Court Says Issue Ads Protected

Updated: The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a group opposing abortion had a First Amendment right to run election-season issue ads that named a Senate candidate.

“Today’s opinion is…

Jun 25, 2007 7:21 PM CDT

Court Backs School in ‘Bong Hits’ Case (Updated)

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in a 5-4 decision that public schools may punish students who promote illegal drug use.

The ruling came in the the case of a…

Jun 25, 2007 6:30 PM CDT

More Judges Suing for Libel

A newspaper appealing a libel verdict can’t get a hearing before the Illinois Supreme Court.

That’s because one of the high court justices was the plaintiff, and four other justices…

Jun 25, 2007 1:47 PM CDT

Concurrence Limits Reach of Speech Restriction

A concurring opinion in a Supreme Court decision issued yesterday appears designed to make sure liberals on the court are not able to cite the case to “expand the rationale…

Jun 22, 2007 8:33 PM CDT

A High-Impact Ruling for Athletic Rule

Yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling upholding a no-recruiting rule is likely to have an impact across the nation.

The court upheld an athletic association rule barring…

Jun 22, 2007 3:45 PM CDT

Court Upholds Recruiting Rule

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a state athletic association did not violate a school’s First Amendment rights when it imposed a penalty for violating its no-recruiting rule.

Brentwood…

Jun 21, 2007 4:29 PM CDT

N.Y. Post Defamation Suit Dismissed

A New York appeals court has dismissed a former basketball star’s defamation suit against a sports writer for the New York Post.

The court said ex-pro player Latrell Sprewell failed…

Jun 20, 2007 12:52 PM CDT

Judge to Release Priest Files

A Los Angeles judge has ruled he will allow release of confidential personnel files of clergy accused in child sex abuse cases that have settled.

Judge Peter Lichtman said the…

Jun 19, 2007 8:33 PM CDT

Editor’s Book Hits Media Lawyer

A book that chronicles the legal fight to protect a Time reporter and his sources criticizes the high-profile lawyer who represented the magazine.

The book, Off the Record, is written…

Jun 18, 2007 1:40 PM CDT

Court Upholds Union-Fee Restriction

The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a Washington state law barring unions from using nonmember fees for political activities without consent.

The court in a unanimous opinion by Justice Antonin…

Jun 14, 2007 4:23 PM CDT

Court Watchers Dissect Alito Speech

The U.S. Supreme Court’s newest justice gave a speech yesterday that had court watchers wondering if it provides a hint that the First Amendment will prevail in two pending cases.

Jun 14, 2007 4:02 PM CDT

Religious Freedom New DOJ Focus

The Justice Department has shifted its civil rights focus, emphasizing religious-freedom cases rather than racial discrimination.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has cited the department’s advocacy on behalf of religious rights…

Jun 14, 2007 1:22 PM CDT

Anti-Bootlegging Law Upheld

A federal statute that bars bootlegged copies of performances survived an initial review before a federal appeals court today.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals based in New York…

Jun 13, 2007 7:49 PM CDT

RFRA Ruling Riles Developers

A March ruling by a federal appeals court has boosted tribal efforts to block developments that threaten lands they hold sacred.

The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act protected the tribes’ sacred grounds. The ruling blocked a plan to make snow from reclaimed wastewater for skiers at a resort near Flagstaff, Ariz.

Developers worry the case will hamper development, the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) reports.

Jun 8, 2007 7:49 PM CDT

Judge: Stop Web Attack on Crime Author

In an unusual and perhaps unenforceable order, a federal judge in Virginia has told a self-published author to end a longstanding Internet vendetta against Patricia Cornwell, a best-selling crime novelist.

Jun 7, 2007 8:16 PM CDT