U.S. Court of Appeals

Appeals Court Rules on New York Fire Department Discrimination

The Fire Department of New York has a discrimination problem: In a city where, in 2002, 25 percent of the population was black and 27 percent was Hispanic, the Fire Department was 2.6 percent black and 3.7 percent Hispanic. Other city agencies don't have this problem, and neither do fire departments ... More >>

U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Hears Arguments in NDAA Battle (We Barely Could)

It sounded like a panel of Federal Appeals Court judges drilled lawyers with a barrage of questions yesterday during a hearing of oral arguments in the high-profile lawsuit against the Obama administration over the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act. Of course, that's a bit tough to confirm c ... More >>

Concealed Weapons Not Protected By The Second Amendment: Court

Unlike some states (we're looking in your direction, Arizona), in New York it takes a little more than a trigger finger to get a permit to carry a concealed handgun -- under state law, a person needs to have "proper cause" to carry a concealed firearm."Proper cause" is defined as "a special need for ... More >>

Edith Windsor, Octogenarian Lesbian Widow: Take My DOMA Case to the Supreme Court!

Edith Windsor, the octogenarian lesbian widow who successfully sued the federal government for over chariging her $363,000 in estate taxes, wants to take her case to the Supreme Court. According to a press release from the New York Civil Liberties Union, which is representing Windsor along with the ... More >>

It's Not New York City's Job To Scare The Shit Out Of Smokers, Appeals Court Rules

It's not the job of the City of New York to force tobacco retailers to display disgusting images in their stores depicting some of the more repulsive health consequences of smoking in an attempt to scare the shit out of smokers, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan ruled today.

Court Says 'No' to Housing for Mentally Ill

A New York court has just reversed a legal order requiring that the state provide individualized housing for thousands of mentally ill people. The Associated Press indicates that the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan's move could impact other states' court decisions on psychiatric il ... More >>

Court Dismisses Organic Farmers' Case Against Monsanto

A New York federal court dismissed a lawsuit brought by a group of organic farmers, the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association, against the agricultural company Monsanto on Monday.

Judge Temporarily Blocks City From Banning Worship in Schools; Churches Rejoice

Thank God! That's what Pastor Sal Sabino did today when he heard the news that he and other churches may be able to worship in schools this Sunday after all. The drama around religious groups renting public school space reached new heights today when a federal judge decided to block the city Dep ... More >>

Despite Fears Of People Marrying Bacon, Washington State Legislature Passes Marriage Equality Bill

​It's turning out to be a very, very gay week for marriage. After the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that California's Prop 8 is unconstitutional, the House of Representatives of the State of Washington just passed a bill allowing same-sex marriage equality, 55 yay to 43 nay. Governor C ... More >>

Chris Geidner of Metro Weekly On What Today's Prop 8 Ruling Really Means

We admit it. We're very interested in the goings on with same-sex marriage across the nation, but we're not attorneys here at The Village Voice. Fortunately for us, our friend Chris Geidner at Metro Weekly is (or used to be, before he gave it all up for the far better paying field of journalism). We ... More >>

Electeds Protest Mayor's Ban On Religious Institutions Using Public School Space

Sam LevinProtestors earlier this month speaking out against Bloomberg's plan to ban religious institutions from public schools​They're back! And a bit louder this time. Elected officials and religious leaders rallied yesterday to protest Mayor Mike Bloomberg's ban on religious institutions u ... More >>

Court Orders Immediate Halt to Don't Ask, Don't Tell

​ The military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy barring gay and lesbian soldiers from serving openly seems to have been dealt a mortal blow yet again. Legally, it was substantially wounded last year when U.S. Judge Virginia Philips issued an injunction and refused to grant a stay during its ap ... More >>

This Week in Gay Marriage: Six Things You Need to Know To Keep It All Straight

​There was a flurry of activity across the United States on gay marriage this week at both the state and federal levels, from the nation's capital all the way to Honolulu. It might be harder to keep it all straight than, say, Ted Haggard on crystal meth or George Rekers with a rent boy. Here's ... More >>

Proposition 8 Decision: We Will Decide In a Year or So

The California Supreme Court made a decision today, kind of, in the ongoing case of Proposition 8, the California ballot proposal that banned gay marriage in 2008. The California Supremes decided that they will decide something in about ten months to a year. There's nothing like justice delayed, ... More >>

Prop 8 Case Sent Back to California Supreme Court

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals sent the Proposition 8 case, Perry v. Schwarzeneger, back to the California Supreme Court. In something that could potentially aid the marriage-equality side, the federal court said the state high court needs to decide if those against gay marriage equality have st ... More >>

'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Will Go On Indefinitely, Court Decides

​The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has given the Pentagon permission to continue discharging soldiers under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" the law's constitutionality is appealed, which could take months or even years to determine. In September, U.S. District Judge Virginia Philips had ruled that t ... More >>

Gay Marriage in California Put on Hold by Appeals Court

Well, that didn't last long. After his strongly worded decision rendering California's Proposition 8 unconstitutional, U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker lifted his stay last week, effective this Wednesday. Gay marriages were set to start again at 5 PM PDT tomorrow, but the Ninth Circuit Court of Ap ... More >>

Anti-Gay Activists Outed by Supreme Court

Just in time for Pride Weekend, the Supreme Court has booted thousands of anti-gay activists out of the closet yesterday, who were terrified of being outed as bigots. In an unusual, near unanimous 8 to 1 decision, the court ruled that people who signed a petition to repeal Washington State's "everyt ... More >>

Army Objects, But Appeals Court Grants Brooklyn Doctor C.O. Status

A small but telling legal battle between the Army and a Brooklyn doctor whose anti-war "epiphany" led him to petition for conscientious objector status ended yesterday when a federal appeals court ruled that the doctor can stay home. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals (think: Sotomayor) decided t ... More >>

Giuliani-Bloomberg Gun Suit Dies of Neglect at Supreme Court

Back in 2000, Mayor Giuliani (who, people forget, used to be very anti-gun) had the city bring suit against about two dozen gun manufacturers, charging that their negligence caused illegal guns to enter New York and kill people. Bloomberg, who is even more anti-gun, took the suit over from him, an ... More >>

English-Only Bosses Just Don't Understand

How Do I Dump a Submissive Who Does My Dishes and Gives Me Blowjobs?

Weekly sex advice from Dan Savage

Atlantic Yards Eminent Domain Fight Back in Court

'Criminal Civilians,' Even Libby, Get Break

Saving Free Speech and Jesus

Religious and conservative groups support the 'Bong Hits 4 Jesus' banner under fire at the Supreme Court

Obama: Who Is He Now?

In Chicago and the Illinois State Legislature, Barack Obama made a difference—he did not just 'hope'

The Torture Judge

U.S. court rules our government can break international laws to keep us safe

Tookie's Long Goodbye

Timeline of an execution, quote by quote

Morning Report 11/2/05
Radioactive Man and Fallout Boy

Uncle Sam vs. James Lockhart

Supreme Court hears appeal of elderly, sick man dunned for student loans

Bush Picks a Supreme Court Fight

Samuel Alito is president's chance to rally his base with a brawl

The Real John Roberts

Justice O'Connor ruled Bush can't get 'a blank check' but her successor will give him one

Dems Begin Digging into Bush Court Nominee

In Search of a Right

The 13-year struggle of targets in a racial dragnet reveals the elusive nature of justice

Morning Report 7/20/05
Supreme Insult

The Silver Lining of Bush's Supreme Agenda

How the people could win even if the court seems like a lost cause

Supreme Court Nomination: Will Bush Pick a Woman?

The Silencing of Sibel Edmonds

Court won't let public hear what FBI whistleblower has to say

Conservative Elders Smack Bush for Schiavo Position

President's allegiance to religious right sets Republican Party adrift

Civil Rights Rollback

The spread of racial profiling since 9-11

George W. Bush's Constitution

'Does It Take a Lifetime to Question a Man?'

A Prosecutor’s Revenge

Javert of ‘Les Misérables’ Lives!

Schwarz: Justice or Technicalities?

Have the Critics Read the Whole Decision?

Animal Rights Goes Legit

A Dostoyevskian Dilemma, or The Nature of the Beast

Limit Access, Stack the Court

The Right-Wing Map to Outlawing Abortion

Elián’s Future in Cuba

The Fate of a Six-Year-Old Boy

Can a Book Murder?

Sue the Messenger, Part Two

In 2000 the Media Takes It From All Sides

The Digital Rights Dilemma

National Writers Union Wins Landmark Decision for Freelancers. Maybe.

Machine Age