Tag: Courts
Texas DAs refuse to comply with Abbott order to criminalize care for trans kids
“Republican leadership of this state is trying to turn loving and supportive parents into criminals, and this office will play no part in it,” said Travis County Attorney Delia Garza. by Julia Conley, Common Dreams February…
Supreme Court denies Trump bid to conceal records from Jan. 6 panel
One government watchdog group welcomed the decision as “a huge win for transparency.” by Jessica Corbett, Common Dreams Wednesday, January 19, 10:30 PM The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday denied former President Donald Trump’s attempt to…
Eric Trump invoked 5th Amendment 500 times during 6-hour deposition
Longtime Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg refused a similar number of questions, citing his right to not self-incriminate. by Jake Johnson, Common Dreams Wednesday, January 19, 2022 Former President Donald Trump’s son Eric Trump invoked the…
South Dakota Supreme Court kills recreational marijuana law approved by voters
The ruling is a win for Republican Gov. Kristi Noem, who directed the state to pay for the legal fight against the voter-backed amendment. by Andrea Germanos, Common Dreams November 25, 2021 The South Dakota Supreme…
Ban on school mask mandates was unconstitutionally enacted, judge rules
“The survey data presented in this report reinforces what we already know to be true – masking is an important and effective way to help control the spread of the virus,” said Franco, with Phoenix Union….
PG&E Charged With Manslaughter
11 Felony Counts— 2020 Zogg Fire “PG&E has a history with a repeated pattern of causing wildfires that is not getting better,” said Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett. “It’s only getting worse.” by Brett Wilkens, Common…
Comparing AR-15s to Swiss Army knives, federal judge overturns California’s assault weapons ban
“People are going to die because of this ruling,” warned the father of a gun violence victim. by Jake Johnson, staff writer Saturday, June 5, 2021 Gun safety advocates, relatives of gun violence victims, and members…
Court Rules Shell must cut CO2 emissions 45% by 2030
‘Landslide Victory for Climate Justice’ “This is a turning point in history,” said an attorney who noted that the ruling “may also have major consequences for other big polluters.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Wednesday, May…
What the United States can learn from Canada’s cannabis clarity
by Michael J. Armstrong, Brock University and Paul Seaborn, University of Virginia Sunday, May 2 The inherent contradictions of American cannabis laws seem to appear in the news almost every week. At the state level, for…
Chauvin guilty on all counts, including murder of George Floyd
One racial justice advocate said that there are “no victories today,” for “justice would mean George Floyd is still with us.” by Brett Wilkins, staff writer Tuesday, April 20, 2021 After deliberating for…
Supreme Court hears Arizona voting law case with national implications
“If you can’t vote because you are a Native American or a non-Hispanic in areas where car ownership rates are very small, where you don’t have mail pickup or mail delivery … or you happen to…
The government Donald Trump left behind
Trump ultimately fell short on many of his signature promises, but his administration’s successes in cutting taxes, rolling back regulations and reshaping the judiciary will cast a long shadow. by Chris Morran Saturday, January 30, 2021…
Dutch court orders Shell Oil to pay for harm done to Nigerian farmers
“After 13 Years, Justice!” “Victims of environmental pollution, land grabbing, or exploitation now have a better chance to win a legal battle against the companies involved.” by Andrea Germanos, staff writer Friday, January 29, 2021 Global…
Death threats and intimidation of public officials signal Trump’s autocratic legacy
by Shelley Inglis, University of Dayton Thursday, January 26, 2021 As the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump approaches, federal officials are investigating threats to attack or kill members of Congress. This comes in the…
‘That’s insane… He still has the money’: SCOTUS tosses emoluments lawsuits targeting Trump
One watchdog critic angered by the court’s decision said, “Congress must act now to ensure that no future president can profit off the presidency.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Monday, January 25, 2021 The U.S. Supreme…
McConnell advances another Trump judge as Covid relief bill remains unfinished
‘This Is His Top Priority’ “As a government shutdown looms, and as the pandemic rages on across America, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell continues to push through Trump’s judges until the very end.” by Jake Johnson,…
Federal Judge orders Trump Administration to fully restore DACA, ‘huge victory’ for immigrants,
“It opens the door for more than a million immigrant youth who have been unfairly denied their chance to apply for DACA,” said the director of the Justice Action Center. by Jessica Corbett, staff writer December…
Climate movement takes on big oil at the Hague
‘Historic Moment’ Friends of the Earth vs. Shell “This is actually ‘the People versus Shell,’ a company that has got away with greenwashing for too long.” by Julia Conley, staff writer Tuesday, December 1, 2020 Representing…
Trump races to weaken environmental and worker protections, and implement other last-minute policies, before Jan. 20
The Trump administration is rushing to approve dozens of eleventh-hour policy changes. Among them: The Justice Department is fast-tracking a rule that could reintroduce firing squads and electrocutions to federal executions. by Isaac Arnsdorf Six days…
On the current status of Trump’s coup attempt—and its future
It may look like this is one frivolity and absurdity after another—and it is. But if this electoral clash reaches the Supreme Court, all bets are off. by Marjorie Cohn Sunday, November 22, 2020 Joe Biden…
Federal prosecutors hold protesters for months pretrial
Dozens of protesters who took part in the uprisings after George Floyd’s murder have faced prolonged detention despite COVID-19 outbreaks. By Aaron Miguel Cantú, Reveal Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Just after midnight on May 31 in…
Federal Judge blocks Trump order that has already led to ‘illegal’ expulsion of 13,000 unaccompanied children
“Today’s ruling is a critical step in halting the Trump administration’s unprecedented and illegal attempt to expel children under the thin guise of public health.” by Andrea Germanos, staff writer November 18, 2020, Wednesday, A federal…
McConnell readies Lame Duck push to further pack courts with Trump’s judicial appointees
“That’s His Priority as the Pandemic Rages On” “It is literally sickening to see Mitch McConnell continue to indulge his partisan obsession with confirming far-right judges, instead of taking action on the Covid pandemic that continues…
The Trump Campaign can’t find a judge who will ignore facts — but it’s trying
The Trump campaign’s legal strategy has come down to this: Even as judges dismiss lawsuits as baseless, it files nearly identical ones in new courts, hoping for more favorable judges. Failure has not slowed it down….