Court

Federal Appeals Court Orders Investigation into Potential Juror Bias in Boston Marathon Bomber’s Trial

by

BOSTON (AP) — The judge who presided over the trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the Boston Marathon bomber, has been ordered by a federal appeals court to investigate claims of juror bias and determine whether Tsarnaev’s death sentence should stand. While the appeals court did not overturn the death sentence, defense lawyers had sought that outcome, arguing that two jurors had exhibited bias during the trial. The Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that the trial judge did not adequately address Tsarnaev’s allegations, prompting the court to send the case back for further investigation. … Read more

California Shoppers Take Hermès to Court Over Alleged Illegal Handbag Sales Tactics

by

LOS ANGELES, California – A lawsuit has been filed against French luxury brand Hermès International by two Californians who claim that the company engages in unlawful sales practices and violates antitrust laws. The plaintiffs, Tina Cavalleri and Mark Glinoga, allege that Hermès forces customers to purchase other products in order to gain access to the highly coveted Birkin bag, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars. The Birkin bag, introduced in 1984, has gained a reputation as the most sought-after handbag in the world. It is considered an investment piece and has retained its … Read more

New York Appeals Court Upholds Red-Flag Law, Rejects Constitutional Challenge

by

ALBANY, N.Y. – In a groundbreaking decision on Wednesday, a New York appeals court upheld the state’s red-flag law, dismissing claims that the law violated the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This marks the first time a New York appeals court has addressed the constitutionality of the red-flag law. The Second Department of the Appellate Division, in its ruling, stated that the red-flag law, which allows law enforcement officials to temporarily confiscate firearms from individuals considered a danger to themselves or others, is in line with the nation’s historical tradition of regulating access to … Read more

Appeals Court Blocks Texas from Enforcing SB4 Immigration Law After Supreme Court’s Initial Approval

by

Brownsville, Texas – The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has blocked Texas from enforcing its controversial immigration law, known as SB4, just hours after the Supreme Court gave officials permission to prosecute migrants suspected of unauthorized border crossings. The appeals court panel dissolved the temporary suspension that had been put in place to halt a lower court ruling declaring SB4 unconstitutional. This reinstated a ruling by U.S. District Court Judge David Ezra, who determined that the law conflicted with federal immigration laws and the Constitution. Earlier on Tuesday, the Supreme Court denied the Justice Department’s … Read more