Louisiana

This law firm says it’s mobilizing to help clients in the wake of Hurricane Ida

As Hurricane Ida wanes but leaves thousands in need of rescue and millions without power, lawyers are among those surveying the damage from the storm and mobilizing to help those in need. One of those attorneys is Bill Hines.

Aug 31, 2021 3:13 PM CDT

Mandatory bar in Texas violates lawyers’ First Amendment rights, 5th Circuit rules

A federal appeals court ruled Friday that the mandatory state bar in Texas violates lawyers’ First Amendment rights because of its political and ideological activities.

Jul 6, 2021 10:55 AM CDT

Requirement for jury unanimity in serious cases isn’t retroactive, Supreme Court rules

The requirement for unanimous jury verdicts in serious criminal cases doesn’t apply retroactively to overturn final convictions on federal collateral review, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday.

May 17, 2021 12:28 PM CDT

In 325-page opinion, en banc 5th Circuit splits on preference for tribes in Native American adoptions

A case challenging a federal law giving Indian tribes preference in Native American adoptions could wind up before the U.S. Supreme Court, after a federal appeals court issued a fractured, 325-page en banc opinion Tuesday.

Apr 8, 2021 12:32 PM CDT

Supreme Court will decide whether Kentucky AG can pick up defense of invalidated abortion law

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to decide whether Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron can intervene to defend an invalidated state abortion law after no other state official would continue to defend it.

Mar 30, 2021 11:10 AM CDT

Judge Scott Schlegel deployed tools to help keep his docket moving at the height of the pandemic

Soon after his 2013 election to the bench in Louisiana’s 24th Judicial District, Judge Scott Schlegel started looking for ways to repurpose technology common in the private sector for deployment in the court system.

Feb 1, 2021 12:20 AM CST

For first time in history, federal government carried out more civilian executions than all 50 states

Ten federal inmates were executed this year as a result of a push by the Department of Justice, putting the total number of federal executions above that of all 50 states combined.

Dec 17, 2020 3:07 PM CST

En banc 5th Circuit allows Medicaid defunding of Planned Parenthood

Medicaid patients don’t have a right to sue over a state’s decision to end Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood, the en banc 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at New Orleans ruled Monday.

Nov 25, 2020 11:13 AM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Proposed $26B opioid settlement revealed; Florida judge reprimanded for noise response

Proposed $26B opioid settlement disclosed Four companies involved in making and distributing opioids have disclosed a proposed $26 billion settlement that would end thousands of lawsuits by state and local governments. The proposal is $4 billion higher than an earlier offer that was met with resistance. The four companies are…

Nov 6, 2020 3:48 PM CST

Can Black Lives Matter protest organizer be liable for officer’s injury? Supreme Court vacates ruling for cop

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday vacated a decision allowing a Louisiana police officer to sue the organizer of a Black Lives Matter protest for a serious injury caused when a different protester threw a heavy object.

Nov 2, 2020 1:15 PM CST

Prisoner wins parole after getting life sentence for trying to steal hedge clippers in 1997

A Louisiana man sentenced to life in prison for trying to steal hedge clippers was granted parole Thursday after spending more than 20 years in prison for the crime.

Oct 16, 2020 1:56 PM CDT

Oregon and Louisiana grapple with past criminal convictions made with split verdicts

In April, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Ramos v. Louisiana that split verdicts in state trials for serious criminal offenses violated the Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial, overturning a high court ruling in 1972 that upheld them. The effect of the court’s ruling in Ramos is that state courts will now vacate cases with split verdicts on direct appeal. Prosecutors will next decide whether to retry them. What is unclear is whether the ruling will apply retroactively.

Oct 1, 2020 2:10 AM CDT

Man accused of staging crashes is shot and killed; indictment suggests more charges coming

A New Orleans man accused of staging crashes with 18-wheeler trucks was shot and killed last Tuesday, just four days after his indictment.

Sep 28, 2020 1:02 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Mueller prosecutor has regrets in tell-all book; federal courthouse is a hurricane casualty

Book by Mueller prosecutor says more could have been done A book by Andrew Weissmann, a former prosecutor for special counsel Robert Mueller said the office failed to fully investigate President Donald Trump’s financial ties amid fears that Trump would shut down the investigation. “We could have done more,” Weissmann…

Sep 22, 2020 4:45 PM CDT

This Louisiana judge continues to innovate during the COVID-19 crisis

Judge Scott Schlegel’s history of utilizing technology in his Louisiana courtroom to make life easier for attorneys and members of the public has come in very handy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sep 16, 2020 8:00 AM CDT