Judge must take training after banning law clerk from courthouse and threatening jail time

A Chicago judge who objected to a law clerk carrying his cellphone into her courtroom will have to undergo training after threatening him with jail time and banning him from the entire courthouse.

Aug 29, 2024 8:43 AM CDT

Los Angeles County courts hit by ransomware attack

Monday is a court holiday in Los Angeles County’s 36 superior courts because of a shutdown of the computer network in response to a ransomware attack.

Jul 22, 2024 9:33 AM CDT

US marshal shoots teen near Justice Sotomayor’s home after carjacking attempt

A deputy U.S. Marshal on a Supreme Court protective detail shot and wounded a Washington, D.C., teenager who tried to carjack him Friday near the home of Justice Sonia Sotomayor

Jul 10, 2024 1:56 PM CDT

Supreme Court still reluctant to allow livestreaming of opinion announcements

Opinion announcements and oral dissents make for high drama at the court. The court has been livestreaming its arguments since May 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic at first led to telephone arguments, and then continuously since the justices returned to the courtroom in the fall of 2021. But it has never offered live or timely access to the audio of opinion announcements.

Jun 20, 2024 3:25 PM CDT

‘Am I some punching bag?’ Lawyer says he put ex-client’s girlfriend in headlock after attack

Updated: A lawyer and two others were charged with misdemeanors following a physical confrontation at a town court in Palermo, New York, earlier this month, according to a report by Syracuse.com.

Jun 17, 2024 12:37 PM CDT

The ABA is committed to judicial independence and championing the courts

Maintaining the independence of the federal judiciary has long been a core mission of the ABA. Through advocacy, education and collaboration, the ABA strives to preserve and protect the independence of the judicial branch of the federal government and ensure federal courts receive adequate resources—including for the safety of federal judges.

Jun 1, 2024 12:20 AM CDT

When Trump criticizes judges online, calls for violence follow, analysis shows

Since March 1, at least 152 posts on three websites supportive of former President Donald Trump have called for violence against judges handling his high-profile cases, according to an analysis by Reuters.

May 15, 2024 1:41 PM CDT

Federal judiciary seeks more money for security amid rise in threats

The federal judiciary is citing “evolving” risks and a “significant increase in threats against federal judges” as some of the reasons for a requested increase in its security budget.

Mar 5, 2024 2:46 PM CST

‘Airborne defendant’ leaps over bench, attacks Vegas judge during court hearing recorded on video

A man who pleaded guilty to attempted battery with substantial bodily harm attacked a Las Vegas judge who was sentencing him Wednesday.

Jan 4, 2024 9:55 AM CST

Lawyer sentenced for slapping another lawyer outside courthouse

Updated: A Connecticut lawyer charged with third-degree assault for slapping another lawyer has received a suspended sentence after pleading no contest.

Nov 27, 2023 9:38 AM CST

Suspect in fatal shooting of judge found dead 1 mile from abandoned vehicle

Updated: A divorce litigant named as the suspect in the fatal shooting of a Maryland judge was found dead in a wooded area Thursday.

Oct 26, 2023 2:05 PM CDT

Traumatic impacts of threats on judges, their families and court staff should be studied

Oct 1, 2023 1:00 AM CDT

Man is accused of sending hundreds of threatening emails and voicemails to judges, public officials

A Los Angeles man is facing a federal charge for allegedly threatening and harassing New Jersey judges and public officials in hundreds of emails and voicemails.

Sep 28, 2023 4:45 PM CDT

Religious act may protect Jehovah’s Witness who refused psychiatric meds before trial, 5th Circuit says

A federal judge should consider the religious claims of a defendant who has refused to take psychiatric medications to become competent for trial on a charge of threatening a New Orleans judge, a federal appeals court has ruled.

Aug 15, 2023 2:09 PM CDT

Impact of trauma on judges, their families and court staff should be studied, ABA House says

At the ABA Annual Meeting in Denver on Tuesday, the House of Delegates supported a resolution encouraging judicial leaders to study the impact of trauma on judges, their families and staff and recommend steps to improve their safety and mental wellness.

Aug 8, 2023 4:37 PM CDT