TheRepublic.com - Judiciary News

Birth control coverage up for federal appeal

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:00:13 -0400

DENVER - In the most prominent challenge of its kind, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. has asked a federal appeals court for an exemption from part of the federal health care law.

Little known about suspect in Wash. ricin case

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:43:41 -0400

SPOKANE, Washington - A 37-year-old janitor who has been charged with threatening to kill a federal judge in a case that involves letters containing the deadly poison ricin is a registered sex offender who lived in a rundown apartment building near downtown Spokane.

Famed N.O. restaurant's building sold at auction

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:23:45 -0400

NEW ORLEANS - The building housing one of New Orleans' best-known restaurants has been sold at a sheriff's auction.

Groups join Wyoming in opposing end to wolf suit

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:18:49 -0400

CHEYENNE, Wyoming - Lawyers for the federal government and several groups have joined the state of Wyoming in urging a federal judge not to allow a coalition of environmental groups to drop a lawsuit challenging recent federal action turning wolf management over to the state.

US: Lock up ex-Michigan justice for bank fraud

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:16:06 -0400

ANN ARBOR, Michigan - Federal prosecutors are urging a judge to send a former Michigan Supreme Court justice to prison for bank fraud.

Senate confirms Obama nominee to key appeals court

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:09:52 -0400

WASHINGTON - After five years of trying, President Barack Obama has placed his first nominee on a key appeals court in Washington.

Obama nominates 2 to open Montana judgeships

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:02:41 -0400

HELENA, Montana - President Barack Obama on Thursday nominated a state Supreme Court justice and a Billings district judge to fill two open Montana judgeships, and U.S. Sen. Max Baucus pledged to quickly shepherd their confirmations through his chamber.

Fla. Supreme Court sides with public defenders

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:22:22 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - The Florida Supreme Court sided with public defenders Thursday in a ruling that said lawyers who defend the poor can seek to refuse new cases if their workload and limited money would keep them from providing defendants adequate representation.

Defense: Ex-Pa. judge cooperating in coke case

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:18:08 -0400

PITTSBURGH - A western Pennsylvania judge who abruptly resigned last year was charged Thursday with stealing cocaine from evidence in cases before him, and his attorney said the former jurist is cooperating with the investigation.

Conference set to settle Savannah dredging suits

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:57:59 -0400

CHARLESTON, South Carolina - A federal judge has scheduled a hearing to formally settle lawsuits challenging the $650 million deepening of the Savannah River shipping channel.

Lawyers for death row inmate ask SCOTUS to step in

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:55:35 -0400

ATLANTA - Lawyers for a Georgia death row inmate asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday to prevent the execution of their client, who they say is mentally disabled.

Appellate court: Berlusconi ran illegal scheme

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:34:16 -0400

MILAN - Former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi on Thursday called "surreal" the judicial reasoning behind an appellate court's decision to uphold his guilty verdict and four-year jail term in a tax fraud case.

Juror ousted but Whittemore trial resumes

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:31:02 -0400

RENO, Nevada - A federal judge in Reno removed a juror but declined to declare a mistrial Thursday in Harvey Whittemore's trial on charges of illegal campaign fundraising. The juror was overheard making a comment that raised questions about whether he could be fair to the former developer and high-powered lobbyist.

Nader loses appeal of '04 ballots in Maine

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:58:58 -0400

PORTLAND, Maine - The state's highest court on Thursday dismissed Ralph Nader's lawsuit against Democrats he had accused of trying to keep him off ballots in Maine and other states during his failed presidential run in 2004.

Woman loses appeal of conviction in shooting death

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:54:52 -0400

JACKSON, Mississippi - The Mississippi Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of an Oktibbeha County woman in the shooting death of her husband.

S. Sudan leader: Int'l court 'humiliates' Africa

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:34:05 -0400

JUBA, South Sudan - South Sudan's president is criticizing the International Criminal Court, saying the court is designed to humiliate African leaders.

Sinkhole lawsuits to get class-action status

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:23:39 -0400

NEW ORLEANS - A federal judge in New Orleans says he will grant class-action status to four lawsuits filed over issues raised by the Assumption Parish sinkhole. That's according to a new court filing Wednesday.

Williston to get third state district court judge

Thu, 23 May 2013 09:11:02 -0400

WILLISTON, North Dakota - One of two new judgeships in North Dakota's Northwest Judicial District will be based in Williston, the state Supreme Court has decided.

Ex-Adams Co. drug court head faces drug charges

Thu, 23 May 2013 08:40:12 -0400

QUINCY, Illinois - The former leader of a western Illinois county's drug court is facing federal charges that he maintained a drug house.

Gulf Coast remembers 'wade-ins'

Thu, 23 May 2013 08:38:14 -0400

BILOXI, Mississippi - Fifty years ago, civil rights protesters held sit-ins at lunch counters or in waiting rooms or bus stations across the South.

3 charged with meth in home near NH courthouse

Thu, 23 May 2013 06:29:56 -0400

LACONIA, New Hampshire - Three people have been arrested in a home directly across the street from a New Hampshire courthouse, charged with possession and intent to make methamphetamine.

Trial postponed for alleged N.O. drug ring members

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:07:40 -0400

NEW ORLEANS - A federal judge has postponed the trial of several alleged members of a violent New Orleans drug ring, including a man once described by police as one of the city's most dangerous criminals.

W. Ill. drug court supervisor facing drug charge

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:05:53 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - Federal prosecutors have charged the supervisor of a western Illinois drug-court program with allowing his home to be used to make methamphetamine and to grow marijuana.

State officials fight for trial in casino case

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:40:23 -0400

PHOENIX - A ruling that allows the Tohono O'odham Nation to build a sprawling, Las Vegas-style casino in suburban Phoenix is improper because it is based on an objective interpretation of Arizona's gambling compact, state officials said in a court filing submitted Wednesday.

Ga. man pleads guilty in death of estranged wife

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:24:29 -0400

MARIETTA, Georgia - A metro Atlanta man pleaded guilty Tuesday to murder in the death of his estranged wife and has been sentenced to life in prison, authorities said.