Courts

Federal Judge Seeks Maryland Supreme Court’s Ruling on Controversial Child Victims Act, Shaping Future of Abuse Lawsuits

by

Upper Marlboro, Maryland – A federal judge has sought clarification from the Maryland Supreme Court regarding the constitutionality of the state’s Child Victims Act. The act, which has sparked numerous child sex abuse lawsuits, was called into question by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a federal lawsuit involving allegations of sexual abuse by a Mormon priest. U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar has requested the Supreme Court of Maryland to define the state’s law, potentially expediting a definitive ruling on the matter. Judge Bredar’s decision comes amidst ongoing appeals of lawsuits … 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

Citizenship in the Spotlight: Courts Prepare to Rule on Texas Immigration Law

by

AUSTIN, Texas – The enforcement of an immigration law in Texas is up for decision in the courts. Legal proceedings are currently underway to determine the fate of Senate Bill 4 (SB4), a highly controversial legislation that seeks to crack down on illegal immigration in the state. The law, which was signed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2017, grants local law enforcement the power to question the immigration status of individuals during routine interactions. Opponents of SB4 argue that it violates the constitutional rights of immigrants and leads to racial profiling. They assert that the … Read more

Federal Judiciary Urged to Curb ‘Judge Shopping’ to Ensure Fairness and Impartiality in Texas Courts

by

Dallas, Texas – The advisory body to the federal judiciary has recently issued guidelines to discourage the practice of “judge shopping,” a tactic used by attorneys to ensure their case is heard by a judge who aligns with their cause. While the guidelines are not binding, there is a call for federal courts in Texas to adopt them. Judge shopping involves attorneys seeking out single-judge divisions within federal courts where the judge is likely to align with their ideology. This tactic is used to obtain favorable rulings and has become a significant issue, particularly in … Read more