Government

Maryland Supreme Court upholds decision to reinstate Adnan Syed murder conviction

The Maryland Supreme Court on Friday upheld an appellate court’s decision to reinstate the murder conviction of Adnan Syed, a blow to the “Serial” podcast subject but one that probably does not conclude his legal fight.

Aug 30, 2024 10:05 AM CDT

Supreme Court refuses to allow Biden’s student loan repayment plan—for now

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to immediately clear the way for the Biden administration’s new student loan relief and repayment plan, adding to uncertainty about the future of a program that would affect millions of borrowers and has become part of the sharp political debate over who is responsible for hefty tuition debt.

Aug 29, 2024 9:15 AM CDT

Switchblades are protected by Second Amendment, top Massachusetts court rules

A Massachusetts law banning the possession of switchblades violates the Second Amendment, the state’s top court ruled Tuesday.

Aug 28, 2024 10:58 AM CDT

To address lawyer shortage, Indiana could fund scholarships, approve allied professionals, commission says

Indiana could help address an attorney shortage in underserved communities through law student scholarships and loan-repayment assistance, according to initial recommendations by the Indiana Supreme Court’s Commission on Indiana’s Legal Future.

Aug 28, 2024 9:04 AM CDT

Judge Cannon tossing Trump’s case raises risk for acting prosecutors

Judge Aileen M. Cannon’s surprising dismissal of Donald Trump’s criminal case in Florida could jeopardize not just future special counsels but any federal prosecutor or senior official serving in a temporary position, according to legal experts.

Aug 27, 2024 3:00 PM CDT

Prosecutors and public defenders strike for higher pay in this California county

Public defenders and prosecutors are among about 250 government attorneys who went on strike Monday in California’s Sacramento County following two years without a contract.

Aug 27, 2024 12:31 PM CDT

Interest in law school is up, LSAC tallies show

More people are interested in attending law school, with the number of aspiring lawyers taking the Law School Admission Test up by 11.6% over last year and the number of applicants to law schools up 5.7%

Aug 27, 2024 11:19 AM CDT

8th Circuit decision is setback for ‘constitutional sheriffs’ movement, says gun-safety group

A federal appeals court has ruled for the U.S. Department of Justice in a challenge to a Missouri law that banned state and local officials from helping enforce some federal gun regulations.

Aug 27, 2024 10:17 AM CDT

Judge who displayed Confederate-flag statue should be removed, judicial conduct commission says

A New York town justice who denigrated political candidates on Facebook and displayed a Confederate-flag statue should be removed from office, according to the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

Aug 27, 2024 8:45 AM CDT

Federal court upholds Maryland training, background checks for handguns

A federal appeals court has upheld Maryland’s requirement that gun owners first go through firearms training and pass a background check—a ruling issued Friday that crossed ideological lines.

Aug 26, 2024 1:27 PM CDT

Wanted: Lawyers to help with this year’s election

The Task Force for American Democracy, formed by immediate-past ABA President Mary Smith last year, is on the front lines. In recent months, its members conducted a cross-country listening tour to discuss improving public trust in the electoral process. It also released an analysis outlining current threats to elections and ways lawyers and state and local bar associations can help protect the system.

Aug 26, 2024 10:52 AM CDT

Lawyer gets stayed suspension for fake blog comments

Updated: A Colorado lawyer has received a stayed 60-day suspension for posing as a judge and a former deputy district attorney in blog comments last year.

Aug 26, 2024 9:29 AM CDT

Give Us a Break: Supreme Court’s summer hiatus interrupted by emergency docket cases

Updated: After a blockbuster and contentious term that spilled over into July, U.S. Supreme Court justices were no doubt eager for their summer recess to begin. But at a recent annual judicial conference, Justice Elena Kagan addressed the idea of the court’s summer recess, bemoaning a trend of recent years in which the press of emergency actions encroached on the justices’ relaxation.

Aug 22, 2024 10:34 AM CDT

Assistant pleads guilty to embezzling more than $50K from criminal court judge

A former judicial assistant pleaded guilty Tuesday to embezzling more than $50,000 from a Michigan criminal court judge who supervised him. Steven Allen, 43, of Detroit pleaded guilty after he was accused of using the Wayne County, Michigan, judge’s ATM card to make withdrawals and purchases totaling more than $60,000.…

Aug 22, 2024 8:45 AM CDT

Judge reprimanded for false ‘elder abuse’ claim on Facebook in spat over guardianship case

An Ohio judge has received a public reprimand for inaccurately asserting on Facebook that an elderly woman was removed from her home because of its “deplorable conditions” and her son’s failure to take care of her.

Aug 22, 2024 8:43 AM CDT