing to testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, despite a congressional subpoena and possible contempt charges. President Donald Trump also challenged the committee earlier this week.

Apr 24, 2019 1:35 PM CDT

Federal judge sides with female inmates who filed class action suit over widespread sleep deprivation

No more 2:30 a.m. pill calls, 4 a.m. breakfasts or noisy overnight maintenance in jails in one San Francisco Bay Area county, a federal judge ruled Monday. In a preliminary injunction order, District Judge James Donato of the Northern District of California ruled in favor of a group of female…

Apr 24, 2019 12:32 PM CDT

Army reservist, ACLU drop lawsuit over gun range’s anti-Muslim sign

A U.S. Army reservist dropped his federal lawsuit against an eastern Oklahoma gun range on Tuesday after it agreed to remove its “Muslim-free establishment” sign.

Apr 24, 2019 10:47 AM CDT