Courts
A Border Patrol Agent Assaulted Him and Violated His First Amendment Rights. He May Never Get To Sue.
It is almost impossible to hold a rogue federal officer accountable. The Supreme Court may make it even harder.
There Is Nothing 'Conservative' About Letting Police Violate Our Rights
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin's support for qualified immunity is in opposition to the principles he says he stands for.
Did Redistricting Reform Fail in Ohio?
Ohio's supposed reforms left lawmakers in charge of the mapmaking process, and a gerrymandered map was the predictable result.
You Can't Solve Homelessness by Making It a Crime
In an August ruling, Washington's Supreme Court found that a homeless plaintiff's truck qualified as his homestead.
What Progressives Get Wrong About Judicial Review
Without judicial review, liberals confronting a Republican-controlled legislature will have no opportunity to seek constitutional redress in federal court.
Her Husband Died After Police Hogtied Him for 90 Minutes. Could She Ever Hold Them Accountable?
Kelli Goode's civil suit is a case study in how difficult it can be to get state actors to take responsibility when they allegedly infringe on someone's rights.
Judge: Baton Rouge Violated the First Amendment by Trying To Imprison a Professor for Sharing Body Camera Footage
It was the city that put the footage in the public record in the first place.
Tony Timpa Died After Cops Kneeled on His Back and Joked About It. A Court Says His Family Can Sue.
The officers originally received qualified immunity, meaning Timpa's estate had no right to state their case before a jury.
Rogel Aguilera-Mederos Rejected a Plea Deal. So He Got 110 Years in Prison.
Colorado First Judicial District Attorney Alexis King said she pursued the punishment after Aguilera-Mederos insisted on his right to trial.
He Was Sentenced To 110 Years in Prison for Causing a Fatal Traffic Accident. The Judge Isn't Happy About It.
Rogel Aguilera-Mederos is set to die in prison, thanks to Colorado's mandatory sentencing laws.
A Judge Has Ordered Him Released From Prison—Twice. The Government Still Won't Set Him Free.
Bobby Sneed's story highlights how far some government agents will go to keep people locked up, flouting the same legal standards they are charged with upholding.
Ohio Prosecuted a Taxidermist for Asking an Inspector to Come Back Later
Regulators insist Fourth Amendment protections don’t apply to administrative searches.
How Did Ahmaud Arbery's 3 Assailants End Up With 12 Murder Convictions?
The felony murder rule is a perversion of justice—even when used against unsympathetic defendants.
The First Amendment Protects Everyone, Even Facebook and Twitter
Florida passed a law to stop big tech “censorship.” But the law itself tramples First Amendment rights.
Don't Punish the QAnon Shaman—or Anyone—for Demanding a Jury Trial
Coercive plea deals trample on defendants' Sixth Amendment rights.
Videos Are Making It Hard To Trust the Cops
It’s difficult to avoid the suspicion that the powers-that-be habitually lie about their conduct.
The Prosecution Had a Very Bad Day in the Kyle Rittenhouse Trial
Plus: Biden administration defends vaccine mandate, Bari Weiss announces the University of Austin, and more...
University of Florida Bans Professors From Testifying Against State Voting Law
"Outside activities that may pose a conflict of interest to the executive branch of the State of Florida create a conflict for the University of Florida," said the university in a statement.
Cops Arrested Her for Exercising Her First Amendment Rights. They Got Qualified Immunity—but the Appeals Court Wasn't Having It.
"This is not just an obvious constitutional infringement—it's hard to imagine a more textbook violation of the First Amendment."
School Board Sued for Censoring Residents and Erasing Criticism
The Pennsbury School Board is not only chilling speech, but also editing out community members’ critiques of the school board from YouTube videos of their meetings.
Netflix Says Algorithm Is Protected by First Amendment in 13 Reasons Why Suicide Lawsuit
Is a required content warning or algorithm change a violation of the First Amendment?
The Supreme Court Deals a Major Blow to Qualified Immunity Reform
In two opinions issued Monday, the Court gave qualified immunity to several police officers accused of violating the Constitution.
Judge: Police Can't Blame a Bystander for a Cop Killing Another Cop
It was unconstitutional to charge Jenna Holm with manslaughter. But the state wanted to protect its own.
A Cop Killed an Innocent Man After a 'Swatting' Prank Call. The City Can't Be Sued.
"It gives cities a protection that ordinary citizens never have."
Government Keeps Trying To Censor This Brewery. The Owner Isn't Having It.
"Do you really want to live in a country where government bureaucrats, based on whim and personal preference, can censor whatever they don't like?"
A Cop Killed a Suicidal Man and Got Qualified Immunity. Justice Sotomayor Isn't Happy About It.
Qualified immunity "does not protect an officer who inflicts deadly force on a person who is only a threat to himself."
An Inmate Allegedly 'Leaking Blood All Over' Was Denied Medical Treatment for Hours. The Prison Guard Gets Qualified Immunity
The legal doctrine continues to render juries irrelevant.
The DHS Agent Who Tried To Kill Kevin Byrd Can't Be Sued—Because He Works for the Federal Government
It's almost impossible to hold federal officers to account.
Judges Who Violate Due Process Rights For Personal Gain Just Got a Major Pass From This Federal Court
Judge Paul Bonin profited from making defendants wear ankle monitors. The victims can't sue.
Police Shot a Man Driving Away, Can't Keep Their Stories Straight, Get Qualified Immunity Anyway
A federal court admitted the officers violated the man's rights. It doesn't matter.
Where Does Biden Get the Authority To Mandate Vaccination?
Emergency OSHA rules are frequently struck down by courts.
COVID-19 Vaccination Should Not Be Legally Required for Parenthood
Only in extreme circumstances should a court come between a parent and their child.
California Court Rules Vegan Creamery Has First Amendment Right To Call Products 'Butter' and 'Cheese'
Who thought it was a good idea to give the government control over marketing?
Abortion Ban To Take Effect in Texas on Wednesday
Plus: Kids got more obese during the pandemic, how Section 230 protects gun rights, and more...
Cops Are Dressing Up Like FedEx Guys and Arresting People for Drugs
A little-known agreement allows police officers to seize packages at FedEx sorting centers.
In 'Precedent Setting' Transgender Rights Case, Court Strikes Down Hobby Lobby Bathroom Policy
Plus: The critical race theory debate, delta variant surges and vaccination rates, school mask mandates, and more...
A Federal Cop Devised a Bogus Sex Trafficking Ring and Jailed This Teen for 2 Years. The Cop Can't Be Sued.
The most powerful officers are held to the lowest standard of accountability.
Town Drops Obscenity Case Against New Jersey Homeowner for 'Fuck Biden' Signs
The First Amendment clearly protects the right to political expression, even when it's vulgar.
Judge Says 'Fuck Biden' Signs Are Obscenity and Orders Their Removal
Plus: Facebook blamed for missed Biden vaccine goal, court sides with CDC in cruise ship battle, and more...
Government To Blame for Texas Church Shooting That Left 26 Dead, Says Court
Plus: Trump's absurd lawsuits against social media, states take aim at Google app store, and more...
Trump Judicial Appointees Clash Over Qualified Immunity and 'the Woke Constitution'
The fight over qualified immunity divides "conservative" judges on the 5th Circuit.
He Died After Cops Shackled Him and Held Him Facedown. A Court Said That Was Constitutional. SCOTUS Isn't So Sure.
The officers might receive qualified immunity, however.
This Suicidal, Gasoline-Drenched Man Burned to Death After Cops Tased Him. A Federal Court Says That's Reasonable Force.
"In what legal universe is it not even plausibly unreasonable to knowingly immolate someone?" asks dissenting judge
Study on Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Finds 'Conclusions Were Often Erroneous'
Bloodstain pattern analysis is one of several forensic techniques that has come under scrutiny in recent years for its lack of established error rates.
Indiana Said the Government Should Be Able To Take Everything You Own if You Commit a Drug Crime. The State Supreme Court Wasn't Having It.
After eight years, Tyson Timbs finally gets to keep his Land Rover—once and for all.
