Courts

The Looming Battle Between States if Roe Falls

Lawmakers in some GOP-controlled legislatures are pushing laws that would go after women who seek abortions in other states. Democratic lawmakers are promising to provide a safe harbor.

  • By Daniel C. Vock and Daniela Altimari

'This Was Not a Surprise': How the Pro-Choice Movement Lost the Battle for Roe

In the wake of a leaked draft opinion indicating the Supreme Court plans to overturn Roe v. Wade, Joshua Prager, author of “The Family Roe,” discusses the 50-year battle over abortion rights and the strategic decisions that led us here.

  • By Alexandra Zayas, ProPublica

Supreme Court Sides Against Boston in Christian Flag Dispute

The case centered on the First Amendment and a flagpole outside of City Hall.

  • By Daniel C. Vock

Supreme Court Steps Into a Fight Over State Permitting Power

An order from the high court means that Trump-era guidelines imposing new limits on state authority to approve or deny energy infrastructure projects will remain in effect as the Biden administration works on a rewrite of the rules.

  • By Bill Lucia

Reckless Drivers in This City Could Lose Their Cars

A newly proposed Milwaukee ordinance targets repeat offenders by taking them to civil court and establishing their behavior as a "public nuisance.”

  • By Andre Claudio

The Indictment of the Nation’s Longest-serving Legislative Leader

The federal prosecution of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is the latest, and biggest, development in a push to crack down on corruption in Chicago.

  • By Daniel C. Vock

In Mississippi, Another Push to Ease Restrictions on Divorce

The change would make things easier for someone trying to end a marriage against their partner’s wishes.

  • By Mariel Padilla, The 19th

What to Watch For in State Legislatures in 2022

State legislative sessions in election years can sometimes be sleepy affairs, but not this year. Here are the big issues they'll be addressing.

  • By Daniel C. Vock

Legislators Return to Session No Longer Able to Use Shortcut for Passing Bills

In a victory for government reform groups, Hawaii state lawmakers cannot employ “gut-and-replace” amendments to speed along bills.

  • By Daniel C. Vock

Technology Use in Courts Skyrockets, Challenging Those Without Internet Access

Starting in March 2020, all 50 states and Washington, D.C., began offering video hearings, despite having no history of remote civil court proceedings.

  • By Stephanie Kanowitz

States Ask Supreme Court to Consider Challenge Over SALT Cap

It's the latest development in a case that four states have brought against the $10,000 limit on the state and local tax deduction.

  • By Bill Lucia

'Love Letter' Legislation Leads to Lawsuit

A real estate firm filed a lawsuit to contest a new law in Oregon that prohibits sellers from presenting their clients with letters from prospective homebuyers, a common practice in competitive markets.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram
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Judge Blocks National Vaccine Mandate for Health Care Workers

The Tuesday ruling stops a nationwide vaccine mandate by the Biden administration that was set to start Dec. 6.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Should Rap Lyrics Be Used as Evidence in Criminal Trials?

A proposal in the New York State Assembly would require prosecutors to meet stricter standards to use rap lyrics as evidence, a relatively common practice that in most states has gone unregulated.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Taking Race Out of Criminal Charges

Prosecutors in Yolo County, California, are attempting “race-blind charging” by using software to redact identifying information, including race and other descriptors, from police reports.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

County Judge Bans Elf on the Shelf ‘Tyranny’ as ‘Gift To Tired Parents’

Cobb County, Georgia Superior Court Judge Robert D. Leonard II, in a blistering decision, banned the elf, a stuffed toy that serves as a lookout for Santa around the world.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Reducing the Staggering Backlog of Court Cases

COMMENTARY | State and local leaders can tackle the massive backlog of criminal cases by expanding pretrial services, transforming indigent defense and embracing restorative justice processes.

  • By Marc Levin

Appeals Court Rules Against States Challenging SALT Deduction Cap

The decision comes amid debate in Congress over whether to roll back the $10,000 limit on a write-off for state and local taxes.

  • By Bill Lucia

Why States are Expanding Domestic Violence Laws to Include Emotional Abuse

Connecticut is the latest state to do so, updating its laws to provide new protections for people victimized by damaging psychological tactics and controlling behavior.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Citizen Enforcement of Texas Abortion Ban Could Spread to Other Laws

Two state laws that restrict transgender youth also rely on private civil actions.

  • By Christine Vestal, Stateline

Secretly Removing a Condom During Sex is Technically Legal. One State is Poised to Change That.

Lawmakers in California approved legislation to ban “stealthing.” If signed into law, the state would be the first to explicitly outlaw the practice.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram