Oral History, Confidentiality, and the Courts

The Obama Justice Department is siding against historians trying to protect the confidentiality of their sources.

Casey Anthony and Other Things I Don’t Care About

I have been only peripherally aware of the trial–and then only in the way that I’m aware of Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and reality TV.

Casey Anthony And Some Thoughts On The Criminal Justice System

A Florida jury has found Casey Anthony not guilty of murdering her daughter. The criminal justice system works.

Mississippi Death Row Inmate Cory Maye To Be Freed, Thanks To Radley Balko

Cory Maye has spent ten years on death row after a trial tainted by racism and corruption. In a few days, he will be free.

Liberals Want Justice Ginsburg To Resign Before 2012 Elections?

A few liberal law professors say Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg should resign now so President Obama can pick her successor.

Dominque Strauss-Kahn and the American Justice System

While it’s always dangerous to extrapolate too much from high profile cases to the system as a whole, the strange case of Dominque Strauss-Kahn practically invites it.

More on DSK’s Accuser

The New York Times keeps digging up new facts about yesterday’s shocking reversal in the Dominque Strauss-Kahn case.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn And “Innocent Until Proven Guilty”

Further thoughts on Dominique Strauss-Kahn and our justice system.

Appeals Court Strikes Down Michigan Law Barring Use Of Race In College Admissions

A Federal Appeals Court struck down an Amendment to the Michigan Constitution today as unconstitutional.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn Released on Own Recognizance

Former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has been released on his own recognizance and freed from house arrest after credibility issues surfaced with the woman who alleged sexual assault.

Strauss-Kahn Case Falling Apart Over Accuser Credibility

Remember Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the arrogant French aristocrat whose career was ended by a courageous chambermaid, shedding light on a corrupt social system? A funny thing happened on the way to the slammer.

The Balanced Budget Amendment Is A Bad Idea

House and Senate Republicans are pushing a Balanced Budget Amendment. It sounds like a good idea, but it isn’t.

Why Can Kids See Violence But Not Porn?

Is it worse for a child to see pornography or graphic violence?

Sixth Circuit Upholds Constitutionality Of Affordable Care Act

The first Appeals Court decision on the Affordable Care Act was a victory for the government.

Is The Debt Ceiling Unconstitutional?

Does a little known provision in the 14th Amendment make the entire debt ceiling debate irrelevant?

Tom Petty: Michele Bachmann Can’t Use ‘American Girl

When Tom Petty found out Michele Bachmann was using his “American Girl” to introduce campaign events, he issued a letter saying, in essence, “Don’t do me like that.”

Supreme Court Strikes Down Parts Of Arizona Campaign Finance Law

Another major campaign finance case from the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court: Government Cannot Ban Violent Video Games For Children

The Supreme Court struck down a ban on the sale of violent video games to children, a victory for the First Amendment and parental authority.

Jack Kirby in 1965. (Rosalind Kirby Estate) Jack Kirby in 1965. (Rosalind Kirby Estate)

Jack Kirby’s Heirs Suing Marvel

Jack Kirby’s heir are trying to posthumously renegotiate half-century old deals with Marvel.

Federal Judge Blocks Indiana Law To Defund Planned Parenthood

A setback for Planned Parenthood opponents.

Federal Judge: Copying An Entire Article Can Be “Fair Use” Under Copyright Laws

For the second time in two weeks, copyright lawsuit mill Righthaven has suffered a loss in Federal Court.

Sarah Palin Trademarks Her Name

As of June 17, Sarah Palin is a registered US trademark, serial number 85-170,226.

Supreme Court Curtails Class Action Lawsuits In Wal-Mart Case

An important employment law decision today from the Supreme Court.

Obama Overruled Lawyers on Libya

President Obama overruled his top legal advisors in deciding that the Libya operation does not amount to “hostilities” under the War Powers Act.

President Obama To Congress: War Powers Act Doesn’t Apply To Libya

The Obama Administration tells Congress that it doesn’t need to comply with the War Powers Act because the Act does not apply to the mission in Libya.

Ten Congressmen Sue President Obama Over Libya Mission, War Powers Act

Dennis Kucinich and nine other Members of Congress are suing the President. They won’t get very far.

Militarization of Police

David Rittgers, a legal policy analyst at the Cato Institute who served three tours in Afghanistan as a special forces officer, laments the militarization of police in America.

No DOMA + No DADT = ?

Can gay soldiers now get married and receive the same federal benefits as heterosexuals?

Bankruptcy Court Declares DOMA Unconstitutional

A very provocative decision on same-sex marriage from an unlikely source.

Weiner Admits Messaging with 17-Year-Old Girl

Where’s the line when a public figure interacts with a teenage fan?

The Constitutionally Dubious War Powers Act

Clearly there’s a large ambiguity in the Constitutional gap between the two separate war-related powers of Congress and the Executive. The WPA can be seen as an attempt to resolve it but can’t if it’s unconstitutional.

11th Circuit Judges Skeptical Of Constitutionality Of Affordable Care Act

It was a good day in Court for opponents of the Affordable Care Act.