Fourteenth Amendment

4th Circuit revives suit against police in shooting death and says, ‘This has to stop’

A federal appeals court has revived a lawsuit against police officers in the shooting death of a homeless black man who was stopped for failing to walk on the sidewalk.

Jun 10, 2020 12:00 PM CDT

Federal judge rules Florida can’t require payment of fees before ex-felons can vote

A federal judge ruled Sunday that it is unconstitutional in some circumstances for Florida to require felons who have completed their sentences to pay legal financial obligations before being allowed to vote.

May 26, 2020 4:16 PM CDT

Law firm told to reduce on-site employees sues for alleged ‘disturbing and gross abuse’ of power

A law firm that continued limited operation during the COVID-19 pandemic sued New York’s governor and attorney general this week after receiving a cease-and-desist letter telling it to reduce on-site employees.

May 15, 2020 1:37 PM CDT

6th Circuit rules Kentucky church can host in-person services; federal judge allows it statewide

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Cincinnati ruled Saturday that the Maryville Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, may host in-person church services while an appeal of its case is pending.

May 11, 2020 11:14 AM CDT

Kentucky can’t ban drive-in church services if health precautions are followed, 6th Circuit says

The Maryville Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, may host drive-in services despite orders by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear that ban mass gatherings and require the closure of all businesses that are not “life-sustaining,” a federal appeals court ruled Saturday.

May 4, 2020 10:44 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: 10th Circuit strikes down voter ID law; social distancing could mean long elevator lines

10th Circuit strikes down Kansas voter ID law The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Denver has struck down a Kansas law that required a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship to register to vote. The 10th Circuit ruled Wednesday that the Kansas law violates the equal protection…

Apr 30, 2020 4:23 PM CDT

Students have a right to a basic minimum education, 6th Circuit rules

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Cincinnati ruled Thursday that Detroit students at five lower-performing schools have a fundamental right to a basic minimum education.

Apr 24, 2020 10:22 AM CDT

In Gorsuch opinion, Supreme Court rules unanimous verdict is needed to convict

A unanimous verdict is needed to convict a defendant of a serious criminal offense, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday.

Apr 20, 2020 11:58 AM CDT

COVID-19 checkpoints at state and local borders bring lawsuit, ACLU warning

Some states and local communities are instituting checkpoints at their borders, either to warn drivers that they must quarantine or to keep out nonresidents. The checkpoints are raising constitutional questions.

Apr 16, 2020 11:47 AM CDT

Judge allows suit alleging another judge ordered drug testing of courtroom observers

Judicial immunity does not completely protect a Missouri judge in a lawsuit accusing him of jailing and drug testing three courtroom observers, a federal judge has ruled.

Apr 13, 2020 5:05 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Female topless ban upheld; is requiring stamp on mail-in ballot a poll tax?

Judge upholds beach town’s female topless ban U.S. District Judge James Bredar has upheld a ban in Ocean City, Maryland, on women exposing their breasts in public. Bredar, an appointee of President Barack Obama, found no equal-protection violation. “Whether or not society should differentiate between male and female breasts is…

Apr 9, 2020 4:48 PM CDT

Closure orders spark lawsuits from NRA, anti-abortion protesters and others

Across the nation, business owners, the National Rifle Association, would-be churchgoers and anti-abortion protesters are among the plaintiffs suing over state shutdown orders.

Apr 6, 2020 2:12 PM CDT

As exposed health care workers seek legal remedies, who’s liable for lack of personal protective equipment?

Doctors and nurses across the country are asking about legal remedies they may have because of exposure to COVID-19 and a lack of personal protective equipment, or PPE. Invariably, their main concern is the dangers to which they’re being exposed.

Apr 2, 2020 11:35 AM CDT

SCOTUS rules states have immunity from copyright suits in case involving Blackbeard’s ship

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that states have sovereign immunity from lawsuits alleging copyright infringement. Congress did not have the authority to eliminate that immunity when it passed the Copyright Remedy Clarification Act, the court ruled in a decision by Justice Elena Kagan. The Supreme Court had previously ruled…

Mar 23, 2020 5:00 PM CDT

Lawsuits over coronavirus quarantines are unlikely to succeed, experts say

Lawsuits challenging COVID-19 quarantines and restrictions on public gatherings may be doomed to failure. Experts said the government has broad powers to handle a public health crisis.

Mar 18, 2020 4:36 PM CDT