Legislators have gone so far as to claim it’s “a myth” that courts have the power to strike down laws. So far, however, the most aggressive proposals to strip power from judges have been defeated.
Over the past few months, gun laws in Illinois, New York and Minnesota have all been tossed out. Federal courts are more protective of Second Amendment Rights in the wake of a 2022 Supreme Court decision.
GOP lawmakers want to alter the way state supreme court justices are selected or elected. Some conservative causes in the states, notably abortion bans, have been undermined by court rulings.
The approach, mostly adopted in Central Florida municipalities, allows prosecutors to waive court sentences in exchange for homeless people getting treatment, housing and jobs.
Sweeping police reforms in 2020 stripped Colorado law enforcement of qualified immunity, a legal defense that previously blocked officers and sheriffs from being sued in their individual capacities in most cases.
State constitutional amendments that voters approved in seven states on Nov. 5 also are vulnerable to federal moves that could essentially override them.
There have been 46 lawsuits filed by the Justice Department, Maryland, Baltimore, the families of the workers and businesses affected against the two companies that own and manage the container ship that was involved in the crash.
An approved measure was supposed to require Internet providers to offer basic broadband interconnectivity to low-income residents for $15 a month. But a consortium of providers and telecom firms argue that should be the FCC’s job.
The Florida Department of Health issued a letter to local TV stations last week, demanding that they remove ads supporting the state’s abortion amendment within 24 hours or the department would seek criminal charges.
The new law decreases the number of ballot drop boxes available, tightens the ballot application deadline, includes voter ID requirements and bans the handing out of water to voters.
Struggling with addiction, PTSD and other service-related traumas, far too many of them run afoul of the law. States could do more to help those at risk.
Before the pandemic, most court proceedings took place in person at the Deschutes County courthouse. While remote court appearances improve efficiency, some argue that for serious crimes there are clear disadvantages.
In 2020 and 2022, annual spending on the issue didn’t exceed $7 million and between 2013 and 2017, Philly spent an average of $9 million annually to settle police misconduct cases. But misconduct spending has since skyrocketed.
Courts have upheld some bans but struck down others. Some cities and at least one state have considered restricting panhandling in traffic medians due to safety reasons.
The state Supreme Court affirmed a lower court’s decision allowing an initiative on RCV to appear on the November ballot. Critics say the system is too confusing and disadvantages partisan candidates.
Despite free speech challenges, state legislators have continued passing laws that age gate websites or override platforms' terms of service. Experts say there are ways to protect users without drawing First Amendment lawsuits.
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