Latest Post
Kansas Constitution does not include a right to vote, state Supreme Court majority says
The Kansas Supreme Court offered a mixed bag in a ruling Friday that combined several challenges to a 2021 election law, siding with state officials on one provision, reviving challenges to others and offering the possibility that at least one will be halted before this year’s general election. But it was the ballot signature verification […]
Proposed amendment to end police immunity can proceed, federal court says
A federal court ordered Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost on Wednesday to stop blocking a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would end qualified immunity. Yost intends to appeal. Qualified immunity refers to the longstanding legal doctrine of granting broad immunity from criminal and civil liability to public servants, including police officers. The proposed […]
New protections for Washington warehouse workers take effect soon
New protections for warehouse workers will take effect in Washington, but opponents of the law change call it unnecessary and duplicative to protections already in place. Proponents of the measure, which takes effect on July 1, argue it’s necessary as some warehouse workers are subject to quotas at the expense of their own wellbeing. The […]
Florida’s DeSantis signed 18 bills into law from busy legislative session
After a busy legislative session, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed 18 bills in the past week, including new initiatives for rural health care and economic development. Senate Bill 644 creates a new hospital designation type, “rural emergency hospital,” and defines requirements for rural or critical access hospitals. The bill clarifies that these hospitals are required to […]
Journalism groups sue Wisconsin Justice Department for names of every police officer in state
Two groups of investigative journalists tracking police misconduct have filed a lawsuit in the hopes of forcing the Wisconsin Department of Justice to divulge the names, birthdates and disciplinary records of every officer in the state. The Badger Project and the Invisible Institute filed the lawsuit last Thursday in Dane County Circuit Court after the […]
A legal doctrine that shields police from many lawsuits may be losing support
Desmond Green spent nearly two years in a violent Mississippi jail awaiting trial for a murder he did not commit. The sole evidence connecting him to the crime was the statement of another man — Samuel Jennings — who later admitted he lied to get himself out of jail. When Jennings came clean, he also claimed that the detective […]
ACLU sues Washington to stop “Parents Bill of Rights” initiative from becoming law
A group of legal advocacy organizations filed a lawsuit against the state of Washington Thursday to prevent a hotly debated voter initiative from taking effect next month. The organizations claim that the measure, Initiative 2081, conflicts with youth privacy laws and could “result in harm to LGBTQ+ students, youth of color, and students from other marginalized […]
California ‘Racial Justice Act’ uses racial disparities to cut prison sentences
A new California law now allows criminal defendants from disproportionately-convicted racial groups to challenge lawful convictions as state leaders seek to balance criminal justice reform with skyrocketing violent crime. The law also allows for additional challenges in the case of demonstrated racial bias inside or outside the court, or if a conviction or sentencing could have negative immigration consequences. […]
Sen. Blake Miguez wants permanent punishment for ex-offenders
Stringent anti-crime laws the Louisiana Legislature approved in a February special session will put more people in prison and keep them there longer. But that’s apparently not tough enough on crime for Sen. Blake Miguez, who is intent on placing not just his thumb but an entire fist on the scales of justice. The Republican […]