Courts & Law

Biden’s Lower Court Appointments Are a Rare Dose of Good News

Bill Blum / Truthdig Jan 11, 2023 Many federal courts are more politically diverse and less ideologically doctrinaire than the present SCOTUS. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

U.K. Court Blocks Heathrow Expansion Over Climate Concerns

DANICA KIRKA / The Associated Press Feb 27, 2020 The ruling against the government cites the Paris Agreement and block plans to add a third runway at Europe's biggest travel hub. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Assange Was Offered U.S. Pardon if He Cleared Russia, His Lawyer Says

The Associated Press Feb 19, 2020 Wikileaks founder will claim former Rep. Rohrabacher did so at behest of Trump in 2017 visit; president denies report through spokeswoman. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Writer Who Accuses Trump of Raping Her Seeks His DNA

JENNIFER PELTZ / The Associated Press Jan 30, 2020 Lawyers for E. Jean Carroll say the president's sample would be compared to "unidentified male DNA" on a dress she wore in 1990s encounter. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Court: Warrantless Searches of Phones Violate Fourth Amendment

STEVE LeBLANC / The Associated Press Nov 12, 2019 The ruling in Boston strengthens the protections of international travelers and their electronics at airports and other ports of entry. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Judge Blocks Some Border Wall Funding; Trump Plans Appeal

DAISY NGUYEN and ELLIOT SPAGAT / The Associated Press May 25, 2019 At issue is money approved by Congress for the Pentagon that was diverted during the national emergency. Two high-priority projects are halted. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Texas Plant, 2 Top Staffers Indicted for Toxic Release After Hurricane

EMILY SCHMALL / The Associated Press Aug 3, 2018 In a rare move, Arkema North America, its CEO and a plant manager are charged in an explosion at a Crosby, Texas, plant that sent harmful chemicals into the air after Hurricane Harvey . The company vows to fight charges. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

The Trouble With Nondisclosure Agreements

Paul Morantz / Truthdig Apr 25, 2018 Saving time and money doesn't always serve the cause of justice. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Proposed Rules for Fracking on Federal Land Rescinded

MEAD GRUVER / The Associated Press Dec 28, 2017 The regulations, developed under President Obama, called for disclosure of the chemicals used in the drilling process. Trump's new action draws praise from industry groups. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Trump’s Unconstitutional Assault on the Judiciary

By Robert Reich / RobertReich.org Apr 30, 2017 One way dictators take over democracies is by threatening the independence of a nation’s courts. Donald Trump is doing just this. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Two Years Behind Bars or 20? One Day, a Computer Formula May Have a Say

Thor Benson / Truthdig Jan 7, 2016 Influenced by algorithms, judges who are racially biased might actually hand out milder sentences to minority defendants. But some experts worry that, in the big picture, an imperfect science may work against the accused. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

The Final Battle

Chris Hedges / Truthdig Dec 24, 2012 Now that Congress has turned its back on the right to due process and trial by jury, the courts are the last line of defense against establishment of a gulag state. Now that Congress has turned its back on due process, only the courts can thwart establishment of a gulag state. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )