Legal Issues

Yahoo's Secret Email Scanning Shows U.S. Spy Push To Loosen Constitutional Protections

Civil liberties groups said the effort is in conflict with the Fourth Amendment because many innocent messages are included in the initial sweep.
By Joseph Menn, Reuters

White Football Player Accused Of Coat Hanger Assault On Black Teen With Disabilities Will Avoid Prison

The shocking decision prompted a statement of outrage from one sexual assault coalition.
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Texas Moves To Block Medicaid Funding For Planned Parenthood

The decision affects 11,000 low-income Texans.
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This Is Exactly How Much Money You're Losing If You Have Young Kids

Federal lawmakers need to get a grip on this.
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New Orleans Agrees To Pay $13.3 Million For Police Post-Katrina Killings

Mayor Mitch Landrieu said the city reached deals with 17 plaintiffs to settle all claims.
By Jon Herskovitz, Reuters

Capital Punishment Is On The Decline In America

The number of new death sentences in 2016 is expected to hit 30, a low not seen since the U.S. Supreme Court declared existing death penalty statutes unconstitutional in 1972.
By By Jon Herskovitz, Reuters

Cop Who Was Fired For Flying Confederate Flag Outside Home Sues Department, City

An accused "white supremacist lawyer" briefly joined her legal defense, adding to the controversy.
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The Future Of Campaign Finance Reform Is At The State And Local Level

Portland, Oregon, passed post-election reform legislation that points the way forward.
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The Student Debt Crisis Is Driving Elderly People Into Poverty

This isn't how it's supposed to work.
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Appeals Court Deals Rebuke To Controversial Prosecutor Who Targeted Aaron Swartz

U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz's office "overstepped its bounds" in pursuing federal charges, the ruling said.
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