Supreme Court Further Closes the Prison Gates

On January 20, 2023, the Supreme Court took a significant step that may have far-reaching implications for access to justice, particularly for incarcerated individuals. In a routine order, the Court dismissed a petition from Danny Howell, denying his request to file without paying court fees due to financial hardship. However, the Court’s decision did not stop there; it also barred Howell from filing any future noncriminal petitions in forma pauperis, a move that has drawn criticism from legal experts and advocates alike. Implications of the Court’s Decision Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson expressed her dissent against … Read more

Funding Hurdles Stall Kentucky’s Kinship Care Law, Leaving Families in Limbo as Advocates Push for Action

FRANKFORT, Ky. — A year has passed since Kentucky’s Senate Bill 151 was enacted, yet many kinship caregivers are still without the promised resources. This legislation was designed to provide financial support to relatives, often grandparents or aunts and uncles, who step in to care for children. However, the bill has encountered significant delays due to ongoing funding disputes. Governor Andy Beshear introduced the “Kinship Bill” to address concerns that kinship caregivers deserve financial support comparable to that received by foster families. Despite the law receiving approval, the financial backing required to implement it is … Read more

Supreme Court Justice Alito Advocates for Mercy in Legal System at Vatican Jubilee of Justice

Vatican City—U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. emphasized the importance of integrating mercy into the legal system during a recent event at the Vatican. The discussion, held on September 20, was organized by the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See, the U.S. bishops’ conference, and the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization as part of the Jubilee of Justice in the Church’s Jubilee of Hope. Alito, who is 75 and has been on the Supreme Court since 2006, met with Pope Leo XIV earlier in the day for a public audience at St. Peter’s Square, … Read more

Matthew J. Sanders Advocates for Reforming Administrative Law’s Impact on Environmental Policy in Insightful Interview

Stanford, California — Matthew J. Sanders, an authority in the realm of environmental law, underscores the significance of procedural guidelines within the shifting dynamics of administrative law. In an interview, Sanders discussed his professional journey and the evolution of the regulatory landscape, advocating for reforms to enhance clarity, fairness, and consistency. Sanders points to climate change as a pressing issue that has transformed environmental priorities over the last few decades. He urges the federal government to modernize its regulatory frameworks in response to these growing environmental concerns. In his view, regulatory bodies must have the … Read more