Illinois bans practice of lying to minors during police interrogations

Illinois is now the only state in the country that prohibits police from lying to minors during interrogations.

Jul 16, 2021 3:15 PM CDT

In New York, a 7-year-old is arrested for rape; should the age for juvenile prosecutions be raised?

Children in New York can be charged as juvenile delinquents beginning at age 7, which explains why a boy of that age could be charged with rape in March in upstate Brasher Falls, New York.

Jun 4, 2021 12:24 PM CDT

Juvenile court judge charged with possession of child pornography faces additional charges

A juvenile court judge who was charged with possession of child pornography in Wisconsin will now face additional federal charges.

May 14, 2021 11:43 AM CDT

Afternoon briefs: Search of Giuliani’s home is ‘legal thuggery,’ says his lawyer; top legal officer earns $50.9M

Search of Giuliani’s home is ‘legal thuggery,’ his lawyer says

Federal agents searched lawyer Rudy Giuliani’s New York City apartment and office early Wednesday. Giuliani’s lawyer, Robert Costello, told the…

Apr 28, 2021 4:25 PM CDT

Juvenile can get life without parole for murder without finding of permanent incorrigibility, Supreme Court rules

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a defendant can be sentenced to life without parole for a homicide committed as a juvenile without a separate finding of permanent incorrigibility.

Apr 22, 2021 11:43 AM CDT

Top Massachusetts court vacates 90-day contempt sentence for teen who called judge B-word

A 16-year-old girl who called a judge a “dumb, white b- - - -” was wrongly sentenced to 90 days in youth services for contempt of court by the judge she insulted, according to an April 12 decision by the top court in Massachusetts.

Apr 14, 2021 4:31 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Georgia voting restrictions challenged; judge charged with terroristic threats

News Roundup

Mar 30, 2021 4:04 PM CDT

Amy Breihan has dedicated her career to helping juvenile lifers seek parole

It’s been nearly nine years since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Miller v. Alabama that mandatory life without parole for juveniles violates the Eighth Amendment. It’s been five years since it held in Montgomery v. Louisiana that its 2012 decision was retroactive. In that time, Amy Breihan has helped seek second chances for prisoners in Missouri who were younger than age 18 when they were sentenced to life behind bars.

Mar 30, 2021 8:56 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Judge trims maternity claims against BigLaw firm; prison guards ordered to wear body cams

Judge trims claims by ex-Morrison & Foerster lawyers

A magistrate judge is allowing two former lawyers at Morrison & Foerster to pursue punitive damages in their suit claiming that the…

Mar 15, 2021 4:45 PM CDT

Nation’s oldest, longest-serving juvenile lifer is released from prison at age 83

The nation’s oldest, longest-serving juvenile lifer was released from prison this month at age 83, thanks to a pair of U.S. Supreme Court decisions.

Feb 23, 2021 9:00 AM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Trump seeks to intervene in SCOTUS election case; new LA district attorney touts reforms

Trump seeks to intervene in Supreme Court election case

President Donald Trump on Wednesday sought to intervene as a plaintiff in Texas’ bid to get the U.S. Supreme Court…

Dec 10, 2020 4:03 PM CST

Judge who forced child into lockup, traded F-words with defendant, loses retention bid

A Cook County, Illinois, judge shown on video forcing a child into a holding cell is only the second judge in the county to lose a retention bid since 1990. Judge Jackie Portman-Brown fell short of the 60% “yes” vote needed to retain her seat.

Nov 25, 2020 9:44 AM CST

Chemerinsky: The Supreme Court returns to a term like no other

No other first Monday in October, the traditional start of a new U.S. Supreme Court term, ever has been like this one. With the country still in the midst of a pandemic, oral arguments will be held by telephone as they were in May. The justices and the country are still reeling from the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Sept. 18. Looming large is the coming confirmation battle over the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett, who would add another staunch conservative to the court.

Oct 1, 2020 9:09 AM CDT

How losing RBG could shape criminal justice for years to come

Juvenile lifers, victims of police misconduct and immigrants convicted of minor crimes are among those with a lot at stake before the changing court

Sep 25, 2020 10:11 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Bill Gates Sr. dies at 94; federal judiciary seeks $500M for better security

Bill Gates Sr., lawyer and ABA Medal winner, dies at 94

Lawyer and 2009 ABA Medal winner Bill Gates Sr. has died at age 94. Gates was a name…

Sep 16, 2020 4:55 PM CDT