Authority

Colorado Supreme Court Weighs Jury Authority in Multi-Million Dollar Medical Malpractice Case

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Colorado justices are weighing the extent of judicial authority over jury awards in medical malpractice cases, a debate ignited by the injury of a newborn girl. Following a severe hospital error that led to lasting damage, her parents sought compensation, resulting in a jury award of over $27 million primarily for future care. However, Colorado law generally caps such damages at $1 million, with exceptions possible if a judge identifies compelling reasons to exceed that limit. Now, the Colorado Supreme Court is addressing crucial questions about judges’ roles after juries have made their decisions. Specifically, … Read more

Wisconsin Supreme Court Upholds Separation of Powers, Fuels Attorney General’s Authority in Landmark Ruling

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MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Supreme Court delivered a significant ruling Tuesday, siding unanimously with the state’s Democratic attorney general in a protracted legal dispute over legislation that aimed to reduce his powers. The court’s 7-0 decision found that a 2018 law passed during a lame-duck session by Republicans violated the state’s constitutional separation of powers. The ruling centered around the legislative restrictions that hindered the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s ability to resolve civil cases. The court’s opinion emphasized that litigation on behalf of the state is fundamentally an executive function. However, it acknowledged that … Read more

Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Executive Order on Voting, Upholding State Authority and Democracy

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BOSTON — A federal judge has issued a decision halting an executive order from President Donald Trump that aimed to modify voting requirements and election processes. The ruling comes as concerns over election integrity and access to the ballot continue to dominate the national conversation. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper found that the president does not possess the authority to unilaterally alter established election procedures. The judge emphasized that the responsibility for regulating elections lies with Congress and the Election Assistance Committee (EAC). The Constitution’s Election Clause explicitly delegates this power to state … Read more

Federal Judge Rules Trump Illegally Deployed National Guard in California, Restoring Governor Newsom’s Authority

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SAN FRANCISCO — In a significant ruling, a federal judge has mandated that President Donald Trump relinquish control of the National Guard troops he dispatched to Los Angeles for immigration enforcement and managing civil unrest. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer issued a temporary restraining order on Thursday, stating that the deployment was unlawful and exceeded the President’s authority under the Tenth Amendment. The order is set to take effect Friday at noon. The federal government wasted no time, immediately filing an appeal with the Ninth Circuit court. The ruling raises questions about how it will … Read more