FEDERAL COURTS
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Connecticut gun control law challenged in federal court
May 23, 2013
Several groups filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging the constitutionality of a new Connecticut gun control law. The new law expanded the firearms banned as "assault weapons" under existing state law. It also limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds. The complaint alleges these new requirement are ove....... [more]

Ninth Circuit strikes down Arizona 20-week abortion ban
May 22, 2013
The Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled Tuesday that the Arizona law banning abortions at 20 weeks violates women's rights, making it "per se unconstitutional." The opinion, authored by Judge Marsha Berzon, focused on balancing fetal viability and a woman's right to medical autonomy. The s....... [more]

Federal appeals court rules bin Laden photos may remain classified
May 22, 2013
The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled Tuesday that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has no legal obligation to release photos of Osama bin Laden after his death. The decision was in response to a Freedom of Information Act request seeking to have more than 50 photog....... [more]

Alaska challenged listing of polar bear as endangered species
May 22, 2013
On May 22, 2008, Alaskan officials announced that they would file a legal challenge to the Department of the Interior (DOI)'s decision to list the polar bear as threatened on the endangered species list. Governor Sarah Palin claimed that the listing was unnecessary and would have a negative economic....... [more]

Federal appeals court rules crack cocaine offenders have right to resentencing hearing
May 19, 2013
The US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit on Friday ruled that people convicted of crack cocaine offenses have a right to resentencing hearings under the Fair Sentencing Act (FSA). The case was brought by two incarcerated defendants seeking retroactive relief from racially discriminatory, 10-ye....... [more]

Federal judge blocks Arkansas 12-week abortion ban
May 17, 2013
A judge for the US District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas on Friday temporarily blocked enforcement of a law law banning abortions 12 weeks into a pregnancy. US District Judge Susan Webber Wright granted a motion for preliminary injunction against the Arkansas Human Heartbeat Protection....... [more]

Federal judge allows challenge to Arkansas abortion law to proceed
May 17, 2013
A judge for the US District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas on Wednesday rejected Arkansas' attempt to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the state's law banning abortions 12 weeks into a pregnancy. US District Judge Susan Webber Wright denied the motion to dismiss, ruling that the lawsuit mad....... [more]

US appeals court denies asylum to German family wanting to homeschool
May 17, 2013
The US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit on Tuesday denied an appeal by a German family seeking asylum in the US in order to homeschool their children for religious reasons. The Romeike family alleged that Germany's ban against homeschooling caused them a well-founded fear of persecution based....... [more]

Federal judge denies class action certification in Google copyright case
May 16, 2013
A judge for the US District Court for the Southern District of New York on Wednesday denied a motion to certify a putative class action against Google's YouTube involving copyright owners from around the world. Named plaintiffs included the English Premier League, the French Tennis Federation, the N....... [more]

Wells Fargo ordered to pay $203 million for misleading customers
May 16, 2013
A federal judge on Tuesday reinstated a $203 million penalty against Wells Fargo in a class action suit alleging that the bank affirmatively misled customers and then charged excessive overdraft fees. Rather than processing purchases in a chronological order, as is the common practice, the bank proc....... [more]

Texas group sued to block border fence construction
May 16, 2013
On May 16, 2008, the Texas Border Coalition, a group of Texas-based business owners and officials, filed a class action lawsuit to enjoin the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from constructing a fence on the US-Mexico border. The group claimed that approval of the fence's construction violated....... [more]




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