Courts
Kentucky turns to tech to improve treatment court outcomes
The state’s Department of Specialty Courts is implementing a cloud-enabled, web-based system to more efficiently share court data and records in a bid to help case managers better engage with clients’ recovery.
Ohio judge permanently blocks social media age verification law
Gov. Mike DeWine is eager to appeal the decision, and state lawmakers are already working on alternatives.
Judge strikes down Arkansas social media law
The decision in a U.S. District Court marks the first time a state’s law restricting children’s platform use has been struck down, although the decision may be appealed.
Federal judge dismisses lawsuit that challenged Georgia’s electronic voting machine system
The judge dismissed a 2017 lawsuit challenging security threats of Georgia's electronic voting machines used in statewide elections since 2020.
Social media experts are skeptical about the power of new state laws
Lawmakers worry about negative effects on teens, but others raise concerns over free speech.
New court records claim TikTok knew its LIVE feature was used to groom children
A judge ruled that most of the previously redacted information in Utah’s lawsuit against TikTok should be released.
Misinformation expert used AI to draft testimony containing misinformation about AI
Stanford’s Jeff Hancock submitted the document as an expert declaration in a case involving a new Minnesota law that makes it illegal to use AI to mislead voters prior to an election.
Attorney general, adult websites clash in age verification lawsuit
Indiana lawmakers approved a law requiring pornography websites to verify user ages in the most recent session.
States crack down on at-home sexual assault kits
Policymakers are concerned that self-administered sexual assault exams can impede justice and recovery for survivors.
Over half of states restrict gender-affirming care. Could the Supreme Court change that?
The high court’s ruling on gender-affirming care could also impact other laws affecting transgender people, like rules for sports and bathrooms, one expert says.
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Tech associations sue over Florida’s social media restrictions for kids under 16
Opponents of the restrictions say the law barring youths from having social media accounts violates the First Amendment.
A new initiative looks to makes courts more accessible to the public
About 30 million people in the U.S. navigate often complex court cases without lawyers. Illinois is leveraging tech and libraries to change that.
California AG says ExxonMobil misled public on plastic recycling
Attorney General Rob Bonta says the oil giant promoted recycling as a way to bolster its sales of the environmentally fraught products, even though only about 5% of all plastic is actually recycled.
A national blueprint for taking money out of justice
COMMENTARY | A year ago, Illinois became the first state to abolish cash bail. Critics argued this reform would result in an increase in crime—they were wrong.
If a presidential nominee drops out, what happens to states’ ballots?
Experts say it’s likely the Supreme Court would settle the resulting mess.
Supreme Court narrows law for fighting state and local corruption
The high court’s conservatives ruled that a key anti-corruption law only applies to bribes and not to “gratuities” meant to reward officials for their service.
Big Oil faces a flood of climate lawsuits—and they’re moving closer to trial
A quarter of Americans now live in cities and states taking companies to court over lying to the public.
Releasing suspects pretrial doesn’t lead to higher crime rates, experts say
Some states and jurisdictions are taking different approaches to cash bail.
States push ahead with social media laws amid legal challenges
Utah delayed its efforts for litigation purposes, while a judge blocked an Ohio law. But that hasn’t stopped other states, most recently Idaho and New York, from introducing their own restrictions to protect minors.
Shortage of prosecutors, judges leads to widespread court backlogs
The pandemic worsened problems that already had caused state and local court delays.
