Legal Affairs

NPR Topics: Legal Affairs
NPR stories on legal issues, court rulings, Supreme Court hearings, new laws, and government investigations. Download the NPR Justice Talking podcast and subscribe to the Legal Affairs RSS feed.

Prop. 8 Reignites Calif. Same-Sex Marriage Battle
A ballot initiative could make gay marriage in California illegal again. Proposition 8 asks voters to amend the state constitution so that marriage is defined solely as a union between one man and one woman. After trailing in the polls, the measure is now surging, partly due to national support.
Judge In Stevens Trial: Some Evidence Tainted
A federal judge has ruled that some key evidence in the trial of Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens will be struck from the case. Judge Emmet Sullivan will tell the jury to disregard it because of prosecutorial misconduct. Stevens is accused of not including gifts and services he received on his Senate financial disclosure forms.
High Court Hears Navy Sonar Case
Environmental advocacy groups say the Navy is required to adopt steps to minimize the damage done to whales and dolphins. The president has gotten around the requirement by suspending environmental laws in the name of national security.
Ex-Felon Voters Foiled By Confused Officials
States laws regarding voting rights for ex-offenders are so varied and confusing that even election officials are unsure of the rules, according to a new study. Half the election officials interviewed in Colorado didn't know that residents on probation were allowed to vote, for example.
'In Justice': David Iglesias On U.S. Attorney Firings
An internal Justice Department investigation has concluded that the controversial U.S. attorney firings of 2006 were of a partisan political nature. One of the seven fired attorneys, Iglesias discusses his book, In Justice, an insider's account of the affair.
White House Seeks To Halt Release Of 17 Detainees
A judge on Tuesday ordered the release of 17 Chinese Muslims held at Guantanamo Bay and told the Bush administration to produce them in court Friday. The administration is appealing the order. If the attempt fails, the case likely will head to the Supreme Court.
Rin Tin Tin Movie Sparks Lawsuit
Daphne Hereford, the owner of Rin Tin Tin Inc., is suing a film studio for trademark infringement. She says the dogs used in the film Finding Rin Tin Tin are not associated with Rin Tin Tin or related to the loyal German shepherd.
Judge: Release Detained Chinese Muslims To U.S.
A federal judge said the government has no authority to hold the 17 detainees, who are Chinese Muslims. The government has conceded the men would be tortured if they are returned to China.
Assessing Capital Punishment Trends In The U.S.
This week, the U.S. Supreme Court acted on two high-profile death row cases. For analysis, Farai Chideya discusses the Constitution and the death penalty with Carl Tobias, professor of law at the University of Richmond.
Supreme Court Rejects New Trial For Abu-Jamal
Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court said it would not grant Mumia Abu-Jamal a new trial. He is on death row, convicted of killing a Philadelphia police officer. Farai Chideya speaks with Jeff Mackler, director of the Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal campaign.
Taped Phone Conversations Played At Stevens Trial
Jurors heard secretly recorded telephone conversations Monday in the trial of Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens. The calls were taped in 2006 with the consent of witness Bill Allen, who admitted under cross-examination that he never tried to bribe the Alaska lawmaker. Stevens is charged with lying about money and gifts on financial disclosure forms.
House Passes Bailout Plan, Now What?
On Friday, the House of Representatives passed the much anticipated $700 billion Wall Street rescue plan. But in order for the bill to go through, several members of the House who had earlier in the week voted NO had to vote YES. Host Michel Martin is joined by Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. of Illinois and Congresswoman Donna Edwards of Maryland. They talk about why they changed their vote and if they feel they sacrificed too much in the process.
Supreme Court Back In Session
The Supreme Court is back in session today. Kathryn Kolbert, of People For The American Way, is joined by Allyson Ho, a former Supreme Court clerk, to offer a preview of the upcoming court docket.
Extra! Extra! Unionist Bombs Wreck The 'Times'
Radical bombers battle strikebreaking capitalists while Clarence Darrow squares off against the "American Sherlock Holmes" in this very popular history of a trial that mixed murder, politics and celebrity in 1910 Los Angeles.
Consumer Issues Top Supreme Court's Docket
As the Supreme Court opens its new term, the justices have more business and consumer cases on their schedule. Key cases revolve around packaging rules, state lawsuits and protecting dolphins in California.

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