Louisiana

Judge says she was on a sedative when N-word was used in video showing suspect’s capture

Updated: A judge in Lafayette, Louisiana, has said she has no recollection of a video in which people commenting off camera use the N-word while watching security footage of the capture of an alleged would-be vehicle burglar outside her home.

Dec 15, 2021 10:00 AM CST

5th Circuit temporarily stays OSHA’s vaccine mandate for larger employers

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at New Orleans on Saturday granted an emergency motion to stay the federal government’s vaccine mandate for larger employers pending expedited judicial review.

Nov 8, 2021 9:27 AM CST

New Orleans DA agrees to oversight to settle suit over fake subpoenas and witness intimidation

Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams has agreed to settle a lawsuit alleging that his predecessor’s office used fake subpoenas to pressure victims and witnesses to privately meet with prosecutors.

Oct 7, 2021 1:54 PM CDT

Supreme Court should uphold precedent in Mississippi abortion case, ABA amicus brief says

The ABA filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday that asks justices to uphold Roe v. Wade and adhere to its precedent recognizing the right to an abortion prior to the viability of the fetus when it hears a case scheduled for the October term.

Sep 20, 2021 4:40 PM CDT

Judge grants Capitol rioter’s request to join Cajun Army’s relief efforts after Hurricane Ida

A federal judge has allowed a man who brought weapons to the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6 to leave Texas to help with Hurricane Ida relief in Louisiana.

Sep 2, 2021 10:28 AM CDT

This law firm says it’s mobilizing to help clients in the wake of Hurricane Ida

As Hurricane Ida wanes but leaves thousands in need of rescue and millions without power, lawyers are among those surveying the damage from the storm and mobilizing to help those in need. One of those attorneys is Bill Hines.

Aug 31, 2021 3:13 PM CDT

Mandatory bar in Texas violates lawyers’ First Amendment rights, 5th Circuit rules

A federal appeals court ruled Friday that the mandatory state bar in Texas violates lawyers’ First Amendment rights because of its political and ideological activities.

Jul 6, 2021 10:55 AM CDT

Requirement for jury unanimity in serious cases isn’t retroactive, Supreme Court rules

The requirement for unanimous jury verdicts in serious criminal cases doesn’t apply retroactively to overturn final convictions on federal collateral review, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday.

May 17, 2021 12:28 PM CDT

In 325-page opinion, en banc 5th Circuit splits on preference for tribes in Native American adoptions

A case challenging a federal law giving Indian tribes preference in Native American adoptions could wind up before the U.S. Supreme Court, after a federal appeals court issued a fractured, 325-page en banc opinion Tuesday.

Apr 8, 2021 12:32 PM CDT

Supreme Court will decide whether Kentucky AG can pick up defense of invalidated abortion law

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to decide whether Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron can intervene to defend an invalidated state abortion law after no other state official would continue to defend it.

Mar 30, 2021 11:10 AM CDT

Judge Scott Schlegel deployed tools to help keep his docket moving at the height of the pandemic

Soon after his 2013 election to the bench in Louisiana’s 24th Judicial District, Judge Scott Schlegel started looking for ways to repurpose technology common in the private sector for deployment in the court system.

Feb 1, 2021 12:20 AM CST

For first time in history, federal government carried out more civilian executions than all 50 states

Ten federal inmates were executed this year as a result of a push by the Department of Justice, putting the total number of federal executions above that of all 50 states combined.

Dec 17, 2020 3:07 PM CST

En banc 5th Circuit allows Medicaid defunding of Planned Parenthood

Medicaid patients don’t have a right to sue over a state’s decision to end Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood, the en banc 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at New Orleans ruled Monday.

Nov 25, 2020 11:13 AM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Proposed $26B opioid settlement revealed; Florida judge reprimanded for noise response

Proposed $26B opioid settlement disclosed Four companies involved in making and distributing opioids have disclosed a proposed $26 billion settlement that would end thousands of lawsuits by state and local governments. The proposal is $4 billion higher than an earlier offer that was met with resistance. The four companies are…

Nov 6, 2020 3:48 PM CST

Can Black Lives Matter protest organizer be liable for officer’s injury? Supreme Court vacates ruling for cop

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday vacated a decision allowing a Louisiana police officer to sue the organizer of a Black Lives Matter protest for a serious injury caused when a different protester threw a heavy object.

Nov 2, 2020 1:15 PM CST