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A convicted American terrorist plotter and his mother lost another legal round Wednesday in their efforts to hold accountable a former Bush administration official who issued legal memos supporting harsh interrogation techniques for suspected enemy combatants.

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Marine will fight discharge over Obama commentsupdated: Tue Apr 10 2012 09:34:00

A Marine facing discharge over criticism of President Barack Obama on a Facebook page he administers will fight in military and civilian courts, his attorney said Tuesday.

Put U.S. Supreme Court arguments on TVupdated: Thu Feb 02 2012 08:04:00

The Illinois Supreme Court's recent decision to permit the televising of trials in the state's circuit courts brings to mind another question of television in a court: the U.S. Supreme Court.

High court rejects appeal of former congressmanupdated: Tue Jan 17 2012 11:03:00

The federal prosecution of former U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi of Arizona will continue after the Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to hear his appeal.

Appeals court to hear motions on Proposition 8updated: Thu Dec 08 2011 07:19:00

A three-judge panel will hear motions Thursday on whether a federal court decision to invalidate a ban on same-sex marriages in California should be overturned because the judge was gay and in a long-term relationship.

GOP senators filibuster D.C. Appeals Court nominee updated: Tue Dec 06 2011 14:41:00

Senate Republicans voted Tuesday to filibuster President Barack Obama's nominee to fill a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, because they complained she is too liberal and would be an activist on the bench.

California fight over gay marriage gets back on track after state high court rulingupdated: Thu Nov 17 2011 14:12:00

A complex legal fight over the constitutionality of same-sex marriage is back on track after California's highest court on Thursday allowed an appeal over a controversial ballot initiative to move ahead in federal court.

SI.com: Michael McCann: Decertification would put 2011-12 season in serious jeopardyupdated: Fri Nov 04 2011 02:00:00

Frustrated by an inability to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement with owners, some NBA players have sought the advice of an antitrust attorney on the possibility of decertifying the National Basketball Players' Association. Such a maneuver would likely be followed by the filing of a class action antitrust lawsuit against the league and it would make the cancellation of the 2011-12 NBA more probable.

Justices restore grandmother's conviction in shaken baby deathupdated: Mon Oct 31 2011 12:54:00

The Supreme Court issued a final, stinging rebuke of a lower court's decision on three separate occasions to dismiss the assault conviction of a grandmother in the shaking death of her 7-week-old grandson.

Even state immigration laws have to face realityupdated: Mon Oct 17 2011 19:42:00

Change is never pretty. And the change that results when 50 states step in to take on a job Washington has tried and failed to do can be especially messy. This is what's happening -- with a vengeance -- on immigration. In the past five years, there has been a virtual revolution in immigration lawmaking. And the result is not just chaos -- it's a lot of bad policy.

Parts of Alabama immigration law blocked by federal appeals courtupdated: Fri Oct 14 2011 15:22:00

A federal appeals court has blocked enforcement of parts of a controversial immigration enforcement law in Alabama.

Judge denies motion to block Alabama immigration lawupdated: Wed Oct 05 2011 22:37:00

A federal district judge in Alabama denied on Wednesday an emergency request aimed at blocking parts of the state's new immigration law during an appeal process.

Court ends GOP group's 'don't ask' appealupdated: Thu Sep 29 2011 15:26:00

A federal appeals court has dismissed a pending legal challenge by a gay rights group to the military's now-dismantled "don't ask, don't tell" policy on homosexuals serving in the military.

Federal appeals court blocks state lawsuit over health care reform lawupdated: Thu Sep 08 2011 15:22:00

A federal appeals court has tossed out Virginia's lawsuit against the sweeping health care reform effort championed by President Barack Obama, after the three-judge panel concluded Thursday the state lacks the jurisdictional authority to challenge the 2010 law.

SI.com: Michael McCann: Burning questions as NBA lockout loomsupdated: Thu Jun 30 2011 16:40:00

Union chief Billy Hunter said Thursday afternoon that "the lockout will happen tonight" after players and owners failed to reach a new collective bargaining agreement. With the current CBA set to expire at midnight tonight, here are the most pressing issues facing the league.

Cyberattackers grab more info on Arizona agency employeesupdated: Wed Jun 29 2011 22:44:00

A second hacking attack has yielded personal information belonging to nearly a dozen of its employees, the Arizona Department of Public Safety said Wednesday.

Appeals court judges skeptical of government's health care caseupdated: Thu Jun 09 2011 09:52:00

A federal appeals court in Atlanta was openly skeptical Wednesday that the sweeping health care reform law championed by President Barack Obama would survive constitutional scrutiny.

Obama flexible on health care overhaulupdated: Thu Jun 09 2011 09:52:00

Pres. Obama says he's flexible on health care reform, and putting more power in states' hands if there are better ideas.

SI.com: Michael McCann: Ruling in favor of NFL, lockout extension set up key June decisionupdated: Tue May 17 2011 10:30:00

Burning questions coming out of Monday's ruling to keep the lockout in place ...

Federal appeals judges show support for health care reform lawupdated: Tue May 10 2011 16:36:00

A federal appeals court panel expressed strong support Tuesday for the sweeping health care reform bill championed by President Barack Obama. It was the first appellate hearing on the law's constitutionality.

Controversial judicial nominee clears key Senate confirmation hurdleupdated: Wed May 04 2011 15:32:00

Senate Republicans have failed to block a floor vote for a controversial judicial nominee labeled as anti-business.

SI.com: Michael McCann: NFL's temporary stay of lockout doesn't guarantee permanenceupdated: Sat Apr 30 2011 00:11:00

NFL players suffered a significant and surprising courtroom defeat Friday evening and are once again subject to a lockout. Two of three judges on a panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit granted the NFL's request for an administrative (temporary) stay of Judge Susan Nelson's order to enjoin the NFL lockout. As soon as Monday, the panel of three judges will announce if it will make the temporary stay permanent. Until that time, the temporary stay empowers the NFL to reinstitute the lockout. The temporary stay also supplies the NFL with a much-needed legal victory after a series of setbacks.

U.S. appeals court sets June hearing on challenge to health care lawupdated: Thu Mar 31 2011 20:59:00

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta is scheduled to hear oral arguments on the constitutionality of the nation's sweeping health care reform law on June 8, according to an order issued Thursday by the appellate court.

Appeals panel refuses to allow same-sex marriages during court fightupdated: Wed Mar 23 2011 15:04:00

A federal appeals court in San Francisco on Wednesday refused again to allow same-sex marriages in California while a case on the issue works its way through the courts.

Court defers ruling on California same-sex marriageupdated: Wed Jan 05 2011 07:12:00

A federal appeals court in San Francisco, California, decided Tuesday to indefinitely delay consideration of a controversial case regarding the constitutionality of that state's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage.

Courts drawing line against warrantless phone data searches?updated: Thu Dec 02 2010 17:27:00

If you're like most people, you probably carry a tracking device around with you everywhere you go: your cell phone.

Justices turn aside election appeal over outside donor disclosuresupdated: Mon Nov 01 2010 12:36:00

With the mid-term elections looming, the Supreme Court on Monday turned away from the opportunity to further loosen campaign finance restrictions, this time over disclosure of donors.

Ruling for gays in military reaffirmedupdated: Thu Oct 21 2010 18:31:00

Discharged gay military members Dan Choi and Alexander Nicholson join to react to a reaffirmation allowing gays to serve.

Appeals court delays injunction against 'don't ask, don't tell'updated: Thu Oct 21 2010 18:31:00

A federal appeals panel on Wednesday temporarily blocked a lower court ruling that halted enforcement of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy banning openly gay and lesbian soldiers from the military.

Ruling allows stem cell research to continue during appealupdated: Tue Sep 28 2010 19:16:00

An appeals court has permanently lifted an injunction imposed by a federal judge, thereby allowing federally funded embryonic stem-cell research to continue while the Obama administration appeals the judge's original ruling against use of public funds in such research.

U.S. circuit court rules against illegal immigration lawsupdated: Fri Sep 10 2010 09:58:00

A pair of illegal immigration ordinances in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, were ruled unconstitutional Thursday by a federal appeals court.

'Don't ask, don't tell' policy ruled unconstitutionalupdated: Fri Sep 10 2010 07:25:00

A federal court in Riverside, California, ruled Thursday that the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy -- which bars gay men and lesbians from serving openly -- is unconstitutional.

Government appeals court ruling blocking stem-cell research fundingupdated: Tue Aug 31 2010 19:00:00

The Justice Department, as promised, moved Tuesday to block a court ruling preventing use of government funds for embryonic stem cell research.

Federal appeals court says highways' crosses are unconstitutionalupdated: Wed Aug 18 2010 17:42:00

Memorial crosses erected along Utah public roads to honor fallen state highway troopers have been found unconstitutional by a federal appeals court.

The Supreme Court of the United Statesupdated: Sat Aug 07 2010 16:23:00

The Supreme Court of the United States as of August 7.

Proposition 8: Long road to the Supreme Courtupdated: Thu Aug 05 2010 12:34:00

A federal judge in California ruled Wednesday that Proposition 8 -- California's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage -- is unconstitutional.

Prop 8 ruling: A debateupdated: Thu Aug 05 2010 12:34:00

CNN's Anderson Cooper talks to two people with totally different conceptions of marriage in wake of Prop 8 ruling.

Court denies request for expedited hearing on Arizona immigration lawupdated: Sat Jul 31 2010 12:53:00

A federal appeals court has denied Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's request for an expedited hearing on the state's controversial immigration law. Instead, the case has been scheduled for a hearing during the first week in November.

Phoenix police report arrests of protesters of immigration lawupdated: Fri Jul 30 2010 14:50:00

PHOENIX, Arizona (CNN) -- The Phoenix Police Department arrested 45 people during widespread protests Thursday against a controversial immigration law, police spokesman Sgt. Tommy Thompson said Friday.

Chicago judge's record rates highly among progressives, colleaguesupdated: Tue May 04 2010 14:22:00

As a young working mother in the the early 1980s, Diane Wood, like many of her generation, struggled to balance work and family.

Republicans give Obama judicial nominee cool receptionupdated: Sat Apr 17 2010 08:43:00

Senate Republicans offered a cool reception Friday to a federal judicial nominee who has become a political lightning rod over his liberal views and his preparation for confirmation hearings.

Goodwin Liu in the hot seatupdated: Sat Apr 17 2010 08:43:00

GOP Senators claim the appellate nominee is too liberal, while Dems defend his testimony. CNN's Brianna Keilar reports.

Court clears reciting of Pledge of Allegiance at Western schoolsupdated: Thu Mar 11 2010 21:22:00

Public schools in Western states can continue teacher-led reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, after a federal court ruled against a group of atheist parents.

Justice Department asks high court for right to Big Tobacco moneyupdated: Fri Feb 19 2010 18:56:00

The Department of Justice on Friday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overrule a lower court decision denying the government the right to seek $280 billion from the tobacco industry for ill-gotten gains.

'Millennium bomber' sentence overturned; feds seek longer oneupdated: Tue Feb 02 2010 18:04:00

An appeals court Tuesday overturned the 22-year sentence of a man convicted for a failed plot to bomb Los Angeles International Airport in 1999 -- a win for federal prosecutors who are seeking a longer prison term.

Judge Kozinski admonished for explicit items on Web siteupdated: Thu Jul 02 2009 20:41:00

A judicial council on Thursday admonished the chief judge of the nation's largest federal appeals court for having "sexually explicit photos and videos" on his personal Web site, but decided against any further punishment.

Transcript of Obama-Sotomayor announcementupdated: Tue May 26 2009 12:49:00

President Obama: Thank you. Thank you.

Commentary: Break the mold for Supreme Court picksupdated: Mon May 04 2009 18:17:00

I sometimes marvel that I probably couldn't get hired at my law school today.

Diverse list of candidatesupdated: Fri May 01 2009 16:59:00

CNN's Jeffrey Toobin looks at some of the candidates that President Obama may consider to fill a Supreme Court seat.

Souter news sets off succession speculationupdated: Fri May 01 2009 16:59:00

In Washington and throughout the nation's legal system, speculation took off Friday over who may join the Supreme Court after the retirement of Justice David Souter.

Court blocks release of 17 Chinese Guantanamo detaineesupdated: Thu Oct 09 2008 10:56:00

A federal appeals court Wednesday blocked the planned release of 17 Chinese Muslims from the U.S. military facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, granting the government more time to argue against the plan.

Woman loses arm, may sueupdated: Mon Oct 06 2008 12:24:00

The Supreme Court will decide if a woman who lost an arm because of a prescription drug can sue the drug company. CNN's Kelli Arena reports.

Court rules in favor of Chinese Muslim held at Gitmoupdated: Mon Jun 23 2008 13:14:00

A federal appeals court ruled Monday that a Chinese Muslim held by the U.S. military was improperly labeled an "enemy combatant" by the Pentagon.

Are fetish films porn or art?updated: Fri Jun 13 2008 10:53:00

A man is on trial for fetish films which he calls art, but prosecutors call "criminally obscene." "Prime News" reports.

CNNMoney: Paper money unfair to blind - courtupdated: Tue May 20 2008 15:38:00

A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that the U.S. Treasury Department is violating the law by failing to design and issue currency that is readily distinguishable to blind and visually impaired people.

Time.com: Ex-Ala. Governor to Go Freeupdated: Fri Mar 28 2008 13:35:00

Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman is expected to be released from a federal prison in Louisiana sometime Friday, officials said

Judge orders jailed governor's release updated: Thu Mar 27 2008 19:11:00

A federal appeals court Thursday ordered former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman released from prison on bond pending his appeal, saying he is not a flight risk and has shown his appeal will raise "substantial questions of law or fact."

Appeals court: State must provide transport for inmate abortionsupdated: Tue Jan 22 2008 16:36:00

A federal appeals court has upheld the right of female inmates to be transported at state expense for elective abortions.

Fair Tax factsupdated: Tue Dec 04 2007 12:06:00

Money Magazine's senior editor explains "Fair Tax," a national retail sales tax based on consumption instead of income.

CNNMoney: No mistaking Freek from Monsterupdated: Fri Jun 29 2007 03:51:00

The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals reversed Friday a preliminary injunction that had prevented National Beverage Corp. from selling its "Freek" energy drinks, in a blow to rival Hansen Natural Corp.

SI.com: Appeals heard in MLB, fantasy owner lawsuitupdated: Fri Jun 15 2007 04:46:00

ST. LOUIS -- Three appellate court judges took less than an hour Thursday to hear arguments from lawyers representing Major League Baseball and CDM Fantasy Sports in the latest fight over who owns the rights to player statistics. Hanging in the balance now is the future of the $1.5-billion-a-year fantasy sports industry.

Bush: 'A man of extraordinary accomplishment' updated: Tue Jul 19 2005 21:39:00

President Bush announced Tuesday night his nomination of U.S. Circuit Judge John Roberts Jr. to the Supreme Court. The following is a transcript of Bush's and Roberts' remarks at the White House.

Scope of abortion rights up for grabsupdated: Wed Jul 13 2005 22:14:00

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last week ruled invalid a federal ban on a type of late-term abortion. But this development -- significant as it is -- may be nothing compared with what will occur soon.

Senate confirms Brown updated: Wed Jun 08 2005 17:59:00

The Senate confirmed Janice Rogers Brown to a federal appellate court seat Wednesday -- clearing what was a long-stalled nomination. The vote was 56-43.

Judiciary committee backs Pryor nominationupdated: Thu May 12 2005 12:13:00

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 10 to 8 Thursday to send the nomination of former Alabama Attorney General William Pryor, Jr. to the Senate floor.

Cohen: Mental states are clearly definedupdated: Wed Mar 23 2005 18:23:00

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals twice denied requests Wednesday from the parents of Terri Schiavo, who are seeking to have the severely brain-damaged woman's feeding tube reinserted.

Dershowitz: Florida has power to pass Schiavo lawupdated: Wed Mar 23 2005 09:31:00

Before dawn Wednesday, a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied an injunction request in the case of Terri Schiavo, the brain-damaged Florida woman who had her feeding tube removed Friday.

A federal court puts the 'public' In 'public restrooms'updated: Wed Feb 09 2005 14:29:00

In United States v. Hill, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit recently held that under some circumstances, there is no continuing Fourth Amendment right to privacy in a public restroom.

Anna Nicole Smith loses $88.5 million rulingupdated: Thu Dec 30 2004 19:29:00

A federal appeals court Thursday threw out a judge's ruling that awarded $88.5 million to former Playboy model Anna Nicole Smith from the estate of her late husband, an oil tycoon who died at age 90 just over a year after they wed.

Hair lacks constitutional protectionupdated: Fri Nov 19 2004 11:15:00

At the end of last month, in the case of Coddington v. Evanko, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled that police officers may constitutionally shave large amounts of hair from a suspect's head, neck, and shoulders, without a warrant, probable cause, or any basis for suspecting that the hair would provide evidence of crime.

Jeffrey Toobin: More Pledge challenges likelyupdated: Mon Jun 14 2004 16:30:00

On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled that a California father could not challenge the Pledge of Allegiance.

Are 'Friends' writers 'required' to engage in sexual banter?updated: Tue May 04 2004 16:13:00

As the sun sets this week on "Friends," NBC's long-running hit sitcom, the writers, producers and network remain embroiled in litigation.

What the asterisks can't hideupdated: Tue Apr 27 2004 09:21:00

Those who like word-guessing games might enjoy the opinion that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit handed down last week in the Moussaoui case. Its text is interrupted in several dozen places with sets of asterisks -- **** -- that substitute for classified information that has been excised.

The Supreme Court's Pledge of Allegiance caseupdated: Fri Mar 26 2004 13:57:00

(FindLaw) -- The week the Supreme Court heard oral argument in the Pledge of Allegiance case, Elk Grove Independent School District v. Newdow.

Bush uses recess appointment to put nominee on courtupdated: Fri Feb 20 2004 16:00:00

President Bush Friday gave a recess appointment to Bill Pryor, naming him to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals months after Senate Democrats had filibustered to block his nomination, Pryor told CNN.

Supreme Court upholds killer's stay of executionupdated: Tue Feb 10 2004 00:56:00

The U.S. Supreme Court late Monday refused to overturn a stay of execution for convicted killer Kevin Cooper, following a federal appeals court's decision to take a new look at evidence in the 20-year-old case.

U.S. seeks stay of order giving detainee access to lawyerupdated: Thu Jan 29 2004 18:15:00

The Supreme Court was asked by the Justice Department Wednesday to delay giving a terrorism suspect detained overseas access to a lawyer until the justices decide the larger legal issue of what rights other so-called "enemy combatants" are afforded.

Fortune: After All This Time, Why Don't People Know What Sexual Harassment Means?updated: Mon Jan 12 1998 00:01:00

DEAR READERS: It's a very odd state of affairs (no pun intended): Sexual harassment in the workplace has been illegal under federal law since 1977, and in the past two decades has unquestionably go...

Fortune: The gat approach to crime control, the case of the random liberals, good gouging, and other matters. ASK MR. STATISTICSupdated: Mon Dec 27 1993 00:01:00

Dear Oddsgiver: I am one of the millions of newspaper readers who thought of you whilst reading about the latest constitutional imbroglio before the American judiciary. The issue is whether the Cli...

Fortune: The secret about beer, the importance of being miserable, the last word on pulchritude, and other matters. TWO DUMB LAWS: A NO-Pupdated: Mon Dec 14 1992 00:01:00

As adumbrated in the headline, the news is bad for partisans of rationality in public policy. Herewith glum tidings about the recent adventures of two laws notoriously lacking backing among economi...

Fortune: How Bill correlates with Hillary, what boys think about, the latest test for cops, and other matters. THE LATEST DODGE IN REVERSupdated: Mon Aug 24 1992 00:01:00

Our title alludes of course to ''banding.'' Wait. Strike the ''of course.'' The honest-to-God truth is that your servant had not heard of banding -- at least not in the affirmative-action context -...

Fortune: Whales With Ulcers, 43 Years of Misery, The Only Way to Travel, and Other Matters. Only in America (cont'd)updated: Mon Jun 06 1988 00:01:00

CINCINNATI -- State prison administrators can cut an inmate's hair, even if he objects for religious reasons . . . A three-judge panel of the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals . . . rejected the ...

Fortune: Adam Smith on Smoking, Whizzer White on Drinking, Liberals on Feeling Good, and Other Matters. Sacred Bodiesupdated: Mon May 23 1988 00:01:00

Smokers' rights are collapsing everywhere (see above), but drunks and druggies possibly have more rights than is desirable. In employment situations, alcoholics have often been protected by the not...

Fortune: Murder, They Write, No Time to Be Stingy, Contagion on the Court, and Other Matters. Only in America (cont'd)updated: Mon Apr 13 1987 00:01:00

The boss's girlfriend gets the job, but that isn't sex discrimination. So says the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in a case involving seven male respiratory therapists at Westchester ...

Fortune: Up from Serendipity, How to Blow a Billion, Relaxing in Leningrad, and Other Matters. The Importance of Changing the Diapersupdated: Mon Feb 03 1986 00:01:00

RICHMOND, Va. -- The need for security during visits with prison inmates outweighs an infant's right to privacy, a federal appeals court has ruled . . . The United States Court of Appeals for the F...

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