Homelessness

Falling behind on rent could mean jail time in one state, but that could change

Only Arkansas permits criminal consequences for nonpayment of rent—and it has enforced the law during the pandemic. Now, after ProPublica investigated the practice, some legislators want to revoke the statute.

Mar 29, 2021 9:50 AM CDT

5 ways to do more pro bono in 2021

For attorneys who want to do more pro bono in 2021, here are five ways to get involved.

Dec 21, 2020 1:52 PM CST

ABA commission receives national recognition for work with homeless courts

The ABA Commission on Homelessness and Poverty was honored Monday by the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness for its role in providing guidance, training and technical assistance to homeless courts across the country.

Dec 7, 2020 2:06 PM CST

Vandals ‘picked the wrong guy’ when they defaced my home for client work, BigLaw partner says

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher partner Randy Mastro has said he won’t be intimidated by vandals who spray-painted his home with epithets, apparently due to his involvement in a homeless issue.

Oct 26, 2020 10:00 AM CDT

First-ever ABA Giving Day addresses COVID-19 and racial justice

A new ABA initiative is encouraging lawyers to invest in projects that “counter the impact of COVID-19 and champion racial justice across America.”

Oct 21, 2020 10:05 AM CDT

New homeless court program launches in Flint, Michigan

Judge G. David Guinn knows from his nearly 20 years of experience as a prosecutor that coming to court can be a traumatic experience for many people.

Oct 12, 2020 3:38 PM CDT

Supreme Court rejects cases on qualified immunity used to shield police officers

The U.S. Supreme Court refused Monday to hear several cases challenging the doctrine of qualified immunity, which often shields police officers accused of misconduct.

Jun 16, 2020 10:30 AM CDT

ABA commission gets behind movement to open homeless courts across the country

When asked about the importance of homeless courts, Jeff Yungman’s thoughts go to a sick man who was living in the woods and panhandling on the streets. He received several citations for blocking the sidewalk, which came with fines and fees he would never be able to pay. “Having people like him, we can see why the homeless court is needed and why he probably still would be in the woods if there hadn’t been some intervention for him,” Yungman says.

Jun 16, 2020 8:30 AM CDT

Civil rights lawyer allows people who are homeless to camp on his property

A civil rights attorney in Sacramento, California, is opening up his own property to people who are experiencing homelessness.

Jun 11, 2020 2:58 PM CDT

4th Circuit revives suit against police in shooting death and says, ‘This has to stop’

A federal appeals court has revived a lawsuit against police officers in the shooting death of a homeless black man who was stopped for failing to walk on the sidewalk.

Jun 10, 2020 12:00 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Judge orders shelter for homeless people; state must release execution drug info

Judge orders LA to find shelter for homeless near freeways

On Friday, U.S. District Judge David Carter ordered the county and city of Los Angeles to find shelter for…

May 18, 2020 4:47 PM CDT

Federal judge, 76, takes lawyers on skid row tour

A federal judge in Santa Ana, California, recently took lawyers in his courtroom on a skid row tour, so they could see for themselves whether new hand-washing stations were in working condition.

Apr 20, 2020 4:49 PM CDT

Public defender’s office delivers Easter lunches to homeless people amid coronavirus crisis

Homeless people housed in two Woodland, California, motels during the COVID-19 pandemic were treated to hot Easter lunches, thanks to the Yolo County public defender’s office.

Apr 14, 2020 4:18 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: ABA backs COVID-19 money for LSC; Larry Klayman files $20T suit against China

ABA president says LSC needs extra money for COVID-19 issues

ABA President Judy Perry Martinez is asking Congress to provide a supplemental appropriation for the Legal Services Corp. The cash…

Mar 20, 2020 3:30 PM CDT

Cop who left incoherent man at county border isn’t liable for death, 5th Circuit says in substitute opinion

The Louisiana-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has withdrawn a July opinion finding a Mississippi sheriffs' deputy could be liable for dropping a mentally disabled man at the county border, where he was later struck and killed by a car.

Feb 24, 2020 11:50 AM CST