Courts

'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

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

The Future of State Versus State Cases at the US Supreme Court

Two justices have made clear that they believe the court is neglecting too many of the disputes.

  • By Bill Lucia

Lyft and Uber Establish Legal Funds to Protect Drivers from Texas Abortion Law

The ride-booking companies said they would cover legal fees if their drivers are sued under the state’s new law, which allows private citizens to file lawsuits against anyone who “aids and abets” a woman in obtaining an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram
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Repeat Drunk Drivers in This State Can Now Face Life in Prison

Drunk drivers with previous impaired-driving convictions who kill or injure others will be subjected to increased sentencing guidelines, including the possibility of life in prison, under a new law in New Hampshire.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Two States Have Decriminalized HIV Transmission, Leaving Eight With Active Laws

Illinois became the second state to repeal a decades-old statute that allowed HIV-positive residents to be charged with a felony for failing to disclose their status before having unprotected sex.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Best Practices for Eviction Prevention and Diversion

Research from the American Bar Association found that eviction mitigation programs are widespread outside of government and can be used beyond court filings to successfully enhance housing stability.

  • By Jean Dimeo

Federal Court Lifts CDC Cruise Ship Restrictions

The order reverses an earlier decision that allowed the restrictions to remain in place. The ruling affects only ships sailing in and out of Florida.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

States Braced for a Wave of Covid Lawsuits. It Never Arrived.

About 30 states have enacted laws to shield businesses from being sued if a patron or worker contracts Covid-19.

  • By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline

Judge Declines to Block ARPA Tax Cut Mandate Before Case is Heard

At least six lawsuits are challenging the legality of a provision included in the American Rescue Plan Act that prevents states from using federal relief funds to offset tax cuts.

  • By Andrea Noble

State Employee Unions Sue Governor Over Return-To-Work Order

A coalition of public employee unions in Connecticut say the governor’s decision to mandate that workers return to their offices violated a previous agreement between the organization and the administration.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Judge Sides With Ohio in Fight Against ARPA Tax Cut Restrictions

The ruling curtails Treasury's ability to enforce the so-called "tax mandate" in the American Rescue Plan Act, but only applies to the Buckeye State. Similar legal disputes are pending in other courts.

  • By Bill Lucia

Indiana Must Continue Federal Unemployment Payments, Judge Rules

The ruling is the latest development in a lawsuit over Gov. Eric Holcomb’s decision to prematurely curtail the state’s participation in the expanded benefits. More than two dozen states have made similar moves.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram