Topic: U.S. Courts

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Major gay marriage cases in federal court and where they stand

Battles over same-sex marriage have been raging in the federal courts for several years. Two could reach the US Supreme Court within a year: one challenging California's ban on gay marriage under Proposition 8, and the other seeking to invalidate the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Here are the cases to follow.
Commencement season: Speakers share inspiration, insight, and advice with college grads

It’s college graduation season and the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance,” which began in late April, will be heard at commencement ceremonies until mid-June. Many more speeches have yet to be given that impart the usual pearls of wisdom and advice on pursuing dreams, being daring, and contributing to society. Here’s a sampling of excerpts from speeches given to graduates around the country.
Briefing
Six 2012 races where the tea party counts

After playing kingmaker in the 2010 election cycle, the tea party movement is having a less prominent role in 2012. But its support or opposition could swing some key races and even determine whether Republicans win control of the Senate. Here are six US Senate contests where the tea party could make a difference.
Do you know the facts behind Arizona's immigration law? Take our quiz.

Arizona’s tough immigration enforcement law was designed to convince illegal immigrants to go home. The measure sparked protests against the state, and prompted the Obama administration to ask the courts to block the statute. On April 25, the battle goes to the US Supreme Court. What do you know about this pending legal showdown?
How much do you know about health-care reform? Take our quiz!

In a historic, high-stakes showdown, the US Supreme Court is examining the constitutionality of President Obama’s health-care reform law. How well do you know the law and the underlying issues? Take our quiz to find out.

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Gay marriage: Judge overturns DOMA, stepping up pressure on Supreme Court

A federal judge struck down the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which precludes gay couples from receiving federal marriage benefits. She is the third federal judge to do so, suggesting that the Supreme Court might need to step in soon to clarify its position.
Major gay marriage cases in federal court and where they stand

Battles over same-sex marriage have been raging in the federal courts for several years. Two could reach the US Supreme Court within a year: one challenging California's ban on gay marriage under Proposition 8, and the other seeking to invalidate the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Here are the cases to follow.
Commencement season: Speakers share inspiration, insight, and advice with college grads

It’s college graduation season and the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance,” which began in late April, will be heard at commencement ceremonies until mid-June. Many more speeches have yet to be given that impart the usual pearls of wisdom and advice on pursuing dreams, being daring, and contributing to society. Here’s a sampling of excerpts from speeches given to graduates around the country.
Can US group challenge overseas surveillance act? Supreme Court to decide.

The US Supreme Court agreed to examine whether a group of US-based lawyers, activists, and journalists can challenge a Bush-era law authorizing broad surveillance overseas.
Appeals court upholds key provision of Voting Rights Act. Supreme Court could loom

A federal court on Friday rejected an Alabama county's argument that a key part of the 1965 Voting Rights act is outdated. That could set the stage for a Supreme Court hearing.
John Edwards trial: What will verdict mean for campaign finance? (+video)

Closing arguments in the John Edwards trial are set to begin Thursday. But the political significance of the trial in defining the limits of campaign finance has been greatly dampened.
Florida teacher, fired for premarital sex, has right to a trial, court rules

A teacher at a Christian school, fired in 2009 ostensibly for engaging in premarital sex, can proceed with her lawsuit against the school, a US appeals court ruled Wednesday. She says the real reason she lost her job was pregnancy.
Justice Department sues Joe Arpaio for discrimination: Is he cornered? (+video)

The Justice Department alleges Joe Arpaio, an anti-illegal immigration icon and Arizona sheriff, discriminates against Latinos. Judges in such cases typically have a lot of leeway to intervene.
Credit card fraud case: $1.5 million. 38,000 people. On appeal.

Credit card fraud scheme said to be one of the biggest in US history. Convicted ringleader appeals credit card fraud case.
'Torture memos' author can't be sued for harsh interrogations, court rules

José Padilla, who claims he was tortured while being detained on allegations of terror-related activity, was suing John Yoo, the Bush aide whose memos set out broadly permissive standards for inflicting physical and mental harm during interrogations.
Supreme Court popularity hits new low. Will Obama attack?

Only 52 percent of the American public views the Supreme Court favorably. If the high court rules against Obama on health care or immigration he may be tempted to attack. But that would be risky.
Federal judge bars release of Bin Laden photos

He ruled that the government could keep the photos from the public on national security grounds.
Judge strikes down 'suspicionless' drug testing of Florida state workers

A federal judge's ruling strikes down Florida's first-in-the-nation drug testing law – and could give pause to other states considering suspicionless drug testing of state workers or others receiving state funds.
Arizona immigration: Justices seem open to law

Today's questioning before the Supreme Court suggested the controversial Arizona law may be upheld.
Arizona immigration law: Another setback for Obama at Supreme Court?

Tough questioning by the justices suggest that at least some of the provisions of the Arizona law may be upheld, rejecting the Obama administration's expansive view of federal power.
Marine discharged for slamming Obama on Facebook

Marine Corps Sgt. Gary Stein will be given an other-than-honorable discharge. Sgt. Stein criticized President Obama on Facebook.
Supreme Court takes up controversial Arizona immigration law

It was unclear what the court would do with other aspects of the law that have been put on hold by lower federal courts.
Author of Arizona immigration law defends it in Senate hearing

In a hearing Tuesday, Sen. Charles Schumer (D) challenged Russell Pearce, champion of a controversial Arizona immigration law, to explain how racial profiling could be avoided under the statute. The US Supreme Court takes up Arizona's law on Wednesday.
40-year wave of Mexican migration recedes, as illegal immigration ebbs (+video)

The net flow of Mexicans into the US has come to a standstill and may even have reversed, a Pew Hispanic Institute report finds. Many factors contribute to the decline of illegal immigration from Mexico.
Briefing
Six 2012 races where the tea party counts

After playing kingmaker in the 2010 election cycle, the tea party movement is having a less prominent role in 2012. But its support or opposition could swing some key races and even determine whether Republicans win control of the Senate. Here are six US Senate contests where the tea party could make a difference.
Do you know the facts behind Arizona's immigration law? Take our quiz.

Arizona’s tough immigration enforcement law was designed to convince illegal immigrants to go home. The measure sparked protests against the state, and prompted the Obama administration to ask the courts to block the statute. On April 25, the battle goes to the US Supreme Court. What do you know about this pending legal showdown?
Torture victim's family can't sue PLO for damages, Supreme Court says

US Supreme Court, in a narrow reading of a federal anti-torture law, ruled Wednesday against a son who sought redress from the PLO and Palestinian Authority for the death of his father, a US citizen, during a visit to the West Bank.
BP settles with private plantiffs over Gulf oil spill

The multinational corporation said Wednesday it will pay out $7.8 billion from the $20 billion trust it set up after the Deepwater Horizon explosion.
Another anniversary for the overlooked Mrs. Dred Scott

April 6 marks a key date in one of the most divisive cases in the US Supreme Court's history. The Dred Scott vs. Sanford ruling led the nation into the Civil War. Dred’s name remains well known. Lost is the story of his wife, Harriet, whose cause gives the case its greater meaning.
Appeals court reinstates Viacom lawsuit against Google's YouTube

The court ruling Thursday allows Viacom and other entities to sue Google over the use of copyrighted video on the internet search engine's YouTube video platform.